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The collector's market side of this is an interesting thought exercise to me. If the second printing indeed eventually opens up to all members with a 1 deck limit, with 500 decks and over 600 members, in theory, not all members (that want one) can secure the second printing and those that do can buy, at most, one deck. Would a larger percentage of 2nd print decks get opened, leading to fewer sealed second printings making it to the secondary market and does this in turn increase its value or the first print? Are folks most likely to get the second print also less likely to open?

The notion of 'value' connected to unopened decks is interesting to me. I am one that tends to be a buy two - open one collector, and when I have one of something, I struggle to open it because I know it will impact future value, even though I may have no plans to sell it. I feel like its irrational, I know its irrational, but I do it anyway. LOL

Eric Lee wrote: ↑Mon Oct 25, 2021 8:47 pm

Daisho wrote: ↑Mon Oct 25, 2021 9:44 am You almost couldn't give the decks away. I guess they did not anticipate the huge surge when they attached Gio's name to it this year. Not to mention a spike in collectors.

Lorenzo you mean? Still, would like to see Gio's take on that deck though.

I guess I should have had my coffee before posting. Not the first time I mixed words, though.

When I was serving in the Marines (in the before "card-swipe machines at every store" times, aka 2002-2003). I went to buy a 12-pack of beer, which was around $15 at the time. This poor 18 or 19 year-old girl, 5'6" at best, and 90 pounds soaking wet, rung me up (I am 6'0", and was a solid 210 pounds at the time). I looked at my wallet and saw I only had a $100 bill. So I meant to politely ask, "I'm sorry, miss. It seems I only have a $100 bill, and your sign states 'Cashiers only carry $50.' Is there any chance you would have enough cash on-hand to give me change for $100?" Instead, I was exhausted and agitated. So the actual words that came out with a slightly aggressively tone as I looked her straight in the eyes was, "How much money you got in the register?"

Words matter.

But, back to the topic on hand, I am glad 52+J are trying to rectify the situation. I guess part of me is excited that the whole situation could be seen as representative of more and more collectors enjoying the hobby. I even found out there is another collector in one my fantasy football leagues, though he mainly sticks to Ellusionist and T11 decks. 5 or 6 years ago, when I started collecting, I remember having to explain to "please package with care, I actually collect decks" to some eBay sellers, as if it wasn't a given considering I just bought a deck from them. I missed Lorenzo's HOTRS Kickstarter, but was still able to buy a Gatekeeper bundle on Backerkit. I believe today, that same bundle would have been sold-out in less than five minutes. And I have no doubt that the "Vivid Kingdoms" Kickstarter is going to introduce a whole new set of collectors in the near future.

If collecting decks was a stock, Jim Cramer would be smashing that "Buy" button with a hammer.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

Daisho wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 11:34 am If collecting decks was a stock, Jim Cramer would be smashing that "Buy" button with a hammer.

So, you're saying the bubble is gonna burst any time now?

Hopefully we'll get some timely notification as to when they will put them up on the site

52+J seems to be in really great hands with Lee Asher in charge

EDIT: To be clear this is genuine, I met Lee for all of five minutes a few years ago and he was super kind and helpful

(not sure how I ended up coming off as sarcastic )

As someone who did get the deck during the initial release, I am glad that it is being reprinted for members that missed the initial sale. I do think member's should have a reasonable shot to get at least one club deck each year. If there are extras, then members can pick them up after members have a shot to get them. The club is changing, but we have leaders that have their hearts and heads in the right place. Collectors are an odd group. No doubt about it. Bravo Lee and the other leaders that worked hard to find a new solution. Also, thanks EPCC for running another 500 club decks.

hsbc wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 2:20 pm 52+J seems to be in really great hands with Lee Asher in charge

I'm not sure what that's all about. (I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or actually praising him.)

Last year's club deck was created by Uusi. That didn't sell out.

The year before was Lotrek. That didn't sell out.

Every single designer of the 52+J club deck has been a highly regarded and popular playing card designer. Each of these decks are quite tasty. And yet, the demand this year has defied the performance of all those previous years.

Lee and his board have come up with a decent enough solution to difficult situation. YMMV, of course.

rousselle wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:02 pmactually praising him

That one

rousselle wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:02 pm Last year's club deck was created by Uusi. That didn't sell out.

