London 2012 ltd. ed. deck - New HOPC Release

[chisairi]

To people who resell cards and buy cards in the after market,

Don't complain about a $12 deck. It is around the price range of a deck in the after market (the new one that just sold out on the main site not like rare one like LTD etc....)

To collectors,

These has more value than any other rare deck that magic company put out. It's a deck of card that celebrates london 2012 event. It's a shame if you are a collector and you don't see that.

To true and wealthy collectors,

this is cheap compare to this london 12 flag playing cards. It's stainless steel cards. the price is up there as well.
http://www.touchofginger.com/london-2012-flag-playing-cards/

 

[Evan]

this is cheap compare to this london 12 flag playing cards. It's stainless steel cards. the price is up there as well.
http://www.touchofginger.com/london-2012-flag-playing-cards/

I don't think you can even compare the two of them haha
One is made of stainless steel, and the other is made of paper, hence the huge price difference.

[vmagic]

To people who resell cards and buy cards in the after market,

Don't complain about a $12 deck. It is around the price range of a deck in the after market (the new one that just sold out on the main site not like rare one like LTD etc....)

To collectors,

These has more value than any other rare deck that magic company put out. It's a deck of card that celebrates london 2012 event. It's a shame if you are a collector and you don't see that.

To true and wealthy collectors,

this is cheap compare to this london 12 flag playing cards. It's stainless steel cards. the price is up there as well.
http://www.touchofginger.com/london-2012-flag-playing-cards/

And to think there is one idiot on their Facebook that bought a brick of each to resell, while people are complaining about them being $12 a set, I hope he doesn't plan on making a profit any time soon, lol.

[Don Boyer]

And to think there is one idiot on their Facebook that bought a brick of each to resell, while people are complaining about them being $12 a set, I hope he doesn't plan on making a profit any time soon, lol.

Was he posting about buying them for resale, or just for his own uses?

$12 sounds crazy for a deck of playing cards.  But like D&D did with the Chinatown deck, they were going with a theme.  The alternative would have been charging $20.12! 

Kidding aside, this is a very limited run deck.  Only 1,200 made of each box color: bronze, silver and gold.  Something like this could become the next Clot deck or Original Fake series or Bathing Ape.  Olympic commemorative playing cards generally catch the public's attention - and since the games are in London, the official decks made with the Olympic Committee's approval would end up being made by a domestic card company, probably Waddington's.  I've heard horror stories about Waddington's from many of our UK members - they really don't handle anywhere close to a USPC deck in their opinions.

So here you have a beautiful set of commemorative cards, made by USPC, excellent design, great handling, limited edition, and in three different boxes.  I get the feeling that, if not today, some time soon these cards will be sought after by collectors, paying a premium above the retail.  Each deck in each different-colored box is more scarce than most of the playing cards on the market today.  Look at the White Centurions; just over 1,100 of those were made and look at the prices they command now.  Even if you lump all three colors together for 3,600 decks, they're more scarce than any deck Ellusionist has released thus far, that's for certain.

If you think it's an ugly deck, no one is forcing you to buy anything; just pass and move on.  If you think $12 is too expensive, especially since there's three different foil colors on the boxes and you'd want a complete set, then don't buy it, that's all.  I get it, everyone lives on a budget, has bills to pay and so on.  It leaves more for the people who really want it and don't consider the price to be utterly outrageous.  And don't complain down the road when the price goes up after they're sold out and you start wishing you had bought them so cheaply now!  There are Kickstarter projects that have had comparably expensive decks that people here have flocked to.  Per deck pricing tends to be higher on short runs in part because the less that are made, the more USPC charges per deck (and uncut) made.

As far as what I did, I liked it so I bought a half-brick; two of each.  I paid only $10.80 a deck - volume discounts.  The guy who bought a brick?  He only paid $10.20 a deck - again, volume discounts.

If you guys like these lower prices, a smart thing to do would be find a buddy or two (or three) and go in on a brick or more together.  You get the cards you want and don't pay the full price, easy peasy.

[Evan]

As far as what I did, I liked it so I bought a half-brick; two of each.  I paid only $10.80 a deck - volume discounts.  The guy who bought a brick?  He only paid $10.20 a deck - again, volume discounts.

