Let's See How Topps Did, Shall We? Contest? Sure, Why Not.



    Before I start this post let me remind everybody that I am not a Topps hater, complainer, purist, and am usually very happy with the customer service I have had in several issues I have contacted Topps about. Let it also be known that I don't usually do posts like this but I figured I could have a little fun with it.

 

   Hello all. Let's all play a little game today called "How Did Topps Do?". I received the replacement for my back ordered Diamond Give Away card from back I don't know how long ago. First let me give you a little back story. I called Topps a couple of weeks ago in reference to a missing hit from my 2012 jumbo football box. The rep was very helpful and gave me all the correct instructions for getting said missing hit. I then inquired about a missing hit from a box of 2008 Ginter I bought on a whim 2 or 3 months ago at my LCS. They very nicely told me that there was nothing they could do. Not too cool in my book, a substitution couldn't be too hard to find but they said no dice. OK, I wasn't really too surprised at that but a little disappointed. Finally I inquired about the back ordered card from my give away haul. The rep explained that Topps was trying to find the cards (that they promised mind you) on the secondary market and would continue to do so until September. If they could not find the card that was requested they would send a replacement from the year prior to the missing card along with an additional card to make up for it. I figured OK, I really wanted the card I picked but if they came up short I would get an older card plus one, not great but not terrible either. First let me show you the missing card I wanted.

 

 

 

1970 Topps ERA Leaders

 Dick Bosman, Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar

 

    Pretty cool card. Let's see why I wanted this card.

• Jim Palmer collection ~ The main reason I wanted it.
• 1970 Topps ~ Not too many of these in my binders.
• Washington Senators player ~ A team no longer around in that form, cool factor goes up a notch.
• Old Yankee Stadium in background ~ Way cool to see the old (pre 70's renovation) stadium.

   OK, now let's see how Topps did. I receive a bubble mailer today from them and figured maybe my missing football hit was early, that would be great, or maybe the Ryan Braun redemption from back in mid May was finally here. After I ripped it open I was a little surprised to find this letter. Right click and open in separate window to blow it up. Go ahead, we'll wait while you read it.

 

 

 

OK now your back, cool. Let's examine the letter a bit.

 

• "Dear Valued Customer" ~ Nice, they like me, they really, really like me!
• "Thank you for participating" ~ You're quite welcome, I enjoyed the Diamond Give Away.
• "We have worked diligently to satisfy your order" ~Really? Giving away cards not in your possession was diligent?
• "We have not been able to fulfill your Individual request" ~ Hmmm, the several I found listed on E-Bay for 69 cents were too much? How about the one on COMC for 40 cents? Oh, it has flaws, you would never send a card with flaws.
• "One of which is from the same year as the card you unlocked" ~ Maybe you should inform your reps of that since they are clearly misinformed.
• "As we believe these to be great cards" ~ We will see about that but you are the professionals so you should know.
• "We hope you enjoy these cards" ~ I will do my best.

 

 I've rambled enough, let's see what they sent me now.

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1971 Topps Joe Keough (Flaws)

1987 Tops Jim Rice All Star (Great Condition)

 

Let's play the game now. How did Topps do?

 

• OOPS! Year before, same year, year after, I guess they were real diligent when they picked that card.
•  Flaws ~ well you can judge for yourself.
•  Bonus card ~ Player is Great, set was over produced, card is in great shape.

They believe these are "great cards" ~ Boy I hope they are blowing smoke up our ass because if they really believe that we are all in trouble as collectors.

 

Maybe Joe was a great player I didn't know about, let's see a few stats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Keough
Outfielder
Born: (1946-01-07) January 7, 1946 (age 66) Pomona, California
Batted: Left	Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 7, 1968 for the Oakland Athletics
Last MLB appearance
July 26, 1973 for the Chicago White Sox
Career statistics
Batting average	.246
Home runs	9
Runs batted in	81
Hits	212
Runs	95
Teams
Oakland Athletics (1968) Kansas City Royals (1969–72) Chicago White Sox (1973)

 

  No disrespect Mr. Keough but an average career at best in the grand scheme of things.

Now you get to participate, leave a comment with your thoughts and grade and I have also added a pole to the right sidebar at the top so please vote. I will random up the comments  or something and give away some kind of prize so spread the word. I will update with the prizes as I find them.

 

UPDATE: Prize cards HERE, and HERE. More to come.

 

 

Don't forget to check out my new trade idea HERE also.