By now I am quite certain you have read or heard about Panini America’s new distribution policy and MAPP pricing. At first glance and without really giving this any thought at all – it seems like a good idea. However, if you start to think about this for a minute or two you should, at the very least have some questions about this new policy. My first question would be what about those collectors who do not live near one of these “hobby shops” that Panini is apparently so obsessed with saving all of a sudden? Again, at first thought not a big deal right? Just drive to one. Well, it’s just not always that easy. I for one, now have a family that has drastically cut in to what I will call my “collecting resources” which includes TIME and MONEY. Now already having a minimum amount of “collecting resources” to devote to said collecting, is it feasible for me to get in my car and drive 30+ miles one way when gas is $3.50 a gallon to go to a “hobby shop” and pay MORE for what I could have otherwise gotten without leaving my home?
My second question would simply be WHY? What Panini is doing immediately made me think of Redbox and Blockbuster. In 2005, Greg Meyer attempted to save Blockbuster. Greg at the time was CEO of DVDXpress and offered Blockbuster a chance to get in on what looked to be the next great transformation of the home-video rental business. Meyer never heard back from Blockbuster and Blockbuster is now bankrupt. Blockbuster failed to realize the potential of this new technology and continues to pay the price. Which is EXACTLY what SHOULD happen to a business that losses touch with its customer base and is no longer concerned with the product or its customers as much as it is it’s bottom line. Yet, here’s the crazy thing: Greg Meyer is still trying to save Blockbuster. In 2007, Meyer sold his DVD company to Coinstar. After DVDXpress merged with Redbox, Meyer left the company and used part of his windfall to invest in Blockbuster; he now owns about 650,000 shares of the firm. Despite Blockbuster’s current troubles, Meyer believes the video chain can thrive once again. More importantly Meyer believes he can MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL PROFIT.
Hmmmmmm sound familiar?
Here are some others thoughts around the hobby concerning this new policy. And for the record, I did not gather these opinions discussing this at a local “hobby shop.” I did so on the internet machine, like I do most everything else now days.
http://www.sportscardsuncensored.com/?p=4016
http://www.freedomcardboard.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=126782&start=0
What do YOU think about this new policy? Leave a comment and let us know!