Author Topic: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club  (Read 142249 times)

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Offline Baked Bears

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #350 on: May 01, 2017, 06:48:04 PM »
The big experiment starts tomorrow...

Or do you mean the "bigly" experiment?

Offline Hustler08

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #351 on: May 02, 2017, 06:00:25 AM »
Well that's good news!

Incidentally, Patrick, thanks for using the blue paint tape on our plastic boxes.  It hasn't gone unnoticed, and I appreciate it.

agreed...thx and thx for the breakout of the buyers club!! great job!!

Offline Brian Mc

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #352 on: May 02, 2017, 06:42:34 PM »
We are on our own for the Lord of The Flyes set, I suppose?
Brian Mc

Offline Fanatical_and_Sickly

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #353 on: May 02, 2017, 06:51:07 PM »
New Event set today:  LORD OF THE FLYES FESTIVAL
As always with the Events, everybody is on their own to buy, or not, as they are not part of the Club.

Increment 8

3 titles today

Economy Club - cards for everybody
1  ELOHS STRANGE MAGIC KIT
2  SMOKIN HAUTE WHEELS

Premiere Club - additional titles for the select few
1  AMERICAN AIRFINES AD

Increment 7

1   DONALD'S EASTER SURPRISE BASKET
2   FUMA AD
3   FAN DOWN TICKET
4   DUMP STEAKS
5   DNC INTER-OFFICE MEMO
6   THE HATE OF THE FURIOUS
7   GRUMPALDO RIVERA - DAMN! ALBUM COVER
8   MAKE THE DEPRESSION GREAT AGAIN HAT
9   BAFFLESHIP
10 BIG MESS HOT CHOCOLATE
11 BAZONGA GUM

12 UNICAPPUCCINO
13 PUZZLER ALPHABET SOUP
14 HAMMY-LET
15 TEED OFF TATER TOTS
16 CUSHY BULLET PROOF VEST
17 EPA PRESS RELEASE
18 SNICKER
19 BOSS HACKING HEADPHONES
20 THE X-TREMELY OLD FOLKS
21 ONE CARD GAME
22 ALTERNATIVE IVANKA DUMP CLOTHING
23 ROT PRUITTS PESTICIDE
24 SUSAN'S HALF-COOKED RICE
25 SCRIBBLE SCRABBLE
26 DIET MOUNTAIN DE-MENTIA

Offline Fanatical_and_Sickly

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #354 on: May 03, 2017, 08:53:32 PM »
After a weekend filled with many PMs and back-n-forths, the Club has successfully survived through the big transition. The original Club group is all still here, and a mini-Club has now sprouted its wings. For my own amusement, I've called the two the Economy and the Premiere Clubs.

Also, special shout outs and "thank you's" to Zenergizer (Paul) and vahsurfer (Richard), who helped out tremendously in the last minute to make this work, just when it looked like the whole thing was all going to fall apart.

Increment 8 looks to be off to a great start! The card count so far is very low, which I think is great for everyone.


Topps Now Rewards
As was posted over on the 24 Hour thread, there is a new thing Topps has started - Topps Now Rewards. A program where buyers accumulate points for purchasing the NOW cards. After enough points are accumulated, points are redeemed for a coupon or baseball card.
I signed up to see what would happen, and as it turns out, the daily Wacky card purchases are valid for this program.
So that's cool.
Wackys aren't excluded.
The messy bit, because of course there is a messy bit, is what to do with the points.

One option - would be for me to figure out how to divvy up these discounts of $10 (or $20) - after one has been earned after a few weeks or a month - amongst the 16 people in the Club - who are now all buying different quantities of cards. Estimating $1 every few weeks or month, +/- some ¢ depending if you're Economy or Premiere, singles or doubles.
Another option - would be for the Club members to graciously let the Club owner keep the points as a perk for organizing and running this PoD BBC since January. 
I endorse the second option...   8)

Offline sco(o)t

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #355 on: May 03, 2017, 09:28:16 PM »
After a weekend filled with many PMs and back-n-forths, the Club has successfully survived through the big transition. The original Club group is all still here, and a mini-Club has now sprouted its wings. For my own amusement, I've called the two the Economy and the Premiere Clubs.

Also, special shout outs and "thank you's" to Zenergizer (Paul) and vahsurfer (Richard), who helped out tremendously in the last minute to make this work, just when it looked like the whole thing was all going to fall apart.

