We have the first licensed product of 2012, and though it isn’t NFL licensed, I think its worthy of mention here. 2012 Upper Deck base football is live, and I have a lot of commentary on a few aspects of the set I really like, and others I just don’t understand. As with 2011 SP Authentic, it looks like a few products were mashed into this set, and though their addition breeds some good looking cards, I still wonder why all of these sets are folded into the base set instead of having their own product.
Either way, the cards do look pretty good, and with this being the only non-airbrushed set around until Bowman Signature and Prestige hit shelves, it’s a great thing this product is on time. There is one really bad thing that I think will damage whatever potential success UD could have had with these cards, and that is Press Pass’ terrible exclusive with Andrew Luck will prevent him from being in UD’s sets and having licensed cards until the first Topps or Panini set hits. Very bad news when the top prospect in decades is no longer able to have his picture on a card that doesn’t have a press pass logo on it.
We already know that Upper Deck has issues with paying athletes for their signatures (the lawsuit from the PA is still pending), so I guess we should be happy they still have a store of stickers that they can use. I think its also a big reason why a 2012 labeled set is coming out before 2011 Exquisite, as there are a number of signers for that set that probably are pissed off at the non-payment. Bottom line, this is going to be a big problem going forward in Football for them, which means that 2012 may not be as good a year as expected.
I really like the design of the Star Rookies and the Ultimate Rookies look bad ass as well. I think that with rookies being the focus of the set, these cards are definitely cool when there aren’t any other cards on the market for them. The action shots on both cards are imposing, and on the Ultimate ones, they almost jump off the card.
On the other hand, Im not a fan of Letterman cards in any sport, and the ones from this product are no different, as I just think the concept has been played out. These are just like they have been for the last few years, and don’t really bring anything new to the product. Regardless of autograph problems, I also find it a little discouraging that Leaf and Press Pass were able to go all on card for their sets, but UD is almost all stickers from what I can tell. UD reps can come on here and deny that the sky is falling, but there is evidence piling up.
Im not sure if resources are the issue or if lawsuit engagements are causing problems, I think this set could have been a lot better and made more of an impact than it already will. Limited availability will drive secondary market value, as will college collectors, but once the big boys release the first NFL sets of the year, this stuff will be dwarfed in its value. Without Andrew Luck to bring the big money, collectors will not devote the kind of money they did on busting it. Press Pass’ main success this year was having Luck all over their stuff, and I personally watched 3 collectors bust case after case, just to say they pulled him.
Here are some of the cards posted so far:
Robert Griffin III SSP Variation
Robert Griffin III Auto Letterman
Justin Blackmon Ultimate Rookies RC
none of our products values were “dwarfed” by Topps or Panini last year Gellman..so why would this year be different? you are still way too blatant…the sky is falling..but not on UD Gellman..we always have done UD with labels…but the Lettermen are hard signed…1 per box…these are done way in advance….Press Pass and Leaf did hard signed but nothing else in the product..not close to as rounded out as this one. We have hard signed coming in Exquisite, SPA, Legends and a new product coming later….so what 80% of our products are hard signed!!
Thanks for that robust explanation on the reasons behind why you couldn’t get on card autos for this set when it’s obvious you competitors had no problem. The letterman are not an excuse so don’t pee on my face and tell me it’s raining. You had just as much opportunity but I’m not sure you had the means to get the job done like you should have.
Oh and still no words on how you will continue to have auto content without the NFLPA on your side? Explain that away. You can spend your time talking about how all is well, but those lawsuits keep piling up. When the players won’t sign anymore it’s over for you.
2012 Upper Deck Football was delivered late today and we only had a few boxes opened by customers in my store. What we saw looked fantastic. We all prefer hard signed cards but Upper Deck is still a big favorite with my customers.
so when Topps does label products they dont have the means? Panini doesnt have the means?? and what does the NFLPA have to do with anything we dont have a license with them, we get our player signatures on an individual player basis..know of what you speak
You are skirting the real issues here, so I am going to give you this warning. Either you can answer the questions that I have asked, or you can be done on this post. I have a feeling you are doing this on purpose, because avoiding real issues at hand are what trolls do best.
1. When the players stop signing for Upper Deck because you wont pay them, what happens?
2. How can Leaf and Press pass, companies functioning under the same time constraints as Upper Deck get all on card autos when UD does stickers?
Once you answer those questions, we can continue our discussion. Otherwise you can continue your whining on Twitter, or function under the realization that people in glass houses shouldnt throw stones. Maybe I should post story after story about Tricky Dick and his inebriated exchanges with UDI, or how about the guy who sued UD and won for not fufilling his redemption? Oh, you forgot about those?
You are honestly like Jay and Silent Bob reading criticism of their movie on the internet and spending their royalties to go kick everyone’s ass. I said I liked the design, I said I liked the cards and the product, and I mentioned 2 things I didnt like. Take the criticism like a man and understand that Upper Deck has a public perception that you can only change with actions, not words.
Respond to the first two questions, and then you can have the floor on the next. Otherwise, im not publishing your evasive maneuvering.
