Topps response to heritage questions
joestalin
Posts: 12,473 ✭✭
I got an email back from Clay, who is the spokesperson for topps, He had answers to all of my concerns, of course he didn't mention
that is was unfair to change the product so much from the sales sheets but here is what he said:
Kevin,
Glad you asked. We actually manufactured some very cool 1956-style pennants for the box-toppers. After they were produced,
MLB at the very last second told us the pennants had to be manufactured by the officially-licensed pennant company.
Which surprised us, because they had already approved the idea. At that point and time, it was too late to replace the pennant with anything.
Yes, the autograph odds have jumped, but that's only because the orders for the product were much stronger than expected.
When we did not have anymore Real One autographs to dip into, we had no choice but to include more Team Topps autographs.
Hope this help clarifies some stuff.
As always, thanks for your support.
Clay
that is was unfair to change the product so much from the sales sheets but here is what he said:
Kevin,
Glad you asked. We actually manufactured some very cool 1956-style pennants for the box-toppers. After they were produced,
MLB at the very last second told us the pennants had to be manufactured by the officially-licensed pennant company.
Which surprised us, because they had already approved the idea. At that point and time, it was too late to replace the pennant with anything.
Yes, the autograph odds have jumped, but that's only because the orders for the product were much stronger than expected.
When we did not have anymore Real One autographs to dip into, we had no choice but to include more Team Topps autographs.
Hope this help clarifies some stuff.
As always, thanks for your support.
Clay
0
Comments
All that guy did was pass the blame elsewhere. Many people bought into the product based on what they had claimed. to change the game after they had peoples money is shameful.
Steve
PS Thanks for the update Kevin
We actually manufactured some very cool 1956-style pennants for the box-toppers.
But you can't have any. wtf?
I am not at all surprised by this and their response that it was out of their hands.
Sorry to all that were misled by them.
loth
loth
<< <i>Correct me if I am wrong but they could have told MLB ok, then insert a redemption card in their place.
All that guy did was pass the blame elsewhere. Many people bought into the product based on what they had claimed. to change the game after they had peoples money is shameful.
Steve
PS Thanks for the update Kevin
We actually manufactured some very cool 1956-style pennants for the box-toppers.
But you can't have any. wtf? >>
That still really wouldn't matter about complaints, because people still would be mad that the pennant itself wasn't in the box and would be complaining. Redemptions suck!
your friend
Mike
It was on the press release and many people bought the product with those in mind. If they had issued a statement shortly before the release correcting the mistake it would be one thing, but they knowingly shipped the product without some of the promised items. That is false advertising.
Product contents are subject to change.
They have covered their butts well, and while there isnt' anything we can do legally, there is something that many of us can do
in the next coming weeks and this time next year.
I know there are a lot of first time heritage buyers here and this isn't fair to them. We have had fun with this product in the past, even
though last year had some problems too! I really didn't intend to scare anyone off, but now that I think about it I think everyone here
should know the facts and decide for themselves.
We can tell you in the past quality has been shaky and this year it looks fixed. We can tell you that real one autographs were much
easier in the past to pull, but if you don't mind busting 70 dollar boxes for base cards then who cares right?
I can also tell you that this isn't the first time that topps has done this. They decieved the customer in two past products too: Bowman
Chrome Draft and Topps Tribute HOF.
I for one will not be spending as much on this product as originally anticipated. Chris gave us all great deals on the hobby boxes....even
lower than a retail box would of cost, but don't expect this to be the norm. I really think that hobby boxes are just not worth it now, which
in turn kills the guys who work hardest for topps...dealers!
We can make our own opinions, I just want to make sure that we all have the facts.
Thanks!
Kevin
If they don't do what MLB tells them to do (after intially getting approval) and they are in a heap of trouble with the league...it obviously was a last-second change...and does anyone think FOR A SECOND that companies don't up and do things INTENTIONALLy to upset their customers?
Good god people I think we all need to calm down and relax...pulling cards are based on estimates, not guarantees.
<< <i>I am still looking forward to opening my boxes, I just think Topps should have done something as soon as they found out the problem. >>
Did you not read the reply Joe received? It was a "last minute" deal pulling the pennants. They could have delayed the product, but then all of you would be on here complaining about that. I guess the best thing is for people to quit preordering items and pay the extra when they hit the market to be sure they have what they want in the box.
If Topps management was a baseball team, they would be the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They erred on many fronts with the publication of the 2005 Topps Heritage set.
I can't imagine that they missed the Jason Bay variation.
While this Topps Heritage edition might be the best to date, it has been mismanaged by the business side.
No felt pennants it had promised in the sell sheets because of a snafu with major league baseball. That could have been easily avoided. It's incompetent decision of how many autograph cards to produce in relation to the number of cards it would print. No excuse.
Somebody in charge should take a deep examination of its staff. They are killing what certainly is a golden goose of its card lines.
I intend to write a firm letter to Topps, include copies of the proof of purchases on my cases, demanding some sort of compensation for the lack of felt pennants has promised in the sell sheets.
I don't want to blame the bosses of Topps for all these blunders. They have just delegated responsibilities to middle managers who are lazy and did not do their job.
