Thespeckledkiwi
Vice Admiral
Does anyone remember going to the super market or the gas station when they were younger and getting a pack of cards? I do. Collecting sports cards has been one of my favorite past times until recently. But like everything, they changed. They have inserts now, game-worn jerseys, autographs, and whatever else they can do. Instead of paying a dollar or two for a good pack of cards it's now six to ten for a good pack. The most expensive packs of cards can now range between FOUR HUNDRED to a THOUSAND DOLLARS. Ridiculous.
Recently though there has been some uneasy developments in the card company business. Fake cut autographs of former stars like Babe Ruth being placed in authentic cards with a backing by Upper Deck that it is authentic, other cut autographs ghost written or even of their wives (I've seen this. Funny actually). Fleer went under a few years ago. Topps is floundering. Donruss only does football. There is no real competition in sports cards anymore and it is becoming bland and expensive.
There is more controversy coming out now. Beckett, who deals with sports cards and prices, does box breaks, opening up new products to show everyone. Problem is, they usually land some of the best cards in the set. For example, their recent box breaks of Exquisite Football (over 600 dollars a pack!) landed them the two highest cards in the set. An Adrian Peterson 1/1 patch autograph (meaning only 1 card was produced) and a dual cut autograph of Brian Piccolo and Walter Payton. A lot of people are upset that Beckett somehow landed both these sought after cards. Especially since they have been sinking in a lot money. These packs are hand-packed so UD knows what goes into every pack.
Not only is UD becoming a monopoly but they are ruining the fun for a lot of collectors. It is sad to see this industry dying.
Recently though there has been some uneasy developments in the card company business. Fake cut autographs of former stars like Babe Ruth being placed in authentic cards with a backing by Upper Deck that it is authentic, other cut autographs ghost written or even of their wives (I've seen this. Funny actually). Fleer went under a few years ago. Topps is floundering. Donruss only does football. There is no real competition in sports cards anymore and it is becoming bland and expensive.
There is more controversy coming out now. Beckett, who deals with sports cards and prices, does box breaks, opening up new products to show everyone. Problem is, they usually land some of the best cards in the set. For example, their recent box breaks of Exquisite Football (over 600 dollars a pack!) landed them the two highest cards in the set. An Adrian Peterson 1/1 patch autograph (meaning only 1 card was produced) and a dual cut autograph of Brian Piccolo and Walter Payton. A lot of people are upset that Beckett somehow landed both these sought after cards. Especially since they have been sinking in a lot money. These packs are hand-packed so UD knows what goes into every pack.
Not only is UD becoming a monopoly but they are ruining the fun for a lot of collectors. It is sad to see this industry dying.
