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08-12-2013, 10:31 PM #1
Anyone hate Redemption cards as much as I do?
I have on several occasions pulled redemption cards only to find out that they are expired so I cannot redeem them. Always annoys the heck out of me. Today's two redemption pulls only slightly annoyed me as they were from a Certified 97-98 box. One was an Epix redemption, the other was a rookie redemption. I despise these cards. Why not just stick the cards in the pack instead of making a redemption card that expires after a year? I have had Ultra redemptions and many others over the four years I have been struggling to afford getting back into the hobby, and it is frustrating.
Does anyone else find this as annoying as I do? Any explanations for why this happens? Or even why they still do this after all these years?
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08-12-2013, 10:43 PM #2Hockey Manager
No, I think you're the first person ever to raise this issue. ;)
Habs fan and collector! Current PC's: Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson...., and of course...
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08-12-2013, 11:25 PM #3
So I guess that brings up the last part of my question, if everyone hates them so much, why do they still do it this way?
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08-12-2013, 11:27 PM #4
One of the reasons I prefer ITG products
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08-12-2013, 11:45 PM #5Hockey Manager
Well let's just take a look at some of the bigger names out there that have been redemptions in the past year or so: If you're Upper Deck are you going to release products like The Cup, SP Authentic, etc. without Sidney Crosby, Carey Price, P.K. Subban, Nail Yakupov, Dominik Hasek, or Wayne Gretzky autographs? These guys only do a limited number of autograph signing sessions per year and if the calendars don't sync up, a redemption is the only way to get those guys included...unless people want more sticker autographs.
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08-12-2013, 11:57 PM #6
True, see where they would say that. Although they could just do them as rare inserts, but that makes some sense. Still extremely annoying when you are trying to catch up on some of the older sets before digging further into new sets.
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08-13-2013, 12:05 AM #7
Do their ITG points ever expire? Don't collect these as much so I really don't know.
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08-13-2013, 12:32 AM #8
Yea, after 12-18 months
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08-13-2013, 10:39 AM #9Hockey Advisor
Nobody likes them.
RGM makes a great point. When you look at who the redemption cards are usually for - it's the biggest names - what is Upper Deck (or Panini) supposed to do? You can't leave those guys out of your sets.... so you're stuck with redemption cards.
I know this topic has been beaten to death, but I do think the problem really stems from poor managment of the cash flow within those companies.
Upper Deck is the one with much longer history in Hockey (compared to Panini) so I may unfaily be lumping them in together - it has certainly been more of a UD thing that you keep hearing over and over again.
Way too many stories of players not getting paid, which leads to cards going unsigned. Can you blame the players if this is happening?
I go back to cash flow: I think what is really going on.... far too often UD (and maybe Panini too?) are using the money they generate from pre-sales to actually cover the costs of production. This leads to cards coming back late, becuase they're not ready, which leads to redemption cards.
For retired players, there should be no excuse. if Gretzky will only sit down and sign for them twice a year (as an example) then they should have all the cards for their next 6 months worth of releases ready for him to sign when he will do it. If he was going to sit down and sign in September (as an example) then have the cards that will be getting released up until next April ready to go. Then when you can get him to sign again next March.... get the rest of the year's products finsihed. It really should be that simple.
Except, I don't believe the cards are being made with anywhere near that kind of lead time.
Current players, it's a little tougher. Even if you're talking about a Superstar (like Crosby) there is the risk of a trade - and if something like that were to happen..... let's say Crosby ends up in San Jose, hypothetically speaking, if the next 8 months of Auto'd Crosby cards showed him as a Pen, instead of a Shark, you'd hear constant complaints. Companies do need to keep this in mind, and can't make those guys too early in the game.... plus outside of the real high end guys (I'm thinking the top 50, or so, players in the league) mid season checklists need to be drawn up with that season in mind. Make cards of guys having break out seasons.
One complaint I do side with the comanies on: Expirery Dates.
I do not understand how anyone can think its feasible to anything in inventory indefinately. Simple truth, it is not. Only piece of advice I can give, do your homework. Don't buy products that are loaded with expirered redemptions. Usually, boxes are priced accordinly (there will be a drop in price, once redemptions are no good). I realize that not everyone knows where to go to find info like that, and hobby shops (IMO) should do a better job of advertising it too (write on the box: "REDEMPTIONS HAVE EXPIRED, 30% OFF", instead just "30% OFF).
Maybe I'm simplifying things too much.... but I think it's simple. If you don't like redemptions, don't buy products with redemptions. If you don't like sticker autographs, don't buy products that use them. I could go on and on like this...... but at the end of the day, let your wallet do the talking.
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08-13-2013, 10:40 AM #10Hockey Advisor
And yes, ITG points expire.
Normally, it's around 12 months. Between The Pipes came out in April (I think??) and while I don't remember exactly when the points are good until - I think it's in the April range next year. Last year's (11-12) have expired.
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Originally Posted by RGM81 
