Redundant....same old, same old

So today I was presented a product, it was a good product and I think it would sell. Only problem I have is that, we have some of the most creative minds working at the card companies. Yet all we get is the same thing over and over. Just dressed up a little different each time. Its almost crazy how much this industry hasn't changed!!! I know I just wrote that...as crazy as it sounds. So this is what I see day in and day out.

Game used cards...used since 1997
Certified Autographs...used since 1990
Parallels...used since 1992

There are numerous other things that I can put in here, there are also a few other things that I could put that have just happened recently. Unfortunately I dont see them being huge innovations to the trading card market. I wish someone would come up with an idea that I put in my blog 10 years from now....saying this has been done since 2009!!!! Unfortunately I dont see that yet. I want to get back to the innovations of the early 90's.

So back to the product presented today...lets use the Chicago Cubs as an example. So I am selling a Chicago Cubs Mug it does well, so now I make a Chicago Bears Mug, it sells well so I make a Chicago Blackhawks Mug. NOTICE A THEME HERE???? Its always a mug! that is what has happened to trading cards.

When will a manufacturer start using the creativity and make something different each time?

MLB....trading cards brighter future!!!!!!

Listening to Doug Gottlieb the other day got me thinking. With MLB trying to clean things up and the 30+ age guys having a hard time getting a contracts, we might be ready for a up tick in baseball trading cards again. WHY you ask? Here is my reasoning, with more emphasis on younger, cheaper players the rookie card will become more popular and it will go back to the days where collecting the rookie card was more important than a game-used or 1 of 10 auto card, hits per box, etc. During the so called steroid era younger players could not get the PT they needed or the opportunity because here you had all these players bucking mother nature and playing 5-15 years past their normal life cycle. With the minors much more stringent steroid testing they were not able to crack the big leagues like previous era's. When a 18-22 year old steroid free player is competing against a 30+ steroid/HGH induced guy with 10+ years of MLB experience it was never a fair competition. So I think that we will start seeing more of the Jordan Shafer, Colby Rasmus, etc. Which will be a great addition to trading cards.

The economy will also help play a roll in revitalizing the baseball trading card. I believe that teams will begin putting a emphasis on their farm systems even more. See its much cheaper and lowers your payroll by having great younger players. So there will be more teams like the Twins, Royals, Rays, Marlins, etc. I think that middle tier will begin doing a couple things. One they will put more emphasis on their young players. Two they will sell off their veterans if they are not in the race by the trading deadline. Thus the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs of the world will get the players they need without having to give back equal prospect value. Its easier to dump payroll than to generate more revenue. Thus the major market teams will be very strong. Which is better for trading cards. See as much as we like to see underdogs and Cinderella stories it never translates into better sales or ratings. Think I am wrong? Go back and look at TV ratings when you have two major market teams as compared to only one.

Also look for some more great value items coming to your local Target! I think we have the strongest selection in years currently.

Out of hibernation..maybe.

I have been in hiding, left, whatever you want to call it. Not really, I just have been very busy with work and family. See its sort of warming up in Iowa and I have a lot of outdoor hobbies that occupy my time. Now that my son is 10 months old I have less time for those hobbies and when I have to get him to the batting cage, weight room, and he still needs to get his 100 free throws in that doesn't leave much time in the day to update my blog. Dont feel left out though, I will try and do much better.

This week Target will be seeing the first 2009 NFL product to hit shelves...Press Pass! It came out very well. I am one that likes the college uniform pictures. Looks like Crabtree and the two QB's will get alot of cards prior to stepping on a NFL field. Since the KC Chiefs are my team I hope that they select Curry even though he is not a great trading card guy. We have Cassell and Bowe for that! Back to Press Pass...my initial thought is not a lot of cards but what you get is very good. Nice photos, good write ups, small set, short prints, achievable odds, a good product to kick off NFL.

Now for baseball, nice to see Soriano taking a pitch once and a while! Little worried about Harden but he knows his arm better than anyone. Cubbies still have way too much money in the outfield for the production they are going to get. As far as trading cards, Topps still is good, Heritage is smoking off the charts, UD is holding its own. First Edition comes out this week and it looks good also. Maybe MLB will bounce back this year....I am very excited to see what happens with the license. Steven you know my prediction...lets place a friendly wager.

Basketball....is it me or did that season just end Monday night? Its sure a shame to see NBA where it is. My trading card closet is almost 50% NBA with none of that much after 2002. Why? Why? Why? I think once Kwame was picked #1 I realized its time to give up. I really think we still have potential in the NBA so I am somewhat excited to see what Panini will do. So far not impressed.

Nice to see everyone enjoying 50% off blasters...its a great thing to see some products move. I think its a great time to be a consumer these days! I look forward to more opportunities to do deliver outstanding values and products to new and old consumers!