Did I Just Get Ripped Off? Ebay Edition

Well I was going to announce this a little while from now but I ended up gifting myself another 25 dollar pre-paid master card for my use on the Bay. For the past few days I've been hunting down deals, ready to pounce on any special cards I see. I've spotted a couple and have already bought 3 (all game used).

Today I woke up and checked my e-mail looking for any important news on my cards being shipped out. Instead I found a message from the user I bought my first card off of. This is exactly what it read:


"Hello Michael,

Derek M********* (burebuyer@yahoo.ca) has issued a full refund for your payment.

Message from merchant: Hey Michael,

I sold this card over the weekend at a local show, and forgot to remove it from my eBay store. I'm refunding your payment, and have left positive feedback for your quick payment.

Derek" 


Hmmmm...I smell something fishy. Again, this was an entire 3 days AFTER I had won and bought the card! So why so long of a wait before he informs me? Did he really sell this card at a "local show" or did I just get ripped off? 


Consider the card I purchased:

Let me just say I am REALLY DISAPPOINTED this card is no longer in my collection (even though it never actually was). As you can see this is a GU pad of my childhood favourite, Dan Cloutier. Probably most intriguing though was the price - BIN of 7.99! Plus a 2 buck shipping fee. I'll buy that any day of the week! If you zoom in you can see the brown ware marks of this jumbo swatch of pad. 

Again - VERY DISAPPOINTED!

Could it be that I've seen other copies of this card have a BIN tag of $30 & $35? Did this guy really think he might get that price? That's $10-15 over the BV by the way.

So what's your take on the situation? Did this guy rip me off even though he has a 99.9% positive feedback? Should I leave a neg/neutral/pos feedback on his profile? 

Decisions, decisions...that's why I need you guys!

GO NUCKS GO!

TOP 60 Cards (Part 9) #15-11

As we sneak closer and closer to the grand finally of this Top 60 cards project, the cards seem to be getting either more eccentric or have better stories behind them. Let's take a look at the 5 cards I have set for today.

#15 - 2005-06 Upper Deck Matt Cooke (#188)

This card screams excitement (literally), just elation coming from Cookie and Linden. This picture literally has a 1000 words and more that could go along with it! 

#14 - 1999-00 SP Authentic Roberto Luongo (RC) (#53)

My first Luongo RC, I remember trading away a double I had for a Brendan Morrison RC in elementary school. That was not one of my better trades, but at least I still have this one. This is also part of my 90 card base set of this years set.

#13 - Dan Cloutier (SIGNED) Jumbo Card 2003-04

A in person signature from my favourite childhood player! I have a crazy nice Cloutier card coming up once I receive it in the mail. Like I said, this card was signed right in front of my eyes! 

#12 - "Oldtimers Hockey Challenge" Richard Brodeur (SIGNED)

This is definitely not the first time this card has appeared on C4K. This is well known as one of my favs because of the story, the quality of the signature, and of course the legend "King" Brodeur himself.

#11 - Dave Babych (SIGNED) Jumbo Card 2010-11

This jumbo card personally signed to yours truly was acquired at a Canucks game last year! This is next to my signed Babych Canucks jersey. Again, the card design, quality of signature, personalization, and story make this card an easy pick at #11!

11. 2010-11 Jumbo Dave Babych AUTO

12. Oldtimers Card Richard Brodeur AUTO

13. 2003-04 Jumbo Dan Cloutier AUTO

14. 1999-00 SP Authentic Roberto Luongo RC

15. 2003-04 UD Matt Cooke

16. 2010-11 Score Bobby Butler AUTO

17. 1975-76 Topps Gary Smith 

18. 1984-95 OPC Murray Bannerman

19. 2002 ITG "Signature Series" Daniel Sedin

20. 2010-11 BTP "Golden Goalies - Black" Martin Brodeur /80

21. 1991-92 Pavel Bure RC

22. 1992-93 "Rookie Report" Dominik Hasek

23. 1993-94 Pinnacle Markus Naslund RC

24. 1993-94 UD Chris Pronger

25. 1991-92 UD Lafleur's Farewell

26. Gilbert Perreault AUTO

27. 2007-08 "Ultra Uniformity" Daniel Sedin

28. 2010-11 Score "SSP Hot Rookies" Tyler Seguin

29. 2010-11 BTP "GU Jersey - Silver" Jordan Binnington /30

30. 1992-93 UD Scott Niedermayer RC (x2)

