What's wrong with Topps?

[dantzig]

It's getting increasingly frustrating to deal with Topps... Last weeks changed completely my opinion about them.

As we discussed in other Topps threads, their new website sucks. Big time. Seems they changed without even assuring it was all ok. It's definitely far from ok.

First they didn't send me some CL stickers I purchased. I tried to contact them through the website, twice. No answer. Realized then it was another broken section in their website.

Topps removed any option we had to buy missing stickers/cards. Surely due to problems, again, with the website.

Around mid-March, I bought On Demand CL first three weeks + update binder from Topps Germany. A day later, I bought week 4 from Topps UK.

Topps Germany sent me first just the binder. I complained with the customer service (through direct email), they answered those cards were sent separately and by registered shipping, supplying the tracking code. Some days later, I got the cards, but I bought three sets and they sent me just one. Besides, some cards were poorly centered. I complained, they apologized and told me they would send what missed. About card centering, they said it was still within the acceptable width range. For me it's not, even more when each card is 70c and not 15/20c as in main set. I could write a full essay on the left side of each card, while on the right side I almost can't see anything blank.

About Week 4 cards bought in Topps UK... So far, I didn't get anything and not a single news about the delay. I know there's a delay because a friend is in the same situation and sent them an email past week, which they gave some pitiful excuses about too much demand and printing/shipping delays. I still had to sent them today an email, it's been 23 days without even caring about their customer who paid over 20€. Not even the most distracted ebay seller does this.

In just two months, I've lost the faith and expectations I had in them. It's too many rookie mistakes from a professional publisher. And what makes me even more sad is that they still have the potential to face Panini and make the market more competitive, but they ruin everything so fast

 

[LFC1892]

They must be going through organisational changes for them to be this unprofessional in dealing with their customers.

In addition, I don't think they prepared themselves for the site changes and upgrades which explains all the technical issues they have with the new website. Once again, poor planning.

I ordered from topps Germany and got my order in 21 days, that was just last month. I would ask for a full refund if I was you. Poor communication and bad customer service doesn't deserve your hard earned money.

 

[dantzig]

They must be going through organisational changes for them to be this unprofessional in dealing with their customers.

In addition, I don't think they prepared themselves for the site changes and upgrades which explains all the technical issues they have with the new website. Once again, poor planning.

I ordered from topps Germany and got my order in 21 days, that was just last month. I would ask for a full refund if I was you. Poor communication and bad customer service doesn't deserve your hard earned money.

I got today the remaining stuff from Topps Germany. CS woman was always helpful too, at least that I cannot complain.

UK Topps will look into the matter and also said they hope every problem of the website is solved until the end of April. It's just like you wrote, poor planning.

You got in 21 days all On Demand sets or just until week 3? Because I don't know anyone who got already cards from week 4.

 

[LFC1892]

I got today the remaining stuff from Topps Germany. CS woman was always helpful too, at least that I cannot complain.

UK Topps will look into the matter and also said they hope every problem of the website is solved until the end of April. It's just like you wrote, poor planning.

You got in 21 days all On Demand sets or just until week 3? Because I don't know anyone who got already cards from week 4.

Glad you got your stuff, German division always more efficient than the UK one. No surprise there.
I should have specified that I bought a booster box for match attax extra with 6 free LE cards not on demand cards as I don't collect them.

 

[dantzig]

So, now that On Demand cards week 4 ended, Topps is finally sending the cards It's clear their excuses of too much demand or late delivery from factory were lies, they were just waiting to see how much they should print, even sent a small email advertisement 24h before week 4 ended to push for more sales... Whoever bought right away, like me, "just" had to wait 4 weeks

Today I went to check if week 5 (this last matches) were already on sale... and they were, among some new bundles Topps have created... And this leads me again to title of this thread... Are Topps always high there in their office?

CL bundle: megatin, small tin, multipack, booster pack, MA play ball... A bundle, as you all know, is supposed to save money to customers if they bought all items separately... Topps is selling for £23 and if I bought separately, it would be 10+7+5+1... 23 too?

So Topps is giving away... a useless ball? Wow, what a deal!

 

[dantzig]

Massive Massive list of disgruntled customers both current and previous with the Topps UK branch (old Merlin employees still there who carried on with their jobs when Topps took over their brand).

With the loss of the PL licence hopefully Topps US will close that branch now and use the money spent on those incompetents elsewhere...

