So I head into my local card shop today. Got into a discussion with the owner about my luck with Black Diamond blasters. He says that I'm not alone in that, and would recommend blasters over a hobby box - and he sells hobby boxes, so that's saying something. Maybe I'm not as crazy as I think.....
Anyway, 7 Upper Deck series 2 packs today. 2 jerseys per box, 4 Young Guns rookies, inserts galore including the continuation of the entry level 08-09 UD Victory set (1 per pack). I bought 8 packs the other day, pulled a Rookie Playmaker jersey out of 100 (Blake Wheeler), Rookie Materials jersey (Wheeler again), and a regular jersey (Olli Jokinen). So I got the two box hits for jerseys, plus one more. Can I do it again?
Pack 1 - Perry, Higgins, Lydman, TJ Oshie Rookie Materials jersey, Oscar Moller Victory RC, Connolly, Godard, Cammaleri, Forsberg
I guess I can.
Pack 2 - Girardi, Hainsey, Hossa, UD Propoganda card, Stillman Victory, Jackman, Modin, Samuelsson, Paille
Huh. Well, the first pack was good.
Pack 3 - Regehr, Calder, Dumont, Ottawa Silver Seven Tales of the Cup insert, UD Propoganda card, Zidlicky Victory, Olli Jokinen, Ellis, Weight
The Tales of the Cup card is cool. Nice to look back at hockey history.
Pack 4 - Huselius, Finger, Foligno, UD Propoganda card, Meszaros Victory, Ovechkin checklist card, Rozsival, Phillips, Hiller
Always nice photography in the main UD set. This one is no different.
Pack 5 - Hamrlik, Prospal, Kiprusoff, UD Propoganda card, Frolik Victory, Ovechkin, Zednik, Lalime, Gill
The Ovechkin card is well done. Lots of cards with celebration poses in this set.
Pack 6 - Satan, Tkachuk, Burrows, Brunette, Theo Peckham Young Guns RC, UD Propoganda card, Brunette Victory, Grier, Tambellini
The Andrew Brunette pack! Rare but wonderful! Yeah, but no. And an Oiler rookie. The first card of the pack should have told me it would be like this.
Pack 7 - Khabibulin, Demitra, Johnsson, UD Propoganda card, Petr Vrana Victory RC, Boogaard, Campoli, Boucher, Conklin
.......... the first pack was good!
Got a jersey and a Young Guns, so I guess it's not a total loss. Didn't get any Doans, but there's only the base, the Exclusives /100, the HighGloss /10, and an insert. Very nice set though.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
I'm just not sure what to think...
A few posts back, I wrote:
"But ever since I miraculously pulled a Thornton patch out of 23 out of a blaster, I've been hooked. (Side note: it was damaged, and I recently asked Upper Deck if they have a replacement. They were overly courteous in their e-mail, told me their policy, and said they would send me things anyway. Maybe they ARE changing...... we'll see what they send anyway)"
Today, I get a package from Upper Deck.
First, a form letter. First paragraph with the obligatory thank you, and how they're simply not responsible for future value of the their cards. I didn't ask them for that. (I suppose that means "Yeah, sometimes stuff happens with our machines. Whatever.")
Second paragraph tells me they can't guarantee what one can pull from a given pack. I didn't ask them that either.
Third paragraph says that I am one of their "larger customers" (either a lie, or I need to see who's looking at my spending habits....), then apologies and "I hope you're not TOO mad with us" talk.
Fourth paragraph is a shorter version of the second.
All in all, a horribly written form letter. I understand that you can't personalize it for everyone, but this isn't even close to what I asked them. "Damaged cards" should be their own form letter.
Anyway..... reaching in the envelope, considering a patch /23 could be worth over $100, I pull the following:
06-07 SP Game Used Daniel Sedin jersey
07-08 SP Authentic autograph of......... SHANE DOAN!!!!!!!!! (It's one I need too!)
Is this worth over $100? No, this would be $10 with shipping on eBay, if that. Do I like it? When I get a free Shane Doan, that works for ME. Note the capitalization there. If I was not a Shane Doan collector, I wouldn't consider this as much compensation for my pull.
What did I learn? I hope I didn't learn that they REALLY know what I collect. I would like to know how they know that (I think I did tell them in a previous e-mail, and if they DID take the time to read old e-mails, that IS truly impressive.) Realize that when you buy older product, if you pull a damaged card, you're pretty much screwed. They told me in an e-mail that they have an 8 month hold time on older cards, then.... well, they give them out to others later on, or use them as "buybacks" I guess.
I'm glad I got something, but simply put, Upper Deck's customer service over e-mail might be better, but their overall methods are still a little questionable. I suppose one step at a time.....
