I came home today to find an envelope with Topps branding on my desk. It looked similar in size and shape to the one they sent out during the holidays.
Inside was a Topps NOW greeting card with a Spring Training 2017 logo.
Inside the greeting card was a mention of my status as a member of the 2016 Topps Now family, and some information about the roll-out of the 2017 Topps Now program, starting with the release of Topps Now Opening Day team sets, which are currently for sale on the Topps website. There was also a trading card in the envelope, which previews the 2017 Topps Now card design.
And here it is. It features MLB superstar Mike Trout, and carries a code on the back good for 25% off of one Opening Day team set per customer. I assume that since it's not a scratch-off code or anything, I am free to share it with the world. I think the 15-card sets are selling for $49.99, and your team can get bonus cards in its set by reaching certain milestones, like having a pitcher throw a perfect game, a player who hits for the cycle, or being in first place at the All-Star break. The card design is pretty slick. I think it looks all right, although I think I'd prefer the wedge along the bottom to be a little more transparent. I wasn't really planning on getting an Astros Opening Day set, but I might think about it at 25% off. I think the team sets are on sale until April 4th.
Although Topps is clearly trying to keep 2016 customers in the fold as 2017 buyers, this was a pretty cool way to do it. It would be hard to find someone who would say no to a free Mike Trout card, and the packaging and presentation on this package is very nice. Although they rolled out the design earlier today on Facebook, people who live to the East of me probably actually did get their preview of the 2017 set before everyone else. Thanks, Topps!
I like the idea that they are offering additional bonuses based on the team set you buy.
ReplyDeleteThe bonus cards are pretty cool. I have to imagine the people who have been trying to build a complete set are going crazy, though. Thirty teams multiplied by $50 is $1500, and that just for the cards announced before 2017 really kicks off.
DeleteI met a dealer in Florida who would order 10 copies of every single Topps Now card. I can't remember the exact price he said he had spent up to that point, but it was staggering for modern cards...because he would buy multiple copies to also sell some.
ReplyDeleteYeah, there were over 700 Topps Now cards in 2016, just for baseball alone. At ten copies apiece, he was looking at several thousand dollars. Then there were autographs, relics, and the various other Topps Now cards, but maybe he stayed away from those. It looks like people who want a full set will have their hands full and their wallets empty in 2017.
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