Statement From Upper Deck Re: Chronology Letters

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This is bad. They are already getting flammed on Twitter and Facebook:

Chronology Hockey Volume 2 includes Letterman cards (signed & unsigned) for veteran players that features styrene letters that we have used previously in Golf Scoreboard cards. Our patch vendor was unable to produce materials we needed for this release because of the pandemic.

Retired Letterman cards were produced prior to the pandemic and feature traditional patch material cards. We shared a preview of these cards featuring styrene letters well prior to release.
 
They had already posted this on their FB page with the previews. This falls under the "Don't like it, don't buy it" category for me. We're in the middle of a pandemic, folks. Sh*t is gonna happen.
 
I think we can give UD a pass on this one. People are going to hate on it, but what else are they supposed to do during a pandemic? In these unique times, they found out a way to get these cards made, and that's the important part in this situation. Otherwise, we'd have half a product and a million redemptions.
 
Honestly who gives a ****. People are dying. These are just cards
 
I've never really liked the lettermen cards (they're not my thing) and especially don't like the non-autographed manufactured lettermen cards, but I understand why some people do. I don't really mind the autographed styrene versions but the non-auto'd counting as a major hit is pretty gross, imo.

The picture/post about the styrene update wasn't made until November 25th, well after most case preorders had been paid in full and verified. It also is not mentioned in the main post itself, rather the update about the styrene situation is listed under the preview picture for a Carey Price auto lettermen (which is a styrene version). The only styrene non-auto pictured is Mr. Hockey, who is a patch due to being a veteran.

I get that the pandemic wreaked havoc with this product in multiple ways, but they should have been way more up front about this and should make good on one of the premier hits on a $140 dollar box being a piece of paper with a big letter on it. Frankly, they delayed this product long enough that they should have pulled the non-auto styrene lettermen cards.

Again, I don't mind the auto'd styrenes and understand why they went that route, but they had to know including non-auto'd styrenes were going to make prior feel burned.
 
I don't buy manufactured letter cards, auto'd or not. Goes for Draft Day Marks and all the others. I know a lot of collectors like 'em, though.
 
99goals said:
Honestly who gives a ****. People are dying. These are just cards
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People are looking to card companies to provide an escape. At $140 a shot, they might care (and should care). This is UDs best effort given the circumstances and I applaud them, but if the pandemic is playing havoc, they may want to scale back if it’s too much.

Frank said it best, don’t like it, don’t buy it. Series 1 has massive QA issues and people are still buying it. UD said it best at their summit years ago, “we can’t help your addiction”. There has to be a point where you all speak with your wallets.
 
I think there are a lot more issues with letterman than just this. Seeing a lot of unsigned ones pop up that are supposed to be signed (or at least the back would indicate that)
 
This is the second product in a month UD has released with pretty mediocre quality control issues. People die, people are dying, that doesn’t mean that you as a consumer cannot be unhappy about a product you have purchased being in terrible condition pack fresh or not including arguably the main draw from the set. UD certainly isn’t going to lower their prices in anticipation of not using fabric or having less rookies to include in a product.

UD couldn’t source the material for the majority of their manufactured patches because they buy them at bottom dollar from overseas. Instead of using redemptions they used paper. They mentioned this in fine print, which is a great technicality but you shouldn’t have to rely on technicalities when you’re in this business. Personally I hate Letterman cards and the autographs found on them are usually terrible examples of that players signature. None of this, Covid included, absolves UD from putting out a product with horrible production standards.
 
cardboardnostalgia said:
This is the second product in a month UD has released with pretty mediocre quality control issues. People die, people are dying, that doesn’t mean that you as a consumer cannot be unhappy about a product you have purchased being in terrible condition pack fresh or not including arguably the main draw from the set. UD certainly isn’t going to lower their prices in anticipation of not using fabric or having less rookies to include in a product.

UD couldn’t source the material for the majority of their manufactured patches because they buy them at bottom dollar from overseas. Instead of using redemptions they used paper. They mentioned this in fine print, which is a great technicality but you shouldn’t have to rely on technicalities when you’re in this business. Personally I hate Letterman cards and the autographs found on them are usually terrible examples of that players signature. None of this, Covid included, absolves UD from putting out a product with horrible production standards.
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That's up to us to talk with our wallets! I wasn't able to buy UD1 20-21 megas during the Walmart sale. I won't buy any UD1 at the full price. Chronology II, if there is no mega-sale on it, I'll stay away from the boxes. I have more than enough tradebait to pick the few lower-end cards from these products that catch my attention. Ebay will be full of singles. I'll continue my hunt for cool 2000-2005 singles.
 
Triple B said:
People are looking to card companies to provide an escape. At $140 a shot, they might care (and should care). This is UDs best effort given the circumstances and I applaud them, but if the pandemic is playing havoc, they may want to scale back if it’s too much.

Frank said it best, don’t like it, don’t buy it. Series 1 has massive QA issues and people are still buying it. UD said it best at their summit years ago, “we can’t help your addiction”. There has to be a point where you all speak with your wallets.
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Exactly. I see so many complaints from people who then go out and buy packs/boxes/cases. Perfect example is the Lafreniere YG picture. How many people said it was terrible and UD should be embarrassed? Now wax prices are through the roof because everyone wants one! If you want things to change, your only option is to speak with your wallet. I didn't touch Chronology II, not because of the Letterman cards but because to me, the value in breaking this just isn't there.
 
NOT my cup of tea but I will look over the checklists to see what is appealing, then let the breakers do the ripping to purchase what I like at a reasonable price.
THAT is pretty simple and then move on to the next product with the same approach.
 
I was never a fan of manufactured patches so the letterman cards are not my thing, the franchise history autos are good, I’m looking at picking up the flames
 
To be honest, I won't buy manufactured patches. If it's not game used, it's not for me, whether it's fabric, paper, or anything else. But that's just my taste, everyone has a right to their own likes.

That being said, if something in any consumer product is substituted from the norm, it should be well advertised. Be that on the packaging, in previews, etc. It is totally understandable that the substitution had to be made and kudos to UD for the "show must go on" approach, but communication of a change like that is critical.
 
bwmechtech said:
To be honest, I won't buy manufactured patches. If it's not game used, it's not for me, whether it's fabric, paper, or anything else. But that's just my taste, everyone has a right to their own likes.

That being said, if something in any consumer product is substituted from the norm, it should be well advertised. Be that on the packaging, in previews, etc. It is totally understandable that the substitution had to be made and kudos to UD for the "show must go on" approach, but communication of a change like that is critical.
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So how would you navigate around the comment I've highlighted? Aren't most UD patches pretty vague on their description now? (ie "Game-used" now being "Memorabilia worn" which could mean at any off-ice non-game event)
 
Not to railroad the original topic, but I stick mostly to older sets and ITG or Leaf products. I'm not a rookie guy and that eliminates all the photo shoot memorabilia. I stick with HOF'ers.
 
odjickfan said:
That's up to us to talk with our wallets! I wasn't able to buy UD1 20-21 megas during the Walmart sale. I won't buy any UD1 at the full price. Chronology II, if there is no mega-sale on it, I'll stay away from the boxes. I have more than enough tradebait to pick the few lower-end cards from these products that catch my attention. Ebay will be full of singles. I'll continue my hunt for cool 2000-2005 singles.
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Picked up 2 mega boxes full price and a Fat Pack and got nothing worth mentioning. I agree I will stay away from the OVER-HYPED S1 until the price comes down or trade for what I need.

I will continue to trade for 1997-2004 inserts and ITG products.
 

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