TOPPS CHROME Version 2012: A hit or a miss?

[blackbears86]

With chrome out in about a week, I have mixed feelings and alot of questions.

1. Did topps print the heck out of the product? (even though it is "sold out")
2. Is retail a better buy at this price point?
3. How does this rookie class stack up to other years?
4. Will it go up or down upon release?
5. Design wise; how does it stack up against about 35+ other products coming out this year? And does this even matter?


I think it will be a hit, because even though it is way overpriced now, and boxes will be watered down, the rookie class has done fairly well, NOT spectacular like Cam and company last year, but well. RG III/Luck have both exceeded expectations in my opinion, and Tanehill, Richardson, Wilson, etc.. have done better than most expected, and that is what will drive the product.

Not to mention the design looks excellent this year.

[ninjacookies]

quarterbacks are pretty much the only thing that will keep this product buoyant, and even then...who knows how each of the 4 or so top qb's do in the second half of the season

overall a pretty 'eh' draft class so far with not much variety

[chrisfaceoff]

With chrome out in about a week, I have mixed feelings and alot of questions.

1. Did topps print the heck out of the product? (even though it is "sold out")
2. Is retail a better buy at this price point?
3. How does this rookie class stack up to other years?
4. Will it go up or down upon release?
5. Design wise; how does it stack up against about 35+ other products coming out this year? And does this even matter?


I think it will be a hit, because even though it is way overpriced now, and boxes will be watered down, the rookie class has done fairly well, NOT spectacular like Cam and company last year, but well. RG III/Luck have both exceeded expectations in my opinion, and Tanehill, Richardson, Wilson, etc.. have done better than most expected, and that is what will drive the product.

Not to mention the design looks excellent this year.

1: I think it will be a higher print run but refractors and autos will sell really well esp right out of the gate

2: Retail is by far the best way to go at the price.

3: More are stepping up as time goes on and Qbs always sell well. You still ahve players waiting in the wings like foles too. Sleeper sellers.

4: Up a little I think before it falls like Platinum

5: Doesnt matter. Chrome is always a hot seller because of its longivity and reliability in the market.

[DannyShakes]

I think the low number autos and rainbows will be a huge ticket item like always.

[chutneyfactory]

I have done better at retail for the last 5 or so years. I may actually see what 5 blasters looks like vs. 1 hobby box.

[nera20]

With chrome out in about a week, I have mixed feelings and alot of questions.

1. Did topps print the heck out of the product? (even though it is "sold out")
2. Is retail a better buy at this price point?
3. How does this rookie class stack up to other years?
4. Will it go up or down upon release?
5. Design wise; how does it stack up against about 35+ other products coming out this year? And does this even matter?


I think it will be a hit, because even though it is way overpriced now, and boxes will be watered down, the rookie class has done fairly well, NOT spectacular like Cam and company last year, but well. RG III/Luck have both exceeded expectations in my opinion, and Tanehill, Richardson, Wilson, etc.. have done better than most expected, and that is what will drive the product.

Not to mention the design looks excellent this year.

For the price blasters may be the way to go, chrome is always nice and at this point in the hobby may be the best product out there. The hobby boxes are expensive but when you think about what people pay for National Treasures (high end box in NFL uniforms) you get about the same amount back from national treasures (most boxes) as you do in chrome and chrome is alot nicer looking. Just my opinion. I don't crack much wax but I would consider a box or two even at the high price.

[auctionjmm]

IMPORTANT FACT: Topps DOUBLED the amount of #'d autos in this year's product so a production increase will not affect the quality unless production is more than double...and I'd find it really hard to believe if Topps doubled their entire production run from last year. I think even with a weaker draft class this year's product will provide a nicer return than last year.

[HBMC]

I didn't buy hobby last year, never had a shot. I probably spent about $400 in total and got two autos and a few numbered refractors out of retail. Granted one of my Autos was Cam Newton, so it didn't hurt as bad as if it had been like my first auto (Shane Vereen).

