Update on SPA Shane Wright Future Watch issue

This is an update as some members had asked me to let them know what I found out about the Shane Wright Future Watch that I had pulled. Below is the card:



Release day for SPA and the days following I looked at eBay to see what was being listed and I saw several Shane Wright Future Watch autos listed. The front of the card looked exactly like the one I pulled a few days later. Only as you can see mine was not signed. I thought the auto was missed but when I flipped over the card that was not mentioned of the card being signed. Only Wright's stats.

I was confused about the card? In all my years of collecting I had never seen a release of a Future Watch autograph card numbered to 999 and then a non autographed card numbered to 999 issued in the same product of the same player. Seemed strange to me.

I contacted Quality Control with Upper Deck and sent them a picture of the card asking did Upper Deck release 1998 Shane Wright Future Watch cards in SPA for 22/23? Some signed and then the same number not signed, same picture? QC came back they didn't know but would contact product development for an answer.

A couple days after my contact I get an email from Upper Deck asking me to provide them with more pictures of the card and proof that I had purchased the product. So I provide them with this information.

On Tuesday of this week, 11/14/23 I get an email from Upper Deck Customer Service telling me that they have opened a case number for me as a missing autograph card and that in the next 12 weeks I will be receiving a card from them.

I email them back asking if it be a signed Shane Wright Future Watch?" I get a same day reply, they cannot guarantee me a Shane Wright autographed card but I will get something of equal value and I can keep the Wright card because of my support of Upper Deck.

I am all okay with that and the wait starts.

Now today 11/16 I get a phone call from Jeff at Upper Deck, I think he is head of customer service, but not sure telling me: "Sorry but we are NOT opening a case for you on the Shane Wright Future Watch. Upper Deck released 999 signed Wright Future Watch cards in SPA and while my card was NOT to be released, I have a card and that is it. You will not be getting anything from the case that was now closed."

I asked if they knew how many not signed Wright Future Watch cards were released but they didn't give me an answer.

So that's my update. Guess in some ways I pulled the wrong Shane Wright Future Watch card and then maybe not. I guess it depends on how many non signed cards were released?

Kind of a harsh stance, but as you said it could be a very unique card in the end.

They numbered it and weren't supposed to release it. Gotcha.

They lost me as a customer years ago. This makes me feel good about that decision.

Thanks for sharing your update on this. Interesting that it wasn't supposed to be packed out.

I’m guessing for some reason they weren’t certain they were going to get the auto’ed versions so they made a non-auto version then accidentally released it… just ******* poor QC.

Cory

Didn't they UD have something similar with Cam Barker? It is an absolulte joke that you are not getting anything in return when clearly this is an error on their behalf! I would keep talking to someone at UD until you get a reply that makes you happy. Can't hurt.

"You got our mistake, so eat it" This is unacceptable.

That CS response is exactly the reason that so many have quit buying released products.

As a business owner I can tell you that it is wrong on so many levels.

Personally I would post that response on social media as a warning and to see if there were instances of other hobby members pulling the unsigned version.

It's fine if one got through or they produced an unsigned version, but to get zero response with a concrete answer and then to be told to hug nuts is unacceptable.

was this in place of the auto hit in your box or did you get your auto hit(s)?

Burner said:

was this in place of the auto hit in your box or did you get your auto hit(s)?

Click to expand...

There was a sign of the times auto so this was the Future Watch card.

Wasn't there a case of players with 2 separate cards in the same set before?? I know for certain John Gibson had 2 versions, but were different card #'s in the set

i learned/decided after last year's SPA release that they have ruined my favourite product and i won't be buying any more SPA (or UD wax for that matter) as a result, i am glad i made that choice reading all these stories.

arashikag3 said:

i learned/decided after last year's SPA release that they have ruined my favourite product and i won't be buying any more SPA (or UD wax for that matter) as a result, i am glad i made that choice reading all these stories.

Click to expand...

I did cut a lot on wax after a bad experience with UD1 21-22 (many YGs were in bad shape). I'm sticking to my annual OPC Hobby box, a few blasters in sale here and there and a single box when they release a set focusing on legends. My wallet is happy and I have enough inventory to trade/sell for years.

I plan on contacting Upper Deck again and over this past weekend I cancelled all my pre-orders at the local where I shop through January 2024.

Guess we will see where this ends up.

Luongo Collector said:

Wasn't there a case of players with 2 separate cards in the same set before?? I know for certain John Gibson had 2 versions, but were different card #'s in the set

Click to expand...

They originally issued John Gibson as a regular unsigned FW, but the auto surfaced as a replacement or an update in a subsequent year.

Unbelievable. Nevermind, it is, UD is such a garbage company. I'm so happy I made the switch to buy singles only.

13-14 Card # 290 Matt Nieto.

Apparently a few signed but have not been able to get one. Have 2 unsigned.

If cardboard enthusiasts weren’t such gluttons for punishment, Upper Deck would have gone bankrupt two decades ago, yet here we are…..