Gregg,
First, you were fired at Upper Deck and only brought back when someone else in the product area moved away. You really aren’t that good so shut up.
Second, Upper Deck can’t pay and will be done soon so you will really be out of a job.
Third,
Upper Deck FB looks good only because of the design which you had nothing to do with.
Fourth,
Boasting about the number of subjects you have is just plain stupid. You should boast at how few subjects and the quality of the few subjects. It is obvious that your subject list is stacked with street free agents and stiffs that will do a deal with UD and take a 100 to 1 shot of getting paid.
Fifth,
Why don’t you go away, shut up and show some professionalism. Only a clown would go on message boards defending inferior product delivered late because your company cannot pay players.
Finally,
You need to come to the realization that the Upper Deck of 2012 is not the Upper Deck of 1992 or 2002. It is merely a shell of itself being run by clowns that are setting up systems to fill their own pockets with cash while their owner is “out of pocket.”
It is going to be fun to watch as each of the UD licensing deals go away one by one when the contracts expire.
Enjoy your last few days of employment
Nice to see you have quality people still trolling your blog Gellman…..especially someone that needs to hide behind a fake name because that shows professionalism! If you want to know all your questions you can call me. They can’t nearly be answered in the depth required on your blog. You are still posting innacurate information.
If the person that did the above post cares to give his real identity and not hide like a coward then I will respond to that childish post. It sure is easy to come on a blog and use a fake name and try and be clever…..be a man and say who you really are
Richard McLovin,
First, you have no idea what you are talking about and the fact you are hiding behind a false name tells me you are not only a coward but embarrased about who you are, so shut up.
Second, Upper Deck can pay and we are not going anywhere, maybe you need a job? we are hiring.
Third,
Upper Deck FB looks good only because of the design and product structure so win for Upper Deck fail for our competitors Topps and Panini.
Fourth,
Boasting the thickness of cards as a selling poiint is even more asinine woudnt you say?
Fifth,
I wont go away, I am merely backing up a product and defending our company name against misinformation and false accusations. Going on a blog using a fake name is real professional right?
Finally,
I have come to the realization that this is not 2002, 1992 or even 2010. The industry isnt the same, not just UD. The owner of our company is not a reflection of our products so get over yourself, everyone reads what you do and spews the same garbage you aren special in the least. You arent the frst and wont be the last to say UD will be gone soon…People have been saying it for 3 years….get a new story pal…we will continue to make products, pay athletes and renew licenses. If you need a Job, Mclovin let me know
Enjoy your cowardly morning Mclovin and hope to talk soon
Love all these fake comments Gellman posted to make it seem like he’s still not on UD’s teet.
Wow that’s a lot of hatred towards UD. I thought 11 sp authentic was pretty cool. I thought most of Topps was garbage in 11, I mean if you busted Inception that was like paying $120+ for a Bilal Powell hot box. I really like 12 UD football, in any product like like there’s gonna be a ton of shit rookie autos. The sad thing is I’d still bust anything UD over anything outside of Chrome, but I think we all know UD’s days are numbered.
Sorry, that one wasnt me, and I have already responded with my own comments, have no fear to say what I need to.
Gregg,
Are you denying that you were not on Mcwilliams hit list to be terminated?
Are you denying that Mr. Chang saved you by announcing he was resigning so you were rehired?
If UD has all the money in the world then why not pay MLB, NFLPA, Yugioh, other players etc.? The only logical answer is UD doesn’t have the money.
Defending the name of Upper Deck is about like defending the name of John Edwards an impossible, filthy, slimy, and dirty task.
To be honest, I don’t know a lot about Upper Deck’s inner workings, lawsuits, and management issues. All I can speak to is the quality of their products. Since I got back into the hobby in 2007 Upper Deck has consistently show they know how to provide value and quality design in their products, generally superior to Topps and Panini. Upper Deck seems to strive the hardest to obtain on-card autographs and leave you pleased with purchasing a box. When I open Topps and especially Panini I feel more gambler’s regret.
While they used stickers for UD 2012, as Gregg pointed out, that is nothing new. UD 2012 is still a far more attractive and complete product than both Press Pass and Leaf Metal (I’d love to see what Leaf can could do with an NFL license). That being said, I think Gellman’s product review was mostly fair and consistent with critiques of other products. If the competition is getting on-card autos, UD should too.
Gregg, if you work for Upper Deck I think it’s cool that you go out of your way to comment here. However, your tone and writing style come off as amateur and unprofessional. I think you can do a better job responding to criticisms and representing your company, even if people do hide behind fake names to troll you. No need to get all fired up. Just give us the facts, a pleasant defense of your products, and insight to what’s coming down the pipe for UD.
