Lordy Lordy. What is one to expect with a post title header like that? I'll tell ya....It is RANT time.
The blogs have been loaded with stories and picture about the newly released 2025 Topps series 1. I've read them, and decided I'll be getting plenty of them thousands to sort through in the coming weeks, no rush. Technically I'd be just fine waiting on the complete factory set. I mean after all economically, it makes sense. I digress, I know you all are aching down deep into your souls wanting, needing, begging to know what my RANT is.
I just pulled up my Braves checklist for the set.
1,603 Braves in series 1 alone.
Seriously, that is nearly the grand total of Topps 1 & 2 for all of last year (2,124 cards)! Don't forget Beckett will add a couple hundred more before series 2 comes out to their listing.
19 Braves cards in the base set, then you have 58 YES I said FIFTY EIGHT parallels.
I mean come on, the Braves didn't make it past the pre- wildcard game in the postseason.
Just so I am not alone here Let's po the OWL. The reigning World Series Champions the Los Angeles Dodgers.....Yeah they have 1,684. I guess winning the trophy will net your team 81 cards, that makes sense all though still too many. If 81 cards are too many, what does that say about Topps making 1600-1700 cards per team for half of (actually a third) of a set. They are NEVER going to stop.
You can't even say it's due to increased "creativity" which is absolutely NOT the case, if so every parallel/VARIATION would have a DIFFERENT PHOTO. Heck, even the "names" aren't very creative. I'm telling you, if I did the Social Media thing I would be BLOWING IT UP, lol. Hopefully, you techno civilians out there will do it for me.
There it is, that is my out of the ordinary RANT and weekend POST.
Sixteen hundred cards in one series alone? Ridiculous. I mean it gives team collectors something to chase... but that's truly excessive. Guess there's one good thing about being an A's fan. They never have as many cards as the Dodgers or Braves :D
ReplyDeleteThe A's have 687 in series 1.
DeleteLess than half than the Dodgers or Braves? Not sure if I should laugh or cry :D
DeleteThat was sort of my rant for rodney hampton. He has one product with 36 cards. That isn't close to what you have to chase but that is a lot for a player like him.
ReplyDeleteWOW! The packs I currently have are from the 80's and 90's. The last new packs I bought were in 2019 for my Topps Heritage set build. Not very interesting or very informative. Thanks for the post and have a blessed Sunday.
ReplyDeleteDude, that's INSANITY! 58 parallels?!?!?! What are they running here?
ReplyDeleteI can't take it anymore.
ReplyDeleteThey want people to buy more and more packs. And the business model seems to be working.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to chase the parallels. Gimme the base and that's it..
ReplyDeleteI don't even really care too much for the inserts unless it's something like the 50th anniversary of the Expos.
I think there are a few who could use this old videogame quote: "All of your base are belong to us"
1600?! I knew it was a lot but never would have guessed that high.
ReplyDeletePerfect formula to drive people away from the hobby again...although as Bo said it seems to be working (somehow). Luckily I'm a player collector and beyond buybacks, I haven't seen many of them. Otherwise I'd be out for sure
ReplyDeleteFurther proof that Topps doesn't care for set or team collectors. I'm willing to bet that if they made just one set without parallels, it would sell more than they would imagine.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I believe they would probably make the same amount of money (profit wise). They would cut production costs by 75% in product , material, and labor. They would actually be able to get product out in a timely fashion too which would "encourage" new collectors that aren't "flippers" at the same time as being able to continue to cater to those looking for the big hits by doing those as case hits or online exclusives that they already have a process for.
DeleteI gave up on the parallels a few years ago. If one comes my way, fine. But a lot of them are plain dumb (and have the smell of Panini) so I don't want to chase them anyway.
ReplyDelete