Topps addresses Tribute autograph issues
By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor
Collectors who are unhappy with scratched or bubbled autographs found in packs of 2015 Topps Tribute baseball cards when it arrived in hobby shops on Wednesday may have a solution to their newly purchased problem.
The company issued the following statement on Friday addressing the product and its plans for making good on the damaged cards that were issued.
Dear Valued Topps Collectors and Customers,
Topps has been investigating complaints regarding the quality of the autographed cards in the just-released 2015 Topps Tribute Baseball and has confirmed that many autographed cards are damaged due to a UV contamination on the card.
As a result of our investigation and to rectify the situation, Topps is initiating a complete recall of the product.
Those in possession of unopened boxes should return them no later than Friday, March 27, 2015 to the authorized distributor or store from which the box was purchased for a full refund.
In addition, between now and June 30, 2015, anyone in possession of a damaged autographed card (not in pack) can exchange the card by contacting Topps Customer Service. Exchanges will be made for another card of equal or greater value, plus a bonus autographed or relic card (valued at the company’s discretion).
Topps appreciates your understanding in this matter. We stand firmly behind all our products and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Autographs have been found in the product with scratches likely from when they were placed into packs. The hit-based product costs around $50 per pack for one autograph or Relic inside.
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball and Beckett Sports Card Monthly magazines. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisolds2009.
Oh crap, there’s a UV contamination? Should we contact the government? Am I at risk for skin cancer?
Whenever one of the card companies say the words “equal value” it depresses me.
Often a card has a theoretical market value, but real world value is not always reflected.
Additionally, if you happen to be a player/team/prospect collector getting something that
does not fit ones collection is nothing but a disappointment.
The only way to truly make things “right” would be to actually re-manufacture the exact same cards
and destroy the defective ones. Alternately, they could provide people with choices rather than a
simple “here”, be happy.
AMEN!!!!!! I can’t believe someone else out there actually gets it, Richard you hit the nose right on the head. Thank you for your spot on comment
bring on the duke snider and garrt carter stickers
Can’t help but wonder if the recalled boxes would be worth more due to possible rarity.
When I saw 2015 Topps Tribute cards listed on eBay, I pointed out to my son several autographs that looked “thin” and “weak”…now I read about it here. Topps completely blew this product. Topps Tribute used to be in my Top 5 of all releases during the year. When I saw people listing orange and purple jersey cards on eBay, my heart stopped. I actually wanted to buy the /150 cards because they were black and white. The autograph cards were awful too.
It’s amazing that Topps is the card company that signed the contract and bought the rights to use all the MLB team symbols and names. Meanwhile, in late 2014, Panini puts together a MASTERPIECE of a set with the the Panini National Treasures. Even without the actual team logos, they came out with the classiest card yet. Also from Panini, the Immaculate Collection cards were very impressive.
I think it’s time for MLB to see if they can renegotiate their deals with Topps before people stop buying officially licensed cards and go to the other brands!
Rob
Why are sportscards 1 of the only industries that can sell a defective product & have a ho hum or take it or leave it attitude?
If I go to a store, buy a toaster & its handle is broken I return the defective item to the store! With cards its expected to PAY to mail the defective item to them ( & insure & track it to prove it). Then HOPE you get a replacement or something that equates to the value of what you sent them. Then if you dont like the replacement that THEY DECIDE for the most part they tell you to go flay a kite!
I have stopped opening new product after topps treated me like crap for expecting proper replacements for their DEFECTIVE Cards! topps lost a 35 year customer over that & acted like they could care less.
It will be interesting to see what they do with all the relics that are in the recalled product.
I didn’t like the 2015 set design much and had been thinking for the past couple of years that Topps should give the line a break, which is what they will probably have to/should do at least through next year. As a fairly avid Tribute collector up to 2012, it could help the value of past Tribute sets which in my experience has been declining some because of the saturation of Tribute cards on the market.
To someone’s comment earlier, I thought the same thing, 2015 non-autos cards that are out there might be worth hanging onto due to scarcity.