David Loftus of AK Comics in Beloit, Wisconsin saw the comment from Paula Fuge of Gnome Games (see 'Paula Fuge of Gnome Games on Upper Deck Release Patterns') and shares his comments on Upper Deck release dates, and on the number of Yu-Gi-Oh! releases:

I have to wholeheartedly agree with Paula Fuge of Gnome Games.  Upper Deck has done the exact same thing to me on too many releases to even mention.  My store is across the street from a Wal-Mart supercenter, and they consistently get their product before I do.

I just don't understand how a big retailer is able to put this product out for sale before I can ever receive it in my store.  For a larger retailer to get it early, they have to receive it at their distribution center at least a week (or more) prior to this.  In my opinion, just another example of UDE catering to the larger retailers and not caring about us small specialty stores.

My biggest complaint with Upper Deck is the frequency of new Yu-Gi-Oh! products.  They had five new products arrive in stores in the first week of December (tournament 5 packs, Dark Beginnings 1, Master Collection 1, Rise of Destiny, and Rise of Destiny Special Edition).  A year ago they said they were going to be shipping new expansions out with less frequency than before.  I believe my rep said one every three months.  That lasted for maybe one release, and then we get slammed with product.  I'm a small store, I just make the bills each month, and this much product all at the same time wiped me out.  Yes, it's good to have a product being updated, but it's waaay too much.  They're shooting themselves in the foot in my opinion by doing this.

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