Topps Living Set

[Chrisyork33]

Genius idea by Topps. Give collectors a set that can never be completed. This could also be a nice revenue boost to help with the pending sale.

[Malsk]

Originally Posted by SB34C

Not asking you to be sorry, just not sure why people kill a product from the get-go. Back in 2016, I was the first one to list cards #1 and #2. I priced them at $100 each and sold both at the price. I'd like to think I helped to create the hype on Topps Now. Hard to create hype on something when people are selling them for below cost out of the gate. I know it's not your fault Jake, there is just too much competition on eBay and people like to work for pennies.

That is something that should have been addressed at the summit. Topps should reward those who do not kill their product in the secondary market. Jeeves, maybe send special/limited cards to those who help promote the product, not destroy it.

They are killing the market 100%. I know everybody wants to ignore etopps but the exact same thing is happening. It got super popular and then crashed hard because the print runs went crazy. No value left...

2016 card #1 I think printed around 250-300. This will easily print 3000 plus. Pre-sellers alone are likely going to be around 1000.

I love the concept but you should be able to buy card #1 for the next decade easily around $10 I would assume.

[Americards]

$5.17 !!!!!!

[Darth Bryzzo]

I think it’s great that a truly broad swath of collectors have ready access to these cards at a sane price point. If these could be priced at $50-100 per card out of the gate, the set wouldn’t last very long.

It’s unrealistic to think any new online issue where production is based on pre-orders is going to mirror the early 2016 TN cards, at least where popular players are involved. People see what some of those early super low print runs go for and they are going to try to catch that lightning in a bottle again, which means it won’t happen again.

Because this is being marketed as a cohesive set, the smarter long term value play is not loading up on the Judges of the set, but buying and holding a decent number of cards for the “other guys” who most people are passing on right now. Down the road, some of those folks will regret those decisions and decide to try for the full set, and new collectors will enter the fray, creating value in the neglected scrubs.

[vanpatten]

Originally Posted by Darth Bryzzo

I think it’s great that a truly broad swath of collectors have ready access to these cards at a sane price point. If these could be priced at $50-100 per card out of the gate, the set wouldn’t last very long.

It’s unrealistic to think any new online issue where production is based on pre-orders is going to mirror the early 2016 TN cards, at least where popular players are involved. People see what some of those early super low print runs go for and they are going to try to catch that lightning in a bottle again, which means it won’t happen again.

Because this is being marketed as a cohesive set, the smarter long term value play is not loading up on the Judges of the set, but buying and holding a decent number of cards for the “other guys” who most people are passing on right now. Down the road, some of those folks will regret those decisions and decide to try for the full set, and new collectors will enter the fray, creating value in the neglected scrubs.

I completely agree. It will be interesting to see the print runs of these and how they fluctuate with stars. Topps should keep an updated PDF or something online to track the print runs since a lot of regular collectors likely won't.

I think Judge will be the highest printed card of the release imo. It's new, the hype is still there. The money will be made on the other cards.

[sandlotsportcards]

Just put in an order for the bundle. I decided to work on the set for my son.

[Darth Bryzzo]

Originally Posted by vanpatten

I think Judge will be the highest printed card of the release imo. It's new, the hype is still there. The money will be made on the other cards.

Unless or until some hot rookie gets featured in the set, I suspect you are right that this first Judge card will be the highest printed. Maybe Trout, but we will see.

In any event, whether intentionally or not, Topps is creating some long term value opportunity for re-sellers by not forcing everyone to buy all three cards to get the Judge.

[SB34C]

Originally Posted by Malsk

They are killing the market 100%. I know everybody wants to ignore etopps but the exact same thing is happening. It got super popular and then crashed hard because the print runs went crazy. No value left...

2016 card #1 I think printed around 250-300. This will easily print 3000 plus. Pre-sellers alone are likely going to be around 1000.

I love the concept but you should be able to buy card #1 for the next decade easily around $10 I would assume.

The problem Topps could run into with this set is that they can only produce one Judge. He has been their cash cow. Unfortunately, you are correct card #1 will never be worth all that much. With that being said, the best card will be some average Joe who has a print run of under 200. Should be exciting to see how this plays out. I'm gonna start it, so I can pass it on to my great great great great grandkids and let them pick up the slack.