Increment 8 looks to be off to a great start! The card count so far is very low, which I think is great for everyone.


Topps Now Rewards
As was posted over on the 24 Hour thread, there is a new thing Topps has started - Topps Now Rewards. A program where buyers accumulate points for purchasing the NOW cards. After enough points are accumulated, points are redeemed for a coupon or baseball card.
I signed up to see what would happen, and as it turns out, the daily Wacky card purchases are valid for this program.
So that's cool.
Wackys aren't excluded.
The messy bit, because of course there is a messy bit, is what to do with the points.

One option - would be for me to figure out how to divvy up these discounts of $10 (or $20) - after one has been earned after a few weeks or a month - amongst the 16 people in the Club - who are now all buying different quantities of cards. Estimating $1 every few weeks or month, +/- some ¢ depending if you're Economy or Premiere, singles or doubles.
Another option - would be for the Club members to graciously let the Club owner keep the points as a perk for organizing and running this PoD BBC since January. 
I endorse the second option...   8)


Patrick,  I don't know how others feel but I would not begrudge you keeping the points for yourself as reward for organizing, implementing  and agonizing over the buyers clubs.
aka Scot Leibacher (no trademark)

Offline Baked Bears

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #356 on: May 04, 2017, 03:13:15 AM »
I endorse the second option...   8)

Go for it!

Offline RawGoo

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #357 on: May 04, 2017, 04:51:10 AM »

Patrick,  I don't know how others feel but I would not begrudge you keeping the points for yourself as reward for organizing, implementing  and agonizing over the buyers clubs.

I agree wholeheartedly!

Offline quas

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #358 on: May 04, 2017, 04:52:33 AM »
I agree wholeheartedly!

I agree as well.
Marc

Online DrDeal

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #359 on: May 04, 2017, 05:32:56 AM »
I agree as well.

I agree as well. I wish we could give you double Topps now point
for all you do. Thanks very much.

Andrew

Offline Fanatical_and_Sickly

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #360 on: May 04, 2017, 05:52:12 AM »
thanks everyone! that'll be a really nice perk to get once in a while.

also - late entry

Increment 8

1 new title for the Economy Club

Economy Club - cards for everybody
1  ELOHS STRANGE MAGIC KIT
2  SMOKIN HAUTE WHEELS
3  JOHNNY'S DELUXE COTTON BALLS

Premiere Club - additional titles for the select few
1  AMERICAN AIRFINES AD

Increment 7

1   DONALD'S EASTER SURPRISE BASKET
2   FUMA AD
3   FAN DOWN TICKET
4   DUMP STEAKS
5   DNC INTER-OFFICE MEMO
6   THE HATE OF THE FURIOUS
7   GRUMPALDO RIVERA - DAMN! ALBUM COVER
8   MAKE THE DEPRESSION GREAT AGAIN HAT
9   BAFFLESHIP
10 BIG MESS HOT CHOCOLATE
11 BAZONGA GUM

12 UNICAPPUCCINO
13 PUZZLER ALPHABET SOUP
14 HAMMY-LET
15 TEED OFF TATER TOTS
16 CUSHY BULLET PROOF VEST
17 EPA PRESS RELEASE
18 SNICKER
19 BOSS HACKING HEADPHONES
20 THE X-TREMELY OLD FOLKS
21 ONE CARD GAME
22 ALTERNATIVE IVANKA DUMP CLOTHING
23 ROT PRUITTS PESTICIDE
24 SUSAN'S HALF-COOKED RICE
25 SCRIBBLE SCRABBLE
26 DIET MOUNTAIN DE-MENTIA

Offline Brian Mc

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #361 on: May 04, 2017, 11:00:03 AM »
Keep the points. That's the LEAST you deserve for your troubles. And, as always, thanks for making it all work. I would not be buying these cards without you.
Brian Mc

Offline Baked Bears

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #362 on: May 04, 2017, 04:17:43 PM »
Increment 6 1/2 received today.  Thank you!

