Collectible Card Petition - Manufacturing & Distribution

[eephuspitch]

Link ->https://chng.it/LDG4VGCFcm

To: Fanatics Leadership

With great power comes even greater responsibility.

Over the last two years you’ve made bold and insightful moves to revolutionize the collectible card industry, an industry that has been ripe for disruption for some time. Brands have been acquired, exclusive licenses secured, distribution has been streamlined, marketing has been enhanced and products have been created or redesigned to cater to the growing variety of consumers that enjoy the “Hobby”.

Many of these changes have been welcomed but it has consolidated your power and influence in ways that demand greater consumer advocacy and awareness. An informed customer is a loyal customer and transparency builds consumer confidence which leads, as you well know, to a multitude of positive downstream outcomes that enhance shareholder value, among other things.

This petition seeks the following:

1. More comprehensive disclosures for print runs and pack odds, we should know these numbers by product and the arithmetic should be clear. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include non-numbered parallels such as short print or super short print variations. To boost the integrity of these calculations, these print runs and pack odds should be audited by a third-party accounting firm prior to release.



2. Collectors make up the backbone of the “Hobby”, they are your most loyal, long-standing customers and greatest ambassadors for your products. For them, consistency is paramount, in many cases, it is the lifeblood of a collection. We would ask for to prioritize the consistency of your product versus other considerations as it relates to product redesign or creation. Should you embark on a process of sunsetting products, parallels, or inserts, seek to visibly engage with independent voices to balance the needs of progress with the value of legacy and tradition.



3. It is hard to deny the impact social media has had on society. In the collectible card market, its influence is a driving force in consumer attitudes and consumption patterns. As consumers, we deserve to know who you’ve partnered with in the Social Media Influencer world to advance your interests and that disclosure should be reciprocal with the influencers themselves. The lack of this transparency causes confusion and, if left unchecked, mistrust.



4. In a similar vein, the shift away from brick and mortar and towards online breaking is significantly changing the way in which your products are consumed. This poses as many rewards as it does challenges for your end customers. Fanatics Live is well positioned to be the voice in this emerging market and consequently is well equipped to establish and enforce a standardized set of Breaking Disclosure & Audit Requirements that would harmonize the consumer experience and ensure an equal playing field irrespective of the breaking format. These standards would be legislated by Fanatics but not a team affiliated with Fanatics Live, and infractions would result in serious implications for perpetrators including but not limited to a ban from the Live platform and from accessing product.



Taken together, we view these changes as another form of innovation, innovation that seeks to create greater transparency to advance the interests of your most loyal customers. Customers that want nothing more than to see the Hobby thrive for decades to come.

While it’s entirely possible that some or even all of our requests are on your agenda, it would be helpful to understand more clearly how you plan to execute these changes.



Sincerely,



Concerned Hobbyists

[NYBBFAN]

[eephuspitch]

Originally Posted by NYBBFAN

Okie dokie.

[theshowandme]

I am not signing anything that requires full name and email address

[Boredlawyer]

Stopped reading after the cringey first sentence; I imagine any recipient of the letter will do the same.

[bub838]

Big Daddy Rubin doesn't care.

[hermanotarjeta]

Hate to be blunt, but all the changes you are requesting costs more money for fanatics to implement.

They are strictly profit driven and the expenses to make those changes would cut into their bottom line.

You can only make changes via “striking”, ie boycotting their products, or at least buy significantly less - encourage everyone to get into less breaks, buy fewer boxes, wait several months after release before making purchases - only that will get their attention.

It will take time. They will need to review and see declining quarterly profit statements to see this. Shareholder pressure is the only way to implement change in the corporate world.

[eephuspitch]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Hate to be blunt, but all the changes you are requesting costs more money for fanatics to implement.

They are strictly profit driven and the expenses to make those changes would cut into their bottom line.

You can only make changes via “striking”, ie boycotting their products, or at least buy significantly less - encourage everyone to get into less breaks, buy fewer boxes, wait several months after release before making purchases - only that will get their attention.

It will take time. They will need to review and see declining quarterly profit statements to see this. Shareholder pressure is the only way to implement change in the corporate world.

Blunt is fine with me and it's difficult to argue with your POV but it's hard to think about an industry that has less customer advocacy and support than this one. It's a dumpster fire for most.