31. 1998-99 Black Diamond Mattius Ohlund RC /1000

32. 2005-06 UD Todd Bertuzzi 

33. 1992-93 UD Patrick Roy

34. 1992-93 UD Mario Lemieux "Conn Smythe"

35. 1991-92 UD Ed Belfour "ART"

36. 1994-95 Pinnacle "World Juniors" Dan Cloutier

37. 1996-97 Metal Universe Alex Mogilny

38. 2009-10 Ultimate Collection Henrik Zetterberg /499

39. 2010-11 Score "Snow Globe" Alex Ovechkin

40. 2010-11 Score "Hot Rookies" P.K Subban

41. 2010-11 Score "Hot Rookies" Nazem Kadri 

42. 1992-93 UD "Bloodlines" Trevor & Jamie Linden

43. 1992-93 UD "Profiles" Doug Gilmoure

44. 1991-92 UD John Tanner

45. 2003-04 Pacific McDonalds "Saturday NIght Rivals" Lalime / Belfour

46. 2002-03 Pacific McDonalds "Net-Fusions" Dominik Hasek

47. 2003-04 Canucks Fin Postcard (SIGNED)

48. 1992-93 "Profiles" Darius Kasperaitis

49. 1992-93 "Profiles" Alexei Kovalev

50. 1993-94 UD Kirk Muller

51. 2006-07 BAP RC AUTO Patrick O'Sullivan /10

52. 1990-91 Score Jan Erixon

53. 2007-08 UD McDonalds "In the Crease" Ryan Miller

54. 1994-95 Pinnacle Sylvain Turgeon (ft. Patrick Kane)

55. 2002-03 Pacific McDonalds "Net-Fusions" Evgeni Nabokov

56. 1994-95 Pinnacle Doug Lidster

57. 1990-91 Score / 1995-96 Topps - Oilers / Devils Stanley Cup

58. 1992-93 UD Jim Hrivnak

59. 1990-91 Topps Grant Fuhr

60. 1990-91 Bowman Daren Puppa

GO NUCKS GO!

C4KHODGSON - Expanding

I'm very happy to announce my first expansion website from this blog called C4KHODGSON. The name is a hybrid of the acronym for Collecting For Kicks (C4K) and of course the last name of my favourite player - Cody Hodgson. This site is dedicated to all the CoHo cards I collect.

I got this idea from fellow blogger and all around good guy Paul from Card Boarded. He did the same thing with his PC of Jimmy Howard awhile back, so I stole the idea (hope that's okay).

The website will contain scans of both sides of every Hodgson card I own. Soon I hope to make my collection grown into the triple digits, but for now it's unfortunately still in the singles.

The link is in that picture I have to the right (directly underneath the followers panel). Please take some time and take a look! Don't hesitate to give me some feedback either, what did you like, what I can improve on etc.

Thank you for giving me the support to expand. I try my best to interest my readers and hopefully this will give you an easier way to look deeper into my collection and for myself to keep track of my collection easier.

GO NUCKS GO!

CANUCKS SPECIALS - 2011-12 Gift

As season ticket holders, the Canucks organization gives it's appreciative customers/fans a gift about twice a year. Once near the beginning and another after the season is over. Some years I've gotten some awesome stuff! Even Jumbo Cards in really nice outer packages, actually I got Jumbo Cards twice! I've gotten posters packaged in a classy embossed tin. Not to mention videos and hard cover books! This year though, it was different.

Of course any gift big or small is appreciated, but this year's felt (dare I say it) insincere, cheapened and overall not so special. I don't want to complain and sound like a spoiled brat, but for some reason this year's gift seems more business like.

