Off-Topic Forum

Has anyone except me ever wondered about cards that are probably lost? One example I can think of are any Topps redemptions from around 5 years ago or older. The 2013 Topps Ultimate Chase is also a good example, because I am almost certain that not all of them were found. 
 

This just seems like an interesting topic to me, and I'd like to hear what others think about this.

I wonder more about the cards that I have listed and have lost somewhere in my house, but this is a good question to ponder. You'd think that they would have a card for each redemption, so having an expiration date is kinda silly, considering all of the repacks and cards on the secondary market nowadays. And I know Topps has them. For example, I pulled a redemption for a Rose Namajunas auto in 2018 and didn't get the card for over a year, so I requested a replacement and got a Royce Gracie auto from 2010. They have the cards around, but are just using them as replacements? I have no clue what they're doing over there. I'm not a fan of redemptions just because of that Namajunas card, which was my first experience with them.

yes and its very upsetting.. to see redemptions never redeemed, packs/boxes never opened that may contain that one low numbered card your in search of, or even that rare legend rookie card that over time may get tossed in the trash because of some familar member that didn't know any better--- and now with collecting we have better ways of storing items, but still have the affects of mother nature that can take that away in a heart beat. There just may be times that the one card you need to finish off a collection- just may never exist anymore. saddening 

The entire set of wood minis from either 2018 or 2019 Topps Allen and Ginter have never been found. Topps said the cards were packed out yet they have never been seen in packs.  Makes you wonder if there is one case with all of them or if they were stolen or who knows.

The Stephen Strasburg 2010 Bowman Chrome Superfractor Autograph was found 4 years too late. Topps didn't give the card to the person who pulled it. And Topps granted has never been the greatest company, but you'd think they'd be better at handling stuff like this being the main MLB card distributor. 
 

And having an expiration date on redemption cards is kind of dumb. In my eyes, a guaranteed hit should always be obtainable. Why can't they just store them until they're found? Or at least store cards with very few printed?

The reason companies put Redemption cards in packs is because they DO NOT have the actual cards at the time of packing.  In the case of autographs it's usually because they haven't received the signed cards (or labels) from the players.  And they may NEVER receive them.

I think he means dates you have to redeem by, or else the "redemption" won't be honored (with the card stated or a replacement). I agree that the redemption should be honored whenever it's pulled, even if it's for something else. It makes opening product over a couple years old even more of a craps shoot.

So why even bother having redemption cards then? Just scrap the whole idea. What ever is available at the time of release is what makes up the set....so much easier that way. They can ALWAYS find a way to release a second set, or an updated version or an insert set. Why put something in there that may not even be possible to achieve. 

I get why redemption cards exist. And the idea is good in theory. But the only company I can really think of that is decent with redemptions is Panini. Topps has a whole slew of issues with their redemption system. Especially because sometimes it takes them over a year or more to return the card that you turned in. And sometimes, you don't even get the card you sent in, you could possibly get a replacement card that seems to be from older redemptions. So yeah, Topps' redemptions are just a mess in my eyes.

And didn't upper deck once get sued for redemptions and lost?

i understand the theory and process of the redemption.. but realistically, they just need to go away. You either make the card and/or have the player sign it or just don't issue it. Im sure many of us has has horror stories with redemptions. Iits bad for business, for the investor and for the collector if they can never get thier hands on it.