If you guys like these lower prices, a smart thing to do would be find a buddy or two (or three) and go in on a brick or more together.  You get the cards you want and don't pay the full price, easy peasy.

Woah! Only $10.80 per deck for a non custom, non-official London Olympics deck? Sweet deal!

[Don Boyer]

As far as what I did, I liked it so I bought a half-brick; two of each.  I paid only $10.80 a deck - volume discounts.  The guy who bought a brick?  He only paid $10.20 a deck - again, volume discounts.

If you guys like these lower prices, a smart thing to do would be find a buddy or two (or three) and go in on a brick or more together.  You get the cards you want and don't pay the full price, easy peasy.

Woah! Only $10.80 per deck for a non custom, non-official London Olympics deck? Sweet deal!

I find your lack of faith disturbing... 

Like I said, that's my opinion.  I'm not here to convince anyone to buy the deck - it'll sell out on its own fast enough.

[CBJ]

What's up with you Don?

You sound like you work for the company.  I've seen you crap on other decks/campaigns for way less.  $10-12 (30-36 per set) for these decks is insane.. and you know it.

That would put these at a higher price then the Seasons, and some other WAYYY better decks

"going for a theme"?  Come on.  They look like souvenir decks, and HOPC should be ashamed of themselves by taking advantage of the olympic spirit by selling these crazy-expensive-non-olympic-sanctioned decks.

Getting back to you Don.  Your post sounds like a promo for this deck.  Are they giving you free decks for this?  Are you more likely to defend this crap because they gave you a Gold Crown, and you don't want to say the wrong thing because this might close that door?  Because from watching a lot of your other 5000 posts, there is no way that you would normally stand for this.

CBJ

[Card Player]

What's up with you Don?

You sound like you work for the company.  I've seen you crap on other decks/campaigns for way less.  $10-12 (30-36 per set) for these decks is insane.. and you know it.

I was going to ask the same question. From what I've read on other threads, it sounds like he does work for them. I hope not for TBC's sake.

I can't think of anyone I personally know who has the time to post 5000 times and at length. I understand he's a moderator but its a bit ridiculous. I wonder if he comments just for the sake of seeing his name on every single thread.

He will probably ban me or remove this (My) comment like he removed his Gold Crown contest after I highly criticized the true intentions of him getting a Gold Crown Deck on UC. The only thing TBC could do at that point was to ask him to remove it. That's not someone I want promoting my products.

[Evan]

Finally someone said it!

Don, you always talk crap about other companies deck but ever since you started talking with people from TBC and HOPC, you've been defending them on everything. If another company sold this deck for this price, you'd be going at them but for HOPC, you defend them by giving BS.

[Aaron]

I dont think people should be mad at Don for putting in a good word for a deck from a company that gave him a free Gold Crown and his is obviously friends with. Maybe he shouldnt defend them to the grave but I think if anyone was in his position they would also put some good word in for the company.

What's up with you Don?

You sound like you work for the company.  I've seen you crap on other decks/campaigns for way less.  $10-12 (30-36 per set) for these decks is insane.. and you know it.

I was going to ask the same question. From what I've read on other threads, it sounds like he does work for them. I hope not for TBC's sake.

I can't think of anyone I personally know who has the time to post 5000 times and at length. I understand he's a moderator but its a bit ridiculous. I wonder if he comments just for the sake of seeing his name on every single thread.

He will probably ban me or remove this (My) comment like he removed his Gold Crown contest after I highly criticized the true intentions of him getting a Gold Crown Deck on UC. The only thing TBC could do at that point was to ask him to remove it. That's not someone I want promoting my products.

I am not sure why you are so hateful,

I think if he did work for TBC he would be an excelent promoter/ employee. But he doesnt to my knowledge he is just friends with Kevin Reylek and Alex Pandrea.

so what if he has posted 5000 times? he just likes to post, and Don has some of the most useful posts I see so I dont think he is posting to see his name.

And I cant see him banning you for posting an opinion so that bit at the end was kinda pointless.


My opinion on the deck is also that it is not well designed and way overpriced, I dont think people should be hating on Don a long-time and very informative member of the community.

[xela]

I think it's hilarious that people are angry at Don because he has a favorable view point of these decks. Yet nobody mentions how deck reviewers give outstanding reviews to decks nobody likes because they get them free. Or how literally everyone who gets free decks from someone suddenly fall in love with the company/artwork/etc.