Take a look at what I received:

Okay so you're probably thinking "Hey Michael that's not so bad! That's a 115 page magazine they gave you! Do you know how much paper costs these days young'en?" Yes this looks really cool from the outside, the season date, "Heart of a Canuck" slogan etc. But let's look closer...

Yes the bottom left hand cover of the title page has a price on it. That leads me to believe that for only $11.95 (+12% HST) this magazine can own to anybody, yes, anybody. Does that not beat the entire purpose of giving a "special gift" to your V.I.P season ticket holders? Maybe it get's better on the inside, but so far knowing the fact that just about anybody can own this magazine feels like they don't treat me as unique for paying thousands of dollars a year.

Wait a sec, ADS?? You decide to put full page ads in my season ticket holders package?! Actually the count total for full page ads from cover to cover was 41 pages out of the 114. That's crazy money they're making just off of ads! 

The magazine wasn't all that bad though, they did have a few very strong articles I enjoyed reading.

This article featured Manny Malhotra who suffered a severe eye injury last year and was even told he might never see out of one of his eyes again!

There were also two page write ups on all of the players on this years Canucks squad. Including my favourite player - Cody Hodgson!

Probably my favourite article was this one commemorating the death of Rick Rypien. He will be forever missed not only by his family but from Canucks fans worldwide.

The final page was full of stats called "By the Numbers", I'm a numbers guys so this one page write-up was a delight to read.

Overall, this magazine that could probably be purchased at a store near you kinda feels like a rip off. Maybe it's because I know the Canucks organization can put out some really cool stuff, and this just unfortunately wasn't one of them. They've given quality gifts out year in and year out and knowing that there was no personalization to season ticket holders at all makes me almost feel cheapened.

What do you think? Am I being way too picky or do you see my point comparing it to past gifts I've gotten from the Canucks? Drop me a comment and until next time...

GO NUCKS GO!

Showcasing and Organizing

This past weekend I was thinking to myself, I said "Self, you should really find a better way to showcase your collection." There really is no more organizing possible for me to do, the OCD inside of me knows that. But when it comes to special places in my room for those special cards, I really have no particular area. Just so you can understand my situation take a look at how my collection is organized.

These boxes contain all my NON CANUCKS base, rookie, and insert cards. Higher end cards such as basically all my RC's and inserts are in penny sleeves. As you can see over the years my "Hockey Card" monster boxes have been scribbled on and kinda been reorganized. 

The box farthest back contains my oldest hockey cards and each box moving forward gets newer and newer with the closest being full with some fresh 2011-12 cards. I started labelling my boxes "Newest" on my third box and just had to roll with it, so in the sake of improv I just numbered them 1, 2, 3 etc. 

The bottom drawer of my dresser gets the privilege of holding my binders and tins. Honestly I'm surprised it hasn't collapse yet with all the weight. It's hard to see from the pic but there are six binders in that drawer. 

Four of those six contain all my CANUCKS SKATER cards (that means no goalies). I have everything from base, inserts, and rookies in those binders. All those cards are organized yearly with the top left hand corner of each "new year" page containing the number of season for the pages following. You following me? 

The fifth binder on the left side of the picture reads "The Goalie Project" obviously the title speaks for itself. That binder is full of all my CANUCKS GOALIE cards that go toward my goalie project. The top left hand corner of every "new goalie" page reads the name of the goalie for the pages following.

The final binder is part of two base sets that just got completed. I'll show you those some other time.

The seven or so tins in the back are all currently empty but they serve as very helpful emergency storage issues.

This is finally where it get's interesting. These two tins contain all my signed cards, game used cards and really low serialized numbered cards (they're currently not at full capacity as I have some cards on my dresser waiting to be scanned.) Basically this is "la creme de la creme". The tin on the left (the Canucks tin) ironically contains all my NON CANUCKS "hit" cards. The tin on the left (the Superman tin) contains all my CANUCKS "hit" cards. 

My problem is that the cards don't get much love stuck in these tins. Plus even though they are all stuck in top loaders, they are still loose and move around in there. So this is my real reason for this post, I need ideas:

- Where do you store/display your "hit" cards?