[SB34C]

Originally Posted by Darth Bryzzo

Unless or until some hot rookie gets featured in the set, I suspect you are right that this first Judge card will be the highest printed. Maybe Trout, but we will see.

In any event, whether intentionally or not, Topps is creating some long term value opportunity for re-sellers by not forcing everyone to buy all three cards to get the Judge.

Week 2 will definitely have Ohtani in it.

[Darth Bryzzo]

Originally Posted by SB34C

Week 2 will definitely have Ohtani in it.

Well, if they do that, sure. But that’s just a crass money grab, then (sounds like Topps). He has done nothing yet to justify being featured in a set like this, other than racking up ridiculously speculative print runs and eBay prices based on delusional wishfulness. If they do that in this set, it will immediately de-legitimize it for me.

All of these new sets that feature Ohtani so prominently are going to be embarrassing a few years from now. The guy doesn’t belong in the Majors at this point, at least not with this level of unearned superstar fanfare.

[Jeramy]

Originally Posted by SB34C

Sale price not including shipping charge $5.25
Shipping Cost $.49
Item Cost $3.75
EBAY FEE: $ 0.53
PAYPAL FEE: $ 0.45
TOTAL PROFIT: $ 0.03

Still a $.03 profit as long as the envelopes are free.
If one gets "lost", you need to sell 125 more just to get that money back. Seems like a pretty solid business plan.

Not even including the penny sleeve, top loader and team bag. Even in bulk purchasing of massive quantity, that's still around 15 cents a card.

[marino13]

I "dove" in for 10 bundles of Judges.

And they will be sitting in the corner when they get here.

Hopefully, they will put up the print-run once the deadline passed.

[joejoemay]

Originally Posted by TwinsJake

I’m hoping the team bag I’ve added this year will help.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tape the team bag tightly with two inches of tape Jake, don't use the pull strip. You will never have an issue with the card sliding out or getting painters tape gum on the top end.

[joejoemay]

Originally Posted by marino13

I "dove" in for 10 bundles of Judges.

And they will be sitting in the corner when they get here.

Hopefully, they will put up the print-run once the deadline passed.

They do...before COB each day except for weekends now. Weekends they will try but no promises.

[joejoemay]

Originally Posted by Jeramy

Not even including the penny sleeve, top loader and team bag. Even in bulk purchasing of massive quantity, that's still around 15 cents a card.

Save your energy Jeramy Jake and SPW are on here and making it happen (somehow) and that is good for collectors. I've talked to them both and they are stand up guys...who like you I consider friends. Even if they both raised their prices someone would undercut them. Even if you got all the sellers to agree to a price (something that is illegal by the way) some new guy will come in and under cut them. It's why 80% of business in the US go belly up within a year, they don't look at all the costs.
Also I am positive that this set like TBT and On Demand does not get them points towards Platinum in Topps Now. So they are mostly doing this to make a few pennies and get a few cards. As a business model flipping these is a losing endeavor, but a fun as hobby it's a blast; lets not make the flippers feel unwelcome.

[joejoemay]

Originally Posted by marino13

I "dove" in for 10 bundles of Judges.

And they will be sitting in the corner when they get here.

Hopefully, they will put up the print-run once the deadline passed.

Did that with 2016 Topps Now Judges...and it has made me very happy.

[joejoemay]

Originally Posted by Darth Bryzzo

Well, if they do that, sure. But that’s just a crass money grab, then (sounds like Topps). He has done nothing yet to justify being featured in a set like this, other than racking up ridiculously speculative print runs and eBay prices based on delusional wishfulness. If they do that in this set, it will immediately de-legitimize it for me.

All of these new sets that feature Ohtani so prominently are going to be embarrassing a few years from now. The guy doesn’t belong in the Majors at this point, at least not with this level of unearned superstar fanfare.

I tend to agree...I think they should stay away from rookies. I will ask the question (not sure I will get an answer) but this should be a set full of proven stars. FYI, I did not see a Ohtani in the dozen or so paintings I saw so I don't think we see him soon.

[Darth Bryzzo]

Originally Posted by joejoemay

Save your energy Jeramy Jake and SPW are on here and making it happen (somehow) and that is good for collectors. I've talked to them both and they are stand up guys...who like you I consider friends. Even if they both raised their prices someone would undercut them. Even if you got all the sellers to agree to a price (something that is illegal by the way) some new guy will come in and under cut them. It's why 80% of business in the US go belly up within a year, they don't look at all the costs.
Also I am positive that this set like TBT and On Demand does not get them points towards Platinum in Topps Now. So they are mostly doing this to make a few pennies and get a few cards. As a business model flipping these is a losing endeavor, but a fun as hobby it's a blast; lets not make the flippers feel unwelcome.

