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So, I just got word from a friend that Razor has been on a crusade to sign MLB draft picks to exclusive contracts until they hit the majors (Mario at Wax Heaven also wrote about this a little earlier). In case you havent heard of Razor Collectibles, LLC, they are a company known solely for their Poker cards. Yes, you heard me correctly, Poker, as in royal flush. If you remember, I have said countless times that exclusive contracts have ruined the Basketball hobby industry and are starting to take their toll on Baseball too. There is no reason for exclusive contracts to exist other than greed and fucking the collector out of a lot of cool cards.
Now, thanks to some fucking poker company bullshit, we wont get Bowman Chrome autos or any other stuff from the Top pick in the MLB draft, nor others that they have signed until they hit the 40 man rosters. I dont know what they plan on doing with these contracts, as I dont believe that a Tim Beckham/Phil Helmuth dual auto would look that good to collectors.
On the other hand, if Upper Deck was the one that decided to sign these guys, or even DLP, I wouldnt have AS much of a problem, mainly because they are manufacturers who actually produce quality cards that people have heard of. Plus, they at least have the goods and the means to distribute a set. No one has heard of Razor, and they definitely arent poised to make a splash in the market, despite what their ridiculously amateurish website might say. I wish I had more coherant things to say, but I am so mind numbingly pissed that this has happened.
In my opinion, the hobby should be a meritocracy instead of a bunch of idiots running around with their heads cut off.
As a collector, you may not like exclusivity. But if you were the CEO of a start-up card company no one knows about, you'd do exactly the same thing Razor's doing.
ReplyDeleteI wouldnt even try this market, im not that fucking stupid. I would try to break in somewhere that I know a brand doesnt have 99% of the market share.
ReplyDeleteI mean, if DLP couldnt break in with EEE, what makes you think Razor can? I think it will be a huge flop.
I agree. Razor Baseball will be a flop.
ReplyDeleteBut if you're a start-up trading card company, and you can't get a license with any of the Major League sports, what else are you going to do? (Other than poker cards)
These companies are fighting for the same small pool of consumers, the speculative '90's is long gone. Razor came a decade too late.:P
ReplyDeleteBTW, it's pretty funny to watch the Chromeheads bitch and whine on BMB. Oh no, my source of supplemental income might dry up, I cry afoul!
Well, I like the chrome cards because most of the time they look really nice with on card autos. Speculation is for prospectors. Either way, im sure now that topps has been caught with their pants down, they will start moving.
ReplyDeleteTo chris harris:
ReplyDeleteStart up a company that produces cards with images of scantily clad women on them? :P
(Benchwarmer)
They are going full on into minor league cards. This will be "Just" final year. See http://badwax.net for newest signee.
ReplyDeleteDLP couldn't break in with EEE? Have you seen what some of those autographs are selling for? True, it's no Bowman Chrome or Bowman Chrome Draft, but it's a very, very close second.
ReplyDeleteSoon the only way to get a player signature will be via the sticker-on-card route or via some company like Razor. Supposedly paid Aaron Hicks $60,000 to NOT sign at games or via the mails. Only for them.
ReplyDeletePretty sad when the autographing buck reaches down to guys who MAY NOT make it to the majors.