Why is the Topps/Fanatics website so weirdly patronizing?

[Boredlawyer]

Just shopping around Topps website. Can't put my finger on the tone. Patronizing? Condescending? Predatory?

Ex. from Bowman Chrome releases:

What 2025 Bowman Chrome Baseball Box Is Best for You?

Why does this feel like a choice between Pfizer and Moderna? Best for me? Like itemized versus standard deduction?

Length: 681 Words
Reading Time: ~4 Minutes

Why is this noted? I assume because my attention span is so short that I can't process anything longer than a tweet?

Key Facts
2025 Bowman Chrome offers Hobby, Delight, and Mega.
Hobby guarantees two autographs per box.
Delite includes three autographs in one premium pack.
Each box suits a different collector style.
Mega = Affordable entry point with Mojo packs.

They spelled it "Delight" as to every other portion of the article? Why did they spell Delite like that? Is that even a common misspelling?

Which countries are represented in 2025 Bowman Chrome® Baseball prospects?
Players come from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Japan, reflecting baseball’s growing international reach.

Reflecting baseball's growing international reach? Who would ask this question? What is this AI slop?

Whether you rip boxes, buy singles, or stash sealed wax, 2025 Bowman Chrome offers a range of collecting strategies.

More AI slop.

How to Collect the 2025 Bowman Chrome set

Ah, I was attempting to shove the chrome cards up my rectum. Thank you, Fanatics/Topps. I just couldn't figure out how to collect baseball cards.

Could they make it more obvious that the target audience it the degenerate who can't tell the difference between his ass and a hole in the ground? Why do they project this weird self-importance? Best choice for me?

The Collector's Glossary

Defining words like "flagship", "box loader", and "low number" is actually helpful for new collectors. But out of the ~100 terms in this glossary, why are "Larry Doby", "Rickwood Field", and not only "Negro Leagues", but also "Negro Leagues Museum" defined?

I'm totally in favor of companies giving more attention to Negro Leagues! 2001 Fleer Greats of the Game has one of the most incredible autograph checklists ever produced, and features exceptional on-card autographs from a handful of players like Buck Leonard and Artie Wilson! They even included the Negro Leagues logo on the cards! Those were really cool! People should be informed about this era and everyone should take a trip to the museum in KC--it's extremely well managed and designed!

But why is the term "Larry Doby" crammed between "Lenticular" and "Junk Wax"? Did I get Larry Doby'd on my most recent break? This isn't some Boomer-esque rambling I just don't understand why you'd include Satchel Paige but not Bob Feller. It's, if you're tasked with a nine-figure licensing agreement, why can't you establish a logical data set for a glossary?

I realize that "article editor for baseball cards" isn't drawing Northwestern's finest journalists. But could we set the air of superiority on the AI prompt to be, like, I don't know, 20% lower? How have I managed to find the single product who's website makes me less supportive of the brand?

[Mister2Bits]

This is just marketing and educating new customers. Fanatics is trying to grow the hobby exponentially. They know that not ever customer is a hobbyist and has an encyclopedia of cardboard knowledge.

[ThoseBackPages]

they dont care about Hobby Old Heads

[jduds]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

Just shopping around Topps website. Can't put my finger on the tone. Patronizing? Condescending? Predatory?

Ex. from Bowman Chrome releases:

What 2025 Bowman Chrome Baseball Box Is Best for You?

Why does this feel like a choice between Pfizer and Moderna? Best for me? Like itemized versus standard deduction?

Length: 681 Words
Reading Time: ~4 Minutes

Why is this noted? I assume because my attention span is so short that I can't process anything longer than a tweet?

Key Facts
2025 Bowman Chrome offers Hobby, Delight, and Mega.
Hobby guarantees two autographs per box.
Delite includes three autographs in one premium pack.
Each box suits a different collector style.
Mega = Affordable entry point with Mojo packs.

They spelled it "Delight" as to every other portion of the article? Why did they spell Delite like that? Is that even a common misspelling?

Which countries are represented in 2025 Bowman Chrome® Baseball prospects?
Players come from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Japan, reflecting baseball’s growing international reach.

Reflecting baseball's growing international reach? Who would ask this question? What is this AI slop?

Whether you rip boxes, buy singles, or stash sealed wax, 2025 Bowman Chrome offers a range of collecting strategies.

More AI slop.

How to Collect the 2025 Bowman Chrome set

Ah, I was attempting to shove the chrome cards up my rectum. Thank you, Fanatics/Topps. I just couldn't figure out how to collect baseball cards.

Could they make it more obvious that the target audience it the degenerate who can't tell the difference between his ass and a hole in the ground? Why do they project this weird self-importance? Best choice for me?