Thanks for noting that colluding to fix prices is illegal (under the federal antitrust laws, as well as most if not all state analogue unfair competition statutes).

The way some of the Platinum members’ comments have been going on these pricing issues of late, I figured someone (maybe me) was going to have to chime in and note that. Glad you took the reins on that, Joe.

[sportsamerica]

Originally Posted by Jeramy

Not even including the penny sleeve, top loader and team bag. Even in bulk purchasing of massive quantity, that's still around 15 cents a card.

All -- Don't forget if someone purchases 2 cards, the paypal fee does not double, shipping fee does not change, so multiples is what they bank on.. Figure if someone purchases 2, they make an addition 30 cents (paypal) and 49 cents (postage), with little additional costs (yes ebay fees and the 2.9% paypal) but multiples is where the profit is.

[Jeramy]

Originally Posted by joejoemay

Save your energy Jeramy

I'm not shitting on anyone...I'm just impressed. The ability to make it work and have such a large following is impressive and - as you mentioned - they're good dudes to boot.

Price fixing is cool and all, but if the feds ever come after people on eBay I'll give everyone here a free TN relic.

[Americards]

Originally Posted by Darth Bryzzo

Thanks for noting that colluding to fix prices is illegal (under the federal antitrust laws, as well as most if not all state analogue unfair competition statutes).

The way some of the Platinum members’ comments have been going on these pricing issues of late, I figured someone (maybe me) was going to have to chime in and note that. Glad you took the reins on that, Joe.

Panini tells their resellers they are not allowed to sell products less than a certain price (MAPP) for a month before they dumps the shitty product..

[Monty]

Also, Topps claims in their video that the 1953 set is the first hand-painted one, but it is not. Unless they are speaking of Topps sets specifically.

Start with the 1887 N284 Buchner Gold set and work up from there. There are quite a few that came before that 1953 set.

https://www.loc.gov/collections/base...logical-order/

[joejoemay]

Originally Posted by Malsk

They are killing the market 100%. I know everybody wants to ignore etopps but the exact same thing is happening. It got super popular and then crashed hard because the print runs went crazy. No value left...

2016 card #1 I think printed around 250-300. This will easily print 3000 plus. Pre-sellers alone are likely going to be around 1000.

I love the concept but you should be able to buy card #1 for the next decade easily around $10 I would assume.

Shipping killed eTopps...still have tons of cards in there that cost a fortune to get in hand even with discounts. The higher PRs didn't help and I don't doubt that this is a $10 card forever but I don't think so. The Now Ohtani printed 16K and sells well...I do hate the eTopps comparisons (though I get the reasoning) but I think we should let this play out a little more before we make comparisons.

[joejoemay]

Originally Posted by Jeramy

I'm not shitting on anyone...I'm just impressed. The ability to make it work and have such a large following is impressive and - as you mentioned - they're good dudes to boot.

Price fixing is cool and all, but if the feds ever come after people on eBay I'll give everyone here a free TN relic.

Went to a PSA luncheon and the old man who started the business was asked to speak and he talked all about how he and many of the big holders of 1952 Topps sets colluded to drive the prices way up and made a killing. My wife was, WOW...right there in a public forum they guy admitted that he and others fixed the prices on 52 Topps set so they could take these big fish to the cleaners.

Bottom line is the bottom finds its way as weak hands sell and guys decide that making just a few pennies is cool with them. Eventually they run out...and the prices go up (as long as people collect the sets) (unlike eTopps). So as long as this set exists and people collect the #1 card is going to have value, unless of course they print 200K. So I will buy my 20 and sit on them and pass them down if I need to but as long as Topps continues this set and Judge continues to hit HRs, then this is going to be a good one.

[joejoemay]

Originally Posted by Americards

Panini tells their resellers they are not allowed to sell products less than a certain price (MAPP) for a month before they dumps the shitty product..

That is to dealers of their product as they are an extension of the company and part of the brand...they don't and can't do it to their Instant customers...I'm not a lawyer but I did stay at a holiday inn express!