Fanatics is the new King of Cards

[ozsportscardcollector]

To be honest it would be nice if we could actually get a hobby shop in Australia to sell SRP... Cherry seem to sell everything at inflated secondary prices and as far as I know they are the Panini Distributor here, so you know... why are they selling secondary - but I dont fully know the in's and out's so if I am doing them a diservice, I stand to be corrected.

Probably impossible unless Fantics handles their own distribution and sets up stores here - something I doubt they would do since we are such a small market. I doubt it will affect Australian hobby stores - unlike their US counterparts which could be in peril if Fanatics handles distribution themselves.

 

[ozsportscardcollector]

So their quality is on track with panini prizm then

They are much better than Panini Prizm. Opening a fresh pack of Prizm is like sniffing straight from a chloroform bottle - not to mention centering and edges.

 

[cardfund]

Still a long way away, if they aren't acquiring Panini I guess Panini will start cranking the printing press...

 

[Matt26]

There it is

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

Looks like I picked the wrong day to stop sniffing glue* (buying sealed boxes)

 

[TAB1980]

Can't say i'm a huge fan of Panini but after listing to several people's opinion of Fanatics, i'm worried.

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

Can't say i'm a huge fan of Panini but after listing to several people's opinion of Fanatics, i'm worried.

Devil you know etc

 

[taffster74]

You watch. A year into the deal, there'll be collector's crying "monopoly!".

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

You watch. A year into the deal, there'll be collector's crying "monopoly!".

It'll be the same as now...but with less on card autos

 

[TAB1980]

I think there will be a lot of win signed merchandise/ player experience type redemptions... doesn't really float my boat

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

I think there will be a lot of win signed merchandise/ player experience type redemptions... doesn't really float my boat

*Not redeemable outside the continental 48 states

 

[Hornso]

They won’t have any trouble getting materials…

 

[TAB1980]

They won’t have any trouble getting materials…

From what i hear, their merchandise has been pretty poor quality in the past which is a concern. What is the quality control for their cards going to be like since they require an even higher standard?

 

[cardfund]

I wouldn't worry about quality just yet, I'd say they end up acquiring Panini too.

 

[ozsportscardcollector]

Anyone see bits of the interview Fanatics gave to CNBC? Not exactly reassuring.

 

[ozsportscardcollector]

Here's my guess. They do not acquire either Panini or Topps and let both rot on the vine. They will put their own stamp on their own products. i.e. you won't be seeing Prizm, Optic, Topps, Bowman, etc.

They will look to break the link with the past and usher in a completely new era. And judging from the interview they want to control all aspects of the hobby - distribution, breaking, grading etc. " Bring it all together".

I believe Sillicon Valley types like to call this 'disruption'.

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2021/09/...-expanding-reach-taking-on-trading-cards.html

 

[Andrew111]

Thanks for sharing. Based on this interview they are not just going after Panini, UD, Topps etc but also the distributors, the grading companies like BGS and PSA as well as the breakers. Basically killing off the secondary market (which currently benefits from the inflated prices) and creating a monopoly where they can print whatever they want and charge whatever they want for it. This is either complete BS to drum up interest before the IPO or they're delusional. Either way its 100% greed by all parties involved.

 

[TAB1980]

Found this comment online...

I’ve worked for fanatics and have to agree they do suck big time. They are a lousy company to work for and make employees become slaves. I worked in the Fan Protection dept. Orders going outside of the US we would cancel If they didn’t have order history using a aus credit card. We also did a lot of other things. I BELIEVE they are a company that just cares about profit not employees. If u need anything else let me know

 

[Andrew111]

Found this comment online...

I’ve worked for fanatics and have to agree they do suck big time. They are a lousy company to work for and make employees become slaves. I worked in the Fan Protection dept. Orders going outside of the US we would cancel If they didn’t have order history using a aus credit card. We also did a lot of other things. I BELIEVE they are a company that just cares about profit not employees. If u need anything else let me know

LOL we're screwed

 

[TAB1980]

Who's ready for overpriced, sh1t quality cards driven by greed?

I’m a store Manager at Lids and I can tell you the moment NHL and Adidas let Fanatics provide the caps it’s too plain and nobody wants them. Everything this article says it’s true as I write this dec 2020. The biggest problem with fanatics is that there owned by he same company that owns Lids and they run it the same why. They stripped selling clearance online, last minute for everything and the reason is they nickel and dime every little thing . They don’t comprehend that you pay for what you get, all they care about is the cheapest option