Why do we continue to see Game Used, Jersey, Patch, Swatch, Relic cards produced?

dtkk49a

Maybe I am missimg something, but this is one fad I would like to see go away this year. Except for those crazy Ruth or Gherig cards, these cards basically lose thier value in a blink of an eye - many worthless right out of the pack. Even people collecting just for fun need to realize that the item is probably fake most of the time. What is keeping the card companies from ending the nonsense?

mcadams

Agreed.

zurbs17

Agree but I don't see it ending - ever.

JustinsShoebox

Couldn't agree more.

Justin

llafoe

It's a major draw for the card companies. They would need a substitute for this draw... what do you recommend?

mcadams

porn > jerseys swatches

mtcards

Making them tougher to get would be a start.....when you see lots of 50 of them going for under a buck each quite often, there is too many of them

eagles33

Agreed. Autos are nice inserts but jersey cards are not interesting at all to me.

JustinsShoebox

<< <i>Agreed. Autos are nice inserts but jersey cards are not interesting at all to me. >>



Also agree. The only time swatch cards work are with these link. Otherwise, when it comes to cards, I'd rather have autos and avoid the game used junk.

Justin

mygotta

Yeah, I have found little resell value in the "game-used" patches, jerseys, etc and little personal interest in them. They have become just as common as autographs. Although there seems to be more interest in an auto than relics. If they reserved them for special instances or players, they would be more interesting. But same with autographs. I would rather get a base Mike Trout or Bryce Harper rookie than a Johnny Common relic or auto.

csmtampa

Man I remember when it was hard to pull a game used card and when you did it was actually worth something.

mygotta

<< <i>Man I remember when it was hard to pull a game used card and when you did it was actually worth something. >>



Yup. Sad. I think Topps should at least for one set, just make a bare-bones set, but actually short print the set. What do they have to lose. (I know, money... )

TheZodiacCollection

Sometimes what you get is just an unidentifiable piece of fabric from who knows where.

dtkk49a

It's a major draw for the card companies. They would need a substitute for this draw... what do you recommend?

If they are going to keep making them, my recomendation would be to limit it to HOFers with a on card auto.

TmbrWolf22

<< <i>Yeah, I have found little resell value in the "game-used" patches, jerseys, etc and little personal interest in them. They have become just as common as autographs. Although there seems to be more interest in an auto than relics. If they reserved them for special instances or players, they would be more interesting. But same with autographs. I would rather get a base Mike Trout or Bryce Harper rookie than a Johnny Common relic or auto. >>



I couldn't have said it better, and feel the same way. I actually think that I would like to have a jersey swatch over an autograph though. Most autos you see are hideous.

vladguerrero

Im not into them either but that doesnt mean a ton of people outside the board aren't. As much as I'm not a fan they are absolutely a driver for the current state of the hobby. I sold a hockey (non nhl licenced at that) patch card of a common player in the summer for $400.00.

handyman

Game used jock straps are in the near future. Just saying now is a time to buy them before they hit the market next year. Its going to be big! Except the guys using the PEDs of course.

zurbs17

The think I dislike most about them is that companies charge ridiculous dollars for unopened product with the promise of 1 or 2 Mem cards in a box. If you get a super star player with a low print run, the box might be a break even investment. 99% of the time you get some fourth liner, practice squad, lefty reliever that nobody cares about and you can't get a dollar for.

GR

one thing i think could be a neat card for kids is a product that has redemption autographs where the athletes personalize the autograph to the person who pulled the card, wouldnt have resale value but kids would think its the neatest thing, and thats how you keep this hobby alive years longer then we will all live.

handyman

Yes I would like a personalized Dick Pole auto made out to my name my friend Al Otavagina.

Aric

Do you dislike them for what they are or because they rarely hold value? I'm on the other side of the fence. I like the idea behind them. What I dislike is the fact that many are not game used or probably were never even worn by an athlete. When that big fake jersey scandal went down a couple years ago it was found that many were purchased by Upper Deck and put into cards. Of course when all you have is little swatch its impossible to ever know. So there's not even a way to determine whats cards have real jersey and which ones have fakes. I still pick up jersey cards for my Marvin Harrison collection but I do so knowing that its probable Marvin never touched it.

BenG76

I would like to see the card companies put in redemption cards where you actually get the whole jersey or bat or whatever. I think Topps did this with a UFC set this year were you got an autographed glove.

I think some of the patch cards look cool. Wasnt there a picture somewhere online with some player wearing a bunch of jerseys at once just so they could say he wore them. Also seems like I read somewhere about them making jerseys with patches all over them and getting the players to wear them a few minutes.

I really hate to see the cards companies cutting up jerseys and bats of older players. There is only so much of that stuff to go around. Now though players can get a new jersey everyday or a new bat everyday so its not as big of a deal.

dtkk49a

Redemption cards are more BS than jersey swatch cards. I've been waiting almost 6 months for a card from Topps.

Aric

That would be Mark Ingram at the 2011 Rookie Premiere event.

tkd7

I completely understand the argument around not cutting up vintage jerseys or autographs to make cards.

I don't understand the argument around eliminating jersey cards altogether. If you care about these cards holding value, then don't buy them in the first place. If you bust packs, sell them as soon as you get them, before they lose value. They certainly aren't a fad, they've been around a long time now.

The hobby is large enough to collect what you like, instead of telling card companies what they should eliminate.

CocoaBeachDodgers

<< <i>I completely understand the argument around not cutting up vintage jerseys or autographs to make cards.

I don't understand the argument around eliminating jersey cards altogether. If you care about these cards holding value, then don't buy them in the first place. If you bust packs, sell them as soon as you get them, before they lose value. They certainly aren't a fad, they've been around a long time now.

The hobby is large enough to collect what you like, instead of telling card companies what they should eliminate. >>




I am not a fan of them either, but, I completely agree with Tom's opinion and they way he stated that!

As far as me personally, I put autograph cards, jersey cards, bat cards, inserts, and anything else you can think of in the same catagory as gimmicks by the card companies & because of that is and will never be good for the investing side of the hobby. Great for some collectors, but terrible for investers, and unfortunely, too many people have bought these in the past thinking they will be worth more some day in the future.

digicat

The kids like them. My wife's teen-age cousin came over for a visit. I heard that he was into cards, so I showed him my collection. He got more excited about a 2007 Bowman Sterling Black Refractor (#/25) Brian Boc-ock JSY/AU I showed him than he did about a PSA 6 1951 Bowman Willie Mays RC.