Devastated - I Hate Redemptions

[cathaytrader]

Sorry to hear your bad news. I think it's diabolical that the cards are not even produced. Fair enough if the auto is not returned but shouldn't UD produce the card anyway seeing as they are packing out redemptions for it? That way UD can at least send the unsigned card along with any replacements that are sent.

[30ranfordfan]

That would make the most sense.... but the opposite (waiting for autographs to be returned, before making the cards) could explain why it takes so long to fill redemtions sometimes

It's one of those very interesting "chicken or egg" scenarios isn't it? Do they make the card and wait for the autograph sheets to arrive, or do they wait for the autograph sheets and then start making cards.

I would think it's the former given that we've seen unsigned autograph cards slip out on to the market before. I'd believe they would have at least made the redemption cards and packed those out when the products went to market, to market (hehe), and then it just turned out that they never got the autographs back. But it's all speculative.

[RGM81]

That's true. Obviously with the hard-signed stuff they have to have the actual card produced, but with stickers or, oh I don't know, Letter Marks, they don't have to go through the process of making the card until they have the sticker/fabric/whatever back in house.

[jdg517]

And as if that weren't enough, I also asked about the SP Game Used Autographs /5, which is another one I'd never seen (despite having 3 of the 5 Rookie Exclusives Silver in my possession)...



On the upside, it is two fewer cards I have to chase. But man, that's two cards I really would have liked to own.

Funny thing with that same card for Eric Nystrom. It was in the 05/06 product and I had never seen one for my collection and I have now picked up 2 in the last month.

[xirxious]

The way it was explained to me (and this was by a freind of a guy who knows a dude who sister dated the ex lead signer of 'Battery') that they send out the auto stickers and print the sheets. When the autos get back, then they can know if they should put a jersey swatch in the card. If not they'd have to rip open cards to salvage the swatch. (Kenny needs a job right?) The reason they went with sheets of sticker was so when next years didn't come back, they would still have some on reserve. But take that with a grain of salt.

It's one of those very interesting "chicken or egg" scenarios isn't it? Do they make the card and wait for the autograph sheets to arrive, or do they wait for the autograph sheets and then start making cards.

I would think it's the former given that we've seen unsigned autograph cards slip out on to the market before. I'd believe they would have at least made the redemption cards and packed those out when the products went to market, to market (hehe), and then it just turned out that they never got the autographs back. But it's all speculative.

[RGM81]

That's a pretty sensible thing to do, particularly when you consider that the mem swatch in question was an NHL logo shield. Not exactly something you want to be tossing out because of a missing sticker auto.

[roy.the.greatest]

A bit like ITG's deal with Bobby Orr expired at the end of 2004; Orr was then removed from the Made To Order list. However, ITG found a new way to include Orr's memorabilia on cards by not showing Orr's picture on the card.

[lambeauleap87]

So exactly what are they going to do with the Shield piece then?

[canucksfan007]

That really sucks .... and doesnt give me much hope either ... I think I may be in the same boat as you.

Im down to 3 cards needed for my 05/06 Lee Stempniak PC:

- 05/06 Hot Prospects Rookie Auto Shield /1 ** his only Shield as well **
- 05/06 SPGU Base Rookie Auto /5
- 05/06 Ultra Ice Medallion Rookie /25

Like you, ive had 3 SPGU Rookie Exclusives /5 ... and know where a 4th is. Ive seen a bunch of the Hot Prospects Shields as well too ..... and for the Ultra, well thats just gonna be a tough card to track down.

How did you get in contact with UD about this? Im fairly sure Stempniak still signs for UD, though I dont follow / collect his other stuff.

[RGM81]

That really sucks .... and doesnt give me much hope either ... I think I may be in the same boat as you.

Im down to 3 cards needed for my 05/06 Lee Stempniak PC:

- 05/06 Hot Prospects Rookie Auto Shield /1 ** his only Shield as well **
- 05/06 SPGU Base Rookie Auto /5
- 05/06 Ultra Ice Medallion Rookie /25

Like you, ive had 3 SPGU Rookie Exclusives /5 ... and know where a 4th is. Ive seen a bunch of the Hot Prospects Shields as well too ..... and for the Ultra, well thats just gonna be a tough card to track down.

How did you get in contact with UD about this? Im fairly sure Stempniak still signs for UD, though I dont follow / collect his other stuff.

I contacted them via their Facebook page. Strange that you're in the same boat, has Stempniak had any UD autos in recent years? If not it is an ominous sign.

The Ice Medallions are definitely tough to find - I got one for a decent price, only other one I've seen is a graded 9.5 that the guy wanted $100 for. I like that they made it a rarer card than the /100 from later years, but *phew* tough haul to find it.

Hopefully it works out for the best for you.