- Do you like the way I've organized my cards or do have a more effective way that you could suggest?

- How do you store your collection bulk? (Post a pic!)

GO NUCKS GO!

The Goalie Project - Alfie Michaud - A Very Short Goalie

Alfie Michaud is short in many ways (get your mind out of the gutter). He stood at only 5'10" and he had a very short NHL career. In fact his career in the NHL lasted a mere 69 minutes split between two games. His goals against average stands at 4.35 and a single loss is his only blemish (0-1-0).

But one hockey card once put all the trust in the world in Alfie, let's read it right off the card:

Now in his defence I never got to watch even one of the 69 minutes he played in a Canucks jersey. But from these two sentences I get the impression he might have had some sort of career ahead of him. Unfortunately, Michaud would never play another game in the NHL after this card was made. So much for being a "regular within a few seasons".

Anyways he did play 69 more minutes than I ever will in the NHL so good on him. Now let's get to the cards.

These four cards (plus 3 doubles) are all RC's of Mr. Michaud and since he had such a short career I only really needed one of these cards to meet the full criteria. So this is what I like to call a complete 1/1 part of my goalie project!

Alex Auld - 3/3 COMPLETE! 27 TOTAL
Murray Bannerman - 1/3 COMPLETE! 1 TOTAL
Martin Brochu - 3/3 COMPLETE! 4 TOTAL
Richard Brodeur - 1/3 COMPLETE! 11 TOTAL (1 EVENT-USED, 1 AUTO)
Gary Bromley
Bruce Bullock
Sean Burke - 2/3 COMPLETE! 20 TOTAL
Frank Caprice
Jacques Caron
Dan Cloutier - 3/3 COMPLETE! 32 TOTAL (1 JERSEY)
Ed Dyck
Ken Ellacott
Bob Essensa - 3/3 COMPLETE! 14 TOTAL
Mike Fountain - 3/3 COMPLETE! 11 TOTAL
Troy Gamble - 2/2 COMPLETE! 21 TOTAL
George Gardner 2/3 COMPLETE! 2 TOTAL
John Garrett - 1/3 COMPLETE! 1 TOTAL
Glen Hanlon - 1/3 COMPLETE! 5 TOTAL
Johan Hedberg - 3/3 COMPLETE! 7 TOTAL
Rick Heinz
Corey Hirsch - 1/3 COMPLETE! 2 TOTAL (1 AUTO)
Charlie Hodge - 2/2 COMPLETE! 3 TOTAL
Arturs Irbe - 1/3 COMPLETE! 3 TOTAL
Jason LaBarbera - 2/3 COMPLETE! 4 TOTAL
Ken Lockett
Roberto Luongo - 3/3 COMPLETE! 51 TOTAL (1 JERSEY)
Drew MacIntyre - 1/3 COMPLETE! 1 TOTAL
Cesare Maniago - 1/3 COMPLETE! 3 TOTAL
Bob Mason - 1/3 COMPLETE! 1 TOTAL
Dave McClelland
Steve McKichan
Kirk McLean - 1/3 COMPLETE! 3 TOTAL (1 AUTO)
Rob McVicar - 1/1 COMPLETE! 1 TOTAL
Alfie Michaud - 1/1 COMPLETE! 7 TOTAL
Tyler Moss
Mika Noronen - 3/3 COMPLETE! 6 TOTAL
Maxime Ouellet - 1/3 COMPLETE! 1 TOTAL
Félix Potvin - 3/3 COMPLETE! 31 TOTAL (1 AUTO)
Andrew Raycroft - 1/3 COMPLETE! 7 TOTAL
Curt Ridley - 2/3 COMPLETE! 2 TOTAL
Dany Sabourin - 2/3 COMPLETE! 2 TOTAL
Curtis Sanford - 3/3 COMPLETE! 7 TOTAL
Cory Schneider - 1/2 COMPLETE! 10 TOTAL (1 JERSEY)
Corey Schwab - 1/3 COMPLETE! 1 TOTAL
Petr Skudra - 3/3 COMPLETE! 4 TOTAL
Gary Smith - 1/3 COMPLETE! 1 TOTAL
Garth Snow - 2/3 COMPLETE! 2 TOTAL (1 AUTO)
Kevin Weekes - 2/3 COMPLETE! 2 TOTAL
Steve Weeks
Kay Whitmore - 1/3 COMPLETE! 1 TOTAL
Dunc Wilson - 1/3 COMPLETE! 2 TOTAL
Wendell Young - 1/3 COMPLETE! 1 TOTAL

GO NUCKS GO!

