Press Release: Jaspy’s HobbyLand & Ripping Wax Announce Hockey Website, Upper Deck Authorized Group Breaking
As if Jaspy's HobbyLand's full-service store and group/case-break operation was not enough, they now boast one of only seven Authorized Group Breaker certifications handed out by Upper Deck. The newly acquired authorization gives Jaspy's HobbyLand access to the coveted Authorized Group Breaker logo along with other exclusive perks meant to provide additional trust and security for collectors. Coinciding with this news, Jaspy's HobbyLand and their partner Ripping Wax have launched a dedicated hockey website (Jaspy's HockeyLand), and a new YouTube channel to serve their hockey card customers.
We sat down with Mike Jasperson, owner of Jaspy's, and David Gelfman, owner of Ripping Wax, to go over some of these new features and added benefits.
Cardboard Connection (CC): What sets UD Authorized Group Breakers apart from a non-authorized breaker who busts Upper Deck product?
Mike Jasperson (MJ): Upper Deck Authorized Group Breakers must be pre-approved with the Upper Deck Company. The process took more than six months to complete. First, Jaspy’s HobbyLand had to be certified with Upper Deck in its Diamond Dealer program. All Upper Deck Authorized Group Breakers are also full-time shop owners, which sets us apart from most case-breaking operations. Upper Deck’s seal of approval will go a long way in growing our hockey business and it’s a great honor that Upper Deck chose Jaspy’s HobbyLand to join its short list of Authorized Group Breakers.
CC: What specific perks and advantages does UD afford to Authorized Group Breakers compared to non-authorized dealers?
MJ: The biggest perk I see with the Authorized Group Breaker status is that Jaspy’s HobbyLand can now feature the official Authorized Group Breaker logo throughout its website and promotional materials. It’s a huge advantage over our competitors. Upper Deck also provides special marketing and promotional opportunities to its Authorized Group Breakers. We just launched our new Jaspy’s HockeyLand online store and I believe the presence of the Authorized Group Break logo will steer hockey collectors and case break enthusiasts to our new website.
CC: What does Jaspy's hope to deliver to its customers with the new UD Authorized Group Breaker status that they otherwise did not have to offer prior to receiving the certification?
MJ: Jaspy’s HobbyLand prides itself on having one of the best breaking experiences in the industry. One of the reasons we were given Authorized Group Breaker status with Upper Deck is the fact that the company observed the tremendous growth Jaspy’s HobbyLand has seen over the past year. Upper Deck executives visited our store several months ago and were amazed at the efficiency of our operation. It is our hope that the Upper Deck Authorized Group Breaker status will help us bring our style of breaking to the growing hockey card market.
Cardboard Connection (CC): How does Ripping Wax foresee Jaspy's acquisition of UD Authorized Group Breaker status having an impact on their overall ability to serve customers? What role does Ripping Wax play in this whole endeavor?
David Gelfman: Ripping Wax has striven to be innovative with our partnerships, not only by helping our breakers acquire credentials such as the group break authorization, but also by bringing new people to the hobby. We have consistently found a way to reach a broad range of sports fans and corral them into the breaking scene through our cutting-edge social media and promotional events. We are honored and privileged to have Jaspy's selected by UD as an Authorized Group Breaker. We believe it gives them even more trust and notoriety in the industry. Jaspy's HobbyLand's long-running business strives to provide honest, entertaining, and prompt service to their customers. They offer a wide range of products, fast shipping, attention to detail, and work hard to consistently build a strong rapport with their followers.
According to a release published by Upper Deck in 2013, the card company foresaw strong growth in the group-break market and wanted to position themselves with ways to help dealers capitalize on the growing market.
The same article expands on this, saying, "Upper Deck is proud to be the first sports card manufacturer to offer a comprehensive program to support an Authorized Group Breaker class of trade to better support both dealers and collectors. We see this class of trade as a real opportunity to develop the next great generation of dealers for the company."
For collectors looking for a trusted source to access their favorite Upper Deck Hockey releases, there is no doubt that Jaspy's HobbyLand has solidified themselves as one of the go-to shops by procuring the elusive Authorized Group Breaker designation. They are available via their new and dedicated hockey site—jaspeyshockyland.com—as well as their YouTube and Breakers.tv channels.