I hope to snag a couple boxes from my LCS this year since he sells them at MSRP and isn't a person who thinks he needs to make a killing off of boxes. Maybe I get Lucky or get an RGIII, but if I pull a refractor auto of someone else that'd be cool. I'm not really in it for flipping unless I strike it big or if set collectors go nuts.

[HadWayTooMuch]

All I can say is as of last week, I was only getting a few boxes of my 2 case order.

And the same guy easily got me 2 cases of Jumbo Bowman baseball which was tough to track down.

[BOOMER7]

..... waiting a month for TOPPS STRATA
production and price point less than chrome.

[FuriousD82]

..... waiting a month for TOPPS STRATA
production and price point less than chrome.

Waiting for a product with no history versus Chrome? Risky. But good luck :)

[blackbears86]

Strata could be a sleeper, and has a great price point.

[peytonmanning18]

With Luck and RGIII I think this product will be a hit to get their rookies.

[Zacky1053]

With Luck and RGIII I think this product will be a hit to get their rookies.

Since when have "base" Chrome rookies sold for a significant return?

Ah, the days when a base chrome rookie of a top rookie was $40+.

[nuccionino]

I remember buying the equivalent to a hobby box in retail last year. Got one auto (as a hobby box would) but so many more numbered referactor's. One blaster box had 5 including a nice rookie /50. I'd go retail on this unless you got in early at a great price, sure no chance at the super's but what are the chances anyway of getting it?

[nuccionino]

Since when have "base" Chrome rookies sold for a significant return?

Ah, the days when a base chrome rookie of a top rookie was $40+.

Well they still bring in a decent return for being what it is. Luck and RG3 will probably bring in $10 or so a pop (especially in lots), as that is what Cam brought in last year.

In my retail break, i got 3 rookies and two refractor's. Got $60ish for the 5. Can't go wrong there, now there are two players that will bring in that, this year is good for base rookies of the big guys.

[natbornkiller]

1. Did topps print the heck out of the product? yess the cranked the presses
2. Is retail a better buy at this price point? no retail odds with topps i would say 1 auto per retail case of blasters so retail boxes would have silmar odds
3. How does this rookie class stack up to other years? name another rc after luck rg3
4. Will it go up or down upon release? down then up
5. Design wise; how does it stack up against about 35+ other products coming out this year? And does this even matter? see regular topps and add a chrome finish

you can not compare last years products to any other year due to the lockout
early products where under ordered (the same was true after the last hockey lockout)

[FuriousD82]

Since when have "base" Chrome rookies sold for a significant return?

Ah, the days when a base chrome rookie of a top rookie was $40+.

Derrick Rose 08/09 still goes for $40-55

[natbornkiller]

Derrick Rose 08/09 still goes for $40-55

nope does not count that card was kind of short printed

[JChrist1732]

The hobby boxes are expensive but when you think about what people pay for National Treasures (high end box in NFL uniforms) you get about the same amount back from national treasures (most boxes) as you do in chrome and chrome is alot nicer looking.

Wait, what? Maybe if you are talking about Net profit/loss but no way do you get as much resale from a box of chrome than a box of NT.

[MI Rob]

Derrick Rose 08/09 still goes for $40-55

Which is also a basketball player. Much larger market.

[Casebreaker]

All I can say is as of last week, I was only getting a few boxes of my 2 case order.

And the same guy easily got me 2 cases of Jumbo Bowman baseball which was tough to track down.

I have also been told they are not printing more than last year when I ordered so take it for what it's worth

[Rufusyo]

I don't know how much was printed, but I know the demand is higher than the supply. At least it looks to be at this point. Note the above post that is not getting what he ordered. I know my lcs won't get anymore at current prices.

[Ajax1723]

They did add almost double the amount of autos as someone said above, so that would lead me to believe that they almost doubled production. The only way to double the amount of autos and not increase production is to either put two autos in a box, or overload retail with them, or have less signers than last year.

The math doesnt compute, so it will be interesting to see how it works out.