TOP 60 Cards (Part 8) - #25-16 + Winter Classic Thoughts

I've decided to do 10 cards today instead of the regular 5 and you'll see why in a moment. Before we get to the cards, I just wanted to put my 2 cents in on the NHL's version of the Super Bowl. First of all, let me be the first to say I love the Winter Classic. Great for the fans, popularity in the USA, and I think (most) NHL players really enjoy it. But my question is if the organizations that are involved in the WC love what comes along with it - the cameras.

HBO 24/7 stuck with the Flyers and Rangers for an entire month leading up to the WC, do you think this should/will be cancelled next year? I hope not, but I think it unfortunately will be. The in-depth "no limits" coverage HBO claims obviously does have limits, but I believe it does slightly affect the jobs of the coaches and even lets the players a little further off their leash.

Consider Ilya Bryzgalov. Ilya was played up to be the biggest player on Philly's team and the backbone  of their success. Obviously their was a little BS mixed into HBO's vision. After playing horrifically the 4 games leading up to the WC, Ilya benched himself without the coaches permission saying he would be "sitting with a thermos of tea on the sidelines" in a press conference and tweeted it also. Could this just be a part of Ilya's regular goofy and kind of oddball type personality? Or perhaps is this the extra confidence HBO gives players to throw shots at coaches without super heavy consequences around the cameras? CBC's commentators are the ones that brought this to my attention. But they make a good point (for once), will Peter Lavioloette deal with Ilya after the cameras are well and gone or is this all being blown well out of proportion?

I could see HBO kind of being like the Presidents trophy. If you have HBO in your locker room for a month you won't win the Stanley Cup. Let's see how long this might go on until this becomes a superstition.

Did you enjoy the Winter Classic? What did you think about Jagr Ruppers celebration? Did the best team on the ice win? Would you want your favourite team in the Winter Classic and or HBO's 24/7 series?

Now let's finally get to the cards:

#25 - 1991-92 UD Lafleur's Farewell (#219)

Guy Lafleur is one of those players that I never got to watch live but have seen played over and over again in documentaries and highlight reals. He's always had a special place in my collection and I even remember bringing this card for show and tell in kindergarten. I'm in the french immersion program so all my teachers growing up in elementary school have been crazy Montreal Canadian fans (and some Nordiques also).

#24 - 1993-94 UD Chris Pronger (#190)

Also kind of a childhood memory card. Pronger has been a household name throughout my entire life and this is the closest thing to his RC I have. Actually I'll have to check my Beckett but it might be consider a rookie after all.

#23 - 1993-94 Pinnacle Markus Naslund RC (#449)

Now this is the definition of a card from my childhood. As it is probably evident, this card was passed around constantly in the playground and somehow it ended up in my collection last. Yup, that's right Nazzy's RC. Not worth more than a buck monetarily, but as a kid it was worth the world.

#22 - 1992-93 Dominik Hasek "Rookie Report" (#366)

The card's from the 90's keep rolling with another "kind of" RC. Dominik Hasek was probably one of the most exciting goaltending to watch as a little boy. Only wish I could remember more of his spectacular saves and not have to watch them over on YouTube.

#21 - 1991-92 Pavel Bure RC (#54)

The Russian Rocket! Possibly the most exciting player to ever wear a Canucks jersey. This infamous card has always made me chuckle but what an amazing time it would be to see Bure play in an Alumni Winter Classic game (NHL make it happen)! 