I don't know that Don has been getting free stuff, but I do know he keeps in touch with Kevin and some other folks from TBC. I would go as far as to say they are friends. What does that mean? Well, that means you're not going to crap all over your friend's work.

Either way, it doesn't matter what Don thinks. He is not the authority on all things playing cards. Last I checked, he isn't forcing anyone to buy decks. He's just a guy with an opinion who tends to keep his posts professional, and avoid saying silly things like a company who busts their asses for their customers should be "ashamed" for pricing a deck so high.

What's so shameful? Seriously, why does it matter how much a deck costs? Not a single person here, or in the world, is entitled to own every deck that comes out. The price of the decks is lower than most after-market costs. Anyone with an ounce of experience in economics will tell you that because of this, the price of the decks will not inflate as much. They may be $12 now, but they won't be $20 in the after-market.

I think what TBC is 100% fair and respectable, albeit not desirable from a buyer's viewpoint.

"Alex, you probably got free decks too!" Thing is, I didn't, and haven't had very many good experiences with TBC in the past. I just can't fathom why a price for a deck is a big deal to anyone. Just don't buy it and move along. o_O

[Card Player]

@ Aaron:

I don't believe that's being hateful at all. Just honest. Without insulting you personally I will simply say I doubt you have the perspective to know the difference between acceptable and detestable forms of promoting products. I get it, you like Boyer. All Boyer does by posting 5000 times and unconditionally supporting products of company's he is friends with is lose credibility. I think Kevin is a real stand up guy. I have high expectations for TBC but sometimes friends need to tell friends the truth (even when they don't want to hear it). Boyer did not have to shamelessly support this product with one of his 5000 posts. He could have not commented at all.

[vmagic]

Yes I always found it strange how he got a Gold Crown when it was supposed to be for "employees" only and how much he is always promoting their stuff! Now we know the truth. Surprisingly he hasn't come out and said anything in his defense. Much like his buddy Alex Pandrea has said anything in defense of their ridiculous pricing on my Facebook posts! Silence speaks volumes don't it!

[chisairi]

Alex Pandrea has said anything in defense of their ridiculous pricing on my Facebook posts! Silence speaks volumes don't it!

They should reply from customer service aspect but I honestly don't think they even need to explain regarding to their pricing. It's a business thing. If the deck can be sold out with $12 a deck why price it at $10. To a company like TBC/HOPC selling out in 1 day or selling out in 6 days really doesn't mean much. It's the amount of dollars that comes in that matters. 

[Don Boyer]

What's up with you Don?

You sound like you work for the company.  I've seen you crap on other decks/campaigns for way less.  $10-12 (30-36 per set) for these decks is insane.. and you know it.

That would put these at a higher price then the Seasons, and some other WAYYY better decks

"going for a theme"?  Come on.  They look like souvenir decks, and HOPC should be ashamed of themselves by taking advantage of the olympic spirit by selling these crazy-expensive-non-olympic-sanctioned decks.

Getting back to you Don.  Your post sounds like a promo for this deck.  Are they giving you free decks for this?  Are you more likely to defend this crap because they gave you a Gold Crown, and you don't want to say the wrong thing because this might close that door?  Because from watching a lot of your other 5000 posts, there is no way that you would normally stand for this.

CBJ

As a matter of fact, I paid for my London 2012 decks just like the rest of the card-shopping world.  I bought two sets, and the total was less than $36 a set, thanks to the 10% discount that kicks in for 6-11 decks.


If it was some lazy, slap-dash, color-change sort of deck, yes, I'd blast it to the ionosphere.  This is an original design on the back, with three different style boxes.  Since they're all the same deck, in essence, you only need one - but just like with the identical-deck-in-five-differently-colored-boxes Original Fake, people want all three.


I'm simply saying I like them, from the perspective of a CUSTOMER, not an associate of Blue Crown or its principles.  Why is that so terrible?  The fact that I was given a Gold Crown deck or that I've consulted for them is immaterial.

I was going to ask the same question. From what I've read on other threads, it sounds like he does work for them. I hope not for TBC's sake.