Offline Fanatical_and_Sickly

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #363 on: May 04, 2017, 04:22:27 PM »
Increment 8

1 new title for Economy and 4 new titles for Premiere

Economy Club - cards for everybody
1  ELOHS STRANGE MAGIC KIT
2  SMOKIN HAUTE WHEELS
3  JOHNNY'S DELUXE COTTON BALLS
4  SEASICK MERMAID SLOPPUCCINO

Premiere Club - additional titles for the select few
1  AMERICAN AIRFINES AD
2  MCDICTATORS AD
3  DELT YA AIRLINES AD
4  SAMSTUNG GALIXNAY WONT8
5  TV GUILE: ROESEANNE BARF

Increment 7

1   DONALD'S EASTER SURPRISE BASKET
2   FUMA AD
3   FAN DOWN TICKET
4   DUMP STEAKS
5   DNC INTER-OFFICE MEMO
6   THE HATE OF THE FURIOUS
7   GRUMPALDO RIVERA - DAMN! ALBUM COVER
8   MAKE THE DEPRESSION GREAT AGAIN HAT
9   BAFFLESHIP
10 BIG MESS HOT CHOCOLATE
11 BAZONGA GUM

12 UNICAPPUCCINO
13 PUZZLER ALPHABET SOUP
14 HAMMY-LET
15 TEED OFF TATER TOTS
16 CUSHY BULLET PROOF VEST
17 EPA PRESS RELEASE
18 SNICKER
19 BOSS HACKING HEADPHONES
20 THE X-TREMELY OLD FOLKS
21 ONE CARD GAME
22 ALTERNATIVE IVANKA DUMP CLOTHING
23 ROT PRUITTS PESTICIDE
24 SUSAN'S HALF-COOKED RICE
25 SCRIBBLE SCRABBLE
26 DIET MOUNTAIN DE-MENTIA

Increment 6 all delivered except for 2 (Raw Goo and Choke Wagon)

Offline Hustler08

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #364 on: May 05, 2017, 06:40:23 AM »
After a weekend filled with many PMs and back-n-forths, the Club has successfully survived through the big transition. The original Club group is all still here, and a mini-Club has now sprouted its wings. For my own amusement, I've called the two the Economy and the Premiere Clubs.

Also, special shout outs and "thank you's" to Zenergizer (Paul) and vahsurfer (Richard), who helped out tremendously in the last minute to make this work, just when it looked like the whole thing was all going to fall apart.

Increment 8 looks to be off to a great start! The card count so far is very low, which I think is great for everyone.


Topps Now Rewards
As was posted over on the 24 Hour thread, there is a new thing Topps has started - Topps Now Rewards. A program where buyers accumulate points for purchasing the NOW cards. After enough points are accumulated, points are redeemed for a coupon or baseball card.
I signed up to see what would happen, and as it turns out, the daily Wacky card purchases are valid for this program.
So that's cool.
Wackys aren't excluded.
The messy bit, because of course there is a messy bit, is what to do with the points.

One option - would be for me to figure out how to divvy up these discounts of $10 (or $20) - after one has been earned after a few weeks or a month - amongst the 16 people in the Club - who are now all buying different quantities of cards. Estimating $1 every few weeks or month, +/- some ¢ depending if you're Economy or Premiere, singles or doubles.
Another option - would be for the Club members to graciously let the Club owner keep the points as a perk for organizing and running this PoD BBC since January. 
I endorse the second option...   8)

I agree - got for it Patrick!!option #2

Offline Brian Mc

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #365 on: May 05, 2017, 08:24:05 PM »
Increment 6 1/2 received today.  Thank you!

My cards were waiting for me when I got home this evening. Thanks again Patrick!
Brian Mc

Online DrDeal

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #366 on: May 08, 2017, 02:20:39 PM »
Got my mail from being away all last week. Increment 6.5 in hand.

Thanks to Patrick,  Andrew

Offline Fanatical_and_Sickly

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #367 on: May 09, 2017, 03:23:05 PM »
Increment 8

Deathly quiet Tuesday. No new cards for anyone, Wacky or GPK.

Economy Club - cards for everybody
1  ELOHS STRANGE MAGIC KIT
2  SMOKIN HAUTE WHEELS
3  JOHNNY'S DELUXE COTTON BALLS
4  SEASICK MERMAID SLOPPUCCINO

Premiere Club - additional titles for the select few
1  AMERICAN AIRFINES AD
2  MCDICTATORS AD
3  DELT YA AIRLINES AD
4  SAMSTUNG GALIXNAY WONT8
5  TV GUILE: ROESEANNE BARF

