eTopps kills card-making operation

Topps' "IPO" program, called eTopps, will cease the release of any new cards, according to a press release and info posted on Beckett (http://www.beckett.com/news/2012/01/parts-of-the-etopps-program-to-shut-down/).

I missed the first year of eTopps because I was collecting CyberAction CyberCards at the time, and the eTopps program APPEARED to be a digital card program.  I was wrong.  In the fine print of the day, eTopps let its users know that they could get the cards in-hand if they paid for shipping and handling.  So, in 2002, I jumped in.  I wasted, er spent, TONS of money in the program.  I owned the complete 2002 set among nearly full sets of most latter years.  Cards from 2001 rose in price beyond what any cards featuring those players should be worth. I bought football, baseball, basketball. I did not buy wrestling or racing or any other "sport" they came up with.

I actually liked the first generation of eTopps better than any other.  Those early cards had a metal signet that was glued on the card, truly separating the cards from any other being made. eTopps lets its users buy, sell, and trade cards that are stored in a warehouse until the final owner requests to move the card from the "portfolio" to in-hand.  eTopps cards "in-hand" arrived slabbed in a sturdy plastic holder.  Those in-hand cards tended to sell for more on eBay than the ones still held in the warehouse ("in portfolio," as they were called).

I ended up selling much of my portfolio in bits and pieces, as I recall.  I had all the Indians I owned sent to my house, along with several other cards.  The other cards were then included in various giveaways, random packs, etc.

Though I haven't actively participated in eTopps over the past couple of years, I am sad to see the program disappear.  eTopps cards, for me anyway, were a much better quality card - thick stock, shiny coating, unique items.  I'll miss eTopps cards.  That reminds me - I need to head online and check the prices for Indians eTopps cards from the past couple years. I need them for my Tribecards collection.

New Indians eTopps card!

I have been a fan of eTopps since 2002.  Why not before that? Because I was an idiot and misunderstood the concept of eTopps. In my defense, I had been heavily into the CyberAction digital cards at the time (or near that time) and I thought Topps was doing the same thing (that is, digital-format cards).

Any way, eTopps usually takes holidays off from releasing new cards (which never made sense to me because, I mean how hard is it to launch new trading cards that you already have all the info? I digress. Often), but today, they released a Lonnie Chisenhall card.

I am not a big fan of the design this year, and I miss the long-gone days of the eTopps logo being glued to the front of the card. To me, it was one of the things that separated the set from others.  Of course, that was when there was actual competition for baseball card makings. You know, like two years ago or so...

Well, Chisenhall made his MLB debut about a week ago and went 2-for-4 with an RBI. I just hope he can avoid the injuries that seem to be plaguing the Indians this season.

The IPO for this is 6 bucks. No thanks.  I'll wait for the price of his card to drop off, then pick it up in the aftermarket.  After all, isn't that what eTopps is all about?

eTopps T-206 is back. Excited?

eTopps announced that T-206 cards are back for 2011.  Does this make you excited or does it make you sick?  It fascinates me that a brand can do more to polarize the collecting hobby than to help it.  Collectors either seem to love the eTopps cards or they hate them.  And, perhaps that isn't quite right.  I'm sure many collectors like the cards themselves, but can't stand the manner in which the cards are produced and distributed.

eTopps cards are released in an "IPO" setting, where members buy potential copies of a certain card.  For example, eTopps releases a Shin-Soo Choo card.  The print run is known at the time of the offer.  Let's say the print run is 750 cards.  Potential buyers know there are "only" 750 of these cards in the world.  eTopps sets an offering price (say, $7.50).  Members put in bids for how many cards they would like to TRY to claim.  So, let's say I put in a request for 3 of the cards.  Why three?  Because, buyers are not likely to get all the cards they ask for.

eTopps uses an unpublicized method of distribution.  It is a lottery of sorts.  Supposedly, every buyer gets one card and then if there are more cards than buyer names, each buyer then gets additional cards based on some kind of lottery formula.  In reality, though, some people receive multiple copies as others receive nothing.  It is a flawed system that has been in place (though tweaked) since eTopps first came out 10 years ago.

Once cards are bought and distributed, owners can sell or trade the cards.  Ancillary sales are done through eBay.  Some cards can reach $100 or more in the aftermarket.  More likely, however, cards sold after IPO drop off the map and can be had for pennies on the dollar. 

The lottery distribution and the resale effects of the cards drives the polarization of collectors.  It has been quite some time (probably a year or so) since I even put in a bid on IPO eTopps.  I have learned that if there is a particular card I want, I just go to eBay and buy it cheaper than the initial price.   Some cards (like some of the Bob Fellers) are more than the initial offering, but if it is something I want for my collection, then I have to decide if it's worth the asking price.  Often times, it is not.  At least not during baseball season.  I have never seen anything like the seasonal price fluctuations that eTopps cards exhibit - baseball cards sell too high during the season then drop off dramatically once the season is over.  Same for football, etc. 

One thing I forgot to mention about eTopps: Card owners can request delivery of the cards they buy.  A lot of collectors leave their cards in the vaults of Topps.  The theory is that Topps can provide a better environment than most collectors: temperature control, humidity control, lack of human interaction with the cards, etc.  I prefer to add the cards to my personal collection, so I have mine delivered to me.  To each his own, I suppose.

So, back to the original question: Are you excited about T-206 coming back to eTopps?  Do you collect eTopps?

eTopps T206 Tribute: Bob Feller

eTopps has released two Indians tribute cards.  The latest is the Bob Feller you see above.  I enjoy the eTopps cards, and had been a VERY active member of the community for many years before selling off just about everything in my portfolios.  At one point, I has a complete set of the 2002 series, though given the pricing on that, it was not hard to do.  What I finally did was get the cards in my portfolio sent to me, and then I dumped those into the giveaways I did recently.  Share the love, ya know?

Does anyone else collect eTopps?  Nowadays, I like to wait until football season comes around and pick up the cards I want a whole lot cheaper than IPO or at higher pricing during the baseball season.

I have to admit, though, I am VERY tempted to put myself down in the lottery for a couple of these...