Bryce Harper Codebreaker auto packed out in A&G?

[cardbored]

Brent (brentandbecca) posted on Twitter that he accidentally sold a Bryce Harper A&G Codebreaker auto that he pulled in one of his cases. He threw it up on eBay with a BIN, but didn't realize it said "Codebreaker". That's quite the conundrum for both him and Topps. That card should've never been packed out. I hope everything resolves well for Brent.

Bryce Harper Allen & Ginter Codebreaker Auto (http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRYCE-HARPER-2015-Topps-Allen-Ginter-FRAMED-MINI-AUTO-Autograph-SP-/381338807156?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58c9906b74)

[Swipe79]

Was it from a previous year? They're doing the buyback stuff because of the anniversary.

[cardbored]

Nope. Looks exactly like the other 2015 autos. It even says 2015 on it. Check out the listing.

[enyouartist]

Way to go, Topps. Between the proliferation of fake Codebreakers, and now this, you have ruined a nice collectible for the Ginter enthusiasts. Why not just make test proofs now?

[NickM]

It goes perfectly with the 16/15 Stanton rip card.

[davidk]

So whats with the 16/15 card?

16 out of 15.

[bigaust001]

Maybe this card is part of the code? One can never tell with Ginter...

[TarjetasBéisbol]

So whats with the 16/15 card?

16 out of 15.

The Stanton card was stamped 16/15.

I swear every year Brent gets screwed by some gimmick topps does, last year it was the hidden cards in the box tops and now this. Brent busts lots of cases but having to go through every card and even carefully ripping the boxes to see if there are any hidden cards or codes can be rough.

[base set]

Maybe they'll have to replace the prize with an ultra-exclusive set of 1/0 cards. Siri would be delighted.

[glen87]

well at least topps got something right, they did put the word "codebreaker" on the frame as well as the card this year:rolleyes:

[kinar]

well at least topps got something right, they did put the word "codebreaker" on the frame as well as the card this year:rolleyes:

That's what I was thinking as well.

Or maybe Bryce Harper already solved the 2015 Ginter code. I hear he's kinda like Chuck Norris that way.

[kevinandji]

Not a big Ginter guy, just bought my first three boxes hoping for Ichiro...Anyways, could someone explain to me the significance of this Harper code breaker? Thanks...

[Orange October]

Not a big Ginter guy, just bought my first three boxes hoping for Ichiro...Anyways, could someone explain to me the significance of this Harper code breaker? Thanks...

They do a "break the ginter code" contest every year where you can win an exclusive parallel set of "codebreaker" autographs. The codebreaker autos are all given to the winner. This one looks like it was accidentally packed out in the product instead.

[Marc22a]

Wish I had looked at that listing a little closer when I first saw it. Not that I think any buyer should be able to pull a fast one and get that card on the cheap when it was plainly an accidental oversight by Brent. I'll really kick myself if that price holds!

[kevinandji]

They do a "break the ginter code" contest every year where you can win an exclusive parallel set of "codebreaker" autographs. The codebreaker autos are all given to the winner. This one looks like it was accidentally packed out in the product instead.

Thanks...that does suck! Do the code breaker winners get all the autos or are they done player by player? Either way, not having Harper is a huge problem.

[Keyser Soze]

Somewhere, our resident Ginter Code Will Hunting is pissed........

Sorry Grant

[Yankees_Pride]

Maybe the Harper is part of the code?

[Qwasian]

isn't that pretty close to the correct price? a 1/1 supreme patch auto sold for $350? how hot is harper right now that a 2015 is going for that? or is it more about the pack out of the card?

[calculusdork]

Somewhere, our resident Ginter Code Will Hunting is pissed........

Sorry Grant

Lol ... not pissed, just concerned. This is part of the 2015 prize (that contest has not started yet).

isn't that pretty close to the correct price? a 1/1 supreme patch auto sold for $350? how hot is harper right now that a 2015 is going for that? or is it more about the pack out of the card?

That is a $1k card easy. Ginter stuff always outsells almost everything else. Trout red ink autos from 2013 sell for $400-500.

[HadWayTooMuch]

How did Brent get screwed? By not knowing a card was worth more than he sold it for? Come on guys, we're pushing it a bit if that's considered "screwed."

[Yankees_Pride]

How did Brent get screwed? By not knowing a card was worth more than he sold it for? Come on guys, we're pushing it a bit if that's considered "screwed."

I'd say he screwed himself for not paying attention

[Enryon]

How did Brent get screwed? By not knowing a card was worth more than he sold it for? Come on guys, we're pushing it a bit if that's considered "screwed."

Everybody who wants to attempt to break the code is screwed if the packed out the whole set. This year I got approval for a codebreaker club at my school for my students who want to give the code a go. We are still doing it even if the prize was packed out, but it would be bad if my kids solve it and get nothing.

[base set]

How did Brent get screwed? By not knowing a card was worth more than he sold it for? Come on guys, we're pushing it a bit if that's considered "screwed."

I took the comment as more of it will be a PITA for him to try and do the right thing here, which I figure he will.

[base set]

I took the comment as more of it will be a PITA for him to try and do the right thing here, which I figure he will.

or to figure out what the right thing to do here even is

[HadWayTooMuch]

I took the comment as more of it will be a PITA for him to try and do the right thing here, which I figure he will.

He pulled the card out of a pack. It is his card. He sold that card. There is no "right thing to do."

He collects his money and is done with it.

[shrevecity]

He pulled the card out of a pack. It is his card. He sold that card. There is no "right thing to do."

He collects his money and is done with it.

Thats how I see it, it is on Topps to fix the situation for the codebreakers, not Brent.