Im talking 95% of the collectors i know in UK are totally fed up with their disrespect they hand out to their customers. The loss of the PL Licence was greeted with celebration from virtually all as a kind of sweet justice.
You have to separate Topps Deutschland from Topps UK as they are totally separate even though both being part of Topps. One listened to the complaints on the scam with the Gold Silver Bronze Limited Editions after 1 year... One just ignored all their customers' complaints on them and EVEN STILL NOW in their last season have even put those cards on the CHECKLISTS yet no kids can order them. A stance which is changed from their excuses of days gone by when they said collectors could only order what is on the checklist.

A thoroughly embarrassing branch which Topps US have to deal with. Last season they sold an EXCLUSIVE TO TESCO kit box, 4 days after it selling in Tesco's appeared on the Topps UK website. So much for exclusive, Tesco's dumped their paid for promotions this year i believe...?

Any satisfied customer in the UK is either a liar or have never dealt with that branch who only really have 1 decent employee (ela someone) who has to deal with constant complaint emails i would guess the poor girl. The rest just hide behind their desks in a mask of silence.

The only gutting thing now with the loss of the PL licence is if Topps US allow the UK branch to select and print the cards for the UCL collection next year on match attax - would be absolute carnage. Lets hope and pray Topps Deutschland will still drive those selections otherwise the collection will be laughable like the Match Attax Premier League sets of the last 11 years... it began with Lucas Leiva being called Voronin and ended with Steve Mounie being called Kachunga.

How is the quality of you're on demand 5 cards for £3.70 including postage as well?? like tissue paper and most have frayed sides if not every card... absolute disgace.

Add into the fact which Carlos touches on above - the lack of any value on their site... they sell items at RRP for stores - meaning they take entire profit. Bear in mind that they sell products to wholesalers at between 45-60% total of RRP depending on product so still places like Click etc can gain their profit. To not even give any discount whatsoever on their products is just laughable.

Actually Topps Germany failed when they only sent me one set instead of three... UK CS was as polite and helpful as german one, nothing bad to say about the people answering me, so far... I actually support their patience for other departments' mistakes (such as whoever took charge of the website thing).

Yeah, the cards are not worth one bit those £3 you pay for them... Besides the centering in some weeks (week 1 and 3, I think), which is horrible... Not even 10p are worth it, let alone 60p.

Not sure if they can't sell with discounts, to avoid dumping charges, but you do have a point when selling without distributors... Panini does the same though, even now they are selling WWC collection in their website for the same price you buy in stores, which means more profit.

 

[LFC1892]

I was helped by Ela a couple of times and there was a Susan as well. Both very helpful.

The On Demand cards are a friggin' joke. Managed to get the first 4 weeks but as @AndyR mentioned the quality was rubbish so I stopped at WK 4.

Topps America produce quality cards like CL Chrome, CL Finest & PL Chrome but they are the more expensive collection collectors in the UK would bulk at cos of the price.

The North American version of MA CL is much better quality in terms of card thickness and design for the inserts.
If they want, Topps USA will take charge of the product for 19/20 season but I can't see that happening as they need the UK headquarters functioning.
They are already advertising the 19/20 collection on the UK site. Release slated for Sep and not January, haha.

 

[LFC1892]

i would say Match Attax Ultimate was released over here at £7.50 per packet Art...

certainly UK collectors are fundamentally 100% different collectors in comparison to the player collectors of the US and the premium sets have absolutely no chance of working here... there is a very few who only collect specific players/teams etc but i would say at least 95% are set collectors.
They do sell the PL Chrome and Topps Finest over here in the UK on their awful website but have never sold out.

The price point converted from dollar to pound does not help either. I mean £7.50 for one packet is way over any kiddas pocket money budget. I agree with you that the European market is more set collecting than the North American one which is obsessed with getting big hits then selling it on ebay for a profit. Many buy into boxes and case breaks just to sell later. I love collecting the autos and mems from footy players because growing up we didn't have that(we discussed it before you and I), all we had is our gum and cards.

 

[LFC1892]

I was thinking last night, maybe Topps US were taking a little step back on their stance for the "hits" like you say and attracting both type of collectors at the same time...? I mean their last set which theyve just sold on the Premier League is probably the best one ive seen yet from them - ok only 20 base cards but they still can cross both markets by having one autograph, those horrendous parallel things and then 3 of the 25 or so insert cards in each "pack". I think when they allowed it to be offered on the UK version of the Topps site they were a little taken aback by the response as it outsold the US site if a reliable marker is that it was sold out well before the time expired on the UK site.
Im actually quite enthusiastic about that set for both types of collectors - i mean the WHOLE set is actually obtainable and the WHOLE set of autograph hits if you see what i mean!! Add into that the fact the cards are based on the topps gum ones of 1977 with modern day players and its pretty much bliss!!
I only wish Topps US could loan an employee to the UK for future sets just so at least 1 person knew who the players were and what their names are (and dare i say it...not just Liverpool fans from Milton Keynes with no interest for any other side in their collection) would make the complete set more enhanced for fans of all the 32 champions league teams next season or however many they put in!!

i think it's unjust in any profession to hire people who have no clue about what they are actually selling or have any sort of knowledge. the 2 basic rules of Sales & Customer Services is to know your product and have a good personality to help your customers. this has been my career for 25 years now since finishing college.

topps hire people who know fook all about football and expect them to chugg along doing their job. that's just wrong.
you can't expect Sue or Ella to know every joe, dick & harry of football but at least have a bit of information about it.

another thing, they limit the mini tins now to 3 per order but don't have the intelligence to send you the 3 different designs. you might think they know collectors would want 1 of each design. i didn't order any from them cos they said it ain't guaranteed to get all 3. Bugger off ya knobheads.

topps america can teach them a thing or two as the sport is getting massive in America since the MLS expanding like crazy & the live matches shown every week on the telly.

ps: who's the LFC fan in Milton Keynes? A topps employee you encountered?

 

[dantzig]

Just to "revive" this thread by saying I was dissapointed again with Topps, but this one was my fault too.

I was waiting for On Demand CL week 8 cards (2nd semifinal) to come out before week 5 dissapeared and if not, buy then week 5 to 7... Sadly, it happened the last situation and I completely forgot that last day of week 5. When I remembered, I was a couple of hours late

I tried right away with customer service to see if there would be any chance to still get week 5 cards, but of course, nothing... I know for sure that if they wanted, they could get me a spare week 5 set, they have my purchase history.

I can't order one or two weeks everytime because shipping is not cheap for just 5 cards, with an expensive card price already on top of it. I also don't understand why they are not aware that when week 8 goes on sale, it's right when week 5 is out (same happened when it was 4 in, 1 out). This goes into another issue you guys pointed out before, the lack of care as when sending same design tins.

Anyway, in the end, I have to blame myself for still believing I could buy four weeks and saving some shipping, then forgetting right in the crucial day to buy. Oh well, I'll try to sell my past weeks cards.

P.S.- And still no signs of missing stickers and cards possibility... I asked about it too, but no answer this time.

 

[LFC1892]

Missing cards and stickers section must be coming back by end of May as they usually release all the single cards for the Prem & Bundesliga collection.
Carlos you should try ebay for the missing weeks of On Demand. Plenty of UK sellers have them. Dime a dozen as we say.

 

[dantzig]

Missing cards and stickers section must be coming back by end of May as they usually release all the single cards for the Prem & Bundesliga collection.
Carlos you should try ebay for the missing weeks of On Demand. Plenty of UK sellers have them. Dime a dozen as we say.

Good news! Topps has finally added again the CL missing stickers service!

Bad news! Topps adds almost 10£ extra plus outrageous shipping!



Seriously, I can only laugh now, they can't get one right

 

[LFC1892]

Good news! Topps has finally added again the CL missing stickers service!

Bad news! Topps adds almost 10£ extra plus outrageous shipping!

View attachment 12786

Seriously, I can only laugh now, they can't get one right

Fork it out you cheap Portuguese bastard.

 

[dantzig]

Fork it out you cheap Portuguese bastard.

Piss off, canadian scouser Cheap are that stupid system they implemented... what the super f**k is this?!

I've been trying some approaches with two friends (one all ok, other same problem as me) and concluded the accounts might be the problem... Without login is all ok, but right after I log in, there goes the extra £10 and expensive shipping.

Someone needs to be fired there at Topps or whoever programmed this rubbish website.

 

[LFC1892]

Piss off, canadian scouser Cheap are that stupid system they implemented... what the super f**k is this?!