#20 - 2010-11 ITG BTP Martin Brodeur "Golden Goalies - Black" /80 (#GG-05)

This is why I've decided to do a 10 card "Top 60" instead of 5. This card rounds out in my top 20 but it will soon be shipped off in a trade. I'm sad to see it go but at the same time I'm happy it's going to a very passionate Devils fan!

#19 - 2002 ITG Daniel Sedin "Signature Series" (#72)

This is a card I received in a prize pack from Casey over at Drop the Gloves. This was my very first Hank AUTO so it was an easy pick at #19. Thanks Casey!

#18 - 1984-85 OPC Murray Bannerman (#32)

One of the best masks in hockey. Nuff said.

#17 - 1975-76 Topps Gary Smith (#115)

Gary "Suitcase" Smith was the first Canucks goalie to become a household name in Vancouver. From the afro to the pads this card reads vintage all over it. Plus I've always liked how goalies wrapped there stick back in the day.

#16 - 2010-11 Score Bobby Butler AUTO (#527)

Card #16 on my list comes from a man currently wearing #16 on the Ottawa Senators. In 29 games this season, Bobby has 7 points and huge potential. Ottawa is currently sitting in 6th place (for now). He doesn't have the greatest signature but this is definitely a card I'm hanging onto for the next few years!

16. 2010-11 Score Bobby Butler AUTO

17. 1975-76 Topps Gary Smith 

18. 1984-95 OPC Murray Bannerman

19. 2002 ITG "Signature Series" Daniel Sedin

20. 2010-11 BTP "Golden Goalies - Black" Martin Brodeur /80

21. 1991-92 Pavel Bure RC

22. 1992-93 "Rookie Report" Dominik Hasek

23. 1993-94 Pinnacle Markus Naslund RC

24. 1993-94 UD Chris Pronger

25. 1991-92 UD Lafleur's Farewell

26. Gilbert Perreault AUTO

27. 2007-08 "Ultra Uniformity" Daniel Sedin

28. 2010-11 Score "SSP Hot Rookies" Tyler Seguin

29. 2010-11 BTP "GU Jersey - Silver" Jordan Binnington /30

30. 1992-93 UD Scott Niedermayer RC (x2)

31. 1998-99 Black Diamond Mattius Ohlund RC /1000

32. 2005-06 UD Todd Bertuzzi 

33. 1992-93 UD Patrick Roy

34. 1992-93 UD Mario Lemieux "Conn Smythe"

35. 1991-92 UD Ed Belfour "ART"

36. 1994-95 Pinnacle "World Juniors" Dan Cloutier

37. 1996-97 Metal Universe Alex Mogilny

38. 2009-10 Ultimate Collection Henrik Zetterberg /499

39. 2010-11 Score "Snow Globe" Alex Ovechkin

40. 2010-11 Score "Hot Rookies" P.K Subban

41. 2010-11 Score "Hot Rookies" Nazem Kadri 

42. 1992-93 UD "Bloodlines" Trevor & Jamie Linden

43. 1992-93 UD "Profiles" Doug Gilmoure

44. 1991-92 UD John Tanner

45. 2003-04 Pacific McDonalds "Saturday NIght Rivals" Lalime / Belfour

46. 2002-03 Pacific McDonalds "Net-Fusions" Dominik Hasek

47. 2003-04 Canucks Fin Postcard (SIGNED)

48. 1992-93 "Profiles" Darius Kasperaitis

49. 1992-93 "Profiles" Alexei Kovalev

50. 1993-94 UD Kirk Muller

51. 2006-07 BAP RC AUTO Patrick O'Sullivan /10

52. 1990-91 Score Jan Erixon

53. 2007-08 UD McDonalds "In the Crease" Ryan Miller

54. 1994-95 Pinnacle Sylvain Turgeon (ft. Patrick Kane)

55. 2002-03 Pacific McDonalds "Net-Fusions" Evgeni Nabokov

56. 1994-95 Pinnacle Doug Lidster

57. 1990-91 Score / 1995-96 Topps - Oilers / Devils Stanley Cup

58. 1992-93 UD Jim Hrivnak

59. 1990-91 Topps Grant Fuhr

60. 1990-91 Bowman Daren Puppa

GO NUCKS GO!