Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ What makes an Exquisite?

I found myself thinking again... and ended up with the question "What makes an Exquisite, Exquisite?"

When I think about this question and think about all the products out there in this hobby what really determines and separates one from the other. What makes the UD Exquisite Patch Auto /99 worth hundreds more than the same players Donruss Threads Patch Auto /10? Whats the difference in a players RC sticker auto in Topps Chrome compared to their RC sticker auto in National Treasures?

It's all card board right? It's the exact same auto right? Same kind of jersey piece from one product to the other right? So what is it that makes them so different? What is it that's so different that UD can charge $120 for SPA and then $500 for a box of Exquisite? Is it all about the packaging (wood box) and "hand" collated packs that adds $400 to the price tag?

Is it the same thing with National Treasures...does the wooden box really make Peyton Hills' NT sticker auto worth that much more than his Score Select sticker auto?

I understand that to some extent NT and Exquisite are printed on thicker high quality card stock. The packaging that goes into them is a little more expensive. Really in the big scheme of things though, what allows these companies to charge so much more for these products. Or better yet what makes us as collectors feel it's worth paying that price? What is it about that Exquisite Rookie Patch Auto that makes us want it more than that Leaf Limited Patch Auto? Is it just all they hype the companies have created over these high end products or is there really something more to it?

I'd love to hear everyone's opinion on these thoughts!

for me NT blows Exquisite away!

the reason My HOFER collection!

NT is usually packed with GU and autos of those players I need!

perception is the reason collectors value Exquisite/NT more than score select or SPA!

Besides the price point issue..
perception that somehow these cards in their fancy packaging results in a higher ROI becuase of the "limited "production!

Already I have turned 3 of my exquisite cards into long sought after cuts for my collection and a soto auto to boot! Im not one to flip stuff on the Bay but many buyers of exquisite do just that. Buy it bust it and flip it! Its proven year after year to be a success! Thats the facts of history there!

It's all card board right? It's the exact same auto right? Same kind of jersey piece from one product to the other right? So what is it that makes them so different? What is it that's so different that UD can charge $120 for SPA and then $500 for a box of Exquisite? Is it all about the packaging (wood box) and "hand" collated packs that adds $400 to the price tag?

And this is why I am moving away from cards....

And this is why I am moving away from cards....

And into? If I may ask?

And this is why I am moving away from cards....

I'm not down playing the hobby, 'cause I still love it and still love the chase! As long as I love the game of football I'll love the hobby of football cards. The ability to own an auto or piece of jersey from my favorite players is still as awesome thought to me.

Rookies values are determined more by value than the product they come from than any other cards.

I really wanna do a 'rank the rookie' thread. I think that may be fun.

But here's my synopsis:
-Exquisite: its printed on the nicest stock, the patches are the biggest out there. They are some of the most limited rookiews too. The rarest of the rare. Upper deck seems to always produce the best looking rookie cards. The combo or rarity and on card autographs make it most desirable.

Same with National Treasures...

And if no one like exquisite it wouldn't sell as well as it does!

With overproduction the same players autograph will be valued differently based on the actual card it is on!

I agree with marcus42 about exquisite. It's just that exquisite can't be pulled from a pack at a store. You either buy the 550 dollar box or you don't buy it at all. Same goes for NT.

"Donruss Threads Patch Auto /10"

You can buy those from the pack, and even if you do decide to buy teh whole box, its not even 100 dollars.

And into? If I may ask?

Actual memorabilia - not just a piece, but the whole enchilada.
And while everyone is upping the price on the GU/AU RCs, I'll be scarfing up the base rookie cards at rock-bottom prices.

Perception is the reason collectors value Exquisite/NT more than score select or SPA!

Great topic Gary! Ace hit it right on the nose. The secondary market in our hobby reflects the fact that collectors are told how to value certain cards or products based on the perception created by the manufacturers. Exquisite is the biggest and best because, well, Upper Deck tells us so. It is presented as being the most limited top of the line premium brand with the nicest packaging, printed on the best card stock, with the best patches, and on card autographs. Therefore people buy into the hype, and are willing to pay more for that product. There are some nice patches in Exquisite but I have seen just as many sick killer multi-colored beauties from other products as well. If you don't hit a top 5 rookie or big name legend in Exquisite, you have just blown $500 or more.

Its all in the marketing. Over the past few years exquisite has been a really highly hyped product. The reason why People think an Exquisite auto is worth more than the same Score Select auto is because of the pricetag UD Puts on the product. People have got it in their heads that Exquisite is worth more than Select so it is. A lot of people view Score as junk, hence the brand imaging problem Score has versus UD Exqusiite.

Its all in the marketing.  Over the past few years exquisite has been a really highly hyped product.  The reason why People think an Exquisite auto is worth more than the same Score Select auto is because of the pricetag UD Puts on the product.  People have got it in their heads that Exquisite is worth more than Select so it is.  A lot of people view Score as junk, hence the brand imaging problem Score has versus UD Exqusiite.

Exactly.

It's what card companies do and it's what collectors will swallow up.

If UD were to create a new product called "Super Duper Exquisite" (or at least something not so silly-sounding!), and price it at $1000 a pack/box.....insert super-rare rookie cards numbered to 10 copies, you'd be certain that these would then be the most expensive rookie cards.

Us collectors can be silly like that sometimes

What makes an Exquisite?

Over-design, too much graphics and enough foil-stamping
to alarm the Environmental Protection Agency.

*Humble opinion of a Baseball card collector that has
worked in the printing industry for 30+ years.

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

What makes an Exquisite?

Over-design, too much graphics and enough foil-stamping
to alarm the Environmental Protection Agency.

*Humble opinion of a Baseball card collector that has
worked in the printing industry for 30+ years.

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

tee-hee!

What makes an Exquisite?

Over-design, too much graphics and enough foil-stamping
to alarm the Environmental Protection Agency.

*Humble opinion of a Baseball card collector that has
worked in the printing industry for 30+ years.

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

Oh be for real..

there can never be enough gold foil stamping..

And actually the color enhancements on the base cards make them beautiful this year!

Just look at that big ben base card I got and tell me it aint one of the BEST looking cards from this year!

Over designed rubbish.

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

Over designed rubbish.

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

My wife is a graphic designer.. she thought it was fancy dancy..

oy

Why cant we be friends?
Why cant we be friends?
Why cant we be friends?
Why cant we be friennndss?


lol

5

Me too, a Graphic Artist that is.

Example . . .



When the graphics consume 70% or more of the
surface, it no longer deserves the status of being
referred to as a Football card. The photo is just
lost and looks as if it belongs elsewhere (National
Treasures, perhaps).
Gimmicks are just that, gimmicks. Show me a large
action photo, minimal and tasteful graphics. I
wouldn't pay $500.00 for a box of the Photoshop
tricks of any graphics designer on the planet
disguised as a sports card.

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

I honestly love the look of Exquisite this year

Me too, a Graphic Artist that is.

Example . . .



When the graphics consume 70% or more of the
surface, it no longer deserves the status of being
referred to as a Football card. The photo is just
lost and looks as if it belongs elsewhere (National
Treasures, perhaps).
Gimmicks are just that, gimmicks. Show me a large
action photo, minimal and tasteful graphics. I
wouldn't pay $500.00 for a box of the Photoshop
tricks of any graphics designer on the planet
disguised as a sports card.

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

I love the perspective, here!

I would have never ever thought of this!

I like the look of exquisite this year, but Richard brought to life the view of the artist, and I very much appreciate that!