I can't think of anyone I personally know who has the time to post 5000 times and at length. I understand he's a moderator but its a bit ridiculous. I wonder if he comments just for the sake of seeing his name on every single thread.

He will probably ban me or remove this (My) comment like he removed his Gold Crown contest after I highly criticized the true intentions of him getting a Gold Crown Deck on UC. The only thing TBC could do at that point was to ask him to remove it. That's not someone I want promoting my products.

I do consult for TBC/HOPC now and then.  I don't collect a proper paycheck as of yet, but I enjoy what I'm doing.  You make that sound like a crime.


I have over 5,000 posts because I have a boring night-shift job that pays a decent living.  I don't comment on every little thing every single night just for the sake of commenting.  I'm an active and contributing member of the community here.  You make that, too, sound like a crime.


The "Gold Crown" contest was just for people to guess the name of the deck.  I gave the winner a Mechanic Deck out of my own collection, not from HOPC inventory.  In fact, I tossed in a little bonus as well (also from my collection) because I was a bit late on the shipping, but the envelope went out last week.  They did ask me to ease off a little on the promoting, but that was all, bro.


If being nasty and full of hate was all it took to get banned around here, half the membership would be gone!  Please, I don't consider your post worthy of banishment - it doesn't even rise above the pale.


You should head over the roast topic - I'm the current honoree...  Have a blast!

@ Aaron:

I don't believe that's being hateful at all. Just honest. Without insulting you personally I will simply say I doubt you have the perspective to know the difference between acceptable and detestable forms of promoting products. I get it, you like Boyer. All Boyer does by posting 5000 times and unconditionally supporting products of company's he is friends with is lose credibility. I think Kevin is a real stand up guy. I have high expectations for TBC but sometimes friends need to tell friends the truth (even when they don't want to hear it). Boyer did not have to shamelessly support this product with one of his 5000 posts. He could have not commented at all.

You seem a little fixated on the "5,000 posts" thing.  And where do you get off doubting Aaron's perspective?  And regarding Kevin Reylek, he actually sought me out for consultation, not the other way around.  If he felt my opinions were awful, there's a good chance we'd have parted company by now - but we haven't.  He is a stand-up guy and I was happy to meet him and Alex Pandrea.


If I disliked the London 2012 deck, or any other deck from any other company, but didn't outright hate it, I would say nothing.  I happen to like this deck - it's a personal opinion, not a company promotion.  I was in no way compensated for liking the deck, no one forced me, paid me, held me for ransom, plied me with intoxicants or whatever.


You've got your opinion, I've got mine.  So what?  Remember this: opinions are like assholes - everyone has one and most of them stink.  Stop moaning and whining, it makes you look immature.

Yes I always found it strange how he got a Gold Crown when it was supposed to be for "employees" only and how much he is always promoting their stuff! Now we know the truth. Surprisingly he hasn't come out and said anything in his defense. Much like his buddy Alex Pandrea has said anything in defense of their ridiculous pricing on my Facebook posts! Silence speaks volumes don't it!

The reason I haven't said anything was because I had no Internet access from work last night...  And I'm sure you meant that Alex "hasn't come out and said anything", right?


The Gold Crown deck may have once been for employees only - but it's pretty plain by now that it's not.  If you don't believe me, check eBay.  Or check the recent contests HOPC had, where they gave a few Gold Crowns as prizes.


Alex Pandrea is on a trip out of the country.  He's probably having way too much fun to be concerned about what people are whining and complaining about on the company Facebook page.  He literally left the day before London 2012 was released.  He's taking some time off - not a crime, last time I looked.


I'll say it again - why the hell should you care what they priced a deck for?  You are not obligated to buy it!  Did you have a shit fit when Dan and Dave sold Jerry's Nuggets for $350?  Do you go crying into your pillow that a Black Ghost 1st Edition is so expensive?  (I sincerely hope not.)


Or is everyone whining about the price secretly coveting the London 2012, wishing they had a deck or maybe a set? 

They should reply from customer service aspect but I honestly don't think they even need to explain regarding to their pricing. It's a business thing. If the deck can be sold out with $12 a deck why price it at $10. To a company like TBC/HOPC selling out in 1 day or selling out in 6 days really doesn't mean much. It's the amount of dollars that comes in that matters. 

