The Logic Behind Redemption Expirations

[the_nange]

Hi guys,

So this has been on my mind for a while but after seeing Satoken's expired Eberle from last year's Certified product, I'm am even more curious about this topic.

So, the idea of a redemption card, if I'm correct, is that you will get a certain card later because it has not be made/completed. Therefore, when a buyer opens up a pack or box, this is still counted as a hit because it is assumed you will get the card you paid for down the line.

So, what is the logic behind giving them an expiration date? The card is something the buyer has paid good money for. Shouldn't they always be entitled to get the card, or something of equal value, back because the buyer has already given the company money?

I just think about how the Canadian government (or maybe only Ontario, I can't remember) recently put down a law that says that gift cards can't have expiry dates. Shouldn't it be the same with these redemption cards? The buyer has paid money for a product assuming all cards are in there or at least that they will eventually get the product. Redemptions are already in the company's "corner" by allowing them to claim they have certain products in their collection but take their (sweet) time to get the order done.

I hope I got my point across well. Would like to get some opinions on this. Maybe I'm missing out on some legal aspect of it lol. This topic has just been sitting on my mind for a while as a relatively new collector.

Nange

[Phil44]

IMO redemption are the worst thing in the hobby ....

[theboxbreaker96]

I agree 100%! Its the companys fault that the card is not in the product and to put an expiry date on it is incredible. I can understand 5-6 years but anything less is unacceptable

[mortuus]

yeah the time on expirations should be alot longer then 2 years.

[RGM81]

American law. That is the logic behind redemptions expiring.

Direct from UD's FAQ:

Why do redemptions expire? We need to have a start date and end date for all our redemptions in accordance with laws on these programs. We also do not have room to warehouse older, obsolete cards forever. Currently autograph and draft pick redemptions are available for two years from the release date and memorabilia redemptions are available for one year from the release date. Special programs may have different windows of availability as well.

[the_nange]

Interesting RGM, though I would like to know what these "programs" are. I also wonder if this law exists in Canada.

[Tivo32]

American law. That is the logic behind redemptions expiring.

Direct from UD's FAQ:

I understand that there is a need for expiration date, but why does that date have to be at the farthest, 2 years out? UD says themselves that another reason is they don't have room for obsolete cards, but most redemptions are for pretty nice cards, how much room do they really take up and are they really "obsolete?"

[mxaxtxtx]

I am guessing most of this falls under sweepstakes/lottery law. Wouldn't matter if it was US or Canada, the company has to abide by the jurisdiction of the country/state they are incorporated in. Lawyer here, not positive on the sweepstakes/lottery theory. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

[comfortably9numb]

plus you have to remember that not all sports are the same. I recently called upper deck because I pulled a redemption for a tiger woods product (the redemption was a case hit for "tin cards"). They guy told me that they only honor expired redemptions for hockey and certain baseball products. So I think they are more strict with other programs, and much more lenient with hockey. I'm not sure of the reasoning behind this, but I talked to two people at Upper Deck that told me they would not honor the golf redemption (one e-mail one phonecall). So it could be that hockey expiration dates are just to keep things in line with the other sports cards such as football and baseball.



Not to mention the fact that it covers their butts in case something happens with a missing card years down the line :)

[the_chief]

I agree with you the_nange. How about the ITG "He shots He saves" program?

Here's an example of that you can read on their website:

The 2011-12 Between The Pipes "He Shoots, He Saves" redemption program is open only to U.S./Canadian (except Quebec) residents.

Does anyone know why "except quebec resident" Is it really a provincial government issue? let me doubt it