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Happy Ending: High $ Modern Rippers: Ever Pull Damaged Cards and Requested Exchanges? Issue w/ UD Ex

MeatloafMeatloaf Posts: 1,308
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
So I bought $5k worth of UD Exquisite Football (2011), Basketball (2011-12, 2012-13), and some 2013 UD Kansas last week from an official UD dealer. The high end stuff was all sealed cases...the 2013 UD Kansas was simply a few loose boxes (see the pics below). Anyway, while ripping the Exquisite, I found most of the cards to have SERIOUS corner wear and/or reverse sides w/ SERIOUS OC issues. Specifically, 2 of the 3 MJ auto cards I pulled had problems.

First, one "thick" auto card had a plastic cover that appears to have a major jagged edge. This damage is sharp and when you rub your finger over it, you feel the "pin-like poke." This also occurs on the bottom right of the card, but not as poor. The reverse side shows significant corner wear and some on edges. Second, I have a MJ thick auto card with a pristine surface/edges/corners, but the reverse side has at best 70/30 centering (VERY OC).

Without sounding like a person with buyers remorse, I am a bit upset that based on the money I spent, that the quality of the cards was so low/poor. I had "big hits," so I am not the standard complainer worried about the players I pulled. Rather, I would expect for approx $1500 per case (totaling 18 cards) that condition of the cards would be at least "PSA 9" equivalent quality or better. For low end junk, I figure the quality tolerance would be much lower.

Anyway, on another board I asked some people to rate the second MJ auto card (Mr. Reverse OC) to see if it was worth grading with the OC problem...I liked the front so much I thought it was a solid 9 or 10...but I was concerned about the reverse side's impact on the overall grade...most said the reverse OC side would more than likely prevent anything above a 8-8.5. : (

One poster told me to complain to UD. Specifically, he told me to send scans of my damaged cards via email to customer service, include a PDF of the original sales receipt from the official UD seller, and request 1 for 1 exchanges for the same cards and/or equivalent MJ cards. The poster went on to imply that complaints for high end products are taken seriously by card companies and that if you offer 1 for 1 swaps, in his experience, customer services honors your request...and in return you get a nicer quality card of generally the same type.

Questions:

1) Has anyone on these forums experienced receiving poor quality high end products and requested a return and exchange with the card company? If so, could you provide a narrative w/ details on the card company brand, the quality of the cards, what you did with customer service, what happened/outcome, and rate the overall experience?

I am kinda motivated to attempt a return and exchange if there is a shred of hope that the efforts will create positive outcomes. I rather not waste my time if it is unlikely anything positive would happen. Thoughts?

TY Meatloaf

My Rip Fest...
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The Before Mentioned Cards...
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Comments

  • mikeschmidtmikeschmidt Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭
    Bottom Line:

    Although you may have only ripped the product this week, UD packaged that product 2+ years ago. You're not going to get exchanges. If this was a current release that just hit the shelves, you might have some luck. But you're not going to get help here -- sorry.

    M
    I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
  • 3BoyzTrading3BoyzTrading Posts: 798 ✭✭
    The sad thing is, it's normal for either Topps or Upper Deck to release shi*tty cards like that in high end releases. The plastic looked like it cracked while being cut on the first MJ. If it were a current year card, I can see a replacement. The others are standard wear on those type of cards. The centering on the back would be considered normal also. It's like there is no QC phase with the high end stuff when I see issues like this. You should probably call to see if they would do anything but like mentioned earlier, it's older stuff.
  • mattinglymint23mattinglymint23 Posts: 1,261 ✭✭
    I've dealt with topps and they were so so. Some cards they replaced some they refused and some they didn't have replacements for. Got some extra packs when they didn't.
    But agree if it's not a recent release it might as well be a 75 rack pack.
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This has always piqued my imagination.

    We have the "Mars rover" sending us all kinds of info back from a zillion miles away.

    We walked on the moon.

    We found a way to prevent all kinds of diseases and work tirelessly to find a cure for all kinds of cancer.