[EricMetcalf21]

I dont know how they made double when no one can find the stuff. My dealer always gets me some and he's had major problems pulling a few extra cases. Actually he didnt get a single extra box

[1eyed_jack]

I think it's absolutely insane that you have:

Base
Base Refractor
Military Border /499
Pink Border /399
Black Border /299
Blue Border /199
Sepia /99
Gold /50
Red /25
Superfractor /1
Prism refractor (not numbered)

kind of insane when each player has about 1600 colored refractors, not even including regular refractors.

complete overkill in my opinion

[natbornkiller]

^^^^
your forgetting all the retail colors too
Orange, xfractor, purple?

[1eyed_jack]

^^^^
your forgetting all the retail colors too
Orange, xfractor, purple?

yay! Even more haha.

I mean, don't get me wrong, it's cool to have some color, but really it could be limited to

refractor
Blue refracor /199

Sepia /99

Red /25

superfractor /1

I mean, how much of a price difference is there really going from 499 down to 99 in 100 increments?

[FanboyOfNone]

yay! Even more haha.

I mean, don't get me wrong, it's cool to have some color, but really it could be limited to

refractor
Blue refracor /199

Sepia /99

Red /25

superfractor /1

I mean, how much of a price difference is there really going from 499 down to 99 in 100 increments?

Reminds me a little of Prime. The base Luck auto /50 barely goes for anything more than the /260, let alone the /75, /99, etc...

Not saying it'll be that bad in Chrome, but damn. There's going to be complete overstaturation on any autos over /99 fast.

[bhavr]

Retail sighting yet?

[blackbears86]

I would expect retail to hit maybe............. this friday/early next week?

[matt roberson]

I think it's absolutely insane that you have:

Base
Base Refractor
Military Border /499
Pink Border /399
Black Border /299
Blue Border /199
Sepia /99
Gold /50
Red /25
Superfractor /1
Prism refractor (not numbered)

kind of insane when each player has about 1600 colored refractors, not even including regular refractors.

complete overkill in my opinion

Speak for yourself, I can't wait to do my rainbows for my PC guys. That's the only reason I buy this product, a big pretty rainbow.

[1eyed_jack]

Speak for yourself, I can't wait to do my rainbows for my PC guys. That's the only reason I buy this product, a big pretty rainbow.

rainbows have 7 colors though, these are like rainbows on steroids

[Ajax1723]

rainbows have 7 colors though, these are like rainbows on steroids

Well It's kinda hard to have a superfractor band of a rainbow.

I enjoy all the parallels too, added value AND they look really nice.

Can't wait for this stuff, and curious to see how the autos are spread out.

[jdhaugh11]

If the boxes go over $125 a box like last year, it will be hard for me to open the 2 cases I bought at $1,600. I have spent a lot lately and it would be a big risk and time commitment to make the same profit I could just selling 2 cases. Might just take my big profit and run. If I do sell them though, I hope to be able to find out what came out of them.

[Jnb0123]

Iv got a case incoming, and I think I am going to bust it. I would prob make more money by just selling the case, just cant imagine selling the case that has a RG3 or Luck super in it though haha. So with only being in it at $720 I am taking the risk! Can't wait!

[chrisfaceoff]

I am seriously thinking about flipping my case. The only problem is I have a problem with opening cards, so I wont be able to do it haha

If I'm going through the case and hit a big money card, I might sell off the rest...might haha

[LeonfromNC]

I am seriously thinking about flipping my case. The only problem is I have a problem with opening cards, so I wont be able to do it haha

If I'm going through the case and hit a big money card, I might sell off the rest...might haha

Buy single boxes aside from you case and bust those... that's what I'm doing... I'm going to bust half a case for myself. sell the sealed case to make profit.

[blevins26]

I am seriously thinking about flipping my case. The only problem is I have a problem with opening cards, so I wont be able to do it haha

If I'm going through the case and hit a big money card, I might sell off the rest...might haha

Is it really ethical to hit a big card and sell the rest of the boxes? That sounds pretty shady to me and it's the reason I only buy boxes at my LCS now.