Increment 7

1   DONALD'S EASTER SURPRISE BASKET
2   FUMA AD
3   FAN DOWN TICKET
4   DUMP STEAKS
5   DNC INTER-OFFICE MEMO
6   THE HATE OF THE FURIOUS
7   GRUMPALDO RIVERA - DAMN! ALBUM COVER
8   MAKE THE DEPRESSION GREAT AGAIN HAT
9   BAFFLESHIP
10 BIG MESS HOT CHOCOLATE
11 BAZONGA GUM
12 UNICAPPUCCINO
13 PUZZLER ALPHABET SOUP
14 HAMMY-LET
15 TEED OFF TATER TOTS
16 CUSHY BULLET PROOF VEST
17 EPA PRESS RELEASE

18 SNICKER
19 BOSS HACKING HEADPHONES
20 THE X-TREMELY OLD FOLKS
21 ONE CARD GAME
22 ALTERNATIVE IVANKA DUMP CLOTHING
23 ROT PRUITTS PESTICIDE
24 SUSAN'S HALF-COOKED RICE
25 SCRIBBLE SCRABBLE
26 DIET MOUNTAIN DE-MENTIA

Offline Fanatical_and_Sickly

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #368 on: May 10, 2017, 03:48:23 PM »
Increment 8 Week 2

Online cards return today, But will they sell more than 100 each?

3 titles - for the Premiere Club only.

Economy Club - cards for everybody
1  ELOHS STRANGE MAGIC KIT
2  SMOKIN HAUTE WHEELS
3  JOHNNY'S DELUXE COTTON BALLS
4  SEASICK MERMAID SLOPPUCCINO

Premiere Club - additional titles for the select few
1  AMERICAN AIRFINES AD
2  MCDICTATORS AD
3  DELT YA AIRLINES AD
4  SAMSTUNG GALIXNAY WONT8
5  TV GUILE: ROESEANNE BARF
6  DONALD DUMP'S DICTIONARY
7  DONALD DUMP'S SELF-REPORT CARD
8  ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S INAUGURATION BOOK

Increment 7

1   DONALD'S EASTER SURPRISE BASKET
2   FUMA AD
3   FAN DOWN TICKET
4   DUMP STEAKS
5   DNC INTER-OFFICE MEMO
6   THE HATE OF THE FURIOUS
7   GRUMPALDO RIVERA - DAMN! ALBUM COVER
8   MAKE THE DEPRESSION GREAT AGAIN HAT
9   BAFFLESHIP
10 BIG MESS HOT CHOCOLATE
11 BAZONGA GUM
12 UNICAPPUCCINO
13 PUZZLER ALPHABET SOUP
14 HAMMY-LET
15 TEED OFF TATER TOTS
16 CUSHY BULLET PROOF VEST
17 EPA PRESS RELEASE
18 SNICKER
19 BOSS HACKING HEADPHONES
20 THE X-TREMELY OLD FOLKS
21 ONE CARD GAME
22 ALTERNATIVE IVANKA DUMP CLOTHING
23 ROT PRUITTS PESTICIDE
24 SUSAN'S HALF-COOKED RICE
25 SCRIBBLE SCRABBLE
26 DIET MOUNTAIN DE-MENTIA


all in hand. shipping soon.

Offline Fanatical_and_Sickly

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #369 on: May 11, 2017, 03:49:30 PM »
Increment 8 Week 2

3 more titles - again for the Premiere Club only.

Economy Club - cards for everybody
1  ELOHS STRANGE MAGIC KIT
2  SMOKIN HAUTE WHEELS
3  JOHNNY'S DELUXE COTTON BALLS
4  SEASICK MERMAID SLOPPUCCINO

Premiere Club - additional titles for the select few
1  AMERICAN AIRFINES AD
2  MCDICTATORS AD
3  DELT YA AIRLINES AD
4  SAMSTUNG GALIXNAY WONT8
5  TV GUILE: ROESEANNE BARF
6  DONALD DUMP'S DICTIONARY
7  DONALD DUMP'S SELF-REPORT CARD
8  ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S INAUGURATION BOOK
9  DUMP KETCHUP FOR STEAKS
10 JOLLY ORANGE GIANT
11 DONALD DUMP'S TO DO LIST

Increment 7

all in hand. shipping soon.

Online DrDeal

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #370 on: May 12, 2017, 04:14:50 AM »
Increment 8 Week 2

3 more titles - again for the Premiere Club only.

