Limited is live as we speak, and personally I find it awfully intriguing that it is going up against the recent release of Topps Supreme. The format and prices of the products are relatively similar, though Limited does have a few advantages in both collector loyalty and on card autographs for a small portion of their checklist. Outside of those advantages, there are a multitude of shortcomings that Limited epically fails to capitalize on, and these failures will result in huge disappointment from even the most rabid Panini fans
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First off, the design work on Topps Supreme is so far above Limited, that the comparisons is akin to a Porsche and a beat up 1985 Impala that is missing one of its rear tires. Basically, there is no comparison at all. Yes, you are guaranteed an autograph in every box, but the level of professionalism displayed in the design of that autograph is less than that of a trained monkey. There are so many subsets in Limited that actually make me nauseous as to their design, that I wonder if they understand how much they are behind on the scoreboard. Its like the team that is down 35 points and still running the ball at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Both products are predominantly stickers in the overall umbrella of the content, but Topps Supreme is a home run
in their execution of the stickers, where Panini and their white boxes are three pitch strike outs
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When you look back over limited’s cards from the past few years, I have no clue why the RAPs from 2009 were not used as a template for success. Awesome photographs, team logo diecuts, and nicely conceived and placed design elements. This year’s, like 2010, might as well be Triple Threads lite, with the tiny ass player pictures jailed in the corner of the card, while focus is put entirely on the swatches.
This is all added on top of the fact that a huge portion of Limited’s on card autographs are redemptions, as Panini obviously did not get their ducks in a row when planning out this product. Considering how many of their previous products had live hard signed autographs from guys who are redemptions in this product, is ultimately concerning. It also goes without saying that the average collector doesn’t give a wet fart in hell as to why the redemptions exist, just THAT they exist. When Supreme has everything live, give or take, it’s a further loss on a set I used to love.
Most importantly, both products have extreme issues with box content, as neither should cost what they do for what they deliver. Supreme costing 90 bucks without a guaranteed autograph is ludicrous. Limited, costing 100 bucks for a box filled with single jersey cards of players no one cares about is similarly ludicrous. In all seriousness, these boxes should not cost more than 60 bucks a piece, as prices for secondary value is dropping by the second. As collectors become more disenfranchised with this level of return for the price, companies will continue to see a drop off in new collectors.
Neither of these products are on the level of an awfully conceived product like Gold Standard, costing 200 dollars a box for the junk Panini put in it, but its getting to that point. I sense that there is a growing dissention over the lack of effort that Panini has put into their football products in the wake of licensing in other sports, and that is not a good thing. When NFL licensing is up for grabs again at the end of this year, its likely that Panini will remain on board as a result of their international reach. It is not clear whether Topps will be included, and that scares me to death. If I am left with junk like Limited, Certified and Gold Standard as the only option for purchase, im stopping the purchase of new products into my collection. Topps is the ONLY bright spot left in the NFL, and the ridiculous thing is, that wont factor into any part of this.
This will be the first year since ’05 that I do not buy any of this product. For whatever reason, I’ve had silly good luck with it over the years, pulling a Troy Aikman “M” from Lettermen to the 1/1 Bradford a Brett Favre auto/jsy numbered /2, Larry Johnson Lettermen… and much more. I can’t continue to support this endless trash just copied year over year. I vote with my dollars and Topps has thousands coming their way for their upcoming late season releases that actually have HOFer and star autos in the product.
Here’s hoping when the NFL licence comes up at the end of the year upper deck gathers whatever money they have under there beds and get it again. They’re the one and only company that’s pulls off year in year out GREAT PRODUCTS. Couldn’t give a damn for panini or topps. Using the same picture for every card gets boring.
Rob,
Couldn’t agree more! Let’s hope Upper Deck gets back in the game and pony’s up the cash. This is ridiculous.
I couldn’t agree more. Paying rediculous prices for combine pictures this late in the season is asinine! I am appalled that every set has the exact same damn rookies too! I give Topps kudos for their better designs this year, but $90 bucks for Supreme and I didn’t get damn auto out of either box I bought. Never again Topps. Unfortunately I’ll have to buy a few singles of this Limited crap as it has the only Patrick Peterson auto… That and the Charles & Rod Woodson dual auto as well….
What? You’re not a fan of the Upper Deck college stuff?!
You know, not everyone pays “rediculous[sic] prices for combine pictures this late in the season.” The internet offers a great variety of low price options for football cards. I don’t think I’ve paid close to MSR or higher on a box of cards in 3 years.
What are some good sites too buy hobby boxes on? Thanks
Have you heard that there is a possibility that topps wont be in the nfl game next year? if so why? what about upper deck?
Believe it or not, I’ve found some of the best deals on Orange County Sports Cards’s website. I usually hit up the Big 3 – Blowout Cards, Dave and Adam’s, and Atlanta Sports Cards to see who has the best prices and Orange County will beat their prices half the time. I also hit up DCS Sports Cards as well. I’ve also found some good deals on boxes on Ebay as well. 2-3 years ago I got 3 boxes of 2007 National Treasures Football for $236/box on Ebay. One had a Peterson rookie patch auto #’d/99.
Occasionally I’ll buy boxes at the local card store if the price is reasonable, but some of the prices are ridiculous and I’ve got a 1.5 year old daughter, so my budget is tight.
If Topps is out of the fb card biz than so am I. I havent bought any Playoff/panini since 2005 and little UD since 98 SP. Im tired of panini’s 4 memorabilia or autos per box spiel and I collect NFL cards not college. I barely care about guys who went to my alma I wouldnt buy a Johnny U college auto let alone anyone from today.
IMHO Topps has had the best 2 year run on FB cards ever…..