General Forum

What do you guys think of Panini's unlicensed Donruss sets?  Does the lack of team names and air brushed pictures turn you off of them?  I am kind of on the fence about them.  I really like the look of the cards but it still looks a little bush league. 

I bought blaster of Donruss Optic last year and I did end up getting some pretty cool cards.  Three that stand out to me off the top of my head was a Mike Trout serial numbered Dominators card, a Holo Alex Bregman rated rookie, and a Cody Bellinger The Rookies insert.

Thinking about what set to get some of next, and I know Heritage and Donruss are coming soon.  I guess I am not really too excited about the look of the Heritage cards this season (plus the price is pretty high for a hobby box).  I am thinking I might try a hobby box of Donruss this year.

How are these cards viewed in the hobby as a whole and does the lack of licensing effect their value and collectibility?  I am not one to care too much about prices normally because I don't ever sell my cards, but it's still cool knowing you have something in your collection that people would pay good money for to have.  

I can't (or won't) speak for the hobby as a whole, but I will say from experience, cards without logos are not favored in the hobby - and that goes back to my days at Star (when we lost our NBA license). Speaking for myself, I prefer cards that don't need to be altered. (I prefer players being in a different uniform than the team identified on the card rather than air-brush/photoshop.) And a lack of logos has the look (to me) of lack of professionalism.

I just can't bring myself to collect these.

I too am so-so about them. The designs are OK, but I really hate the lack of licenses in the card industry now-days. I hate the exclusive stuff. I prefer the real Donruss products before their bankruptcy or buy out or death whatever it was that forced them out of business. Even though I thought it was awkward in its beginnings I miss the days of the 3 ring Topps, Donruss, Fleer circus.

Honestly, the lack of logos shouldn't bother me. After all, it was part of the charm with the 80's unlicensed oddball sets. I think it bothers me more because Donruss used to be liscensed, and to see it now is a hard reminder of its fall from grace. They do well with what they're given, but it's disappointing because we all know they could be so much better...

Personally, if it's between licensed or non-licensed, I think licensed hold better value to collectors. I see a ton of Leaf and ITG hockey stuff I like the design of, but the demand on the secondary market is so much more limited in my experience. I wish Panini didn't leave the hockey market. I'm tired of one company holding the rights to each sport. Variety is good for the collector and the hobby.

Exactly I miss Topps Football, even though their last couple of sets were not that attractive.

I have never been a fan of non-liscensed products.  The cards lack an identity and look very sterile.  It is as if the product was rushed to print before being finished.

Speaking for myself I dont care for the un-licensed cards. Even though my players that I collect are in these sets will not stop me from picking them up every chance I get

 I won't buy them.  Part of the idea of a card is a team logo.