Panini America, better known as Panini, has cornered the market on sports memorabilia cards. Collecting is big business for many. However, when it comes to dealing with the company, Panini, beware. They do not honor redemptions. Instead, they "claim" it is not their fault. They "claim" they have to wait for the star to sign the autographs. Yet, as they continue to make these claims month after month, new cards are released in different forms, many of which, are autographed by that same star in question. Where Basketball is concerned, there are about a dozen different styles released throughout the season. In each of these releases, the stars autograph cards. Therefore, Panini is using excuses that are completely invalid.
This seems to happen with some of the most valuable cards. I have waited since July 2014 for a redemption and have yet to receive it. This is going on 15 months now. They continue to provide excuses as to why they can't honor my redemption requests. The latest response states "Please allow an additional 8-10 weeks for your card(s) to be chosen". Are you kidding me?
Panini has no concern for their customers. They've proven this over and over again. Not just by their lack of concern to provide the redemptions promised, but also by not including what is promised in the actual boxes sold at various locations. Several boxes purchased at several different locations contained nothing of what was promised inside the boxes. Initially, not knowing any better, a request was sent for replacements.
Unbeknownst to the buyers, if you reqeust a replacement for missing items, Panini will only send you JUNK! They send you absolutely nothing of any value. At least when you purchase boxes, you have a shot at pulling something great. If the box is missing the jersey or autograph cards you purchased it to get, be prepared to have NO CHANCE of pulling anything of value if you go through the company. Panini will send you the lowest value cards of the season! This lesson, learned the hard way, proves it's much better to just return the boxes to wherever you purchased them.
The BBB has tons of complaints for the same issues mentioned here. We the people, the collectors, need to stand together against this type of calice business practice, no matter how big or how rich the company. While it's certain it would never happen, I wish all the sports stars would boycott Panini for a season or two, just to teach them a lesson!