A few notes on Score

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DCUnited96

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I love the big sets, and really enjoyed opening my six boxes (so far). Some great photography variations, with lots of overhead shots, and some downright different poses (see Chris Osgood, and the Rookie Card of Bryan Pitton as examples). I was glad to see they cut down the number of parallels (as compared to Score Football).

Here’s a few notes on where I think Panini could improve on with their next Score release. Please add your thoughts on 2010-11 Score.

First, and most importantly - don’t super short print rookies, or don’t short print them to the extent they did this year. This is a low-end set, and should be much easier to build. Going with an approximate number of one per four boxes, the nine short print rookies result in the public having to break ~$1000.- of product (9 x 4 x $30.- box) for each set in existence. While dropping the rookie ratio to the level of Score Football may be going too far, something more along the lines of one SP per box would be better.

Card backs – I think you can certainly see the mark of a sportswriter on the back. The text write-ups are a great addition. I love the fact Tom Pyatt hasn’t “charmed” his way into the lineup, or that Alexander Pechurskiy is hoping to be the next great Penguins goalie (and then detailing his one game of mop-up duty)… great stuff! One improvement, for deep roster sets like this, room should always be found for a player’s place of birth. Same goes for Upper Deck releases.

Glossy Parallel - I knew this was coming from building the Score Football set, but is “pointless” too harsh a word? I don’t know, put the two side by side in a nine pocket sheet, and it does nothing for me.

20th Anniversary Parallel - nominally a one per box parallel. Good insert ratio, certainly not an easy find for a collector. My complaint would be, unless I’m missing something, there is absolutely no security on these cards. A batch of regular Crosby’s could probably be made into a batch of fake parallels by those so inclined. Not sure what parallel they’ll do next year, but I would recommend changing a print element (such as the Score logo) or adding a serial number, in addition to the foil stamping.

Snow Globes – Of all the inventive Pacific inserts, Snow Globes (99-00 Prism) is one that kind of fell flat. The Panini version really makes no improvement on the original. Maybe, it’s a concept that just doesn’t translate well to cardboard.

Cheers,

Shawn
 
Shawn,

Very well worded...having just finished my case and based on results let me add my two cents to what you have stated:

1. While some people will see "value" in the super short prints I became frustraited with these for the exact reason that you point out. In 720 packs I pulled two SSP rookies...with nine in the set I am looking to spend a fortune to either bust packs to get the last seven OR buy them on the secondary market for a lot more than I think I should spend to get them being a lower end set.

2. Card backs...love 'em. I slightly agree with wanting more info, but can live with what they have because of the fresh write ups.

3. Glossy cards...I whole-heartedly agree with this one. I didn't see the point of them in the football release and still don't in the hockey. You really have to look close to know the difference and even then I wouldn't recognize most of them had they not been teh last card in each pack.

4. 20th Anniversary...I like them, but one of the things I really liked about the football release was the serial numbering on the parallels. These would be awesome if numbering was included...alas they do not include them and thus these are probably not going to be a part of the set that I look to complete...even for the challenge alone.

5. Snow Globes...I LOVE THESE! The bad part of my case was that it is a small insert set and yet I had duplicates of each of the ones that I got in a sealed case...one or maybe two dupes would have been fine and understandable, but when I got four different ones and dupes of each of those it was saddening thinking that without dupes I'd almost have the set complete.

6. Playoff Heroes or whatever they are called (I am at work and not sure of the name of this insert set)...sheesh...a 25 card set and after that I had over 50 duplicates...easily 50 while with the other insert sets I fell at least four or five cards short of completing them. After 720 packs I don't have the desire to open more packs in hopes of getting the rest...again pieces that I will end up finding on the secondary market.

Overall I absolutely love this set...autos in a low end product are HUGE, awesome innovative photography and a low price point are the reasons I chose this to be the first case of anything that I have ever opened since collecting cards back in the early 80's. There is no doubt in my mind that if this set is done again next year with the same formula of design and value (minus the SSP rookies) that i will be opening my second ever case.

Thanks
Don
 
Thanks Don! Especially for the collation notes, as I didn't feel I opened enough to make any comments in that regard. Sounds like The SSPs may be worse than I thought...
 
