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Panini is already embroiled in a putative class action in Texas based on its redemption card program. This potentially large and wide-ranging lawsuit if it goes wrong for Panini could be “bad”...but nowhere as “bad” as what can best be described as 9-Year-Old Girl v. Panini.
No...seriously. A 9-year-old girl (apparently through her attorney dad) filed a claim against Panini in small claims court in Philadelphia in view of Panini’s redemption program.
And the tale this claim weaves is heartbreaking.
The 9-year-old plaintiff allegedly received a Chanukah gift from which she pulled a redemption for a Claude Giroux auto. The plaintiff was “thrilled and immensely excited” because Giroux was her favorite player.
The 9-year-old plaintiff allegedly received a Chanukah gift from which she pulled a redemption for a Claude Giroux auto. The plaintiff was “thrilled and immensely excited” because Giroux was her favorite player.
Allegedly she was “super excited” and declared this was the best Chanukah present ever.
[insert awwww... GIF]
[insert awwww... GIF]
Her dad then mailed in the redemption card and...well...you’re all collectors so you likely know what happened.
Panini allegedly claimed it did not have that card in stock so it offered points instead.
Points!!!!!!
[insert angry gif]
![Her dad then mailed in the redemption card and...well...you’re all collectors so you likely know what happened.Panini allegedly claimed it did not have that card in stock so it offered points instead.Points!!!!!![insert angry gif]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EugtRYJXcAg7OKD.jpg "Her dad then mailed in the redemption card and...well...you’re all collectors so you likely know what happened.Panini allegedly claimed it did not have that card in stock so it offered points instead.Points!!!!!![insert angry gif]")
Panini allegedly claimed it did not have that card in stock so it offered points instead.
Points!!!!!!
[insert angry gif]
The 9-year-old plaintiff then reviewed the available cards and declared what was available was “predominately garbage” so rejected Panini’s offer.
Panini then allegedly ignored seven attempts by the plaintiff’s father to work out a better deal...so...this lawsuit followed.
Panini then allegedly ignored seven attempts by the plaintiff’s father to work out a better deal...so...this lawsuit followed.
Bringing this heartfelt tale to a close, the claim states this whole incident has made the 9-year-old plaintiff feel “sad” and “reflect on the joy she felt one year ago upon opening such a prize with profound disappointment.”
[insert holding back tears gif]
![Bringing this heartfelt tale to a close, the claim states this whole incident has made the 9-year-old plaintiff feel “sad” and “reflect on the joy she felt one year ago upon opening such a prize with profound disappointment.”[insert holding back tears gif]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EugtR5vWQAIYJmr.jpg "Bringing this heartfelt tale to a close, the claim states this whole incident has made the 9-year-old plaintiff feel “sad” and “reflect on the joy she felt one year ago upon opening such a prize with profound disappointment.”[insert holding back tears gif]")
[insert holding back tears gif]
For real though, this claim raises breach of contract and consumer fraud claims which it appears Panini might have to address as early as Feb 24 (the summons’ date). So we might see what happens quickly!
Now confession - I haven’t seen the complete docket so I’m unsure if this matter hasn’t been resolved already...I suspect it will be confidentially if it hasn’t already. But it really brings home the effect of Panini’s redemption program.
Until today my views of how shitty all redemption programs has been through my eyes...as an adult collector. As a kid, there were no redemption programs so I never experienced this type of disappointment. Sure, now, I’m ticked when I get one...but I’m not devastated.
So I don’t know what’s going to happen next in this case, but for real manufacturers, when you put your shitty redemption programs in place keep in mind, not all collectors are adults that just rant for a bit about bad luck...sometimes you’re deterring the future of #TheHobby.
Thanks to @35auburn for the heads up on this one!
And seriously...for less than $40 Panini could have made this whole thing go away.
The corporate mindset to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT is baffling sometimes. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-13-Panini-Limited-Silver-Monikers-Claude-Giroux-Auto-35-49-FLYERS-/203210799979?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
The corporate mindset to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT is baffling sometimes. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-13-Panini-Limited-Silver-Monikers-Claude-Giroux-Auto-35-49-FLYERS-/203210799979?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
A quick (yeah right) post script. So, I was able to pull the docket and looked at Panini's motion to dismiss/motion to quash/motion to disqualify/motion to overkill, and just wanted to raise a few points.
Disclaimer: yes, I am currently a plaintiffs' attorney and have been for the last 15 or so years. HOWEVER, I started practicing at a large defense firm so I am familiar with both sides of the aisle.
But fer realz...defense firms are so fucking annoying.
But fer realz...defense firms are so fucking annoying.
Keep in mind, this is small claims court. For a card that can be purchased for under $100. But instead, Panini retains a large defense firm who then files multiple entries into the docket (again...of small claims court) including the 10 page motion I'm about to blather about.
Now, not going to lie...some of the issues raised by Panini are good issues to raise...BUT THIS CASE COULD BE SETTLED FOR LESS THAN FIVE BILLABLE HOURS. And I guarantee Panini has spent closer to $5,000-$10,000 so far.
So getting to the motion...and again remembering we are in small claims court...Panini is asking if the case continues...it wants a protective order to screen the public from its trade secrets involved in its redemption process.
Um. There are no trade secrets in your redemption process. What happens is, you don't have a card you want to put into a product...so you put a placeholder card there...and then when it's redeemed you didn't for whatever reason provide the card.
NO SECRETS THERE!
NO SECRETS THERE!
Also, judges hate it when they're told "Hey judge...there's like a motion already pending that if you look at, we win...so...like...you know...hurry up and rule."
Yeah...Panini's footnote 2 tries to say that as delicately as possible.
Yeah...Panini's footnote 2 tries to say that as delicately as possible.
Also...and if I haven't said this enough...this is small claims court about an unfulfilled redemption. However, Panini reserves the right to call its executives as witnesses...because this case must be a Big Fucking Deal.
OK, I'll stop picking on Panini, because, again, it does raise some good points. But for fucksake, where is the commonsense? Spend $10 grand to win a $100 issue?
And for maybe $150 it could have been settled confidentially!
And for maybe $150 it could have been settled confidentially!
But no...Panini, like most companies, wants to win at all costs. They don't even look at the bigger issues. They just want to WIN WIN WIN WIN.
It's unrealistic and expensive and fucking dumb.
OK...rant over.
It's unrealistic and expensive and fucking dumb.
OK...rant over.