That's some of the most level-headed posting that's taken place on this ridiculous subject, along with Alex and Aaron.  And really, if they were always all about the money, they'd never give ANYTHING away, never have contest prizes, never make sweet-looking gift boxes of 1st Edition Crowns signed by Alex - if you get a look at eBay, they really could have sold them for quite a lot of cash, but they didn't; they were FREE.  You had to buy some products, but you get the products as well as the FREE GIFT.  If you were a smart ass about it, you could have bought a hundred bucks of anything, received the gift, then returned all the stuff you bought.  That's a completely free gift, though you have to do a little work for it.


Someone tries to do something nice, and people crap all over it.  Not because they have to, but because they choose to, even if they aren't interested in the thing being crapped on in any way, shape or form.  They had the option of simply ignoring it and moving on with their lives, but instead they chose to make bilious, acidic comments.  They crap on people who have opinions that don't agree with their own - no "live and let live" for these seemingly perpetually unhappy people.


It must be miserable going through life like that.  I wouldn't know.  I may not have agreed with some of the people I've communicated with on this board, but I don't honestly HATE any of them - including my recent detractors.  Life too short for that bullshit.  I live, I love, and I'm pretty freakin' happy about it!

[xela]

@ Aaron:

I don't believe that's being hateful at all. Just honest. Without insulting you personally I will simply say I doubt you have the perspective to know the difference between acceptable and detestable forms of promoting products. I get it, you like Boyer. All Boyer does by posting 5000 times and unconditionally supporting products of company's he is friends with is lose credibility. I think Kevin is a real stand up guy. I have high expectations for TBC but sometimes friends need to tell friends the truth (even when they don't want to hear it). Boyer did not have to shamelessly support this product with one of his 5000 posts. He could have not commented at all.

First of all, moderators do not have ban/deletion powers here. Second of all, in the year that this forum has existed, only one person was ever banned, and that was Robert Butler, who was later unbanned.

The entire philosophy of this forum is say what you want, how you want to and when you want to.

I'm tired of people playing the victim card. It's like that other guy here who prefaces every post with "I know I will probably get blasted for this but..." No one "blasts" anyone here, no one gets banned for opinions. Things do not get deleted to cover-up a conspiracy.

People just love drama, but here, we don't have any. Trying to stir it up will just get you laughed at or ignored. Sit back, enjoy the discussions and criticize anything you want to until your fingers bleed for typing if you'd like. But please, folks, can we stop with the conspiracy theories?

[Reylek]

Hey everyone.  Just a couple of quick lines to clarify some stuff that's come up in the thread...

Don does not work for The Blue Crown or HOPC.  We do chat with him or get together from time to time to get his opinion on an upcoming release, ask questions regarding non-US decks, etc.  He is a knowledgeable guy, always provides us with honest feedback, and he's right around the corner from our HQ.  Since Alex and I come primarily from a magic and collecting background, and Don has some experience in the card world outside of those categories, it is useful to get an alternate perspective on certain topics.  We consider him a friend.  He is not on our payroll, nor is he instructed to post positively about any of our products, sales strategies, etc.  We encourage him to post his honest opinions, as we would with any other customer.

We are always happy to accept any kind of feedback - positive or negative.  When it comes to negative feedback, we of course prefer if it arrives in a respectful, constructive manner.

We are happy to interact with our customers here and at UC.  We are often lumped in with the "big companies" such as E, T11, D&D, and so forth.  That is definitely an honor for us, especially considering that we have been in business the shortest amount of time of any of those companies.  As far as I am aware, we are the only one of those companies who regularly participates on these forums.

If anyone would ever like to contact us for any reason, you can reach us at info@thebluecrown.com and info@houseofplayingcards.com (please use whichever one is appropriate for your note.  IE, a question about an HOPC order should not be sent to the Blue Crown email)

Kevin

[Card Player]

@ Don Boyer:
"The "Gold Crown" contest was just for people to guess the name of the deck.  I gave the winner a Mechanic Deck out of my own collection, not from HOPC inventory.  In fact, I tossed in a little bonus as well (also from my collection) because I was a bit late on the shipping, but the envelope went out last week.  They did ask me to ease off a little on the promoting, but that was all, bro."