The year before was Lotrek. That didn't sell out.

Every single designer of the 52+J club deck has been a highly regarded and popular playing card designer. Each of these decks are quite tasty. And yet, the demand this year has defied the performance of all those previous years.

I think the difference is that while Uusi and Lotrek are certainly highly regarded and popular playing card designers, they can't approach Lorenzo's popularity, which has absolutely skyrocketed in the past year or so. I think Lorenzo has a bit more mainstream appeal than the other two, though I don't collect Lotrek, so I can't speak too much about him. On top of that, card collecting has grown a lot during the same time period. I think if almost any other designer had done the design, I think we would be in a very different position right now.

This is all just from my perspective. Maybe I'm seeing it wrong. I don't know.

So, they are now emailing anyone that ordered more than 6 decks to voluntarily reduce their order down to 6. This is in addition to them producing the add'l 500 un-numbered decks...

aardvarkgod wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 4:54 pm So, they are now emailing anyone that ordered more than 6 decks to voluntarily reduce their order down to 6. This is in addition to them producing the add'l 500 un-numbered decks...

Interesting, I wonder how many of those will voluntarily do this and how many decks this will free up.

Yes, I'm a completionist, though that is becoming increasing difficult in this hobby

I have to say, once I gave up on being a completionist my life became much less stressful! I learned this by trying to be one with Kings Wild and just realizing I could not do it. Just collect what you like.

aardvarkgod wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 4:54 pm So, they are now emailing anyone that ordered more than 6 decks to voluntarily reduce their order down to 6. This is in addition to them producing the add'l 500 un-numbered decks...

This kinda puts me in a pickle, since I promised 6 decks to people.

Question to you folks here. So if I join 52 Plus Joker Club today, would I be eligible to get one of the 500 reprint when it gets released? Also, does anyone know when are they releasing these? Thanks!

I'm glad they're adding more for those who missed it, seems like the only reasonable thing to do. I think the talk over if these unsealed ones are worth more because it was a smaller run is weird... Like they'll be the same exact deck but no sticker lol like I get it, but still seems weird lol also not sure how I feel about them asking people to reduce their order. Like you let them buy it why should they now feel bad about it and guilted into returning it?

GandalfTheWhite wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 7:22 pm Question to you folks here. So if I join 52 Plus Joker Club today, would I be eligible to get one of the 500 reprint when it gets released? Also, does anyone know when are they releasing these? Thanks!

i am not sure. However, if you are only joining for the club deck, that really isn't the best reason to join (but I do understand if it is your sole or main reason. Blighted as I am with the playing card collection illness). If you join, I really think you will enjoy their printed and online materials, as well as helping support this club grow its ability to expand our playing card knowledge and community.

If it is really important, you can reach out to them. Hopefully they can respond to you, but this whole situation has put a strain on them, with a lot of extra hours to work through the problem and lots of extra communications.

I am hopeful that they will be able to have enough remaining decks so all members can get them, even those that join after the initial sale. However, if we have like 200 new members join now, that might be a problem. My guess is it depends, and don't be upset if they put a priority on existing members rather than new members that join after the decks went on sale the first time. I know they want all members to get club decks. I was really lucky when I joined a few years ago. They still had a few club decks going all the way back to 2014, so I was able to get one each of several of the older club decks. I think I am missing a few of the first club decks though. The 2020 club deck by Uusi was available last I looked. I know they sold several of them during this 2021 club deck sale, so I don't know how many of those still remain. All of the other prior year club decks are now sold out.

Entaro wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 7:35 pm Like they'll be the same exact deck but no sticker

There will be a seal but it won't be numbered.

Bradius wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 8:32 pm

GandalfTheWhite wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 7:22 pm Question to you folks here. So if I join 52 Plus Joker Club today, would I be eligible to get one of the 500 reprint when it gets released? Also, does anyone know when are they releasing these? Thanks!

i am not sure. However, if you are only joining for the club deck, that really isn't the best reason to join (but I do understand if it is your sole or main reason. Blighted as I am with the playing card collection illness). If you join, I really think you will enjoy their printed and online materials, as well as helping support this club grow its ability to expand our playing card knowledge and community.

