Traders - no more for me

[Muzza]

ESP have made the decision for me. I'm finished with Traders and I can't see much hope for the future.

This set is not worth my time and not worth the expense. Last year's Limited Edition was just rubbish and this is not much better.
1- the drama with insert ratios, checklists, card numbering could be forgiven if the product was exceptional. It is not.
2- the product is sub par as far as insert quality and quantity is concerned. Accordingly, the value for money is just not there.
3- I don't feel the urge to collect under these circumstances when I could spend my collecting $'s elsewhere on a better product.

I bought a box through OZCT and have purchased the grand total of 5 loose packs plus the two that came with the folder. I won't be buying any more. I got the Dogs Premiership card in the box and the only other Doggies inserts are the two Chart Toppers featuring Ben Barba, which also feature the same picture of Ben Barba (cheap & nasty).

As far as the Young Gun inserts go, I'm sure ESP would urge me to continue to buy loose packs or boxes in search of that elusive hit, but I don't feel the urge any more - it's just not worth it. I've chased all of the insert sets in the last few years because they held my interest, were quite gettable for a fair price and were good quality cards.

No excitement, no quality, no value = no more.​

 

[tak35bne]

Fair enough, some people, such as yourself, collect for the dollar value it seems. ESP could have put out a 120 card base set and no inserts and I still would collect it because I enjoy the collecting not the value.

DP

 

[ooneil]

Fair enough, some people, such as yourself, collect for the dollar value it seems. ESP could have put out a 120 card base set and no inserts and I still would collect it because I enjoy the collecting not the value.



DP

A little unfair IMO. There is nothing wrong with wanting some value for money with the prices ESP (and other producers) charge these days. Money does not grow on trees.

 

[1967Sharks]

Yeah im addicted to busting in hope but there has to be some sort of value there if you don't hit.
I do put a price on the thrill and excitement but this latest gap is too big.

 

[Muzza]

Fair enough, some people, such as yourself, collect for the dollar value it seems. ESP could have put out a 120 card base set and no inserts and I still would collect it because I enjoy the collecting not the value.

DP

Mate I think you've missed my point regarding value. I'm not interested in the $ value of cards because I don't intend to on-sell or use my collection for investment purposes. I collect for the same reason you have nominated - because it's my hobby, passion, the thing I do etc.
The value I speak of is the amount of money I have to fork out in order to fulfil my interest. I don't have unlimited funds for my hobbies / leisure activities. And for the $'s required to get this set, when weighed up against my enthusiasm to collect it, it's not happening for me. I just don't feel passionate enough about the standard / quality of these cards. That's what I mean by "value for money".
I'll continue to keep an eye on ESP's product and if I like the look of it, I'll surely reconsider. But for now, no Traders for me.

 

[Gameday Online]

Also needs to be value for the dealers.... Kill the dealers then you go a long way to killing the market place. I agree with the collecting for the fun of it but to some people it is also a business. I think the manufacturers ( ESP ) are forgetting this step in the process as well as the end collector with this release ( double whammy....)

 

[thenamesgould]

Thanks for the announcement, I'm glad I know about this.

 

[Muzza]

Thanks for the announcement, I'm glad I know about this.

I do like to keep everyone abreast of my wheelings and dealings.

 

[footypugs2011]

When you open packets like i did on the weekend the cards were badly cut 1/4 of the card is missing. I'm going to send these back to ESP to show what i got when i opened the packet. $4 is damaged cards and some of the inserts are just as bad.

 

[ch0pzta]

Ive opened around 30 packs so far and havent had any quality issues?

 

[Muzza]

I'll be the first, OK the second, to say that the quality of the cards is not an issue as far as I'm concerned. My box was perfect. Maybe just luck but I've never had a crook card come from a pack - ESP or Select.

 

[MILD]

My only concern is the corner damage to a number of packs. Not all, and not all cards within a pack but still a fair number. I think the card design makes it appear worse.

 

[jrinbulli]

I've had plenty of cards with corner damage

 

[ch0pzta]

The cards arent packed perfectly straight in the packets, try straightening them before you open the pack, perhaps they are getting bent during the packet opening.

 

[tak35bne]

The cards arent packed perfectly straight in the packets, try straightening them before you open the pack, perhaps they are getting bent during the packet opening.

How you open the packets has a real impact on damage control. A few collectors just like to rip the packets open and this approach just makes it worse. I cut across the top of the packet then cut down the seam, this opens the packet up and I can lift the cards out. Having said that, I still had plenty of cards with corner damage because the cards / packs are vertically stacked in the box. The thinner card stock does not help.

On the value side of the house, I don't care if its value for money, i will spend what I am comfortable with to finish the set to a level I want. For me, that will be base & parallel set, all retirement cards, all chart toppers, all premiership cards, case cards and the Broncos Young Gun all in two albums.