Great thread and constructive comments.

I still haven't picked up any boxes yet but definitely will at the Expo next week. So I'll save my comments for then and thank you two for yours. Really looking forward to grabbing a few boxes. I know my brother and my nephew will be building this set together and I plan to get in on it with them.
 
I liked the SSP rookies, gives value to the set. Also gave me value when I pulled an Eberle in my two boxes.
 
Appreciate all the feedback here, guys. It's clearly coming from people who understand the point of the product, so believe me when I say it all will be taken into consideration. I think there are always ways to improve, and a couple of these suggestions already have been discussed internally. I was pretty pleased with the way Score turned out this year, but I already have even higher hopes for it next season.
 
DCUnited96 said:
First, and most importantly - don’t super short print rookies, or don’t short print them to the extent they did this year. This is a low-end set, and should be much easier to build. Going with an approximate number of one per four boxes, the nine short print rookies result in the public having to break ~$1000.- of product (9 x 4 x $30.- box) for each set in existence. While dropping the rookie ratio to the level of Score Football may be going too far, something more along the lines of one SP per box would be better.
Click to expand...

SSPed RCs are the reason why I decided to stay out of Score this year. Personnally, for a low-end product, I like RCs to be easy, like in Topps Total and other similar products we have seen in the past.
 
I think the ssp rookies are cool, just too short printed, one a box would of been sweet. As for the snow globes, I love em!!!! Great insert set!!!
 
There isn't much to compare Score to in the $1-per-pack market, so we'll just have to use Victory. I doubt anyone could call Victory a better product than Score with a straight face. We're talking about two vastly different levels of effort.

OK, you could make an argument with the parallels -- at least you can tell the difference between the parallels in Victory :p . Well, that's one place I'd like to see some improvement, and it's clear the majority of collectors agree. None of the parallels are bad ideas, but they look like they were rushed or just not really done to the full extent they could have been. As a parallel collector, here's some thoughts:

Glossy: Definitely should be marked in some way. "G" in the card number would be OK. I wouldn't be disappointed if this were replaced, though -- maybe a "Gold Line" full-foil card front?

20th Anniversary: Granted, next year won't be the 20th anniversary, but I'd imagine a 1:box or 1:2-boxes parallel will return. Go for the full holofoil treatment! If serial numbering isn't possible (which would be understandable for a $1-pack product) then perhaps a defined print run (1 of 150 maybe?) would be the way to go. I'm always going to be in favor of a stated print run (I've never been a fan of any company doing the "we're just going to let you guess" thing).

French: One phrase does not a good parallel make. Do the whole cards in French, just like everyone was anticipating -- but make sure there's some sort of marker on the front, too. I like the different colored Score logo idea -- just like in 90-91.
 
PHK said:
Appreciate all the feedback here, guys. It's clearly coming from people who understand the point of the product, so believe me when I say it all will be taken into consideration. I think there are always ways to improve, and a couple of these suggestions already have been discussed internally. I was pretty pleased with the way Score turned out this year, but I already have even higher hopes for it next season.
Click to expand...

Al,
Thanks for taking the time to read the feedback and comment on the thread. Much the same as with In The Game, it's nice to have feedback from the card companies.

Looks like I'm in the minority on Snow-Globes, great to have everyone's opinion!

Shawn
 
The only issue I had with Score was the insert sets and collation in general. In a $1 a pack product, one should expect to make a master set within a case (minus the SSP Rcs, I'm fine with those). I broke 3 cases and found myself with a 500 ct box of Playoff Heroes duplicates and not even one completed set of Franchise. That really made me shake my head. Other than that, I really like the product
 
I ony busted one box, but I agree on the glossy parallel. I was wishing I set them aside as I opened each pack rather then tyring to go back at the end to separate.

I also don't mind the SSP rookies either. For $1 a pack , you don't expect to get one, but it's a great bonus if you do. I also think it adds value to the product. If they were 1 per box, Panini would need to have 50 SSP rookies in the set in order to try to keep the big rookies a big "hit" . And then we would end up with people complaining that they pulled a scrub SSP rookie.