[trixstar]

Is it really ethical to hit a big card and sell the rest of the boxes? That sounds pretty shady to me and it's the reason I only buy boxes at my LCS now.

There are no ethics in this hobby anymore sadly.

[Kodiak10]

Is it really ethical to hit a big card and sell the rest of the boxes? That sounds pretty shady to me and it's the reason I only buy boxes at my LCS now.

If you hit the Griffin or Luck Super, I will buy the rest of your boxes. Last year the same player ran together for paralells. :D

[Deathgate]

As far as I know, there isn't a stated case hit for Chrome, so no, not unethical. In fact, with a product that does have a case hit, and you're buying boxes, you should always assume that the big one has already been pulled.

[WalterAZ31]

I think for Chrome its different. Say your ripping a case, and halfway through it you hit a red refractor RG3 Auto......

if you sell the rest of the case, who's to say there isnt a superfractor of a decent rookie in the rest

[chrisfaceoff]

Is it really ethical to hit a big card and sell the rest of the boxes? That sounds pretty shady to me and it's the reason I only buy boxes at my LCS now.

I disagree though. There are cases where you can hit a few really sweet cards. I remember one last year from my area where a guy hit a super(i think it was just a base) but then also hit a refractor auto, and then from the same case I hit a Dwayne Harris Red auto /5 and then shortly after that a guy hit a Cam Crystal auto.

Chrome does not have any guarantees so you never know what comes out of the boxes. Now If I were to open a box and hit all the hits and sell of the packs, something like that is really shady.

I defiantly see where you are coming from, but I don't view it like that with Chrome specifically. Others that have case guarantees I do side with you completely.

[blevins26]

I disagree though. There are cases where you can hit a few really sweet cards. I remember one last year from my area where a guy hit a super(i think it was just a base) but then also hit a refractor auto, and then from the same case I hit a Dwayne Harris Red auto /5 and then shortly after that a guy hit a Cam Crystal auto.

Chrome does not have any guarantees so you never know what comes out of the boxes. Now If I were to open a box and hit all the hits and sell of the packs, something like that is really shady.

I defiantly see where you are coming from, but I don't view it like that with Chrome specifically. Others that have case guarantees I do side with you completely.

I understand where you are coming from but it just feels weird to think that someone would score a monster hit and decide to then sell off the remaining boxes. I guess for me it's more of a violation of the unwritten code of cards than anything else.

Sure, you can make the argument that "Chrome is different, Chrome is special" but, come on, how many boxes these days have cards that can be sold as singles for more than that box cost? It's so few that when you hit a card that pays 2x the box price, you know the rest of the boxes in the case are much more likely to be duds.

[PDawson21]

When does retail hit Stores?

[chrisfaceoff]

I disagree though. There are cases where you can hit a few really sweet cards. I remember one last year from my area where a guy hit a super(i think it was just a base) but then also hit a refractor auto, and then from the same case I hit a Dwayne Harris Red auto /5 and then shortly after that a guy hit a Cam Crystal auto.

Chrome does not have any guarantees so you never know what comes out of the boxes. Now If I were to open a box and hit all the hits and sell of the packs, something like that is really shady.

I defiantly see where you are coming from, but I don't view it like that with Chrome specifically. Others that have case guarantees I do side with you completely.

If its any conciliation I'm also the person who says I'm only going to the LCS for a few packs when I need supplies and end up busting 3 or 4 boxes. I probably wouldn't sell them anyway. I don't have any control haha

[chrisfaceoff]

When does retail hit Stores?

Its usually a few days - 1 week before hobby hits. I would love to know a specific day too because I really wanna go to town on retail!

[cceedfw]

There really is no specific day for retail because its in the hands of Walmart, Target, etc. It should release the same day as Hobby but its always out before. Sometimes as early as the Friday before Hobby. Since Hobby has been pushed to Friday there's no telling what will happen with retail.