Economy Club - cards for everybody
1  ELOHS STRANGE MAGIC KIT
2  SMOKIN HAUTE WHEELS
3  JOHNNY'S DELUXE COTTON BALLS
4  SEASICK MERMAID SLOPPUCCINO

Premiere Club - additional titles for the select few
1  AMERICAN AIRFINES AD
2  MCDICTATORS AD
3  DELT YA AIRLINES AD
4  SAMSTUNG GALIXNAY WONT8
5  TV GUILE: ROESEANNE BARF
6  DONALD DUMP'S DICTIONARY
7  DONALD DUMP'S SELF-REPORT CARD
8  ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S INAUGURATION BOOK
9  DUMP KETCHUP FOR STEAKS
10 JOLLY ORANGE GIANT
11 DONALD DUMP'S TO DO LIST

Increment 7

all in hand. shipping soon.

Starting with increment 8 the economy club shipments are going to be pretty small. Have you thought about waiting till we hit a certain number of cards to ship?

I don't see the point of going through the trouble of shipping 4 - 6 cards.

Andrew

Offline Baked Bears

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #371 on: May 12, 2017, 05:55:44 AM »
I'm willing to wait until we have more cards in hand.  It makes sense.

Offline Fanatical_and_Sickly

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #372 on: May 12, 2017, 06:19:59 AM »
if there's a consensus for the Economy club, I could let them sit idle through to the end of the next increment.
(hopefully the number of titles will have at least doubled by then for that group)
that way the number of my trips to the P.O. with the packages doesn't change, just the number of packages per trip

Offline Hustler08

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #373 on: May 12, 2017, 08:37:23 AM »
if there's a consensus for the Economy club, I could let them sit idle through to the end of the next increment.
(hopefully the number of titles will have at least doubled by then for that group)
that way the number of my trips to the P.O. with the packages doesn't change, just the number of packages per trip

agreed from my end....

Offline quas

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #374 on: May 12, 2017, 11:03:02 AM »
Marc

Offline RawGoo

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #375 on: May 12, 2017, 03:19:40 PM »
if there's a consensus for the Economy club, I could let them sit idle through to the end of the next increment.
(hopefully the number of titles will have at least doubled by then for that group)
that way the number of my trips to the P.O. with the packages doesn't change, just the number of packages per trip

Sounds good, as long as it doesn't make a lot of extra work for you.

Offline Fanatical_and_Sickly

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #376 on: May 13, 2017, 09:38:13 AM »
Increment 7 shipped out this morning.

Packets include the remaining 19 cards (8-26) of the Increment.
They also contain the last sets of Im cards that go out to everyone in the Club.
Enjoy!

Offline bigtomi

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #377 on: May 13, 2017, 09:47:33 AM »
the last sets of Im cards ... Enjoy!
Oxymoron?  :)  sorry, couldn't resist!

Offline Choke_Wagon

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #378 on: May 13, 2017, 09:54:35 AM »
Oxymoron?  :)  sorry, couldn't resist!



Because there is hope in doing creative Wacky's. It just take good concept and good art execution. Stay tuned  :-[

Offline Fanatical_and_Sickly

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #379 on: May 13, 2017, 10:05:13 AM »
Oxymoron?  :)  sorry, couldn't resist!
LOL. Nope, intentional. Quite a few will take joy that this is the end! :P

Offline Baked Bears

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #380 on: May 13, 2017, 10:27:30 AM »
Quite a few will take joy that this is the end! :P

Even my poor, beleaguered wallet managed to crack a smile!

Offline RawGoo

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #381 on: May 13, 2017, 10:27:54 AM »
LOL. Nope, intentional. Quite a few will take joy that this is the end! :P

Agreed.

Now, if we can only get the political stuff to stop..................................
« Last Edit: May 13, 2017, 10:31:01 AM by RawGoo »

Offline Baked Bears

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #382 on: May 13, 2017, 12:04:42 PM »
Now, if we can only get the political stuff to stop..................................

Or even slow it down to a snail's pace.  As it now stands, it feels like we are under assault or drowning in a sickening, murky deluge.

One political parody a week wouldn't be so bad - providing the titles are not rushed and the humor is actually humorous and non-repetitive.  (Come on, we really don't need a new Trump "checklist" parody week after week.  And what really worries me is how many of next week's satires are going to be focused on FBI Director James Comey.  Here's a novel idea: One title will suffice.)  More importantly, the titles must be products - actual products - not lists, memos, or nonexistent products, etc..  The name of the 50 year old series is "Wacky Packages," yes?  Products that come in packages?  And real products, at that - a precedent that has been established by hundreds upon hundreds of Wackys over the years.

