Okay, Topps - enough with the variations, already!

[3greyhounds]

(The following is my opinion only...)

I just spent 6 hours collating one hobby and one jumbo box of Series 2 Topps. Normally I could do that in a third of the time, but not now, thanks to all the variation cards Topps decided to throw in.

I mean, there are Future Stars with different photos, Sabermetrics with different stats, those blasted Sparkle cards... Sheesh, I think I have a permanent case of eyestrain trying to read the code numbers on the back of the card!

(For those who don't know, the Sabermetrics SPs have a code number ending in 75 - all others end in 34)

So my question is - has Topps gone overboard with variations? Whatcha think, fellow Benchies?

Back to sorting,
Dan

 

[David K.]

I agree....reading the coding on the cards is also tough on my eyes! Just add SP and no more codes! Best regards, David

 

[greatdadx2]

I think they should save those variation cards for certain sets....If they would just keep the regular issue Topps base set to just that a base set, and may be throw in some autos and GU cards in the packs...bring down the price point and now you just might get back the younger kids...I remember opening up pack after pack of 1980 Topps to get that last box filled in on that checklist card, the card I need Von Joshua....I will always remember that.....THE SIMPLE DAYS

 

[JJLevitsky]

I could not agree more. Way too much of this. I would prefer a simple base set with fewer inserts/parallels as well. I mean look at this year's set. There are more parallels than I can count - gold, camo, black, Walmart blue, Target red, green, yellow, clear, etc. WAY TOO MUCH.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[bdink25]

How else are they going to get all of your money. If you're a player collector, this is a supplier's dream. The more they have the more you want. Wouldn't it be just silly to have only one card of you favorite player in the set?? How hard would it be to collect anything then?? Where's the challenge of the hunt??


Just kidding folks. Thought I would have some fun. Still collecting sets. Don't you just love it?? Butch

 

[steve1972]

I agree with the parallels and sp's for 2011 because of the anniversary, but yes, it has gone too far. however, thanks to those who feel to make this a money making venture instead of a collecting hobby, topps has only fueled a fire. we as collectors need to just stop buying product that we are upset at. unfortunately, with topps doing this in their basic set, I doubt too many people will quit buying. I guess the most basic set would be the opening day set.

for the past many years, except for 2011, I have purchased the packs of opening day and building that set, getting packs of update/traded and building that set and then getting the factory set for Christmas and has worked well. in 2010 & 2011 I went all out and am still adding pieces as it was the 50th & 60th anniversaries. can't wait until 2021, but I may have to start saving $$ now!!!!

 

[bdink25]

Did you mention opening day?? It used to be when the baseball teams has their first day of the season at their own park. Well the times have changed. Memo issued several years back. "New opening day every day. Just go out and buy packs and boxes of cards" Don't have to wait as long. Butch

I agree with the parallels and sp's for 2011 because of the anniversary, but yes, it has gone too far. however, thanks to those who feel to make this a money making venture instead of a collecting hobby, topps has only fueled a fire. we as collectors need to just stop buying product that we are upset at. unfortunately, with topps doing this in their basic set, I doubt too many people will quit buying. I guess the most basic set would be the opening day set.

for the past many years, except for 2011, I have purchased the packs of opening day and building that set, getting packs of update/traded and building that set and then getting the factory set for Christmas and has worked well. in 2010 & 2011 I went all out and am still adding pieces as it was the 50th & 60th anniversaries. can't wait until 2021, but I may have to start saving $$ now!!!!

 

[seawolf17]

I go back and forth on this, really. I bought a few packs a while back and sold an image variation I pulled for more than the price of the packs, so it's been financially beneficial for me, but I can understand the frustration.

 

[3greyhounds]

Hey, Jeff, you forgot pink! At least the different color parallels are easy to tell apart. But wow - those Sabermetrics? They're driving me nuts! And Butch is right - if you were to look at my Ripken page, you'd see quite a few cards with multiple versions (Gypsy Queen minis, anyone?).

I have to admit to profiting from parallel inserts as well, and I have a ton of them listed on my trade page, waiting for that one collector to say "hey, I don't have that one". Sooner or later, it's gonna happen. But, with the sheer number of parallels and inserts in 2014 Topps, could you imagine trying to build a true master set? Yikes!

 

[metsman1986]

You are making it WAY too hard on yourselves............Click on this link, or, better yet, bookmark it..............They do all the hard work and give you a visual reference..........Whenever I do a GQ mini project, they are my source for list making................

http://www.cardboardconnection.com/2014-topps-series-2-baseball-variation-short-prints-guide

 

[katester44]

As a Topps guy, even I am finding some of these SP's to be almost ridiculous. I don't really care that they are all there, I care that they are tough to find and differentiate. Without a checklist, the subtle differences would be impossible to find, especially in terms of the stats on the back??

But I have always liked the sparkle version and the inclusion of Snoopy, gotta like that. And those are usually pretty easy to find in the packs, as they are bundled with the other inserts, you just have to keep an eye out for that "base looking card" stuck between a gold border and a red hot foil.

 

[steve1972]

As a Topps guy, even I am finding some of these SP's to be almost ridiculous. I don't really care that they are all there, I care that they are tough to find and differentiate. Without a checklist, the subtle differences would be impossible to find, especially in terms of the stats on the back??

But I have always liked the sparkle version and the inclusion of Snoopy, gotta like that. And those are usually pretty easy to find in the packs, as they are bundled with the other inserts, you just have to keep an eye out for that "base looking card" stuck between a gold border and a red hot foil.

actually pulled a sp from '13 topps update and didn't realize it. a whole 6 months after opening the packs, I was pulling cards for a trade and found a gerritt cole in the bunch and wondered why it was in my commons box and tossed on top of my rookies box to later put into a top loader and stick back for the gerritt cole collector. when I finally went back to do such, I looked at the fronts and 1 of the 6 were different. hmmmmm, ok what ever, later looked at the price guide for another card and saw multiple listings for gerritt cole. said to myself wait a minute and did some investigating and later found out I had the black jersey gerritt cole. BV $80.00. said to myself, damm good thing this didn't get traded or worse yet damaged just sitting in my commons box. not caring about sp's could have cost me big time!!!

maybe they should make their sp's/variations a bit different other than just the pictures?!!??!?!

 

[KCLJ520]

HAHA, your optometrist will love you, and is probably thanking Topps as we speak!!