Interesting Redemption from Topps (scans included)

[exigussrex]

Back in September 2013 I purchased a redemption card from the Topps product Tier One. Here's what I got:

I promptly put in the code and waited...waited...until now. Finally! Something comes in the mail and here's what I find:

I was expecting a reprint of Nomar's rookie card ('92 Topps Traded) since the original redemption card clearly says "Clear Reprint ROOKIE Auto". That was the main selling point for me was that I was going to get another variation of his rookie card. That's what I should have received, right? I don't have a lot of experience with Topps redemptions, but I'm pretty sure I got screwed.

The thing I find most ridiculous is the card they chose to reprint - 2005 Topps? He's on the Cubs and it's clearly not his rookie card...very strange. I'm thinking of calling Topps, but I think my efforts may be futile at this point.

 

[exigussrex]

Also, in the minor research I've done I have found that all of the other "clear rookie reprint rookie autos" from this product are in fact ROOKIE cards. I have yet to find an exception, but if someone finds another player with a non-rookie I'd love to see it.

 

[hive17]

Until others hit the market, I guess Topps is either incompetent, or knows nothing about baseball. Or both...

 

[Gwynn545]

Did you enter your daytime phone number correctly? If that was wrong, that's probably why they gave you that crappy version Nomar. I suggest you have someone edit your redemptions before redeeming...

 

[gradedeflator]

wow that sucks. they whole point of the subset is ROOKIE reprint. way to go Topps!

 

[Lars]

My best guess is Topps can't use Nomar's image if it's the 1992 Topps Traded they were going to use since he is wearing a Team USA uniform and Panini has the USA copyrights.

 

[PadresFan86]

Topps fails at so many things...

 

[jbhofmann]

They've used non Rookie cards in this subset before.

1952 Mays comes to mind.

 

[Mighty Bombjack]

My best guess is Topps can't use Nomar's image if it's the 1992 Topps Traded they were going to use since he is wearing a Team USA uniform and Panini has the USA copyrights.

This is it, though I don't know why they wouldn't then use his earliest Topps card from the Red Sox.

 

[Mighty Bombjack]

They've used non Rookie cards in this subset before.

1952 Mays comes to mind.

They wanna use a Topps card, even if they now own the Bowman brand.

 

[A_Pharis]

Huge fail.

 

[metallicalex777]

Looks like there are quite a few of the 2013 ones that aren't rookie cards, or at least "true" rookie cards:

I'm glad I pulled mine the year before

 

[SINFULONE]

The '90 Topps Ryan is another that is not a rookie image either.I would be pissed the Garciaparra isn't a earlier image too.At least go with a Red Sox photo.Also, I noticed this year's set of these Topps did not white the bottom of the card so the autograph stands like like they did the year before.

 

[Mighty Bombjack]

I see, it seems that the issue was with the redemption card. Looks like Topps did RC reprints for 2012 Tier One, but later reprints for 2013. They just used the same template for the redmemption cards and forgot to remove the word "rookie."

 

[AmishDave]

Put the pic of the card on Tweeeeeeeter and see if Topps gives you a slightly logical answer on there.

Sucks they don't even show him in his Sox uni.

 

[predatorkj]

Looks like there are quite a few of the 2013 ones that aren't rookie cards, or at least "true" rookie cards:

I'm glad I pulled mine the year before

That Aaron's not a rookie year remake?

 

[exigussrex]

My best guess is Topps can't use Nomar's image if it's the 1992 Topps Traded they were going to use since he is wearing a Team USA uniform and Panini has the USA copyrights.

That's what I was suspecting as well. The obvious question is why did they choose 2005 Topps??? I'm not really a Sox fan, but I only collect cards with Nomar in a Red Sox uniform. I believe other Nomar collectors feel the same way because the demand for his non-Red Sox cards is pretty low and rare cards can be had for a low price if he's with a different team. Topps could have definitely chosen a more iconic card from previous years...I guess I shouldn't assume that Topps knows anything about their customers, the hobby, etc. PATHETIC!

 

[3.50]

redemption cards in baseball = "death card" in tarot... no matter what the previous cards were, its a punch in the nuts, bringing back the memories of the time you had expectations and got screwed by a dingdong on the phone.

oh, and thanks topps :wink:

 

[SINFULONE]

That's what I was suspecting as well. The obvious question is why did they choose 2005 Topps??? I'm not really a Sox fan, but I only collect cards with Nomar in a Red Sox uniform. I believe other Nomar collectors feel the same way because the demand for his non-Red Sox cards is pretty low and rare cards can be had for a low price if he's with a different team. Topps could have definitely chosen a more iconic card from previous years...I guess I shouldn't assume that Topps knows anything about their customers, the hobby, etc. PATHETIC!

Are you going to keep it?

 

[SteelBrad]

Bummer, I have a few Topps Redemptions pending but I'll never buy one in hopes of getting a certain card. Just too many horror stories.