The Collector's Glossary

Defining words like "flagship", "box loader", and "low number" is actually helpful for new collectors. But out of the ~100 terms in this glossary, why are "Larry Doby", "Rickwood Field", and not only "Negro Leagues", but also "Negro Leagues Museum" defined?

I'm totally in favor of companies giving more attention to Negro Leagues! 2001 Fleer Greats of the Game has one of the most incredible autograph checklists ever produced, and features exceptional on-card autographs from a handful of players like Buck Leonard and Artie Wilson! They even included the Negro Leagues logo on the cards! Those were really cool! People should be informed about this era and everyone should take a trip to the museum in KC--it's extremely well managed and designed!

But why is the term "Larry Doby" crammed between "Lenticular" and "Junk Wax"? Did I get Larry Doby'd on my most recent break? This isn't some Boomer-esque rambling I just don't understand why you'd include Satchel Paige but not Bob Feller. It's, if you're tasked with a nine-figure licensing agreement, why can't you establish a logical data set for a glossary?

I realize that "article editor for baseball cards" isn't drawing Northwestern's finest journalists. But could we set the air of superiority on the AI prompt to be, like, I don't know, 20% lower? How have I managed to find the single product who's website makes me less supportive of the brand?

It's likely all search engine optimization junk, and they probably put Doby and Paige in when they had the Rickwood product as they were both in that.

[base set]

The radio commercial for 2025 Topps Chrome has this nugget: “Whether you’re chasing hits or wanna pull fire straight from the pack…”

I had never thought about the concept of AI Slop used for Marketing materials, too.

[dodgerfanjohn]

I think you are barking up the wrong tree here.

Spend some time in the Sportscard Nonsense group on Facebook and you will understand.

When I came back into the hobby in 2012, one of the first things I did was to research. I found the PSA forums and Cardboard Connection. These resources quickly got me up to speed on new products, vintage unopened, grading, and checklists.

Apparently that is not standard and Google searches elude the masses.

Fanatics CEO stated goal was to massively increase the market. That they have done. But lots and lots of totally clueless deer in the headlights collectors. Confused about product, grading, breaks, and everything in between. So fanatics writes mini dummies guides to their product (or rather uses AI to do so).

It is what it is.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

Just shopping around Topps website. Can't put my finger on the tone. Patronizing? Condescending? Predatory?

Ex. from Bowman Chrome releases:

What 2025 Bowman Chrome Baseball Box Is Best for You?

Why does this feel like a choice between Pfizer and Moderna? Best for me? Like itemized versus standard deduction?

Length: 681 Words
Reading Time: ~4 Minutes

Why is this noted? I assume because my attention span is so short that I can't process anything longer than a tweet?

Key Facts
2025 Bowman Chrome offers Hobby, Delight, and Mega.
Hobby guarantees two autographs per box.
Delite includes three autographs in one premium pack.
Each box suits a different collector style.
Mega = Affordable entry point with Mojo packs.

They spelled it "Delight" as to every other portion of the article? Why did they spell Delite like that? Is that even a common misspelling?

Which countries are represented in 2025 Bowman Chrome Baseball prospects?
Players come from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Japan, reflecting baseball’s growing international reach.

Reflecting baseball's growing international reach? Who would ask this question? What is this AI slop?

Whether you rip boxes, buy singles, or stash sealed wax, 2025 Bowman Chrome offers a range of collecting strategies.

More AI slop.

How to Collect the 2025 Bowman Chrome set

Ah, I was attempting to shove the chrome cards up my rectum. Thank you, Fanatics/Topps. I just couldn't figure out how to collect baseball cards.

Could they make it more obvious that the target audience it the degenerate who can't tell the difference between his ass and a hole in the ground? Why do they project this weird self-importance? Best choice for me?

The Collector's Glossary

Defining words like "flagship", "box loader", and "low number" is actually helpful for new collectors. But out of the ~100 terms in this glossary, why are "Larry Doby", "Rickwood Field", and not only "Negro Leagues", but also "Negro Leagues Museum" defined?

I'm totally in favor of companies giving more attention to Negro Leagues! 2001 Fleer Greats of the Game has one of the most incredible autograph checklists ever produced, and features exceptional on-card autographs from a handful of players like Buck Leonard and Artie Wilson! They even included the Negro Leagues logo on the cards! Those were really cool! People should be informed about this era and everyone should take a trip to the museum in KC--it's extremely well managed and designed!

But why is the term "Larry Doby" crammed between "Lenticular" and "Junk Wax"? Did I get Larry Doby'd on my most recent break? This isn't some Boomer-esque rambling I just don't understand why you'd include Satchel Paige but not Bob Feller. It's, if you're tasked with a nine-figure licensing agreement, why can't you establish a logical data set for a glossary?