I know what your contest was about. TBC asked you to create a buzz for them. As per Reylek, they had no idea you were going to tell people what deck it was (Gold Crown). I then responded on UC that TBC had to have known you were going tell people what deck it was (Gold Crown) because that was the whole point of the contest (guessing the deck). Why create a buzz about a deck your not aloud to tell people about. We referenced your contest on UC. That's how we know you had removed your posts on it.

As edited by Don Boyer:
http://aethercards.com/discourse/index.php?topic=2762.msg50415#msg50415

"If being nasty and full of hate was all it took to get banned around here, half the membership would be gone!  Please, I don't consider your post worthy of banishment - it doesn't even rise above the pale."

I was not being nasty or immature. I was being constructive on your lose of credibility and your association with TBC. Your cluster posting on this forum and continuing to shove your friendship with TBC down our throats looks poorly of TBC.

"And where do you get off doubting Aaron's perspective?"

I say that purely based on the fact that Aaron is defending you as being good for a companies promotions. Sometimes doing nothing is better then doing something. Knowing you will always respond and will always get the last word in, leads me to believe that being right is "more important" to you then how you represent your so called friends from TBC on this forum. If your giving TBC an opinion on products they can't be listening. Either that or your giving terrible advise.

@ Alex:
"only one person was ever banned, and that was Robert Butler"

Doesn't Robert Butler own Conjuring Creations? I can't imagine what he could have done to cause him to be banned?

@ Reylek:
"He is not on our payroll, nor is he instructed to post positively about any of our products, sales strategies, etc."

http://www.unitedcardists.net/uc/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7117&hilit=gold+crown#p63424

Did TBC not ask Don Boyer to create a buzz for the Gold Crown Deck? That's being asked to post something positively on the forum in my book. How else would he have created a buzz other then to post on the forum?

[billysac]

Someone just took a dump in my pants! 

[xela]

@ Alex:
"only one person was ever banned, and that was Robert Butler"

Doesn't Robert Butler own Conjuring Creations? I can't imagine what he could have done to cause him to be banned?

I don't know what he owns anymore, he makes a new company every month. 

He was temporarily banned for spamming during the board's infancy, back when we were using v0.

Also, I'm still not sure what your point is. Don is losing credibility? Shit, I had no idea that being friends with people who work at a company, and enjoying their products publicly, makes you a liar. I guess I lose credibility for being friends with Marcus from E? Are Russell and Adam liars because they know Lance?

Come on, all this hatred is just silly. If anyone loses credibility for anything, it's someone coming up with conspiracy theories and whining about the cost of a product they are not entitled to own. (The last part isn't directed at you, wsop, and is nothing more than a blanket statement. Thank you for staying mature during your discussion of this ).

[Card Player]

"Also, I'm still not sure what your point is. Don is losing credibility? Shit, I had no idea that being friends with people who work at a company, and enjoying their products publicly, makes you a liar. I guess I lose credibility for being friends with Marcus from E? Are Russell and Adam liars because they know Lance?"

The lose of credibility comes from defending a product that is grossly overpriced. There is an obvouse gap between the quality and the price of this product.

I never actually called anyone a liar. You figured that out on your own.

[Utterfool]

Also, I'm still not sure what your point is. Don is losing credibility? Shit, I had no idea that being friends with people who work at a company, and enjoying their products publicly, makes you a liar. I guess I lose credibility for being friends with Marcus from E? Are Russell and Adam liars because they know Lance?

I have no friends 

Holy F@%* I must be the most credible person in the freakin world 

 

[xela]

Also, I'm still not sure what your point is. Don is losing credibility? Shit, I had no idea that being friends with people who work at a company, and enjoying their products publicly, makes you a liar. I guess I lose credibility for being friends with Marcus from E? Are Russell and Adam liars because they know Lance?

I have no friends 

Holy F@%* I must be the most credible person in the freakin world 

 

Just don't go around telling people they've won the lottery then. 

[John B.]

Ok so I have stayed out of this but I just want to say I do not believe its over priced, most decks I now see and have to decide if I want to buy are around $10. This one is $12. OMFG its $2 more. I honestly have no interest in any of their decks and never have, but I believe the pricing is fair. If they would have done $20.12 then I would say it was over priced. And before you say they are buying me out too. I do not own one of their decks. I have NO interest what so ever.

[Jin Jian]

these deck are sold out already ..