We're Not Going To Disneyland, After All

[Archive]

Posted By: Chris Ahart

On one hand it would be nice to get some new blood in the hobby. On the other, I'm not sure Eisner backed by an investment firm would be into it for the long term. I've seen a few companies get bought by a group like the one interested in Topps. They all pretty much do the same thing after the purchase, trim down management & costs, increase margin, and sell in five to ten years for profit (kind of like the investment firm that has part ownership of Nebraska Book Company for those who track that kind of stuff). Long term growth is not the goal for this style of ownership. The goal for these guys is to make Topps look better on paper and flip for a profit. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it happens all the time. I just am not sure I like the idea of it happening to Topps as I collect vintage & modern cards. The modern card industry needs managed long term growth due to all of the different stuff out there fighting for kids (and adults) money. Trading cards gets nowhere close to the amount of money or time from kids as video games do.

Upper Deck already understands the modern industry. They've seen the boom & bust. I know a lot of modern collectors and dealers don't like Upper Deck, but I would rather have a company who understands the industry and its current shortcomings purchase Topps. I have seen both Topps & Upper Deck's ordering set ups for dealers. Upper Deck blows Topps away with the online ordering, getting previews of upcoming product out to dealers BEFORE they have to place their orders (Topps sent the dealer promo sheet for Topps Chrome to dealers two weeks after the orders had to be placed. Nothing like ordering a product sight unseen), and dealear support. Upper Deck usually responds to dealer emails within hours, Topps has sometimes taken days. I know that doesn't seem like much, but I think I can usually tell the over all health of a company by how much they sweat the small stuff and communicate with their customers. That's just my two cents & I'm sure others will differ.

edited for piss poor english skills