[eephuspitch]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

Stopped reading after the cringey first sentence; I imagine any recipient of the letter will do the same.

Thanks for your thoughtful response.

[eephuspitch]

Originally Posted by bub838

Big Daddy Rubin doesn't care.

You may very well be right and that should tell us something.

[eephuspitch]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

I am not signing anything that requires full name and email address

Completely understand.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by eephuspitch

Blunt is fine with me and it's difficult to argue with your POV but it's hard to think about an industry that has less customer advocacy and support than this one. It's a dumpster fire for most.

I’m an idealist, but you need to take this hobby/industry at face value. It’s the Wild West - there are no rules and regulations. They skim by basic rules of accountability because they can - how “real” are any jerseys/autographs, how accurate are their odds, how honest do they have to be to assure you that your serial-numbered card is the only unique one in existence, do we really trust that they never reprint older cards, what do they actually do with unredeemed redemptions, why do they not honor redemptions and why do they need an expiration date? We have seen countless instances where the industry has broken their own rules and broken that trust of the consumer, but we still create a market ourselves for their products.

It’s all our fault, we are enablers. We accept sticker autos and inferior quality.

Like I said, take it as it is, and don’t “invest” your life savings in this unregulated hobby, it’s a risky asset class.

Enjoy it to the limit of what you can enjoy, understanding all the chaos.

Good luck!

[SearchPatrol]

Originally Posted by eephuspitch

Blunt is fine with me and it's difficult to argue with your POV but it's hard to think about an industry that has less customer advocacy and support than this one. It's a dumpster fire for most.

It's BASEBALL CARDS.
It's not food, or shelter, health or safety.
It's BASEBALL CARDS.
Pictures of men and women who play sports.
The world and government have bigger problems.

I was at a show this past weekend. Spent $75 on $.10 and $.25 cards. Maybe you should do the same. It makes the "hobby" much more enjoyable.

[JeremyNick]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

Stopped reading after the cringey first sentence; I imagine any recipient of the letter will do the same.

Exactly the same.

Read the sentence, cringed and scrolled down.

[eephuspitch]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

I’m an idealist, but you need to take this hobby/industry at face value. It’s the Wild West - there are no rules and regulations. They skim by basic rules of accountability because they can - how “real” are any jerseys/autographs, how accurate are their odds, how honest do they have to be to assure you that your serial-numbered card is the only unique one in existence, do we really trust that they never reprint older cards, what do they actually do with unredeemed redemptions, why do they not honor redemptions and why do they need an expiration date? We have seen countless instances where the industry has broken their own rules and broken that trust of the consumer, but we still create a market ourselves for their products.

It’s all our fault, we are enablers. We accept sticker autos and inferior quality.

Like I said, take it as it is, and don’t “invest” your life savings in this unregulated hobby, it’s a risky asset class.

Enjoy it to the limit of what you can enjoy, understanding all the chaos.

Good luck!

Yeah it's just wild what these companies get away with and like addicts people continue to line up. I wish moderation was more widely adopted than it was in the hobby and obviously elsewhere in society.

[eephuspitch]

Originally Posted by SearchPatrol

It's BASEBALL CARDS.
It's not food, or shelter, health or safety.
It's BASEBALL CARDS.
Pictures of men and women who play sports.
The world and government have bigger problems.

I was at a show this past weekend. Spent $75 on $.10 and $.25 cards. Maybe you should do the same. It makes the "hobby" much more enjoyable.

What does casino or lottery regulation have anything to do with food, shelter, health or safety? This is a nonsensical argument.

[eephuspitch]

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

Exactly the same.

Read the sentence, cringed and scrolled down.

Hobby isn't going to change unless its forced to, right?

[ThoseBackPages]

vote with your wallet

[parkerj33]

I honestly don't even agree with any of the 4 requested items. I don't think any of them address any real issues facing consumers.

[eephuspitch]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

vote with your wallet

Clearly that too.

[eephuspitch]

Originally Posted by parkerj33

I honestly don't even agree with any of the 4 requested items. I don't think any of them address any real issues facing consumers.

Any immediately come to mind?

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by eephuspitch

Yeah it's just wild what these companies get away with and like addicts people continue to line up. I wish moderation was more widely adopted than it was in the hobby and obviously elsewhere in society.

