Target Online Sales Thread

[Hoopscardz83]

Originally Posted by BRob1

The other option is raise the price, or create a new format. Right now there is no option between a $20 blaster and a $1400 hobby box (ok megas, but that’s not what I’m talking about). Good blasters are “worth” $100-150 based on resale price. Consumers need some option in the $100-200 range either with a price increase on blasters to take some of the margin out of flipping, or create a new “hobby lite” product at say $200 that is the equivalent of say a mega.

They need 4 tiers in my opinion for the NFL and NBA. Hobby, high end retail, mid retail and stuff for kids and set collectors. They can still mass produce cards, but they can still protect Prizm, Opric, etc. Low end stuff like Hoops is no longer that.

Make some sets like Complete with some inserts. Just don't have numbered, autos, or parallels in the set so you don't have resell value.

[mossoholic]

Originally Posted by BRob1

The other option is raise the price, or create a new format. Right now there is no option between a $20 blaster and a $1400 hobby box (ok megas, but that’s not what I’m talking about). Good blasters are “worth” $100-150 based on resale price. Consumers need some option in the $100-200 range either with a price increase on blasters to take some of the margin out of flipping, or create a new “hobby lite” product at say $200 that is the equivalent of say a mega.

The issue is how would they sell the new format? They aren't going to have a retail blaster with the same amount of cards and hits that had an MSRP of $20 suddenly be $100 MSRP. Certainly not while the same version hobby box has an MSRP of $150-$200. 2020 Prizm football hobby MSRP is $150. They aren't going to all of a sudden charge $100+ for a retail blaster of 2021 Prizm football and call it MSRP.

Here is the issue with a "hobby lite". Who are they going to sell it to? Most likely virtually all of it to the distributors. Who will then do what they are doing for every hobby box. Marking up the price 3-10 times MSRP to normal customers.

The best scenario to get normal and long term customers retail and hobby is to have subscription plans. Have 3-5 different tiers with prices up to $10,000 or more for a plan. Have a low tier plan like Montgomery Club that is $250-$500 a year. That way at least on that low tier plan normal customers that can't find retail or hobby for anywhere near MSRP can get a few boxes from a handful or two of products per year. One way to combat the bots would be for Panini to first offer membership plans to customers that have had accounts for over a year or two and/or spent a certain amount of money on the Panini store. That would eliminate some bots.

[BRob1]

Originally Posted by Hoopscardz83

Will see what Target does online this week when it comes to bots. Target has made strides, but nowhere near where they need to be.

Single prices are dropping and wax prices are dropping. The market is in a weird spot now. Target not selling cards, day by day covid restrictions lesson.

The next test is what happens with the Target online release after the in store suspension of card sales. If Walmart can handle the new increase of traffic is the question. If all product gets botted the hobby will be done for many.

The NBA playoffs will also show us how good the market is.

not being able to grade with PSA is having a big impact on both wax and raw singles.

There are virtually no cards you can justify spending $300 to grade out of a pack right now outside the silvers of a couple guys in each sport. With prizm football they’re were 8-10 guys you could justify spending $25 to grade , heck a lot of cards you could even justify $50.

The value of cards after grading was built into most people’s concept of wax value. The same thing is affecting the singles market. I used to buy a ton of cards at $15-30 dollars for grading purposes. Now I’ve bought 5 Wander mega rookies at about $100 apiece and even at that price I don’t have a route to grade them. I’m only buying those because I have faith in him long term and I hope eventually I’ll be able to grade them for $50 apiece. It’s put a damper on the other low end stuff i would be buying. (That and the brutal quality control from Panini right now).


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[BRob1]

Originally Posted by mossoholic

The issue is how would they sell the new format? They aren't going to have a retail blaster with the same amount of cards and hits that had an MSRP of $20 suddenly be $100 MSRP. Certainly not while the same version hobby box has an MSRP of $150-$200. 2020 Prizm football hobby MSRP is $150. They aren't going to all of a sudden charge $100+ for a retail blaster of 2021 Prizm football and call it MSRP.

Here is the issue with a "hobby lite". Who are they going to sell it to? Most likely virtually all of it to the distributors. Who will then do what they are doing for every hobby box. Marking up the price 3-10 times MSRP to normal customers.

The best scenario to get normal and long term customers retail and hobby is to have subscription plans. Have 3-5 different tiers with prices up to $10,000 or more for a plan. Have a low tier plan like Montgomery Club that is $250-$500 a year. That way at least on that low tier plan normal customers that can't find retail or hobby for anywhere near MSRP can get a few boxes from a handful or two of products per year. One way to combat the bots would be for Panini to first offer membership plans to customers that have had accounts for over a year or two and/or spent a certain amount of money on the Panini store. That would eliminate some bots.

Well it couldn’t have the same value as hobby or it would just get priced up in the secondary market if it was “worth” more than it cost. It needs to be a box the market perceives as having $200-300 value and be priced as such. Hobby can be found anywhere because it’s at an equilibrium price in the market. No one sees arbitrage value so anyone who wants one can have one.

I will say panini needs to do a LOT more direct to consumer than they are today, it’s literally the way of the world for all brands. Cut out the middle man and increase profits. You’ll always need retail partners of some type (target, walmart, lcs) but they need to sell more themselves, purely as an outsider that understands retail.


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[Chicosbailbonds]

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

They did listen and they got tired of it. Complaining isn’t going to bring anything back or fix anything.

