Sport Card Companies Ratings

Each card company has their strengths and weaknesses about them. Some of the companies strong points outdo their negatives. I have broken down the 4 main companies and have pointed out their strengths and weaknesses and my overall rating and thoughts.

The $ is based on a $-$$$$$ scale

Topps:  
Strengths: They have licenses for MLB (exclusive), NFL and UFC. There products are pretty popular among collectors.
Weakness: By far the worst customer service out of all of the companies. And not much fan interaction.

Overall: $$ They do not reply to emails (I found this out more than once. just a couple of weeks ago and no response). They do not answer Facebook questions about their products. They produce halfway decent products, but distance themselves from the most important people Us, the collectors. I don't know if there positives outweigh their negatives until they can fix their connection with their fans.

Upper Deck:
Strengths: They have NCAA license and a NHL, Golf and an Marvel line. Customers are still getting adjusted to their NCAA product but they seem to be still going strong especially their Sp Authentic brand. They are very good with answering questions on Facebook and holding contests as well. The times I have called them for customer service they have been good. They answer emails well. And they also have something called the Volunteer Alliance where they give fans a chance to "work" for them and in exchange you can be awarded a mail day!
Weakness: No professional licenses besides NHL, Golf, and MLS. And they have had some serious phone line issues when it comes to calling their customer service which they have been working on awhile now to fix and may have done it.

Overall: $$$$  Their positives outdo their negatives. They love to respond to their customers. And to me, that's very important. And despite lack of pro licensing, they are doing a great job with their products.

Press Pass: 
Strengths: They have a football card and the only exclusive NASCAR license. They also produce an Elvis line, Yo Gabba Gabba and more. Probably one of the better customer services through phone lines, emails and Facebook. They hold contests and almost always rewards all of the fans who participate in them. They do things for solders overseas such as sending thinking of you letters which Press Pass fans write and then Press Pass awards the fans for doing it. They produce some great NASCAR cards.
Weakness: Lack of licensing.

Overall: $$$ Lack of licensing kept them from a 4 rating. But any company that goes out of their way to do things for their fans and for our solders overseas is great with me.

Panini America:
Strengths: Too many licenses to list so I will stick with what they don't have instead, a MLB license. They are improving their customer service. They are 50/50 when it comes to answering emails, but they do answer them positively when they do. They have a great blog with always a ton of giveaways!
Weakness: No MLB license. And not any Facebook interaction. If you have a question or comment, its best not to post on their Facebook if you are looking for an answer. Nice products, but a ton and ton of redemption's.

Overall:  $$$$  Panini dominates the licensing of the hobby and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they get a MLB license soon. They also have an increasingly getting better customer service and I can recently attest to this about a redemption card replacement that went rough at first, but got better. They also hold a ton of giveaways.

Let me know if you agree or disagree with my ratings. Always fun to get into a card debate!!