Major Announcement - Regarding Upper Deck

[gomaz]

Hi Everyone,

I am pleased to report to the hobby that Upper Deck has responded to my offer below. I made this offer publicly in the thread started by Bruce titled: "Patch forger... caught! gomaz would be proud ". The post below was post #208.

I just thought of a great idea!!

I volunteer to go to UD's pack-out or patch-assembly facility and take pictures with my digital camera of every patch card in this year's Cup.

Yes!! I will bring my own camera, will pay my way and will even buy the low-wage workers lunch one of the days.

I am willing to be searched on my way in, and out. I will also sign an NDA if desired.

I will then pay the costs to host these images on a web site. I will then add some encryption to ensure that the images are not henceforth tampered with and obviously let your IT guys scrutinize this aspect.

How does that sound UD? No labour. No digital storage fees or issues. No new technology. And your workers get a free lunch.

Let me add that this is not a joke. Give me the go-ahead. Tell me when and where and I will come and do this on my own time and dime as a service to the hobby that I love.

And I promise not to let my camera, nor my fingers, touch the cards.

Whaddaya say UD?

EDIT - As it may be too late for this year's Cup, my offer stands for next season's release of UD Black, SPA, OPCP and Cup.

On Friday June 12, I received a call from Chris Carlin asking if I was serious (thank you to Bruce for providing Chris with my phone number). I responded that if the timing works (vacation from work) that I am, in fact, serious. He then confirmed that Upper Deck would like to invite me to the pack-out and will grant me access to photograph the patch cards from the upcoming 08-09 The Cup.

I have since discussed same with Karvin. While all the details are not yet worked out in terms of how, when and where the images will be made available, I can confirm that they will be in my possession.

As a collector who has attempted to battle the fake patch problem for three years, I am very greatful and extremely pleased that Upper Deck is stepping up and allowing me to do this for the hobby. This is a major advancement for our hobby and I would like to acknowledge and thank Chris and Karvin for making this happen.

I also want to mention that I will be travelling at my own cost. While I am thrilled to be able to attend the pack-out, the thrill will quickly fade as I am tasked with capturing images of approximately 25,000 cards.

This is a major step in the right direction. This is a test case and if successful, will hopefully be applied to future brands and releases as well.

If this unfolds the way I intend it to, this particular issue may be a thing of the past.

Again, I want to express just how pleased I am. I have restored faith in Upper Deck. In my opinion, this proves that Chris and Karvin do care about us collectors and our cards.

Cheers,
Jeremy

 

[jonnyg1014]

Wow, this is a really cool story.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and say if you do do this, UD will be providing you with some nice "goody bags." I'd be interested to see the cards they give you, if any.
keep us updated

 

[Brave]

Wow! Great news. I hope you have a great camera and lots of batteries!

 

[quincy]

They always did care, Jeremy. I'm glad to hear that they took you up on your offer, and if this constitutes the needed boost to restore your faith in a couple of good guys - bonus.

 

[hextall27]

Wow so very cool!!

 

[jaywings19]

I think that's great, Jeremy. Definitely a step in the right direction.

Some things to consider. . .

What (if anything) will be done since you won't be able to photograph any patches for cards that are being issued as redemptions because the player hasn't returned them yet? Will there be a follow up trip? Or will Upper Deck photograph those and provide the images upon receipt from the player?

Who will be hosting the image archive? It would obviously have more credibility if it was directly on Upper Deck's website. Otherwise, people who are not "in the know" could challenge whether or not their patch (that might have been subsequently altered) is real or not.

 

[bfyler]

That is awesome!!! Way to go UD Props to Jeremy for stepping up and to Bruce for putting that out to UD

Some Positive NEWS!!!

 

[FrankToronto]

Very best of luck to you with this endeavour!

I think you'll find that it won't be as easy as it seems, but perhaps this is a step in the right direction and I give Chris and Karvin huge props for the invite and the openness and willingness to team with a collector on this issue.

 

[FrozenInferno]

It's a daunting task, but to have that kind of access to something as cool as a Cup pack-out I think it would be worth the effort

 

[cassijon]

WOW. Jeremy this is great news. i commend you greatly for volunteering your time and money to benefit this hobby. not many ppl would even think of doing this.

on that thought, lets start a thread for ppl to donate to help with the cost of this venture.

if you would like to provide me with your pp addy, i would gladly start a thread for this

 

[paulxing]

SWEET! But wait... this set is supposed to come out on July 7th. when are you expected to take these pictures?

 

[FrozenInferno]

WOW. Jeremy this is great news. i commend you greatly for volunteering your time and money to benefit this hobby. not many ppl would even think of doing this.

on that thought, lets start a thread for ppl to donate to help with the cost of this venture.

if you would like to provide me with your pp addy, i would gladly start a thread for this

That is a great idea, I would support this venture!

 

[Mack]

Slow clap for Upper Deck. Good on them to try and fix the problem.

 

[Reddrgn88]

Well done Upper Deck....one step at a time. Bravo indeed Bravo

 

[gomaz]

SWEET! But wait... this set is supposed to come out on July 7th. when are you expected to take these pictures?

Pack-out will occur the week of July 13th. So July 7th will not be happening.

WOW. Jeremy this is great news. i commend you greatly for volunteering your time and money to benefit this hobby. not many ppl would even think of doing this.

on that thought, lets start a thread for ppl to donate to help with the cost of this venture.

if you would like to provide me with your pp addy, i would gladly start a thread for this

Awesome gesture! Thanks!

 

[gomaz]

They always did care, Jeremy. I'm glad to hear that they took you up on your offer, and if this constitutes the needed boost to restore your faith in a couple of good guys - bonus.

I have always known that they cared, Steve, as I have met and communicated with both on numerous occasions.

It is my faith in the company that they are employed by, that has been restored.

 

[paulxing]

Wow so expect the product to hit shelves end of July?

 

[Burner]

Great stuff gomaz.

I hope you have a nice high res camera that can capture a lot of cards in one pic at good quality.

 

[DogfoodSoup]

Pack-out will occur the week of July 13th. So July 7th will not be happening.

You heard it here first, HI Exclusive!

I'm very interested in seeing how this turns out. Perhaps without disclosing any UD secrets you could also turn this in to a very interested Insider's Edge article or series of articles.

 

[northendhockeynut]

Slow clap for Upper Deck. Good on them to try and fix the problem.

And a BIG hand to Jeremy for his passion to this hobby

Good on ya buddy :beer: