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Topps, Panini Redemption Cards Class Action Lawsuits Overview:
- Who: Belinda Wheeler filed separate class action lawsuits against Panini America, Inc., and The Topps Company, Inc.
- Why: Wheeler claims redemption cards sold in trading card packs by Topps and Panini constitute an unlawful lottery.
- Where: The class action lawsuits were filed in New York and District of Columbia federal courts.
Redemption cards sold in trading card packs by Panini America and The Topps Company constitute an unlawful lottery and violate federal and state law, two new class action lawsuits allege.
Plaintiff Belinda Wheeler argued in separate complaints filed against Panini and Topps that redemption cards, which may come within a pack and allow a consumer to obtain a “random speciality card”,” constitute an “unlawful lottery” since non-purchasers are not given an option to enter.
“Federal and state law require that a contest which offers a chance at winning a thing of value permit any person to enter, regardless of whether they purchased the item in question,” the class action lawsuits state.
Wheeler claims the packaging for Topps and Panini brand trading cards highlights that they contain redemption cards; however, neither fails to display no purchase necessary (NPN) information in a “clear and conspicuous manner” as required by law.
“NPN instructions are required to be equally prominent to other methods of entry and cannot place a non-purchaser at a disadvantage relative to a purchaser,” the class action lawsuits state.
Topps, Panini Consumers Unaware They Don’t Legally Need To Purchase, Class Action Says
By failing to highlight NPN information, consumers are unaware that they would not legally need to purchase the product to obtain a redemption card, the class action lawsuits allege.
Further, Wheeler argues that a consumer would be unable to purchase and return the product to obtain the NPN instructions since returning packs of trading cards is not allowed.
“By requiring purchase of the Product and rendering it difficult to impossible for nonpurchasers to obtain the redemption cards, consumers are misled to purchase items they otherwise would not have to at higher prices,” the class action lawsuits state.
Wheeler argues consumers end up erroneously believing that the only way for them to enter a redemption card contest, and have an equal chance of winning, is by purchasing the trading card pack.
“Plaintiff did not have to purchase the Products to enter the contests, but due to the practices described here, was not given another reasonable option,” the class action lawsuits state.
Wheeler claims Topps and Panini are both guilty of unjust enrichment and in violation of, among other things, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and multiple state consumer fraud acts.
Wheeler wants to represent a District of Columbia class and multistate subclass of consumers who have purchased either Topps or Panini brand trading cards.
Plaintiff is demanding jury trials in both complaints and requesting injunctive relief along with monetary, statutory and/or punitive damages for themselves and all class members.
Have you purchased Topps and/or Panini brand trading cards? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiff is represented by Scott C. Borison of Borison Firm, LLC,; Steffan T. Keeton of The Keeton Firm LLC; and Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates, P.C.
The Class Action Lawsuits are Wheeler v. Panini America, Inc., Case No. 1:22-cv-00763, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; and Wheeler v. The Topps Company, Inc., Case No. 1:22-cv-02264, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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634 thoughts onPanini Trading Cards, Topps Class Action Lawsuits Claim Redemption Cards An Unlawful Lottery
ADDD MEEEE
I have bought both panini and topps. Currently have 4 redemptions I’ve been waiting on for a couple years. Can never get thru to talk to panini. Redemptions are the dumbest thing. By the time you receive some the players have retired and the value is gone. I have easily lost 100’s of dollars on them.
I have waited 6 years for Qty 7 MLB Jose Ramirez redemptions. I got an email today that says they are going to make me “an offer” for 2 of the cards they say has an eBay value of $80. They don’t say if that’s each card or combined. These are /10 SSP Autographed rookie cards of one of the top superstars in the game. I could easily get $300+- for each card on eBay. For the remaining 5 cards they are apparently going to send random replacements. These are all autographed cards with /25 and /75 print runs. I would LOVE to join a class action suit. Instead of the suit only being about not having to purchase a pack to enter contest, they should be charged with FRAUD. I am just dying to see their offer and replacements which I have zero doubt that will be junk cards with no value. I no longer purchase boxes period.
I have been waiting for my two redemption cards for 3 years. I get run around, they tell mey cards will be sent them nothing.
I have been in the “hobby” for 2 years now. I loved it. Until all my redemptions went down in value !!
I’ve lost so much money-time and effort trying to even get a hold of them. Either on email or on the Phone.
I am a owner of a company and I don’t know how a customer can be treated like this after spending so much money with them.
I have 3 Panini Redemptions from 2014 yes that’s 8 years ago! I have one from 2022. Can’t get through on the phone. Have emailed , Have sent messages thru the website to no avail.
I purchased a very expensive Panini Certified box of football cards for my then 11 year old son. He got a redemption card for a auto/fabric card of a highly sought after rookie/new star. It’s been well over a year. My son is about to turn 13! I’ve emailed customer service 5 times now over the past year with ZERO response. What do we do? What does a consumer due? It’s criminal. The cards cost WAY to much money to not fulfill the redemption, as described by Panini. Terrible.
I won a Tyler Herro obsidian rookie jersey autographs electric etch yellow redemption and it’s been 2 years now . I’ve tried emailing and calling but had not heard back or had contact from anyone..
I really was looking forward to that card it was a special item to me unfortunately I’ve never got to hold it . I’m not sure what else to do
Any assistance would be appreciated
I submitted a redemption card to Panini a long time ago. I can’t get Panini on the phone and they never answer messages via email or their app! My request # is 2155253 for a 2021 Donruss The Rookies Autograph #1 of Trevor Lawrence. I have no idea what to do. Is Panini this bad? At this point, I say yes!
2018 Panini National Treasures Yadier Molina autograph…………….unfilled as of 08/2022
2019 Panini Immaculate Trea Turner autograph…………………………unfilled as of 08/2022