Another redemption replacement success

Over the past few years, I've had a few Ty Hensley redemptions that I've known aren't going to get fulfilled. Given Hensley has barely pitched over the last several seasons, I've realized that his outstanding redemptions are not a priority for Topps. I get it.

Previously, I requested a replacement for a Hensley autograph, and ended up with a Kyle Schwarber autograph as a replacement. Not bad. (Read about that here)

In September of 2016, I requested another replacement. The card I wanted was a 2014 Bowman Red Ice Autograph of Ty Hensley. It definitely would have been one of my best Hensley cards. However, there was no movement on it. I was always surprised by this because Ty was so accessible, but alas, nothing.

I decided that I wanted to decide my own fate instead of the redemption expiring and receiving a random card, so I decided to request a substitute. It was hard to do, but figured if it ever was fulfilled, I could buy it on eBay from someone else who waited it out. So I went online, selected "request substitute", and waited. And waited. And waited.

I called customer service several times, and the best answer I got was that I submitted it online and that takes longer than had I done it over the phone, which was weird. When is that ever the case? But after over a year, there was still zero movement.

Finally, last month I called again and spoke to Andy in customer service. He agreed it had been too long, and agreed to help fast track it. He even asked the team I collected, and said he had to assess the value, but would get back to me later that day. He was very helpful.

True to his word, I received an email from Andy late that day, offering the following replacement.

I jumped at it. While Hensley is an important part of my collection, I felt I wasn't going to do better than an on-card autograph of a 23-year-old pitcher on the Yankees who just finished 3rd in the Cy Young voting.

Andy also threw in two bonus autographs, and while I didn't need them, I appreciated the gesture. Andy went above and beyond, and I hope Topps realizes he helped me more in one day than several of previous reps did in one year.

I'd say that this was definitely a success, and while I still wish I had the Hensley, I think I made out just fine.