I felt like a kid when opening my box yesterday, and the smell of the cards reminded me of that as well. For $35 for the box, well worth it in my opinion.

Just my 2 cents.

Paul
 
I like the set.
Not sure why the SSP rookies are a differnt card stock than the rest of the rookies.. seem a little thicker to me.

I agree on the glossy, i can see the arguments that we will get when we sell those and people complain that they are not glossy... kinda like the OPC metal / metalX, although they diffently feel different to the touch.

for a 1$ a pack product to get 1 auto every 4 boxes is a nice insert rate.

Sno-Globes are a winner for me.


I did not know what to expect but I do like the results.. and finally Jan Hedja has a base card.. I like the big sets as how many Nash base cards do I really need every year.. nice to get the guys that don't make it into the smaller base sets..
 
I liked some of the small attention to detail - I just noticed last night that all of the chicago Blackhawk base cards have a small Stanley Cup on the front, denoting their win. Also, for a 550 card set, it appears all of the players have the correct logo on the front, as of the start of the season, and it is noted if they were traded or signed, which prevents the complaints about getting photos in the new jersey.

The write ups on the back are prolific to say the least. I can't imagine sitting down and putting together that much meaningful verbiage - kudos to the writing staff.

As far as collation, I don't think it's a big deal - this is an entry level product that is meant to be traded. True, it would be nice to finish off a master set in a case, or minimize duplicates, but for a $1 per pack product, I'd let it pass.

The SSP's are too short I think. One per box would have been better. The lack of odds noted anywhere also makes it hard for folks to decide if they are going to go for it or not.

French backs - nice little surprise, but hard to get excited about it when it is only a phrase on the back. Player collectors are going to be frustrated trying to get a copy, only to put it beside their base card in their binder and have it look exactly the same.

Oh... and if you really wanted retro - what's with the foil packs? Bring on the the tearable rubber/ plastic packs of yesteryear! :)

Value wise though - this thing is loaded for the price. Good job Panini!

Cory
 
I haven't broken any, but a couple observations:
If anything, this set reminds me of 96-97 Score - that's a good thing. Diverse array of inserts, a couple parallels, lots of ways to add value. For a low end product, this is a welcome return to the heyday of the modern era.

I am particularly struck by the time and care taken to make the Recollection Collection interesting and unique. Although, until I see one of these alleged Sakic autos pop up it won't get an A+.
 
will-411 said:
I liked some of the small attention to detail - I just noticed last night that all of the chicago Blackhawk base cards have a small Stanley Cup on the front, denoting their win. Also, for a 550 card set, it appears all of the players have the correct logo on the front, as of the start of the season, and it is noted if they were traded or signed, which prevents the complaints about getting photos in the new jersey.
Click to expand...

Actually I found the cup thing kinda funny.. I think its Jack Skille that was on the team last year and is on it this year.. no stanley cup logo...

and Dustin Bigugly now with Atlanta has the cup logo on his card.

I am guessing that its for guys that ended up getting their names on the cup? as the guys that did not earn it did not get the logo...

Oh and I really like the cards for the Jersey retirements... #1 Sakic is a really nice card...showing them all there looking up at the banner...

-Clint
 
score was the first BIG set i ever collected, loved opening the three box's that i got, coallation was a little hard to swallow, 3X subban rc's, (not complaining) and 2x kadri, would have like to get a assp rc, but i got a stlouis auto outta the deal, made the whole thing worth the 108 pack ripfest really fun.
 
I don't have a problem with SSP rookies. How SSP are they really? What are there, hundreds of copies as opposed to some /99 or /249 in other products because I see a lot of them being pulled. At $1 a pack and a ton of product out there, I think it brings added value to player collectors and set collectors alike.

My biggest gripe are the French backs. I was hoping for an actual french translation as opposed to a single sentence amongst an english card.

Also for the 20th aniversary, why does it have to have that gold script on the front? Isn't it enough that the cards are retro 1990 designs? I think the gold kinda makes it look cheesy.
 
Yeah, I saw it earlier this eve. Sent Al an email and I now officially give that an A+.
 

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