I hope for the hobby’s sake that UD is around for years to come and can get the NFL license back. I honestly believe they could still put out better football products than Panini and Topps, even with Topps’ stepping their game up recently.
well, Mr. Grant or whomever this is, I am not going to comment on matters past. I love karvin and wish him well. I never said we have all the money in the world but we also dont owe what you think we do…also, I was never terminated and never rehired..that is 100% truth. Now, if you want to reveal your identity and not be a coward that would be most appreciated
oh, and its Mr Cheung…not Mr. Chang
someone clearly didn’t like getting cut as one of our distributors
Gellman and I are just really passionate about what we do….nothing personal Adam and sorry if it came off that way….I will buy the beer if you show up in Baltimore
Alright lets start off by saying this is my real name since it seems to be very important to people here. I look forward to exquisite football every year, but recently i have not been satisfied by the so called “TBD” redemptions. It took a very long time for me to get mine in the mail after I had to get a replacement on Upper Decks #1 product and overall #1 sport card product. These cards should be shipped out under 2 mouths at most. And i don’t like the collage cards, i would prefer NFL patches since they are made better and nicer looking. I know you guys lost your NFL license but you guys need to do the best you can to get it back or National Treasures will be #1 overall product of the year, which right now it looks like it might be by the sick panther patches on the cam newton base autos. The boxes do have great resale value and the base auto designed look the same as last year. Also you guys need to start putting in BIG BIG CARDS like what Panini did in National Treasures when they made an 8 foot card that is probably the most sick card i have ever seen.
AND Greg you are not giving a good image of Upper Deck by getting all mad at people and avoid questions and calling other bloggers names for stating their opinions. Be a man and take them because this is what your costumers want from you, its not going to hurt the product if anything it will make it better!
PLEASE MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN, TAKE A RISK UPPER DECK! ITS MAKE IT OR BRAKE IT NOW, YOU ARE LOOSING COSTUMERS SO BRING THEM BACK. PANNINI IS BEATING YOU!!!
I will agree that I can get angry and frustrated but that is only because I care about this industry and have been involved in this hobby in many different ways for 30 years. I just hate seeing information that isn’t true or half truths….but yes I should calm down and be a bit more articulate in my response. I will, however, disagree in that in no manner is Panini beating us….nope. If you check the values of last years Exquisite rookie auto patches and national Treasures I would say we are staying strong. The risk should come from zpanini shouldnt it?
I agree my tone can get heated and in my hurry to get my point accros I do a poor job of articulating. I, however, won’t apologize for being passionate about what I do.
All is good. I promise to not jump off the handle anymore.Gellman said he will call me to get facts and information that I can give him so he can post the most accurate updates possible.
I will tone down the rhetoric…period…I just want accurate information and the world is crahsing on UD stuff to end.
i am going off last year and its going to take a lot to be this years national treasures
have you seen some of the Exquisite Previews yet? very good stuff
Wow, Gregg’s busy spinning away. No wonder there are 22 comments under this post.
Funny, Gregg and Upper Deck are so quick to respond to a blogger’s claims about their products, but can’t respond to my e-mails about two redemption cards that I redeemed two years ago and have yet to receive. Again, Upper Deck is a joke.
Always around to pimp some Upper Deck product, eh Charlie? Never around to comment on any other posts though, huh?
“Gregg, if you work for Upper Deck I think it’s cool that you go out of your way to comment here.”
Seriously dude?! Where the hell have you been? This guy comments here faster than a fly lands on shit if he sees anything remotely critical of Upper Deck. More importantly, I don’t think it’s cool at all that an Upper Deck employee will spend half his day on a blog defending a product when he/she could be answering customer service calls or e-mails about the status of outstanding redemptions. It doesn’t reflect well on Upper Deck’s priorities at all. All you get is a pathetic recording on the customer service line and no responses to e-mails. Upper Deck doesn’t give a shit.
I have one question why did you guys stop using the nice wooden boxes for exquisite, I really liked those boxes
Honestly, the cost was prohibitive for the wood boxes and we felt the money was better spent on content
well the card quality has not changed since you switched to tin boxes. I think the wooden boxes looked a lot nicer and they could not of cost that much when the boxes and like $600. If you are aloud to say, how much does it cost to make the wooden and tin boxes.
also when do you plane on releasing exquisite
the wood are pretty expensive and the quality of the autographs has changed. I can tell you we have used a higher signature rate each of the past few years
as soon as we get an acceptable amount of signatures to avoid redemptions…the hope is end of May, which means we start hand seeding middle of May
Previous reply should read: “When we come up with enough money to pay the players we screwed out of money we will release 2011 Exquisite FB even though there will be 10 + 2012 releases out by that time and know one really cares about the 2011 rookie crop as they are now into Luck (who we don’t have), RGIII, Richardson etc.”
Card Carrying member of CLUB 5909 ’03-’06
cool thanks give me a month to get $1700 for a case thanks
Gregg,
I would like to hear more about the Andrew Luck issue if you don’t mind. Is it true that UD doesn’t have the license for him and therefore will not have his cards in your products? I buy lots of exquisite every year and this would seriously deter me from purchasing the product if you don’t have the top prospect in this years draft class.
As for the 2011 exquisite, I have read that there will only be 6 cards in this year’s. Why the decrease? Will you have 2012 draft class in the 2011 like you did with the 2010 exquisite? I really liked that feature and I hope it continues because it was a big purchasing point for me.
thanks in advance.