If it is really important, you can reach out to them. Hopefully they can respond to you, but this whole situation has put a strain on them, with a lot of extra hours to work through the problem and lots of extra communications.

I am hopeful that they will be able to have enough remaining decks so all members can get them, even those that join after the initial sale. However, if we have like 200 new members join now, that might be a problem. My guess is it depends, and don't be upset if they put a priority on existing members rather than new members that join after the decks went on sale the first time. I know they want all members to get club decks. I was really lucky when I joined a few years ago. They still had a few club decks going all the way back to 2014, so I was able to get one each of several of the older club decks. I think I am missing a few of the first club decks though. The 2020 club deck by Uusi was available last I looked. I know they sold several of them during this 2021 club deck sale, so I don't know how many of those still remain. All of the other prior year club decks are now sold out.

52+J Club provides value even without the club deck on offer. The two magazines are really good, Ask Alexander Archives provide some great reference material. The overall value is amazing. These are jsut my views, you can check with others too @GandalfTheWhite.

Sir Toddalot wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 6:34 pm

aardvarkgod wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 4:54 pm So, they are now emailing anyone that ordered more than 6 decks to voluntarily reduce their order down to 6. This is in addition to them producing the add'l 500 un-numbered decks...

This kinda puts me in a pickle, since I promised 6 decks to people.

well, it doesn't sound like it is required to reduce down to 6. if you are already using your extras to help out other folks, i wouldn't feel guilty about not choosing to reduce your order to 6.

I had ordered 9 decks (I have ordered multiple decks for the past three years, so nothing out of the ordinary for me actually). Of course I reduced my order to 6. Given this situation, I think those that ordered more than six should honor the request and allow more other members get a chance at the deck.

So if people reduce the decks they already purchased, it'll be more than 500 decks available? A mixture of #1-#999 decks plus the 500?

I doubt there were a lot of people between six decks and 3 bricks. My guess is that as they were looking at the orders, the group over six decks was an outlier, and they asked them to drop their orders to six. It will hopefully bring a few more decks available for members. So, yes, there will be some of the original decks available at the next sale in all likelihood. How they will handle it, I don't know. My guess it will be random assignment.

still I think buying 3 bricks is a bit excessive, I like certain decks for sure, but not 3 bricks of them. The most I have of one is a brick and even that can be too much.

I actually have a few orders of over three bricks, but that includes all the decks in a campaign combined. Off the top of my head only three times: House of the Rising Spade - 5 bricks combined. The Order (by Giovanni) - just over 3 bricks. Eye of the Ocean - 3 bricks. That said, I think anything over a half brick of this club deck is excessive and anything over 13 decks is getting a bit insane for a single collector. That said, a few of us like myself can get ecessive/insane from time to time.

No doubt that crazy squirrel avatar has been justly earned

This is the first time I ever ordered an excess of decks - I ordered 10. Normally, I get 3 decks (one to open, one to keep, one to sell) but I have yet to ever sell/trade a deck. I primarily got a few extra to be able to trade or sell to others who couldn't get the deck (non-members, UK folks) but I acquiesced to the request to reduce my order to 6 decks. I'm still torn on whether I feel this is the right move by 52+J, but it does serve to benefit the most people to comply.

The request is kinda weird from my pov but asking never hurts. It's not like they force anyone to drop decks and I wouldn't feel guilty to say no either. Why would you?
Kudos for Lee and the gang trying their best to fix the situation.

If anyone does feel guilty about getting more than six, I am still more than happy to help alleviate that via PayPal.

I tried to join 52+J last year but Paypal rejected my payment, probably because I'm in Asia.

If anyone is lucky enough to snatch multiple decks, I'd be interested in getting one. Thanks!

ancol wrote: ↑Wed Oct 27, 2021 11:57 pm I tried to join 52+J last year but Paypal rejected my payment, probably because I'm in Asia.

If anyone is lucky enough to snatch multiple decks, I'd be interested in getting one. Thanks!

Which part of Asia are you in? There's a few of us from South East Asia and I've seldom seen any problems with Paypal .

Also would like to get 1 as well if anyone with extra are willing to part with either version of the deck.