I've been trying some approaches with two friends (one all ok, other same problem as me) and concluded the accounts might be the problem... Without login is all ok, but right after I log in, there goes the extra £10 and expensive shipping.

Someone needs to be fired there at Topps or whoever programmed this rubbish website.

haha. mine doesn't even calculate into the cart. I have added 15 stickers from the boxes with # but my cart still shows nothing. At least yours did the postage and tax and total. got to love Topps.

 

[dantzig]

haha. mine doesn't even calculate into the cart. I have added 15 stickers from the boxes with # but my cart still shows nothing. At least yours did the postage and tax and total. got to love Topps.

Click "Add to basket" in the end, old man

Today there was more to complain. Since whenever I logged into my account, Topps added extra £10 plus stupid postage, I decided to buy without account, using Paypal Express... and it didn't work too, right in the last step to pay, Topps say I don't have a valid email (which is never requested in any step!)... This website is more broken than Notre Dame rooftop

However, I remembered that I had a second account... and voilá, this time it worked perfectly!

Thank you Topps:

• for adding some buggy fee in the checkout of my main account.
• for be able to order in just one of three ways that should work!
• for those missing sticker tables, it's one of the dumbest ideas ever, so stupid to constantly go up and down to change tabs and selecting stickers!
• for rising again shipping price, you had wonderful affordable prices, now it's the same as Panini... there goes one of the few points you were better.
• for your amazing promos that no one cares, because they are not amazing after all.

Sticker prices are still good though, 10p each is very nice... It can't be all bad!

 

[LFC1892]

Click "Add to basket" in the end, old man

Today there was more to complain. Since whenever I logged into my account, Topps added extra £10 plus stupid postage, I decided to buy without account, using Paypal Express... and it didn't work too, right in the last step to pay, Topps say I don't have a valid email (which is never requested in any step!)... This website is more broken than Notre Dame rooftop

However, I remembered that I had a second account... and voilá, this time it worked perfectly!

Thank you Topps:

• for adding some buggy fee in the checkout of my main account.
• for be able to order in just one of three ways that should work!
• for those missing sticker tables, it's one of the dumbest ideas ever, so stupid to constantly go up and down to change tabs and selecting stickers!
• for rising again shipping price, you had wonderful affordable prices, now it's the same as Panini... there goes one of the few points you were better.
• for your amazing promos that no one cares, because they are not amazing after all.

Sticker prices are still good though, 10p each is very nice... It can't be all bad!

I did "add to basket" step, nothing happens. Still says empty cart. The site has gotten worse than before.
Glad you finally did your order and checked out. What a shambles.

 

[Safariman]

I have a bit of stock left for MA PL 18/19 and Extra if anybody wants it for less the Topps Individual Service prices message me

 

[Phild]

Put an order in to Topps for 3 of each of the first Living Set cards, no idea why as I no longer sell cards and they are of no interest to me so cannot explain why I brought them !!

Now bearing in mind these are standard size trade cards and I ordered 9. Yesterday I received an A4 size envelope from Topps inside a clear plastic Royal Mail bag apologising for it reaching me in this condition. I have not yet opened the clear bag as I have no need as I can feel and see that the Topps envelope is empty, now I know things get damaged in the post and on occasion things get stolen but what i'm most curious about is what the hell did they send that needs an A4 envelope ???

 

[dantzig]

Put an order in to Topps for 3 of each of the first Living Set cards, no idea why as I no longer sell cards and they are of no interest to me so cannot explain why I brought them !!

Now bearing in mind these are standard size trade cards and I ordered 9. Yesterday I received an A4 size envelope from Topps inside a clear plastic Royal Mail bag apologising for it reaching me in this condition. I have not yet opened the clear bag as I have no need as I can feel and see that the Topps envelope is empty, now I know things get damaged in the post and on occasion things get stolen but what i'm most curious about is what the hell did they send that needs an A4 envelope ???

They ran out of standard envelopes?

Better ask them when you complain for missing cards, never saw anyone getting an A4 envelope for just 9 standard cards.


So Topps continues to milk off everything they can now... Topps Crystal is the next move:

£30 for a box of 30 cards with Ronaldo and Messi + new cards from the winning team... At least one month after the final to receive them.

And if you're lucky, you get one of those signed cards, 1 in every 25 boxes... Aren't we lucky for such bargain?