Around here Walmart usually has retail products a couple days before Hobby but Target usually doesn't put them out for a week or 2 after Hobby. But it seems to be different all around the country.

[DMOneyHOE]

i didnt get my case at the initial price but i got in before it went thru the roof. im gonna flip my case .although id love to bust it, im gettin out the hobby. not enough money or time right now.

[jdhaugh11]

I get both sides of selling the remainder of a case. For most products once you hit a huge hit, there is a 90% chance of not having another great hit, Chrome is the exception. Cases seem to run with either a lot of color or duds, they are not consistant from case to case. From baseball to football I have bought cases that never saw anything better than a ref /500 auto to cases that had autos that were gold /50, Orange /25, red /5 and 2 1/1 autos. So actually if you pull something huge in the first box or 2 of Chrome, then keep going, it might be a great case. People that opened many cases of BC baseball said they found Soler and Hamilton in the same case many times.

[chrisfaceoff]

There really is no specific day for retail because its in the hands of Walmart, Target, etc. It should release the same day as Hobby but its always out before. Sometimes as early as the Friday before Hobby. Since Hobby has been pushed to Friday there's no telling what will happen with retail.

Around here Walmart usually has retail products a couple days before Hobby but Target usually doesn't put them out for a week or 2 after Hobby. But it seems to be different all around the country.


Wow that is late. My target is always a little behind walmart but not anywhere near that time frame.

[FanboyOfNone]

I disagree though. There are cases where you can hit a few really sweet cards. I remember one last year from my area where a guy hit a super(i think it was just a base) but then also hit a refractor auto, and then from the same case I hit a Dwayne Harris Red auto /5 and then shortly after that a guy hit a Cam Crystal auto.

Chrome does not have any guarantees so you never know what comes out of the boxes. Now If I were to open a box and hit all the hits and sell of the packs, something like that is really shady.

I defiantly see where you are coming from, but I don't view it like that with Chrome specifically. Others that have case guarantees I do side with you completely.

Even with case guarantees, I don't think it's always bad. "Case hits" can be worth 10 bucks.

If I sold the rest of my 2012 Finest case after getting the case hit in my first mini-box, I'd have been kicking myself in the groin for the past two months straight. ;) Wasn't a bad case hit either.

[jdhaugh11]

I say that I am going to sell my 2 cases, but I have never been able to do so in the past even when I said I was going to, so why will this time be any different? I have a card addiction and would rather have fun than make a lot of money. I just want to feel like I got the value I spent, even if it's not exactly dollar for dollar.

[auctionjmm]

They did add almost double the amount of autos as someone said above, so that would lead me to believe that they almost doubled production. The only way to double the amount of autos and not increase production is to either put two autos in a box, or overload retail with them, or have less signers than last year.

The math doesnt compute, so it will be interesting to see how it works out.

Doubling the #'d autos doesn't mean that the base autos have to fall at the same rate. They could easily cut base autos down and load cases with more #'d autos.

I think the end result will be somewhere in between. A slight increase in production with better overall auto hits due to the new additions.

[sdoug76]

In Seattle I dont see retail until a month+++ after hobby released. Thats with checking aboit 5 walmarts and six targets.

[EricMetcalf21]

i didnt get my case at the initial price but i got in before it went thru the roof. im gonna flip my case .although id love to bust it, im gettin out the hobby. not enough money or time right now.

How much u want for it?

[blackbears86]

anyone checking to see if retail hits tonight? Or is one week prior to hobby too soon?

[trixstar]

anyone checking to see if retail hits tonight? Or is one week prior to hobby too soon?

I'll be checking, I got baseball chrome a full week before release. Hoping the same for football but not holding my breath.

[StayingWarm]

I say that I am going to sell my 2 cases, but I have never been able to do so in the past even when I said I was going to, so why will this time be any different? I have a card addiction and would rather have fun than make a lot of money. I just want to feel like I got the value I spent, even if it's not exactly dollar for dollar.

This +1. Exactly, except for 1 case for me. This hobby rocks.