"But ever since I miraculously pulled a Thornton patch out of 23 out of a blaster, I've been hooked. (Side note: it was damaged, and I recently asked Upper Deck if they have a replacement. They were overly courteous in their e-mail, told me their policy, and said they would send me things anyway. Maybe they ARE changing...... we'll see what they send anyway)"
Today, I get a package from Upper Deck.
First, a form letter. First paragraph with the obligatory thank you, and how they're simply not responsible for future value of the their cards. I didn't ask them for that. (I suppose that means "Yeah, sometimes stuff happens with our machines. Whatever.")
Second paragraph tells me they can't guarantee what one can pull from a given pack. I didn't ask them that either.
Third paragraph says that I am one of their "larger customers" (either a lie, or I need to see who's looking at my spending habits....), then apologies and "I hope you're not TOO mad with us" talk.
Fourth paragraph is a shorter version of the second.
All in all, a horribly written form letter. I understand that you can't personalize it for everyone, but this isn't even close to what I asked them. "Damaged cards" should be their own form letter.
Anyway..... reaching in the envelope, considering a patch /23 could be worth over $100, I pull the following:
06-07 SP Game Used Daniel Sedin jersey
07-08 SP Authentic autograph of......... SHANE DOAN!!!!!!!!! (It's one I need too!)
Is this worth over $100? No, this would be $10 with shipping on eBay, if that. Do I like it? When I get a free Shane Doan, that works for ME. Note the capitalization there. If I was not a Shane Doan collector, I wouldn't consider this as much compensation for my pull.
What did I learn? I hope I didn't learn that they REALLY know what I collect. I would like to know how they know that (I think I did tell them in a previous e-mail, and if they DID take the time to read old e-mails, that IS truly impressive.) Realize that when you buy older product, if you pull a damaged card, you're pretty much screwed. They told me in an e-mail that they have an 8 month hold time on older cards, then.... well, they give them out to others later on, or use them as "buybacks" I guess.
I'm glad I got something, but simply put, Upper Deck's customer service over e-mail might be better, but their overall methods are still a little questionable. I suppose one step at a time.....
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Black Diamond blaster. Part 3.
Technically, I should be pushing my luck a little here, but even without the good pulls I've had, I really like the Black Diamond set. It's very well done, with a minimum of damaged cards, which is unique for this set. Most years there is ample chipping due to the high amount of foil on the cards. And really, when you're on a roll, go until it stops. Or is that what crazy people say?
Oh, and I still haven't pulled ANY Shane Doan cards from Black Diamond.
But to start.... one pack of MVP, and one pack of O-Pee-Chee.
MVP - McLean, Brad Richards, Keith, Olesz, Giguere, Kuba, Comeau, Oscar Moller RC, UD propaganda card
Nice to get a Dallas Star in the pack, and Moller (ex-Chilliwack Bruin) is going to be a good one, I think. Not a bad start.
O-Pee-Chee - Brule, Modin, Eriksson, Johnsson, Huet, D'Agostini rookie
Another Dallas Star. From O-Pee-Chee, I've only pulled the large Doan from the blaster.
On to the blaster.......
Pack 1 - Elias, Bieksa, Zubov, Malone, Leclaire
Not the best start.
Pack 2 - Hartnell, Gonchar, Halak, Prospal, Nash Triple Diamond
Nice pull on the Nash. Again, 1:8, so I shouldn't have one in here.
Pack 3 - Jack Johnson, Penner, Osgood Double Diamond, Kostitsyn, Vrbata
Hmm. No Doan again?
Pack 4 - Kariya, Wolski, Pominville, Kronwall, Ellis
Hmm. Even pack 1 was better than this.
Pack 5 - Michalek, Bouchard, Legace, Byfuglien, Alex Goligoski Triple Diamond RC
Another triple diamond, which I can't really complain about.
Pack 6 - Morrow, Statsny Double Diamond Premier Cuts, Brygalov, Green, Shanahan
I am getting a lot of doubles of inserts and multiple diamond cards. Just saying.
Well, I again beat the odds, but my luck with these is clearly declining, as I'm starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel on the rarer cards. I have some eBay auctions up, so maybe it's time for a hobby box of this....... then again, that's what I said last time, isn't it.
Oh, and I still haven't pulled ANY Shane Doan cards from Black Diamond.
But to start.... one pack of MVP, and one pack of O-Pee-Chee.
MVP - McLean, Brad Richards, Keith, Olesz, Giguere, Kuba, Comeau, Oscar Moller RC, UD propaganda card
Nice to get a Dallas Star in the pack, and Moller (ex-Chilliwack Bruin) is going to be a good one, I think. Not a bad start.
O-Pee-Chee - Brule, Modin, Eriksson, Johnsson, Huet, D'Agostini rookie
Another Dallas Star. From O-Pee-Chee, I've only pulled the large Doan from the blaster.
