Nick informed me that UD is implementing a new redemption program or revamping their present redemption system.They are going to start at the end of Feb.2007. sending replacement cards out to those that are waiting.The lower end cards will be the first to be replaced.High end cards will continue to wait or they can also except replacement.I do not think that these people with the 8 autos on them will be wanting in subsitution.But what those people will have to do is continue to wait.
Cards that are parts of sets will not be issued and UD will notify all trading card publications(price guides) to inform them that those sets will now be considered complete without those cards.
I am sure he said more but those are the two big highlights.
To add to this, from speaking with someone from upper deck it seems they are attempting in February to clean the redemption slate as they settle up the rookie redemptions as well. What it sounds like they want to do is find out 100% who is sending a card back if they dont get a yes they will replace it...they will do this for every card. Now of course UD see's this as a good thing but anyone who has had a card "replaced" knows 9 out of 10 this just leads to more emails, more phone calls and more upset customers because UD tends to replace cards with what they see as a good replacement.
Now what will get even more people upset, this is also going to happen to non inserts like SP Authentic future watch rookies as well as The Cup rookies and removing them from the checklist. Now I know some here were also working on both sets and set collectors tend to over pay for redemptions for their set. It will be very interested how these customers are compensated. I am 100% sure UD will rub customers the wrong way with this one, it's rare to see them replace a card with an equal card.
I am ok with UD doing this, its something and its better then just waiting, emailing and calling. I just hope they realize a couple things with their replacements.
#1) You do not replace a $400bv card with (4) $100 cards, I dont care what the $400 card is and what the $100 cards is, its 1:1.
#2) You dont replace a high end 05/06 rookie with something from a set that is from 2001-2002.
#3) Most important, you don't send out the replacement until the customer says "yes I am ok with that" you dont do your "pick 3 players" and 2 months later you find out you got someone not even in your 3 picks and its something you would normally throw away or give to someone for free.
I hope UD realizes customers spend a lot of money on redemption cards and they care about them just as much as a nice card they pulled.