The Big Kahuna vs Topps via the Better Business Bureau....PART 2

Well....Topps seems to have to move pretty fast on this issue. Five days after receiving a reply back from the BBB and Topps with their answer to the BBB I had received a package on my Birthday (July 26- how convenient) from the Topps company in good ol Duryea, PA.

Let us call this Exhibit A:

We've all received these "thoughtful and heartfelt" replacement letters when Topps fails to acquire the signatures of the athletes they are to have in a product. When I read over mine it was as if a "tear" had formed in the corner of my eye. Why? because I knew Topps was going to fail me and wanted me to know that the signature they were sending to me was the BASTARD CHILD from the result of Topps sleeping in a bed of greed with BECKETT. I love it when they say in the letter at how they are "trying to obtain the exact card on the redemption". Gee...It makes me want to get a kitten a warm bowel of milk over those warm felt words. Then my favorite, "Due to circumstances beyond our control".....in other words, "OOPS.....we shipped the product before the athlete signed....how sad for you. Here is a kitten with a bowel of warm milk to comfort you. No worries as he will sign soon". So if Toyota advertises a truck with V8 but gives you the same truck with a V6 and charges you the same price as the V8 that is justified in their words? AYE!

Let us call this Exhibit B:

a 2012 Bowman Devon Still autograph is what I received from Topps Customer Service. So they replaced my first round pick from a premium card stock with a second round pick with cheaper card stock. Sounds like they hired the guy from the Trojan company who made sure the second-hand irregular condoms were sold at a premium price for all Ollie's Bargin outlets. I do feel lucky though because some poor hobby lover had it worse than I did. Just look on some of the comments in BLOWOUT CARDS forums as to what they had for replacements.

This is what I had originally:

 

 So was I screwed out of my original card.....again by Topps. My question is should I send it back for something better? My other thoughts are why did they not replace it with something else from Strata? Mark Barron signed other cards-Could they not have replaced it with another Mark Barron autograph? The guy they did send me was from PSU and did they send that to me because I live near PSU ( I despise PSU- GO IRISH!)? Sorry but I can't help but feel like I got a little bit ripped off on this one. The Tribe is far from spoken on this one!

George "Boomer" Scott (March 23, 1944 - July 28, 2013)

 

George "Boomer" Scott (March 23, 1944-July 28, 2013)

George was a 3x All-Star and 8 Gold Gloves first baseman who spent most of his 14-year career with the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. George had also played for the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees. He was known to have worn his batting helmet at first base and playing ball with a big sense of humor. May you find peace in the arms of the Angels George.

 

Frank Castillo (April 1, 1969 – July 28, 2013)

 

Frank Castillo (April 1, 1969 - July 28, 2013)

Frank compiled a 82-104 record in 13 major league seasons. Frank had pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado, Detroit, Toronto, Boston and Florida from 1991 to 2005.

May you find peace in the arms of the Angels Frank.

The Big Kahuna vs Topps via the Better Business Bureau.....FOR WHAT ITS WORTH.

Well after waiting a while and not getting any replies from any Topps Customer Service other than from one person at Topps regarding my pending redemptions (2) who understood my frustrations but could not do anything at all, I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I filed on July 2 and the BBB sent a letter on July 8th to Topps and this was the reply I got back today from Topps:

Dear Tim Hertzog :

This is in reference to your complaint against The Topps Company Inc..  Your complaint was assigned ID #9608718.

The business has sent the BBB a response regarding this complaint, which is below or attached.  Please respond to this message electronically or by written correspondence within 6 days. 

If we do not hear back from you within that time, we will assume the case is resolved.

Your statement of your complaint [and your final response to any replies from the business] may be made public in the BBB Business Review for this business on www.newyork.bbb.org.  Please be careful to make statements that are correct and not likely to create liability for you when they are published.

Sincerely,

Brandon Cardinale
Mediator
Phone: (212) 358-8022

THE TEXT OF YOUR COMPLAINT WILL BE PUBLICLY POSTED ON THE BBB WEB SITE (BBB reserves the right to not post in accordance with BBB policy). PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY UNNECESSARY PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION (such as social security numbers, birth dates, etc.)  IN DESCRIBING THE NATURE OF YOUR COMPLAINT. BY SUBMITTING YOUR COMPLAINT, YOU ARE REPRESENTING THAT IT IS A TRUTHFUL ACCOUNT OF YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE BUSINESS. BBB MAY EDIT YOUR COMPLAINT TO PROTECT PRIVACY RIGHTS AND TO REMOVE INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE.

MESSAGE FROM BUSINESS:

Hi Tim, 

We're sorry to hear you've waited such a long time for this card. Unfortunately, Mark Barron has not signed these cards yet. When a card is meant to be put into production, we only insert redemption cards when we have a deal with the athlete in question, and the athlete's agent. Unfortunately, this does not always guarantee as timely signing session, as professional athletes travel frequently, as well as have varying degrees of willingness to sign cards for us. 