Can you imagine sending out a short print list and not including all the short prints. In my business, an error of that magnitude, would mean a demotion or, at least, being called all the carpet.
<< <i> No felt pennants it had promised in the sell sheets because of a snafu with major league baseball. That could have been easily avoided. It's incompetent decision of how many autograph cards to produce in relation to the number of cards it would print. No excuse.
>>
In his letter, he clearly stated that MLB gave the approval to include them, then revoked that same approval at the last minute. If you want to 'call someone on the carpet' as you eloquently state, then call MLB on this...if you ever worked with huge companies, and had to deal with the inane decisions that contradict themselves, then you would understand. It's clear you do not.
I think people need to calm down about the money making side of this set...it's obvious who was trying to make money with these cards and who was purchasing them for the love of the set.
case and no autograph, thats about the norm today right?? 8 boxes of bowman chrome with no autogaph is no biggy right? 4 boxes of
greats of the game and no auto is ok right?
This is unacceptable, and thats coming from someone who has spent thousands on heritage not to mention other topps products. If my opinion
doesn't count then whose does?
Lets stop using the word "fun" as an excuse for the card companies not coming through on the product shall we? Last time I checked 60 bucks
is still alot of money. Topps screwed us and everyone here knows it. They have put box toppers into products before, they know what has
to be done to get these out.
and please don't come back with the well if you don't like it don't buy it, because many people here bought pre-orders that are now not
what they thought.
I respect your opinion, but this just hurts the hobby. Now if I only had 15 bucks invested in it, I wouldn't care, but this stuff isnt' cheap. Topps
owes me more than this, and I won't sit back and say that topps just had a bad day.
JS
As I said many posts ago...let's all send Topps a really nice present...everyone should be sending letters.
I enjoy doing that when warranted. I promise you, if the letter is well written, stay on topic and respectful, they will listen. That has been my experience in the past. Heck, one time they sent me 4 Mantle inserts and packs for writing!
I agree that there has been some bad mistakes made here.
My final question....is the fun with Heritage over for this year? If so, that's fine....there will always be next year!
And, I will be here again since my enjoyment stems from the product and you guys!
your friend
Mike
And maybe there's a warehouse full of pennants somewhere. 2005 Topps Heritage Pennants: The modern day equivalent of Topps Deckle/Comic/Pin Ups/Candy Lids.
1.) There should be a explanation on Beckett News letting collectors know what is going on regarding the pennants. Clay should of contacted Beckett by now.....its not like they found out 2 days ago about the situation with MLB. He dropped the ball IMO>
2.) Highend- nice post.....very sly.
Mike,
Did you list what you pulled from your case yet?
having said that, i feel for guys like JS who collect the autos and topps pulled the carpet from under them.
now get ripping soldier!! there are still going to be some good autos out there. and on the bright side they will probably have greater resale this year, more than any other.
I listed the first box somewhere in a thread?
The collation, condition and distribution is excellent IMO - similar to last year
Not to bore anyone with details but you can expect 3 THC's and 1 refractor; about 12 SP's min.; 5 assorted subset cards (T&N, NAP e.g.) - on the GU side, I did a bit better last year - I have pulled two relics out of 4 boxes: Soriano Bat and Banks Stadium Seat.
Also, the team cards are Fantastic IMO - all of them are perfectly centered and you can actually SEE the players. Wow!
No autos yet! If I don't get an auto, there's not much I can do - anyway, there are no tall bridges to jump off in San Antonio!
your friend
Mike
<< <i>My final question....is the fun with Heritage over for this year? >>
i hope not, i havent got mine yet.. i'm trying not to let you guys get me bummed out..
I still love the set and do not really mind the increased odds, the money I have always made off this product has been from selling SPs and my doubles as well as the chrome cards. The autograph cards are just the gravy and usually allowed me to buy 3 or 4 more boxes sometimes more the Banks bought almost a case..
<< <i>mike- i'm glad too see you like the team cards. i thought they were exceptionally sharp looking too. >>
Highend
I'm with ya!! I think it's time to celebrate what we like about the set right now. I haven't started to collate or anything, so it will take me time to digest the set. But look at this card! It is the pleasant surprise of the run so far!!!
For the set collector...it doesn't get much better!
your friend
Mike
<< <i>Honestly I could care less about the box toppers.. Yes I do still intend to make some nice money on this product like in the past, but I also try to build a set. The problem is they say it was last minute from MLB as to why the toppers were not in there that is just BS. They did not find out last week, they had this stuff packaged up probaly a month ago. All they had to due was release a statement saying that "due to changes made MLB as this product was getting its final processing before release we will not be able to include the box toppers." Then should have given dealers the oppurtunity to correct their orders due to these changes some bought extra product just for these box toppers.
I still love the set and do not really mind the increased odds, the money I have always made off this product has been from selling SPs and my doubles as well as the chrome cards. The autograph cards are just the gravy and usually allowed me to buy 3 or 4 more boxes sometimes more the Banks bought almost a case.. >>
easttexas
You got my vote! I will consider posting my letter to them next month! Good post - good words!
Thanx
your friend
Mike