    Yet, we CAN'T find a way to successfully and consistently cut some cards?
    Mike
  • vladguerrerovladguerrero Posts: 4,077 ✭✭✭
    First off, I completely understand why you would expect better condition cards. But to be honest those aren't that bad when it comes to these types releases. Most of these cards are chipped and buyers/collectors know this so I don't think it will impact your ability to move them. Based on the pictures I would be amazed if UD does anything for you. As mentioned, it is pretty astounding that a professional card printing company cannot make cards without small defects.
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 990 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sorry for your disappointment. I bought high end UD products for years and, especially with the thicker cards, constantly saw the kinds of corner issues you're seeing on the back. After a while I just chalked that up as the norm and as other have mentioned never had any issues moving them over those type issues.
    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • halosfanhalosfan Posts: 2,643 ✭✭✭✭
    It's disappointing but it is the standard with issues like that ...
    Looking for a Glen Rice Inkredible and Alex Rodriguez cards
  • TabeTabe Posts: 6,164 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Agree that buyers won't care. On super-limited products, buyers are willing to take what they can get. And super-thick cards are more prone to damage, as I'm sure you already know.

    Plus, like other said, you won't get anything from UD 2+ years after the fact.
  • NHLfightguyNHLfightguy Posts: 525 ✭✭
    Like others have said. That is normal for them in Exquisite. The thick cards are almost always chipped and dinged up.
    They look better than others I've seen pulled fresh from packs.
  • MeatloafMeatloaf Posts: 1,308
    TY for all the feedback, everyone. I placed a formal request w/ UD for replacements in the "hope" I will get some empathy due to the large value I put out with one of their diamond dealers. I will provide feedback here of the results.
  • MeatloafMeatloaf Posts: 1,308
    I submitted a professional complaint to UD regarding the problematic cards in my original post.

    I received a quick (less than 36 hrs) and professional response.

    UD QA agreed from the scans that problems existed, but due to warranty stipulations, could only exchange the 2012-13 MJ auto card.

    Anyway, I returned the MJ card only a few days ago and got this via FedEx 5 mins ago.

    I have a few graduate degrees, but I did my undergrad at KU (1996-2000). I had a KU sticker on my return address label; the QA people must have picked it out.

    Bottom Line: 3 for 1 on the exchange of the damaged card...no complaints...very happy ending.

    image
  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Awesome replacments! What's up with the Chalmers auto? That may be the laziest auto I've ever seen.
    Who is the Golf Card Guy?
  • IlovecardsIlovecards Posts: 271 ✭
    great replacements ! I still do not understand how Upper Deck is still in business though .
    I edit almost all my posts because my auto correct is crazy !
  • georgebailey2georgebailey2 Posts: 1,078 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Awesome replacments! What's up with the Chalmers auto? That may be the laziest auto I've ever seen. >>



    I was going to say, "UD QA may not have been paying attention when they sent out the Chalmers card. Someone put some random Sharpie marks on it."

    Or...."Might as well put an 'X'."

    Or...."As 'Seth and Amy' would say.....'Really?????'"

    At least they came through a bit. I am assuming that the MJ ring card is on par with the Dimensions card it replaced.
  • MeatloafMeatloaf Posts: 1,308


    << <i>

    << <i>Awesome replacments! What's up with the Chalmers auto? That may be the laziest auto I've ever seen. >>



    I was going to say, "UD QA may not have been paying attention when they sent out the Chalmers card. Someone put some random Sharpie marks on it."

    Or...."Might as well put an 'X'."

    Or...."As 'Seth and Amy' would say.....'Really?????'"

    At least they came through a bit. I am assuming that the MJ ring card is on par with the Dimensions card it replaced. >>



    I have seen many other lazy Chalmers autos....just a combo "MC" and sometimes his jersey #. I wish I got cash to simply merge two letters on stickers...easy life.

    The edges of the MJ have some chipping, but it is nothing like the sharp, exposed plastic cover of the dimensions auto.

    I always wanted to peak behind the curtain of UD...find out what their business strategy really is...see if there is some rigor behind it....sometimes I scratch my head...they have some of the biggest names in sports under contract, but can't pay the bills for a simple license? Confusing business model IMO.

    Meatloaf
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