You really need to view the sports card industry as the illegal drug trade instead of the automobile industry, for example. The auto industry has strict regulations and even has recalls for even the smallest safety issues.

The card industry has its producers, suppliers, “entrepreneurs” and its end-users, which is “us” the Johns.

Many entrepreneurial middlemen exist in the industry, even in this very message board. They are the breakers, box flippers, the buy raw/touch up/grade flippers, all targeting the addicts, you and I.

If you can show you are not an addict that can be targeted, that’s one less profit source for them, and if it hits their bottom line hard enough, you would hope for some change.

[eephuspitch]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

You really need to view the sports card industry as the illegal drug trade instead of the automobile industry, for example. The auto industry has strict regulations and even has recalls for even the smallest safety issues.

The card industry has its producers, suppliers, “entrepreneurs” and its end-users, which is “us” the Johns.

Many entrepreneurial middlemen exist in the industry, even in this very message board. They are the breakers, box flippers, the buy raw/touch up/grade flippers, all targeting the addicts, you and I.

If you can show you are not an addict that can be targeted, that’s one less profit source for them, and if it hits their bottom line hard enough, you would hope for some change.

Apt analogy, I'd have to imagine the last 12 months haven't been a good ride for them but they are likely still burning off gains from the preceding 36...

[SearchPatrol]

Originally Posted by eephuspitch

What does casino or lottery regulation have anything to do with food, shelter, health or safety? This is a nonsensical argument.

It's not a casino or lottery. It's BASEBALL CARDS. It's a HOBBY.
It only becomes a lottery if YOU allow it be.

Only buy what YOU want. At a price YOU feel comfortable with paying.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by eephuspitch

Link ->https://chng.it/LDG4VGCFcm

To: Fanatics Leadership

With great power comes even greater responsibility.

Over the last two years you’ve made bold and insightful moves to revolutionize the collectible card industry, an industry that has been ripe for disruption for some time. Brands have been acquired, exclusive licenses secured, distribution has been streamlined, marketing has been enhanced and products have been created or redesigned to cater to the growing variety of consumers that enjoy the “Hobby”.

Many of these changes have been welcomed but it has consolidated your power and influence in ways that demand greater consumer advocacy and awareness. An informed customer is a loyal customer and transparency builds consumer confidence which leads, as you well know, to a multitude of positive downstream outcomes that enhance shareholder value, among other things.

This petition seeks the following:

1. More comprehensive disclosures for print runs and pack odds, we should know these numbers by product and the arithmetic should be clear. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include non-numbered parallels such as short print or super short print variations. To boost the integrity of these calculations, these print runs and pack odds should be audited by a third-party accounting firm prior to release.



2. Collectors make up the backbone of the “Hobby”, they are your most loyal, long-standing customers and greatest ambassadors for your products. For them, consistency is paramount, in many cases, it is the lifeblood of a collection. We would ask for to prioritize the consistency of your product versus other considerations as it relates to product redesign or creation. Should you embark on a process of sunsetting products, parallels, or inserts, seek to visibly engage with independent voices to balance the needs of progress with the value of legacy and tradition.



3. It is hard to deny the impact social media has had on society. In the collectible card market, its influence is a driving force in consumer attitudes and consumption patterns. As consumers, we deserve to know who you’ve partnered with in the Social Media Influencer world to advance your interests and that disclosure should be reciprocal with the influencers themselves. The lack of this transparency causes confusion and, if left unchecked, mistrust.



4. In a similar vein, the shift away from brick and mortar and towards online breaking is significantly changing the way in which your products are consumed. This poses as many rewards as it does challenges for your end customers. Fanatics Live is well positioned to be the voice in this emerging market and consequently is well equipped to establish and enforce a standardized set of Breaking Disclosure & Audit Requirements that would harmonize the consumer experience and ensure an equal playing field irrespective of the breaking format. These standards would be legislated by Fanatics but not a team affiliated with Fanatics Live, and infractions would result in serious implications for perpetrators including but not limited to a ban from the Live platform and from accessing product.



Taken together, we view these changes as another form of innovation, innovation that seeks to create greater transparency to advance the interests of your most loyal customers. Customers that want nothing more than to see the Hobby thrive for decades to come.

While it’s entirely possible that some or even all of our requests are on your agenda, it would be helpful to understand more clearly how you plan to execute these changes.



Sincerely,



Concerned Hobbyists

.....