By Susan Lulgjuraj | Contributing Editor

When Topps announced it was canceling its eTopps program last week, the brief statement left more questions than answers for collectors.

And judging by the reaction from collectors, it was a disappointing end — even if the value of most cards dwindled over the years.

Knowing that collectors still had many questions, Topps released a Q&A on its website Thursday in hopes to shed some light as to why the program was canceled and some of its future digital plans.

Why did you decide stop offering new eTopps cards?

This was not an easy decision. This business has been a part of Topps for over 10 years, and we have many loyal customers whose business we greatly appreciate. The reality is, over the past 10 years the site has become dated, and unfortunately, the business model has become unsustainable. Also, finding a vendor with the technological capabilities to print eTopps cards has become more and more difficult, and at the end of the day the business was not making money.

Do I have to take shipment of my cards?

Absolutely not. If you wish to take cards in-hand we will continue to offer shipment, while if you wish to keep cards in your portfolio, or “in port,” we do not currently plan to force them out and your credit card will not be charged for shipping and handling.

So you’re not going to automatically charge my credit card?

No, we are not going to charge your card for shipping and processing charges unless you specifically request delivery of your cards.

How long will my cards continue to stay in port?

As of today we will continue to hold cards in ports and offer shipping and processing services to those who wish to receive cards in-hand. We expect to continue this service in 2012. If we make any changes, all collectors will receive ample notice.

Why did you implement such a steep price increase on the cost to ship cards?

For approximately five years, we have not increased the shipping and handling charges while the actual costs of shipping, picking, packing, and packaging have risen significantly. To date, we have absorbed this cost, but it is no longer possible for us to do so.

If I have a lot of cards in my port, is there any discount available in shipping and processing cost?

We do understand that for some customers, the cost of shipping all or most of your cards would be significant at the current shipping and processing rates. For those that have a significant amount of cards in portfolio, we encourage you to contact our customer service team who will do best to work with you to get your cards in-hand as simply as possible.

I have many points, what can I do with them?

We do expect to continue our catalog. In fact, we are looking to enhance and improve the catalog offerings in the future, and look forward to providing a greater variety of options for our community to redeem points.

Will you offer a baseball game in 2012?

We will offer a fantasy baseball game in 2012, in an effort to reward those that have accumulated cards over the past years. We expect at least a 10-week fantasy game and our present plan is to allow 2008-2011 cards to be used.

Will you replace or build off of eTopps, or have a new eTopps like offering soon?

We are exploring many new digital platforms for the future. Some are similar to eTopps, some are unique and different. We don’t expect that any of our future products will directly build off of eTopps, but we are hopeful that these new digital offerings will appeal to our current eTopps community, and we sincerely hope you stay tuned for updates.

Can we continue to trade cards and sell cards via eBay?

We will continue to offer trading and selling of cards via eBay, and the eBay trading floor will not be affected at this time.

Susan Lulgjuraj is a contributing editor for Beckett Media. You can email Susan here. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Contributing Editor

After a decade in existence, the eTopps program will be ending.

Collectors will still have access to their cards and will be able to continue to trade and sell, but Topps announced in a letter on the eTopps website it will no longer offer new cards — and that’s in any sport.

There has been recent unrest over eTopps with the rise in shipping prices. Now comes the cancellation of the program.

In a letter, the company wrote:

“Dear eTopps Community,

Thank you for participating in this year’s NFL football release as well as your continued enthusiasm for eTopps card offerings over the past ten years. Moving forward, we no longer plan to offer new cards each week. For now, we will continue to offer weekly catalogs and a baseball fantasy game, and we will maintain trading, selling and shipping services for eTopps cards.

The shipping and handling rate increases announced on December 20, 2011 are now in effect. Additionally, at this time, eTopps rewards points will no longer be redeemable for shipping and handling charges.

We look forward to sharing new digital developments with you in the future, and thank you for your support of eTopps.

Sincerely,
The Topps Company”

Topps confirmed via Twitter on Wednesday that it applies across the board and that “as of now we do not plan on offering any new cards.”

There has already been disappointment over the eTopps service because of the rise in shipping prices. To get one card delivered via UPS, it would cost $12.75, then $1.75 for each additional card. Overnight charges start at $24.75. The cheapest option is through the US Postal Service, which would be $6.75 for the first card and $1.60 each additional card — with a maximum of three cards per order.

Since 2006, the number of weekly offerings by eTopps declined over the years. Baseball went as high as more than 130 cards in 2006. In 2011, just 45.

More than 1,000 baseball cards have been issued under the program. Closed to 900 football cards have been issued with the high-water mark coming in 2001 with 147. In 2011, just 37 football cards were offered. Basketball has had close to 500 cards, but ended in 2008, and hockey lasted just three years (2001-03).

Susan Lulgjuraj is a contributing editor for Beckett Media. You can email Susan here. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Contributing Editor

Love him or hate him, NFL fans cannot stop talking about Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.

However, the undeniable fact is that with him as the starting QB, the Broncos are 7-1. Can Tebow take all the credit? Absolutely not. Luck, bad plays by the opposition and some great kicking are some of the reasons the Broncos are where they are now.

But that doesn’t mean collectors aren’t going to ride the Tebow wave as long as they can.

That includes card companies. Tebow and New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz are this week’s offerings on the eTopps website.

There are 999 Tebow cards made and are currently going for $6 each. There are 499 of the Cruz cards, but for only $5.

The cards will be offered until Dec. 19.

Putting in an order doesn’t guarantee the cards. At the end of the week, the cards are allocated to different collectors based on availability. The cards are then placed in a portfolio where the prices can be tracked.

Cards in your portfolio can be traded, sold or delivered.

Thirty-three cards have already been offered in this year’s eTopps, which includes Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Cam Newton.

Check out more eTopps cards here.

Susan Lulgjuraj is a contributing editor for Beckett Media. You can email Susan here. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor

He may be slumping, but it probably won’t hurt this one.

The first eTopps Minor League card of the most-watched Class AA player on the planet, Washington Nationals prospect Bryce Harper, was launched as an initial public offering today as part of the online portfolio trading card program.

A maximum of 1,499 copies of the 18-year-old Harrisburg Senators outfielder’s card will be made with each costing $8. Those who put in buys for the card will not know how many they received until the cards are allocated at a later date.

Harper is hitting .208 with zero home runs and just two RBI and 11 strikeouts in 16 games since he was promoted to AA.

This week’s other card is of St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Shelby Miller. A max of only 749 copies of that card will be made, each costing $3.50 apiece.

For more on the program, visit www.etopps.com.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Contributing Editor

Minor League baseball players are back on eTopps cards this week. Topps kicks off the series off with two of the most talked about prospects in the game.

The week’s allocation include Los Angeles Angels farmhand Mike Trout and Minnesota Twins infield prospect Miguel Sano.

Trout’s cards are limited to 799 copies are are $5.50 each. Sano’s cards are limited to 740 and run $3.50.

Trout, a center fielder, was named the top prospect by MLB.com and ESPN’s Keith Law. He was second in Baseball America’s Top 100.

Sano is ranked 60th in Baseball America’s Top 100.

For those unfamiliar with eTopps, just ordering a card doesn’t guarantee you will get it. There is a one-week ordering window for cards offered that week. You place an order – as close to 1 p.m. on Monday when the cards are released – and wait until the next week to see what you will receive. It all depends on how many people order cards that week.