We only keep a very small percentage of what we print, which is why, if we replace this card for you ,we cannot guarantee any specific player. We can only promise that it will be a football athlete that has the same Beckett Book (memorabilia pricing) value.

Please let us know if you would like a suitable replacement, or if you would like hold off until hopefully Mr.Barron signs these cards.

Thank you.

From what I can recall Topps has these athletes sign a contract. Does not Topps put a payment clause  and signatures requested by a certain date in the contract if the athlete does not sign his "stickers" and thus the contract becomes voided when the athlete fails to do his part? Are they paying them before they get the signatures from the athletes? And why is BECKETT still in the same bed with Topps (Beckett book value)? Unfortunately that is one relationship that will never decease. 

 

Also I'm sorry but there is no way in hell that Topps sends out quality same Beckett book value cards in exchange. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF LOYAL COLLECTORS THAT CAN TESTIFY TO WHAT TOPPS HAS GIVEN THEM IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR HIGH VALUE CARDS AND IT'S HIGHWAY ROBBERY what some collectors have received! Something has to be done. Someone has to see that this is a headache for everyone involved.

Speak out folks! How were you effected by the redemptions?

The Tribe has spoken!

Craigslist: MORE HeRo Of ThE LaMe PART DEUX

Here's another fine addition of Craigslist Hero: Jeff Gordon Edition

What we have here folks is a fine collection that is in pristine condition. These cards are as clean as my Dale Earnhardt Nascar plate collection. PLEASE!!! I love how he says " The collection is valued at over $7,000 using Beckett Trading Services through their annual price guide." NOW DISCUSS!


wf9cz-3823558672@sale.craigslist.org ^[?]

flag ^[?] : miscategorized prohibited spam best of

Posted: 2013-05-23, 8:15AM EDT

Jeff Gordon NASCAR Trading Cards - $500 (Kylertown)

For sale is my entire collection of Jeff Gordon NASCAR trading cards. I collected from the early 90s thru 2000 and have compiled nearly 1,500 of Jeff's cards. Most are in 9-pocket sleeves in binders as shown in the pics. All cards in MNT - NRMT condition. The collection is valued at over $7,000 using Beckett Trading Services through their annual price guide. This collection has not been formally or officially appraised by Beckett or anyone else.

If you buy the collection I will also include other Jeff Gordon items: posters, mugs, etc.

Buy this collection at my stated asking price and I will include my complete die-cast collection for an additional $100 (valued at over $900)!!!

More pics available upon request. If you can see this ad the collection is still available. I am willing to negotiate the purchase price but be realistic in your offer, please.

Email or text (8won4) five nine 4.Two81three. I will not ship so you will have to come and get it.

Thanks!

• Location: Kylertown
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Craigslist: HeRo Of ThE LaMe

Here's an interesting ad on Craigslist for Allen Iverson. Not quite sure how he came up with the price that he's asking for but he just threw the ball off the court and caused a SERIOUS traveling violation on that price. You can find authentic Iverson auto's on FEEBAY for much cheaper. NOW DISCUSS!

jx9pp-3896459758@sale.craigslist.org ^[?]

flag ^[?] : miscategorized prohibited spam best of

Posted: 2013-06-26, 1:07PM EDT

Allen Iverson Autograph! - $250

Have a Allen iverson signed Philadelphia 76er's "yearbook" you buy at the games saw them in 2001.. I have a certificate of authenticity with it.. it has been kept in a plastic sleeve since I got it.. perfect condition!


SERIOUS INQUIRES ONLY ..... CASH ONLY NO CHECKS OR WHATEVER ELSE!

• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Posting ID: 3896459758

Posted: 2013-06-26, 1:07PM EDT

email to a friend

Avoid scams, deal locally! Do NOT wire funds (Western Union, Moneygram).
Beware cashier checks, money orders, shipping, non-local buyers/sellers. More info

TOPPS redemption department......apparently has been fired!

Well......in a another "bright" move by Topps and their lovely redemption department they are now making "staff changes" and the redemption replacements process will be delayed for at least a month. I found this out today when I called about my pending Topps Strata Mark Barron autograph redemption that has been forever in the making. I could not get any replies on twitter and I did not hear anything from my email ticket. Here's a funny note from outlook about Topps support about the email ticket:

Be careful! This sender failed our fraud detection checks.

Anyhow, I decided to place a call into the Topps CS dept. and spin the wheel of "what line will you be fed today." After 5 minutes of waiting and hearing David Wright blah blah blah I suddenly was talking with a live person....yeah! I will admit the lady was very kind with me on the phone today and after explaining my issue to her she even said that she can completely understand my frustration with the redemptions. She also politely explained to me that their redemption department is undergoing significant necessary staff changes at this time and that it may be about a month till they resume starting it back up. She told me that I could call back then and see about a replacement if they did not get any more of Marks autographed stickers returned. My thought first thought was, "wow......honesty." My second thought was, "DAMN STICKER AUTOS." She also mentioned that they are still shipping things once it reaches 10,000 as well. Just great. BARF......so much better. Oh well....at least I got some honesty instead a BS line of spew.