The Redemption Has ben Fulfilled!

 I'll start this by directing your attention back to the post I made back in January about pulling my first ever redemption card. Some background; redemptions are Panini's and Topps' attempts to fulfill cards that they did yet have ready for the set before it was released. Instead, they stick these redemption cards into the packs and if you pull one, you go online to submit your request and they open a ticket. Once the athlete signs the card or signs stickers that they will put on the cards, they are able to then complete your open ticket and mail you the card you were supposed to get in the first place. It all sounds very straightforward, except for one problem. It isn't. Panini is unfortunately notorious for being unable to fulfill their redemptions much of the time, which is exactly what happened in my case. My Erick All Jr. rookie auto /299 was not able to be filled after six months, so I got an email asking me whether I wanted to keep waiting, whether I wanted Panini Rewards points, or whether I wanted a replacement card of equal or greater value. After finding out via email that my Panini Rewards would only constitute a total of 150 points, I decided on the third option. I was expecting to be sent some random rookie autograph of a player from a lower tier set that would also be worth between $5-10 like the All card likely would have been. Erick All is not even guaranteed to make an NFL roster this season. You can imagine my surprise when I saw that the ticket request was closed with a replacement listed as George Kittle Flawless Flyers #5/25. First off, Kittle could very well be in the Hall of Fame someday. Second, this card is an on-card autograph which is always preferable to a sticker auto. Third, this card is numbered /25 as opposed to /299. Lastly, Flawless is arguably the highest end set that Panini produces. Add up all those factors, and my replacement card is probably 15 to 20 times more valuable that what I would have gotten. What a come up!

Thank you Panini!