I realize that "article editor for baseball cards" isn't drawing Northwestern's finest journalists. But could we set the air of superiority on the AI prompt to be, like, I don't know, 20% lower? How have I managed to find the single product who's website makes me less supportive of the brand?

The question is why do you feel personally attacked by a company explaining things like you're an idiot?

[SaveMeTheGum]

Fanatics is steaming pile of excrement.

[CapMarvelous]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

Ex. from Bowman Chrome releases:

What 2025 Bowman Chrome Baseball Box Is Best for You?

I work in marketing and when a company offers a specific product in many configurations or styles, this isn't exactly uncommon. It is like smart phones or cars, there's a level of product for pretty much every consumer and it is up to the consumer to decide what fits their wants/needs best.

[IronCladLou]

"Don't buy boxes kids. Hell, don't buy singles. Buy war bond..i mean breaks"

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by dodgerfanjohn

I think you are barking up the wrong tree here.

Spend some time in the Sportscard Nonsense group on Facebook and you will understand.

When I came back into the hobby in 2012, one of the first things I did was to research. I found the PSA forums and Cardboard Connection. These resources quickly got me up to speed on new products, vintage unopened, grading, and checklists.

Apparently that is not standard and Google searches elude the masses.

Fanatics CEO stated goal was to massively increase the market. That they have done. But lots and lots of totally clueless deer in the headlights collectors. Confused about product, grading, breaks, and everything in between. So fanatics writes mini dummies guides to their product (or rather uses AI to do so).

It is what it is.

People around here joke about the 10x quote all the time, and then when Fanatics actually markets the products like a mainstream business, they question "what is this crap?" Gotta love it.

All the way down to the "Is Fanatics in over their head" thread, some folks just wanted to see this all blow up spectacularly, and the total opposite has happened.

I don't mind the ongoing concern/debate regarding product release dates, quality control, and pricing. It's not like Fanatics has done an amazing job on all fronts.

But we must all agree, they are growing the market. They are mainstreaming the hobby. They are making cards "cool" again and parading the likes of Emma Roberts around to prove it. Facebook has blown up with card ads which I never used to see.

There is a lot to clean up as referenced above, but if anyone doubted Fanatics' commitment to massively increase the market, I think we've now seen that they are all-in on this.

[BlowoutBuzz]

"How to collect" is not a good term in my book.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

But we must all agree, they are growing the market.

The thing is, though, that there are a lot of collectors out there (like me) who don't really care about the market, or how big it is, because we're not seeking to profit from what is/was a hobby to us.

All we see is mediocre products at increasingly higher wax prices, which have made one of the major ways we enjoy the hobby (i.e. opening wax) increasingly unaffordable and financially unwise.

There's only one person who benefits from higher wax prices....and that's Michael Rubin.

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by mfw13

The thing is, though, that there are a lot of collectors out there (like me) who don't really care about the market, or how big it is, because we're not seeking to profit from what is/was a hobby to us.

All we see is mediocre products at increasingly higher wax prices, which have made one of the major ways we enjoy the hobby (i.e. opening wax) increasingly unaffordable and financially unwise.

There's only one person who benefits from higher wax prices....and that's Michael Rubin.

Well, the consensus "Product of the year" in baseball so far has been Topps X Bob Ross and you haven't contributed one post to that thread. Convenient, I'd say, that when Topps finally did release a nearly flawless and unanimously outstanding product, you were nowhere to be found. Not only was it great at retail price, but it was still great at 2X retail price. You could have bought all you wanted on the secondary market, ripped wax like a maniac, and had a great collection of cards worth more than you paid. You still can, TBH. Even at the current going rate of $900, most boxes won't be big losers.

Now I'm sure you'll say you don't like to collect the product and that's why you stayed away. That's fine, too. But, the thing is, Topps has no idea what MFW collects and it feels like you are waiting for them to create a product just for you at a price that you are willing to pay, which won't happen either. So if you wait all summer for the perfect product and then when it comes, you sit it out, is that really on Fanatics?

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by mfw13

The thing is, though, that there are a lot of collectors out there (like me) who don't really care about the market, or how big it is, because we're not seeking to profit from what is/was a hobby to us.

All we see is mediocre products at increasingly higher wax prices, which have made one of the major ways we enjoy the hobby (i.e. opening wax) increasingly unaffordable and financially unwise.

There's only one person who benefits from higher wax prices....and that's Michael Rubin.

More collectors collecting cards benefits collectors like us whether you want to admit it or not. Give me a massive market to collect in any day.

[oldgoldy97]