I’m willing to bet there are less than 4 people in the entire staff of Target that wants anything to do with sports/trading cards. Keeping it online allows less people to deal with it.

When their stores are having serious staffing issues (like everyone else), adding more resources to babysit the card section is a huge strain on their labor.

[cspaced25]

Ya’ll realize if this thread doesn’t stay on the topic of actual restocks it’s going to get shutdown again?!?!

I even agree now that the “what can Target do discussion” (Yes you Charmcity, record for posts in a day) needs to be moved off topic so this thread can stay on task.

Cmon people it’s not hard, actual restocks only!!! Not your resumes and not fighting ideas.

[wxguy44]

There's been several Pokemon drops over the last day on Target, a few with Walmart. No sports yet.

[wxguy44]

uh oh, XBox dropped...not a good sign for sports :/

[cspaced25]

Originally Posted by wxguy44

uh oh, XBox dropped...not a good sign for sports :/

Well that is a bummer. Could've easily scored one of them if I wanted to, kind of feels like a win even though I didn't.

[theshowandme]

New thread had been around for 48 hours and it’s already devolved into a bunch of nonsense about bots and cyber security. Going to have an aneurysm parsing all the misinformation. Can we just post links and times of when cards go live?


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[Hoopscardz83]

Bots will always be a topic on here since this is an online thread. I do agree it did get out of hand.

[cspaced25]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

New thread had been around for 48 hours and it’s already devolved into a bunch of nonsense about bots and cyber security. Going to have an aneurysm parsing all the misinformation. Can we just post links and times of when cards go live?


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Agreed. Stay on topic people.
3-4 people that all think they know more than the other on Targets process/plans/ideas/what to do/cyber security. They need an Off topic thread to show they are smarter than each other and bang on their chest as they type to assert their internet dominance.

[ATeamHasNoName]

If PS5 doesn’t drop today there’s rumors of it tomorrow so unlikely tomorrow I’d think for cards… Friday it is


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[JeremyNick]

Originally Posted by ATeamHasNoName

If PS5 doesn’t drop today there’s rumors of it tomorrow so unlikely tomorrow I’d think for cards… Friday it is


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Maybe.

I would bet that it might be next week.

[Browns1981]

Originally Posted by Hoopscardz83

They need 4 tiers in my opinion for the NFL and NBA. Hobby, high end retail, mid retail and stuff for kids and set collectors. They can still mass produce cards, but they can still protect Prizm, Opric, etc. Low end stuff like Hoops is no longer that.

Make some sets like Complete with some inserts. Just don't have numbered, autos, or parallels in the set so you don't have resell value.

They already have low tier garbage for kids like Score football and Opening Day, and it all still sells out.

[ATeamHasNoName]

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

Maybe.

I would bet that it might be next week.

Wouldn’t surprise me either. I’m hoping by this Friday we’ll get an update as to what’s happening next and then it’s implemented next week


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[wxguy44]

Next week was my guess as well, but only if they did a normal online release. I think if they implement something new, they may just wait till after the holiday weekend.

[daktmacfan]

Whether online or in store there should be a single drop for each release. All this trickle out does is pump up the prices allowing Panini to sell their direct hobby + retail boxes at multiples over MSRP A single drop along with reasonable limits would really allow all folks to get some access.

[JeremyNick]

Originally Posted by ATeamHasNoName

Wouldn’t surprise me either. I’m hoping by this Friday we’ll get an update as to what’s happening next and then it’s implemented next week


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I would be shocked if they do anything more than just make all the units available online.

I think they want nothing to do with a new system or changes.

[ATeamHasNoName]

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

I would be shocked if they do anything more than just make all the units available online.

I think they want nothing to do with a new system or changes.

Agreed. Was thinking more along the lines of a designated time or limits (1/person? Ick) etc


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[J1L]

Originally Posted by ATeamHasNoName

Agreed. Was thinking more along the lines of a designated time or limits (1/person? Ick) etc


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They won’t do limit 1 on cards. Shipping nightmare. I think Friday or next week for drop.

[ATeamHasNoName]

Originally Posted by J1L

They won’t do limit 1 on cards. Shipping nightmare. I think Friday or next week for drop.

I’d hope not. Plus if they’re receiving store inventory they’re probably just wanting to get it all out the warehouse.


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[wxguy44]

Anyone checking Walmarts this week? Let us know what you see

[ATeamHasNoName]

Originally Posted by wxguy44

Anyone checking Walmarts this week? Let us know what you see

Went yesterday afternoon and was shocked to find a toooooon of Pokémon (nothing super great from what little i know). A bunch of hockey and some heritage packs. Not a Walmart i often go to so i don’t know if they recently stocked or not


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[AstrosFan17]

Originally Posted by J1L

This charm guy is wilding in here lol. Literally has no clue what he’s talking about. I was going to try and respond but he posted so much false info I don’t know where to start. Hacking, breaching, etc bots do none of this.

One thing people forget is the advantage of being small and agile. A bot developer can push a hot fix in the middle of a drop and beat whatever defense a site has put up. It happens every week with shoes. Also, target and Walmart DONT CARE. They make some changes to save face but in the end they sell the product.

This is the bottom line... Target and Walmart don't care if the product gets into the 'right' hands, just that it sells with the least financial cost to them. If the product is already selling AND they don't have to use any shelf space or manpower to do it, that's a win for them.

I doubt they would spend any money trying to change anything with no gain on the financial balance sheet.