quote:

Originally posted by Sidewinder:
Increasing the amount of base cards in a premium pack would be a good idea, make it 4 base cards, 1 chase and 3 hits. The base set for Warehouse 13 was only 26 cards as compared to the usual 72 or more, so this format is probably best suited to shows with less than 15 episodes per season.

I don't think you can use the number of episodes per season as a measure when something like Game of Thrones only has 10.

quote:

Originally posted by Kevin F:
]I don't think you can use the number of episodes per season as a measure when something like Game of Thrones only has 10.

Game of Thrones is, of course, a box release with a large base set. My suggestion was limited to the premium pack style which generally have a base set of 20-30 cards. In those cases, having enough base cards to get a set per 4 packs would not make the pack unreasonably large because it would only add another 5 cards.

quote:

Originally posted by WarriorBabe:
NCIS is surprising to be released as a premium pack, because it is a huge hit of a show.

Yeah, NCIS may be a title that should have had a full release, especially since the show is still up in the ratings and has the potential for other sets.

A couple of reasons against it might be that RA feels that NCIS' large audience will not translate to card buyers, or that there are not enough autographs or relics available to support a traditional box production run.

As one of the minority that doesn't follow the show, my interest in the premium packs will be limited to reading the comments of NCIS card collectors once its released. It could be a miscalculation not to have made more, but time will tell.

I have never been a case level buyer so these packs are no use to me. As far as I can see the pack hits are similar to thoes in a box for a similar price just with no base set.

Both the manufacturer and my dealer lose out as I would normally get a box or two and a binder for a normal set but for the pemium packs they get no money from me at all.

For case buyers or Ebay auto chasrs I can see the attraction to this format but I can't see it for anyone who is happy just getting the odd box to get a base set and a change at a ncie chase.

A premium pack is about 2/3 the price of a box and the shipping is a lot less.

To get a base set you are still looking at buying the equivilant of a case (ie 100's of dollars). Shipping is not much of an issue as all products come from overseas so buying a normal box and a binder or a case and binder would not be that much difference in shipping.

quote:

Originally posted by Alric:
To get a base set you are still looking at buying the equivilant of a case (ie 100's of dollars). Shipping is not much of an issue as all products come from overseas so buying a normal box and a binder or a case and binder would not be that much difference in shipping.

At which point you just buy the set rather than chasing the premium inserts surely? I can't say worthless base sets has made the hobby any better either.

quote:

Originally posted by tangent:
A premium pack is about 2/3 the price of a box and the shipping is a lot less.

That is actually a great argument for offering both formats for a release. I'm sure most people ordering 1 or more cases would prefer the premium format, the reduced cost would more than offset any lost sales of base sets, while those ordering a box, or a few boxes could order the full box version and get their easy base set.
I've ordered a case of True Blood, but I know I won't sell a single base set, heck, I literally have over 100 various Buffy base sets I've never sold just sitting in my basement, and that's after giving away several dozen.

quote:

Originally posted by Incarnadine:
That is actually a great argument for offering both formats for a release. I'm sure most people ordering 1 or more cases would prefer the premium format, the reduced cost would more than offset any lost sales of base sets, while those ordering a box, or a few boxes could order the full box version and get their easy base set.

But, once you design, get approval, and start printing base cards your savings is pretty much lost. I don't think printing a few thousand less base cards would result in much savings. It's the development that makes the base set expensive when you have to design 72-90 cards.

Ed

quote:

Originally posted by Scifi Cards:

quote:

Originally posted by Incarnadine:
That is actually a great argument for offering both formats for a release. I'm sure most people ordering 1 or more cases would prefer the premium format, the reduced cost would more than offset any lost sales of base sets, while those ordering a box, or a few boxes could order the full box version and get their easy base set.

But, once you design, get approval, and start printing base cards your savings is pretty much lost. I don't think printing a few thousand less base cards would result in much savings. It's the development that makes the base set expensive when you have to design 72-90 cards.

Ed

Possibly, but there would still be a big savings on shipping, a premium pack with 12 cards ( based on 3 hits, 4 inserts and 5 base) would be much cheaper to ship (both lighter and smaller) than a box with with roughly 150 cards, especially to Canada and internationally.

When checking case prices on ebay I often see shipping costs over $70 to Canada, anything that would reduce that would be of interest to me.