Are you a fan of the parallels?

[P_Phillips]

Parallels have been around for 10 years now being first introduced for Select's 2005 Tradition set. This year ESP have released two sets of parallels for their two primary releases Traders and Elite. Just doing a quick poll to get people's views on what they think of parallels.

I'll keep the poll open for 2 weeks. I think the options summarise the majority of people's opinions.

 

[Matt26]

I do like Parallels......as long as there is a definite difference in the cards I dont mind them.

 

[thenamesgould]

I don't ... but I'll be happy with them if the image is different. If it's the same image/card-basically, especially over three different variations ... urgh!!!

 

[Victor The Viking]

The way these parallels have been done seems like a lazy way to gouge more money out of collectors without any effort or imagination. I like the idea of a one per pack insert but would prefer something that isn't just a copy of the base set.

 

[Ben Tone]

I think one set with a different image is best.

Seems ESP have tried too hard or maybe just a way to make more money.

I do really like the blacks from Traders but 1 in 3 packs make it hard for the average collector.

 

[Lazlow]

Parallels are great when done right, with striking colours or different refracting patterns, with stamped numbering.

ESP do pretty lazy parallels though.

 

[Richard]

I would rather we got different players then duplicates of the same player.

 

[tak35bne]

Different levels of parallels can work and work well. All the rage with non-sport releases is to have 3 different parallel sets, for NRL you could have the silver set, then a gold set numbered to 100 seeded at a ratio of 1 per box then a diamond parallel numbered to 10 seeded at a ratio of 1 per case.

The major issue is the number of player cards........ If that idea did not work with parallels how about with something like the Australian Heroes chase set, main card, parallel card numbered to 100 then another parallel numbered to 10.

 

[troy titans]

Different levels of parallels can work and work well. All the rage with non-sport releases is to have 3 different parallel sets, for NRL you could have the silver set, then a gold set numbered to 100 seeded at a ratio of 1 per box then a diamond parallel numbered to 10 seeded at a ratio of 1 per case.

The major issue is the number of player cards........ If that idea did not work with parallels how about with something like the Australian Heroes chase set, main card, parallel card numbered to 100 then another parallel numbered to 10.

Numbered to 10 is way to low for something that has been redone exactly the same in just a parallel format, any lower than 50 (parallels for cards last year) is to low

If something is going to be /10 it should be a damn nice stand out card not a repeated card with a new background

Just my opinion

 

[saintsforever]

Parallels have been around for 10 years now being first introduced for Select's 2005 Tradition set. This year ESP have released two sets of parallels for their two primary releases Traders and Elite. Just doing a quick poll to get people's views on what they think of parallels.

I'll keep the poll open for 2 weeks. I think the options summarise the majority of people's opinions.

This is only my opinion, 1 set of paralells is ok if image is different, to do more than one is rediculous, with the same image is the definition, WE ARE GREEDY and lets say we have no more ideas, it does not matter as the collectors out there will still buy them!
After all if they have got money to buy them we will bleed them dry as we have a 5 year licence so who cares after that, we have our money.
I say to you "ESP" flooding the market LIKE YOU ARE DOING will only make collectors broke, disillusioned, and pissed off, and then they will say thats it I have had enough, no more.
Remember what happened with Dynamic Marketing and flooding the market.

 

[Dr Grange]

My 2c worth.... I would like to see all common team sets in the same jersey (home) & parallel in away jersey & if you must have a 3rd in there heritage or other special jersey just to justify the extra cards & their value..

 

[tak35bne]

Numbered to 10 is way to low for something that has been redone exactly the same in just a parallel format, any lower than 50 (parallels for cards last year) is to low

If something is going to be /10 it should be a damn nice stand out card not a repeated card with a new background

Just my opinion

Troy to be honest no its not. I have revised my thoughts on this in the other thread but parallel cards numbered to 10 are sought after in the non sport areas where we have up to 5 levels of parallels with the diamonds numbered to 10.

Dave

 

[thenamesgould]

Troy to be honest no its not. I have revised my thoughts on this in the other thread but parallel cards numbered to 10 are sought after in the non sport areas where we have up to 5 levels of parallels with the diamonds numbered to 10.

Dave

In my opinion it's too low. I think it would demotivate a lot of team collectors ... different in non-sport where there's no such thing.

 

[Muzza]

Given the four choices, I had to vote "No". That's not to say that parallels can't be attractive and successful.
Somewhere else it was mentioned that if the parallel card images are different to the base set's, then they are really a second, more elaborate base set as opposed to being a parallel set. I've never seen the point of that?
Parallels need to be just that, but with certain marketable features.
a) they need to be numbered (most important), /100 is the minimum for set collectors to stay interested.
b) they should be limited to two sets for the NRL market, US sports can afford the luxury of over indulgence in refractors, "cracked ice" and ten different colours, the Australian market is way too small.
c) they should continue to be one per pack. A pack full of commons is a major disappointment to any collector, assuming that you're not getting an insert in every pack.
I'm of the opinion that most NRL collectors are set collectors rather than team collectors (overall percentages, I know many will disagree) so the idea of multiple variations of parallel sets is going to delight many but will hold little interest for the majority of NRL collectors.

And there's my 2c.

 

[Mick2612]

Numbered ones yes my silvers go the same place the commons do straight to the bin

 

[troy titans]

I'm actually coming around to having 2 sets of parallels and gotta say a gold silver and normal will be cool next to each other for certain player collectors or even if you do what dave suggested and line them up in your folder that way, I know I will be.

It actually might look alright but please never go any lower than /100 for a parallel card I don't care if it's green, blue, red, gold black or whatever colour simply DO NOT go below /30 or /20 unless it's an absolute gem of a card!

 

[Muzza]

It actually might look alright but please never go any lower than /100 for a parallel card I don't care if it's green, blue, red, gold black or whatever colour simply DO NOT go below /30 or /20 unless it's an absolute gem of a card!

Absolutely 100% agree Troy.
If we're going to have any cards numbered to less than 100 (and that's still perhaps too low for parallels) they might as well be a decent insert set. The Elite sell sheet has production numbers quoted for each insert set, never seen that before apart from high end cards like the signature series'. I reckon they take another step and number these limited release insert sets.

I'm up to 4 cents now.

 

[Diggaz TC]

Poll results look a little misleading when the Yes vote gets split up into 3 different categories

 

[P_Phillips]

Poll results look a little misleading when the Yes vote gets split up into 3 different categories

True but they do tend to suggest that the 2 sets of parallels that have been used this year are unpopular.
Also one of the yes votes require a change to the card and I think Dave pointed out in the Elite Discussion Thread that if the card is changed it isn't technically a parallel.

 

[thenamesgould]

True but they do tend to suggest that the 2 sets of parallels that have been used this year are unpopular.
Also one of the yes votes require a change to the card and I think Dave pointed out in the Elite Discussion Thread that if the card is changed it isn't technically a parallel.

It's still a parallel if it has a different picture in my book, if it isn't then Select pretty much never released a parallel!