Card collecting enthusiasts, grab your binders and get ready for a game-changer! Topps has thrown a curveball by extending the expiration date for its redemption cards from two years to a whopping ten. This shift, applicable to card releases from 2021-22 onward, is symbolic of Topps’ dedication to constantly improving the collector experience. The days of purchasing an older pack only to find an expired redemption card are set to become a thing of the past.
For the uninitiated, Topps’ redemption cards are placeholders for actual athlete autographs that could not be obtained in time for packing. When a collector finds a redemption card in their pack, they can redeem it for the real autographed card once it becomes available. However, these redemption cards have been a bone of contention among collectors since they expire and essentially devalue the product. Topps is looking to alleviate this issue by extending the validity of redemption cards to ten years.
Imagine buying a pack of cards issued in 2022. Previously, you’d have to scramble to redeem any autographs by 2024. But thanks to Topps’ new policy, you now have until 2032 to cash in on those autographs! This change will not only sustain the value of a product longer but also give more assurance to collectors about making good on their autographed cards.
Of course, there’s a catch, as always. The effectiveness of Topps’ new policy is as reliable as its ability to lock down the autographs it promises. Autographs can be delayed due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to negotiation over player compensation. Now that Fanatics has snagged exclusive licensing deals with major sports player unions starting in 2025, the hope is that the process will become more streamlined, heightening the overall profitability and benefits for collectors, athletes, and Topps.
In a reassuring move, Topps has also significantly tackled its backlog of redemptions. Just last year, the queue was a staggering 70,000. Fast forward to today, and the number has plummeted to fewer than 10,000, demonstrating Topps’ commitment to addressing arguably one of the hobby’s most irksome challenges.
Expiring redemption cards have been the Achilles’ heel of the card collecting world. However, Topps’ extended ten-year redemption expiration date might be just the breakthrough the industry needs. Collectors can now buy with confidence, knowing their investment has a longer safety net. Clever move, Topps. Consider the game changed!
