Upper Deck has done it again in terms of innovation. The same company that brought you the first game-used jersey cards is now bringing real, physical cards to the digital realm. This is a huge upgrade to the digital card market as it currently stands and makes sense as sports cards need to continue to evolve with the rest of the world around us. It’s called Upper Deck e-Pack™ and fans are loving it!
As a collector, I am a big fan of e-Pack. I get to open real packs of cards and not have to deal with the sorting, the storing, and the mess it can create. Not only is e-Pack helping to make collecting more efficient, but it is also environmentally friendly. No more boxes and wrappers filling up your garbage can after you open them up. What I really love is the convenience as it can be hard to get to the local card shop as much as I like so I can open packs or trade with other collectors when I am in bed, on a plane or in a waiting room.
Long flights just got a little more entertaining with Upper Deck e-Pack!
But really, it’s all about the efficiency the Upper Deck e-Pack platform provides. You can go from buying and opening a pack of cards anywhere in the world to having a particular card you like in your hand in a number of days. It seems one of the questions a lot of collectors still need help answering is how to go from the digital realm to actually receive a physical card on e-Pack.
Once you know your options, it is really easy to claim ownership of your physical Upper Deck e-Pack cards!
Here is your collector’s guide to go from digital to physical. Follow these instructions and you’ll have these sweet Upper Deck cards in your hands in no time.
- Purchase and open a pack of cards at UpperDeckePack.com.
Find a physical card in your pack – these include most all inserts in the product. You’ll know there is a physical version by seeing this symbol.
- From here you’ll have two options; transfer to CheckOutMyCards (COMC) or have the card shipped directly to you. There are some nominal fees to claim ownership of your physical cards as one would expect.
- Create/Link your COMC account. COMC does all fulfillments so you aren’t waiting for redemptions. From my experience they are extremely good at this process.
- Transfer your physical card to COMC and you will have a variety of options like selling the card on their platform, shipping it to yourself or sending it to Beckett Grading Services (BGS).
- Additionally you will have a variety of shipping options by going this route in terms of how you want your cards packaged and shipped.
- Choose your option and enjoy!
- Create/Link your COMC account. COMC does all fulfillments so you aren’t waiting for redemptions. From my experience they are extremely good at this process.
- Provide your address to have the cards shipped directly to you so you can enjoy!
- Open more, including the daily free packs!
In my current experience prior to writing this guide, I ripped one of the most sought after cards in this product, a Connor McDavid Young Guns rookie card. As an Edmonton Oilers fan, I was excited, but ready for the responsibility that owning such a valuable card holds. I went from obtaining the card in an e-Pack, transferring it to COMC, and sending to BGS for grading. I’m currently waiting for the card to be sent back from BGS, but I will not have to leave my house, pay for any extra shipping, or use up any mailing materials to go through this process. And since the card didn’t have to go through the mechanized process of being packages, I’m hoping for a good grade on it!
Most of the cool Upper Deck releases will continue to be exclusive at hobby shops through physical packs so you will want to make sure you visit your Upper Deck Certified Diamond Dealer throughout the year! Here’s a look at the line-up of products currently available and coming soon to your local card shop and the Upper Deck e-Pack platform:
SPORTS PRODUCTS
2015-16 NHL® Upper Deck Series One – SOLD OUT!
2015-16 NHL® Upper Deck MVP – Available NOW!
2015-16 NHL® Upper Deck Series Two – Available NOW!
2015-16 NHL® Ultimate Collection – Available Summer 2016
2016-17 NHL® Upper Deck MVP – Available Summer 2016
2016-17 NHL® Upper Deck Series One – Available Fall 2016
OTHER
2016 Goodwin Champions – Available Summer 2016
About the Author: Kevin Ransom is a lifelong collector of sports cards and enjoys collecting Upper Deck cards of his favorite hockey team – the Edmonton Oilers. You can find him on Twitter @ransomnotes.
2 Comments
Not a bad idea but honestly takes away a lot of business from local hobby shops. Especially those collectors that are told by their hobby shops that product is sold out then to find out that there are tons available online. Not to mention grading is expected to be better. which is another question….how do you know if your card is gradeable? How do you pay someone to grade a physical card when you do not know the condition of the card or are you guaranteed a good grade since you are shipping an “e-card”? Also the shipping fees are not that great. You say a small fee but that fee adds up very fast when you decide to ship 100 cards or more. UD already has made money on selling the packs online and now make more money on shipping? Sorry but this is good but not that good and sooner or later will hurt the hobby a lot.
COMC is solid.