As an aside, when I was at the Allentown Show, I had the opportunity to view many original Wacky paintings, sketches, and roughs, courtesy of Smokin' Joe, Chad Scheres, George Wright, etc..  Many things stood out for me, however, one thing in particular was the incredible amount of time, effort, thought, and concern that was obviously put into these pieces.  You could see it in the artwork and hear it in the artists' explanations as to why they did this in such-and-such a way or why they opted for a particular kind of paint.  It may sound corny, but each of these pieces was obviously a labor of love for those who created them.  Everything was well thought out - from how a viewer might perceive a title on a subconscious level to what shade of pink would produce the best radiant "glow" in a bottle of mouthwash or how a character might be better received if rendered in more of a comic fashion.  (All of these examples are from actual conversations with the artists.)

Since the show, I can better appreciate why personal sets by George Wright (Galactic Groceries,) Neil Camera (Pranky Products,) and Smokin' Joe (Wicked Packages) are seemingly always ongoing and take "forever" to produce.   But do you know what, though?  If time is what it takes to produce the kind of quality pieces that I've grown to expect, admire, and appreciate from such artists, then I'm willing to wait.  That is one of the reasons why the suggestion posted earlier by SlamJim makes so much sense:  In order to achieve quality, one must slow down the pace.  There's a sound reason why the adage "haste makes waste" is part of our vocabulary.  We are now seeing it happen right before our very eyes.   

Lastly, like others have also so recently mentioned, I agree that the political humor doesn't always have to be so mean-spirited and have such a biting, sharp "edge."  What's wrong with just "silly?"  Or has plain, simple "silliness" now become weak and lackluster, a Norman Rockwellian "innocence" now consigned to a past era in our present society? (Hell, we all need to get together, buy up Topps' stock on the sly, and then appoint Richard Thomas, a.k.a. John-Boy Walton, as art director.)

Silly, but still funny:






« Last Edit: May 13, 2017, 12:28:03 PM by Baked Bears »

Offline JasonLiebig

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Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #383 on: May 13, 2017, 10:05:03 PM »
Lastly, like others have also so recently mentioned, I agree that the political humor doesn't always have to be so mean-spirited and have such a biting, sharp "edge."  What's wrong with just "silly?"  Or has plain, simple "silliness" now become weak and lackluster, a Norman Rockwellian "innocence" now consigned to a past era in our present society?

Wacky Packages should be able to be more silly, and really, these current event-themed sets don't lend themselves to classic Wacky Packages humor - it's rarely if ever what Wacky Packages were, classically-speaking.   So as has been already discussed, these can barely be considered "Wacky Packages" in the classic sense.  These are something else.  I suppose the one thing you can say about them is; at least the political ones are being created for a series that is literally meant to be just that - Wackys about our current political process and goings-ons.  I'm not a big fan of them, myself. 

On the other side, it's important to keep in mind that parody and humor has a long history of also stating strong political messages and points-of-view, when those things need to be said.  Vietnam-era Mad magazine, for instance, could state incredibly dark and powerful anti-war and anti-government messages at times (it wasn't all movie parodies, The Lighter Side of... and Spy Vs Spy, especially then).   And Jay Lynch himself was (to me anyway) clearly an anti-war guy and in many cases an anti capitalism and anti-corporate imperialism guy who lent his work to protest efforts around the globe.   His creative voice could be found as one of protest against what he saw as injustice around the globe.  It wasn't just clever wordplay and tightly-rendered versions of goofy characters making fun of consumer products.   He had a specific point-of-view and a unique way to say something about it. 

For his part, even Norman Rockwell created powerful political pieces for his more innocent (yet plagued with racial and social injustice) era...  some that might even seem controversial to many in our charged society today:



So yeah, some of these Wackys are just plain crap.  The political ones are occassionally divisive and mean-spirited.  It's disappointing, but it's probably also to be expected.  Art and artists have always found a way to have a powerful, sometimes transformative voice in such things. 


