Redemptions should not expire

[Drewk86a]

On a whim, I picked up a box of 2012-13 Panini Classics. Got five nice, on-card autos...

Then I pulled a signature trios redemption for Glenn Anderson / Grant Fuhr / Paul Coffey.

Expiration date: 06/05/14

Entered code at Panini website expecting to get the "sorry...expired" message. Instead, the request was opened and is supposed to be filled within four months! Hopefully, it pans out!

I think redemption cards should not expire. The fact that the manufacturer does not have the cards in-hand when the release the packs is not the consumers fault. However, I do understand that unclaimed cards are sometimes used as replacements, so there has to be a limit of some type. I propose that redemptions should have a "guaranteed by" date. If you redeem the card on or before the guarantee date, you will get the card. If you redeem the card after the guarantee date, you will get the card if they have it. If not, you will get a replacement.

Thoughts?

[10-4 collector]

I totally agree, Ud doesn't...$$$

[RGM81]

It's the law that they have to expire.

You're free to present your case to Congress about the law.

About the "guaranteed by"--they can't make that promise. There's legal ramifications to "guaranteeing" something and if the player doesn't sign, that can put the manufacturer in trouble. That's usually how the system works to this day...if you pull a redemption card and it gets fulfilled by the player, you get the card in a timely fashion. There are programs in place for expired redemptions to get exchanges, and there have even been times where if you call in to the manufacturer they may be able to help you out.

[Wookster]

Even if legally they have to have an expiry date, UD still treat this like a #### company. At least Panini will still try and get you something for your money that you spent on their product but UD won't. I remember busting a box of 13-14 SPA back when it came out and two of the three autos were redemptions...Imagine getting a box of their older stuff like 13-14 SPA that had a bunch of redemptions in it, spending all that money for absolutely nothing now that their expiry data has passed.

[sparty07]

Do you have more information about the law surrounding the redemption cards? Is it a US or Canadian law?

[creasecollector]

I think Richard hit the nail on the head here. Card manufacturers, while it may suck, needs to place expiration dates on their redemptions.

As for redemptions themselves (might be a topic for a different thread), nobody likes them but I understand the need for them. Coordinating autographed card sets from multiple players/agents can be a tough thing, and at some point there is only so much UD can do. Once they create a checklist, manufacturer & print these sets, and send them out for autographs, it is out of their hands. Usually the card eventually gets returned, but sometimes they don't. All this has to keep in line with a product schedule, too. UD can only delay a product for so long, and eventually need to release it even if a number of cards aren't packed out yet.

Guaranteeing something, especially something with so many moving parts, is like playing with fire.

[10-4 collector]

We pay for it, even expired, we should get something back, period. UD and their crappy CS don't get that.

[RGM81]

Even if legally they have to have an expiry date, UD still treat this like a #### company. At least Panini will still try and get you something for your money that you spent on their product but UD won't. I remember busting a box of 13-14 SPA back when it came out and two of the three autos were redemptions...Imagine getting a box of their older stuff like 13-14 SPA that had a bunch of redemptions in it, spending all that money for absolutely nothing now that their expiry data has passed.

Why do you think the price of redemption-heavy products always drops after expiration date?

[RGM81]

Do you have more information about the law surrounding the redemption cards? Is it a US or Canadian law?

Given that Upper Deck is an American company, it would be American law. It's the same as any "sweepstakes" or other program that you see in cereal boxes, etc. These programs must have an expiration date. Frosted Flakes cannot have an open-ended obligation to send you a spoon if you send in six UPC codes from boxes in 2008.

[creasecollector]

We pay for it, even expired, we should get something back, period. UD and their crappy CS don't get that.

I agree, and I wish they were better with stuff like this. But business's doesn't run on fairness, which is sad but true a lot of the time.