On to the blaster.......
Pack 1 - Elias, Bieksa, Zubov, Malone, Leclaire
Not the best start.
Pack 2 - Hartnell, Gonchar, Halak, Prospal, Nash Triple Diamond
Nice pull on the Nash. Again, 1:8, so I shouldn't have one in here.
Pack 3 - Jack Johnson, Penner, Osgood Double Diamond, Kostitsyn, Vrbata
Hmm. No Doan again?
Pack 4 - Kariya, Wolski, Pominville, Kronwall, Ellis
Hmm. Even pack 1 was better than this.
Pack 5 - Michalek, Bouchard, Legace, Byfuglien, Alex Goligoski Triple Diamond RC
Another triple diamond, which I can't really complain about.
Pack 6 - Morrow, Statsny Double Diamond Premier Cuts, Brygalov, Green, Shanahan
I am getting a lot of doubles of inserts and multiple diamond cards. Just saying.
Well, I again beat the odds, but my luck with these is clearly declining, as I'm starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel on the rarer cards. I have some eBay auctions up, so maybe it's time for a hobby box of this....... then again, that's what I said last time, isn't it.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Black Diamond blaster..... again
Despite winning on the last one and knowing that luck doesn't last forever.... I bought another Black Diamond blaster. The thing is that I bought a 3 pack clamshell the other day and got a Martin Brodeur quad jersey! I've had some sets that I just have really good luck on. I think 08-09 Black Diamond is a good one for me. So far, I've bought 6 hobby packs and 9 retail packs, and I have more than beaten the odds. So on this blaster, I'll come back to earth or win big. Let's see if I learn yet another painful lesson on blasters or keep the roll going.
Pack 1 - Theodore, Sharp Double Diamond, Marc Staal, Ryan, Ohlund
Still missing the Doan Double Diamond. Unless I beat the odds again, I'll continue to miss it.
Pack 2 - Huet, Brind'Amour, Rolston, Prospal, Heatley Triple Diamond
Should mention here that I have both the Sharp and Heatley.
Pack 3 - Zherdev, Avery, Stastny Premier Cuts Double Diamond, Zubov, Malone
Still missing the Doan Premier Cuts Single Diamond. Avery sucks.
Pack 4 - Little, Sturm, Kovalev, Streit, Brule
A rare garbage pack.
Pack 5 - Roloson, Leclaire, Selanne Double Diamond, Kostitsyn, Vrbata
Selanne is a cool pull. Would rather see him in a Jets jersey though.......
Pack 6 - Blake, Filppula, Lauri Korpikoski Quad Diamond RC, Pominville, Kronwall
I have no idea who this rookie is. He's a roster player with the Rangers and it looks like he's played every game. So that's good, I guess. And a quad diamond rookie is a quad diamond rookie.
Again, beat the odds on Triples, Doubles, Premier Cuts, and Quad Diamond rookies. Technically, I should be getting 1 Double Diamond, and 3 of 4 blasters will have EITHER a Triple, Quad, Premier Cut, or jersey. So getting 3 of the 4 in one blaster..... I can't complain I guess. I've certainly had worse ones. But really, it's probably time for me to buy a hobby box of this and get it over with.
Pack 1 - Theodore, Sharp Double Diamond, Marc Staal, Ryan, Ohlund
Still missing the Doan Double Diamond. Unless I beat the odds again, I'll continue to miss it.
Pack 2 - Huet, Brind'Amour, Rolston, Prospal, Heatley Triple Diamond
Should mention here that I have both the Sharp and Heatley.
Pack 3 - Zherdev, Avery, Stastny Premier Cuts Double Diamond, Zubov, Malone
Still missing the Doan Premier Cuts Single Diamond. Avery sucks.
Pack 4 - Little, Sturm, Kovalev, Streit, Brule
A rare garbage pack.
Pack 5 - Roloson, Leclaire, Selanne Double Diamond, Kostitsyn, Vrbata
Selanne is a cool pull. Would rather see him in a Jets jersey though.......
Pack 6 - Blake, Filppula, Lauri Korpikoski Quad Diamond RC, Pominville, Kronwall
I have no idea who this rookie is. He's a roster player with the Rangers and it looks like he's played every game. So that's good, I guess. And a quad diamond rookie is a quad diamond rookie.
Again, beat the odds on Triples, Doubles, Premier Cuts, and Quad Diamond rookies. Technically, I should be getting 1 Double Diamond, and 3 of 4 blasters will have EITHER a Triple, Quad, Premier Cut, or jersey. So getting 3 of the 4 in one blaster..... I can't complain I guess. I've certainly had worse ones. But really, it's probably time for me to buy a hobby box of this and get it over with.
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