Jason Liebig - A swell TV host (currently on History Channel) who used to oversee Marvel Comics' X-Men - now creator and curator of WishbookWeb.com and CollectingCandy.com, a celebration of candy packaging, marketing and the people behind it all

Offline Baked Bears

  • Posts: 1422
Re: WP Print-on-Demand Bulk Buyer's Club
« Reply #384 on: May 14, 2017, 08:09:48 AM »
Wacky Packages should be able to be more silly, and really, these current event-themed sets don't lend themselves to classic Wacky Packages humor - it's rarely if ever what Wacky Packages were, classically-speaking.   So as has been already discussed, these can barely be considered "Wacky Packages" in the classic sense.  These are something else.  I suppose the one thing you can say about them is; at least the political ones are being created for a series that is literally meant to be just that - Wackys about our current political process and goings-ons.  I'm not a big fan of them, myself. 

On the other side, it's important to keep in mind that parody and humor has a long history of also stating strong political messages and points-of-view, when those things need to be said.  Vietnam-era Mad magazine, for instance, could state incredibly dark and powerful anti-war and anti-government messages at times (it wasn't all movie parodies, The Lighter Side of... and Spy Vs Spy, especially then).   And Jay Lynch himself was (to me anyway) clearly an anti-war guy and in many cases an anti capitalism and anti-corporate imperialism guy who lent his work to protest efforts around the globe.   His creative voice could be found as one of protest against what he saw as injustice around the globe.  It wasn't just clever wordplay and tightly-rendered versions of goofy characters making fun of consumer products.   He had a specific point-of-view and a unique way to say something about it. 

For his part, even Norman Rockwell created powerful political pieces for his more innocent (yet plagued with racial and social injustice) era...  some that might even seem controversial to many in our charged society today:

(Image removed from quote.)

So yeah, some of these Wackys are just plain crap.  The political ones are occassionally divisive and mean-spirited.  It's disappointing, but it's probably also to be expected.  Art and artists have always found a way to have a powerful, sometimes transformative voice in such things.

I agree with the post above.

Yes, "Mad" was definitely politically charged in the 60s and 70s - as were the times.  And certain sides of Jay Lynch, I would say, gravitated toward anti-capitalism and anti-corporate imperialism.  Wacky Packages are a testament to this.  So, if the humor we grew up with was good enough for us then - sometimes political, anti-capitalist, and anti-corporate - we do we rant about it now?

Fifty years after the advent of Wackys, I think a lot of people - particularly the older generation that makes up a lot of the WP forum - tend to view the 60s and 70s through an idealized and romanticized lens, a child-like perspective of innocence.  But then and again, we were, after all, children at the time.  No, I don't believe the past was a completely innocent age of red, white, and blue festooned bicycles parading down Main Street on the 4th of July, firemen rescuing cats from trees, or walking barefoot along dusty country roads at the base of Walton Mountain.  (But perhaps it should have been.)

Wacky Packages, like "Mad" magazine, GPK, comics, Disney World, cruises, camping, and so, so many other things are a form of escape.  A place to simply get away.  Yet, when we try to get away from the perpetual onslaught of today's politics by retreating into Wacky-Land, the politics just follow us en masse through the gate.

None of us should be surprised when the latest 24 hour "Trumpocracy" and "Network Spews" offerings feature political and social humor.  I mean, the site does state "Trumpocracy" and "Network Spews."  I just believe that many of us, if given a choice, simply don't prefer them.  And we reason that if Topps can spend time and energy creating these parodies, they could just as easily create and release "traditional" Wacky Packages.  (Which they could.)  Instead, they slap the moniker "Wacky Packages" on the political/social sets, tease and bait us with some actual product parodies, and sometimes give us an actual WP, for example, the 2017 Valentine's Day "Creeps" (which they labeled, I believe, "Network Spews," though for the life of me, I don't know why, unless I missed something - again!)

All in all, the "Trumpocracy," etc. sets are exactly what they are - and will continue to be.  I guess it is up to us individually to make the decision as to whether we want to add them to our collections.  And although I do admire some titles, I would personally like to see what David Gross suggested - just a few actual WP titles a week.  Not to disparage the artists or their recent endeavors, however I believe a lot of them originally got into this business to create Wacky Packages, not political and social satires.  From what I've read on the forum, I am also under the distinct impression that many feel awkwardly stifled and hog-tied, and I doubt that their creativity would suffer at all if they were once again given free rein.  I can't be 100% sure, however I am willing to bet that there are many notebooks out there bursting with ideas like so many packets of seeds just waiting to find fertile soil.

Postscript:  Interesting Rockwell painting!
« Last Edit: May 14, 2017, 09:05:45 AM by Baked Bears »

 

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