NPNs Received

[neil07carrier]

2004 Donruss Timelines Boys of Summer Jack Morris 186/250 BV5
2004 Donruss Timelines Call to the Hall Mike Schmidt 132/250 BV12

Both are up for trade. PLMK!

[meuandthelot]

YES Finally!!

#5 of 24 BazookaComic J.Kidd(Must be a tough pull..huh)
#93 C-55 mini N.Kapanen(America back)

[Spinrx]

Today's take:

2003-2004 Fleer Avant Basketball:
Zarko Cabarkapa RC 107/999

2004 Fleer Tradition Baseball:
Diamond Tributes GU Jersey (2-color) Josh Beckett Marlins

[Snowmanlikeme]

Hey. All I really know about this whole NPN thing is that it means No Purchase Neccesary. Could someone explain to me how to get the free cards through the entire process. I would be very thankful for the information because after all...ITS FREE CARDS! Hit me back. Thanks!

[bstee]

Snowman: Generally all the information is either on the NPN page on this site, or with any new packs you buy the NPN is on the back.

Why: Why do companies give away free cards? It would be great to thik it is just because they like us, but for the most part that is not it. Someone filed a lawsuit against Topps a few years ago saying Topps was holding an illegal lottery. They claimed that packs of cards were like game pieces and since states are the only "companies" other than casinos in some states, that can sell lotteries, they said by inserting rare cards the companies are illegal. Topps settled thier case and agreed to allow folks to participate for free - thus Topps became the first to offer NPNs. In the last few years the others have followed suit, but they never went to court and were told to do it, so they have made up their own rules - like Upper Deck that only allows you to "win" some of the inserts but not all, Fleer allows all inserts as does Topps.

Do I have to follow the rules?: Yes, if you do not follow all the rules exactly, they can and will disallow your entry. That means if they say it must be a #10 envelope - don't waste a stamp with any other size. They all say one entry per envelope. It appears they do not even open the envelope unless you are selected to get a card, so again putting more in would be a waste. You absolutely must hand-write your entry. For most that just means name and address, but look at Upper Deck, they also want a day phone, a night phone, an email and on some your age. Will they ever use that info? Likely not, it is just to make it a real pain to send to Upper Deck. Topps and Fleer are so much easier, most folks don't bother with UD.

How do I do it? Follow all rules. Do not send in more than the maximum, they will catch you and you will waste time and money.
What you do is get #10 envelopes (standard business size). Get yourself some 3x5 index cards (does not matter if they are lined). Put your name and address and if Upper Deck, perhaps any other info requested. Place it in the envelope with proper postage. No return postage or envelope needed or even wanted. If mailing to fleer, send as many as you feel like as often as you feel like it. If going to Upper Deck, I'd adise not to send two days in a row for the same product. The reason is they limit you to one postmarked envelope per day. If you put it in the mail one night and another the next day they could have the same postmark and Upper deck could disallow any and all entries (even future ones for that product). Playoff and Topps have stict limits and they do keep track of them even over time.

Can I send in more than one if I use different names? The rules state per person/address. Simply changing the name will disqualify you. Some ask can you send to your neighbor, your work, your school, your brother, mother , sister? I suppose you could, but is it compleley ethical? I will not judge, and yes you could do it, but no it is not ethical since it does say per person. But that is up to you. If they ever would find out somehow they could stop allowing your entries and most companies do limit the numbers of cards available for NPN, so if you cheat a little and jam the post office with requests for different addresses, you might be taking cards away from some who plays by the rules. Again, I am not judging anyone we all have to do what we personally believe is right.

How long to get cards? It depends. Fleer clearly lists dates. Playoff does too but Fleer gets the cards out within days of closing, Donruss takes longer and Upper Deck is too hard to judge. If you just want to see if it works, I'd suggest you send in a couple to Fleer on one closing in the next week to ten days, then give it a couple of weeks and see if you get anything. Sometimes you do sometimes you don't.

Hope this answers all your questions.

[klofton7]

Bo Jackson 2004 Donruss Timelimes Baseball Boys of Summer Jersey (white) BV $15

I love this card. I have had a success every time I have sent a NPN to Donruss.

[Snowmanlikeme]

Hey BSTEE thanks for all of the info. I still have some questions though...sorry. It says on my pack "Drawings on or about August 25, 2004" Does that mean if I send it in I wont find out til then. Also it says "Only one card per envelope, mailed seperately, postmarked by August 11, 2004 and received by August 18,2004." Does that mean that I have to send in a card...I thought they were sending it to me. Last question is if I buy 2 packs do I get two entries. Please help me out and thanks for all of this priceless information!

[bstee]

Snowman: Yes, you will have to wait. Sometimes Fleer sends some out a bit early, but as a rule the draw date is the date and there should be no way you would receive anything prior to that.

By "card" they refer to the index card that you put your information on, you send them nothing else, just the index card (standard 3x5).

You don't need to buy ANY packs, that is where the name "no purchase" comes from. You could go in to a store with a piece of paper and write down the information and never buy a pack. You could look in the trash can at a shop and grab some wrappers with the info (sometimes they only put in on the boxes though), or better yet, you could use the NPN page on this website and get all the info. But sometimes that information is dated and there are lots of NPNs that are not shown. Maybe the best way is to go to a store and just buy one of anything you're interested in. Then use that info to send away.

I know the old saying, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Trust me on this one...do not make it any more complicated than it is...just fill out an index card, put it in a stamped #10 envelope and mail. Before you know it, they will start coming in.

As far as the lag time (waiting for August) just make it a habit. Send in say 3 a week. That will cost you about a buck. Mix up what you are requesting. When they start coming in you don't really have to wait any longer. What I mean is go ahead and send in for an August drawing...and September. Next month send in for September and October...in August send in for October and November. That way once August gets here you will have free cards. The same will go for September, October, ECT...

[Snowmanlikeme]

Hey thanks for the infor again. Sorry I know this is getting repetitive but you said send it in 3 times a week. Does that mean that with this information on my Bowman 2004 pack I can send it in multiple times a week. I thought it was a one time deal per set!

[bstee]

It depends on the item. Currently Fleer is unlimited. Bowman is a Topps item. One entry only. Just follow the rules - exactly.