[Hdpooh34]

Thats how I see it, it is on Topps to fix the situation for the codebreakers, not Brent.

Agreed. Brent owes Topps nothing.

[calculusdork]

Everybody who wants to attempt to break the code is screwed if the packed out the whole set. This year I got approval for a codebreaker club at my school for my students who want to give the code a go. We are still doing it even if the prize was packed out, but it would be bad if my kids solve it and get nothing.

That is an awesome idea!!

[benjamincarm]

Agreed. Brent owes Topps nothing.

Does Brent gets his cases direct from Topps? Do they give him steep discounts for being the face of the breaking their product? I'm not saying there is a two sided business relationship, but if there is, and Brent benefits from this relationship (in more ways than big hits), then yeah, I think he would be expected to have a quasi-fiduciary duty to bring it to their attention. If he doesn't get any perks from Topps, then no harm no foul.

Then again, sounds like it was an honest mistake (supported by the low BIN), so it is defiantly in Topps corner.

[calculusdork]

Does Brent gets his cases direct from Topps? Do they give him steep discounts for being the face of the breaking their product? I'm not saying there is a two sided business relationship, but if there is, and Brent benefits from this relationship (in more ways than big hits), then yeah, I think he would be expected to have a quasi-fiduciary duty to bring it to their attention. If he doesn't get any perks from Topps, then no harm no foul.

Then again, sounds like it was an honest mistake (supported by the low BIN), so it is defiantly in Topps corner.

Nope, he buys from a distributor. It is pure luck that he ended up with the card.

I think it is an unfortunate situation, and Brent is my friend ... but that card should never have been packed out, he should have never pulled it ... so in a 'perfect' sense, I don't think he is really owed anything. However, it would behoove Topps to do whatever it takes to get that card back (assuming it was the only one packed out, which may not be the case). I may be biased, but that is how I feel.

[benjamincarm]

Nope, he buys from a distributor. It is pure luck that he ended up with the card.

I think it is an unfortunate situation, and Brent is my friend ... but that card should never have been packed out, he should have never pulled it ... so in a 'perfect' sense, I don't think he is really owed anything. However, it would behoove Topps to do whatever it takes to get that card back (assuming it was the only one packed out, which may not be the case). I may be biased, but that is how I feel.

Makes sense if he buys from a distributor and agree 100% with your logic. My opinion was based only if he got direct from Topps (at a discount).

Your biasness has a valid foundation, so I can understand how you would be a little upset.

[Yankees_Pride]

Nope, he buys from a distributor. It is pure luck that he ended up with the card.

I think it is an unfortunate situation, and Brent is my friend ... but that card should never have been packed out, he should have never pulled it ... so in a 'perfect' sense, I don't think he is really owed anything. However, it would behoove Topps to do whatever it takes to get that card back (assuming it was the only one packed out, which may not be the case). I may be biased, but that is how I feel.



What if this is all assumption and that's just a cool card added in the anniversary hoopla.

How long did it take you to get every card when you broke the code?

Do you think they have all the code breaker Autos made already?

[calculusdork]

What if this is all assumption and that's just a cool card added in the anniversary hoopla.

How long did it take you to get every card when you broke the code?

Do you think they have all the code breaker Veda made already?

We broke 2013 a year after release (release was July 2013, broke in August 2014), and it still took me a ton of pushing to get the 2013 set in February 2015.

[Yankees_Pride]

We broke 2013 a year after release (release was July 2013, broke in August 2014), and it still took me a ton of pushing to get the 2013 set in February 2015.

Exactly!!! Maybe the Harper was supposed to be packed out.

[poppudaimadochi]

Exactly!!! Maybe the Harper was supposed to be packed out.

not a single chance, since it looks like they FINALLY created a specific copy of the auto'ed minis scheduled to be part of the Codebreaker set; this is either a terrible mistake or part of the 2015 Code, but I highly doubt the Codemaster would go to such length...

[calculusdork]

not a single chance, since it looks like they FINALLY created a specific copy of the auto'ed minis scheduled to be part of the Codebreaker set; this is either a terrible mistake or part of the 2015 Code, but I highly doubt the Codemaster would go to such length...

Hey G ... what if the 2014 set has 'CODE BREAKER' on the minis as well ;)

[sammyjankis]

No way it's part of the code unless brentandbecca is in on it. Otherwise, what would happen if someone pulled a "piece of the code" and decided to PC it and never upload scans anywhere?

It looks like a big mistake from Topps. I wonder if there will be more or if Harper is the only one.

[Andrew Jones]

Why are all you haters and trolls posting negative stuff about Topps but nobody says anything negative about other manufacturers like Prospect Rush and Wheeler Collection?

Sarcasm font

[calculusdork]

No way it's part of the code unless brentandbecca is in on it. Otherwise, what would happen if someone pulled a "piece of the code" and decided to PC it and never upload scans anywhere?

It looks like a big mistake from Topps. I wonder if there will be more or if Harper is the only one.

Agreed 100%. We're still waiting to see if there are more. Hopefully not.

[benjamincarm]

Agreed 100%. We're still waiting to see if there are more. Hopefully not.

Maybe if Topps wasn't all cloak and dagger, they would address it.

[Enryon]

That is an awesome idea!!

Thanks! Every year I give my students cyphers to break during thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring breaks for extra credit. I always have a few that crack them. They seems to be really good at busting book cyphers which ginter usually uses in one form or another.

[shrevecity]

Could it be possible that this was intended to be inserted and the 2015 Codebreaker prize is something entirely different.

[Yankees_Pride]

Could it be possible that this was intended to be inserted and the 2015 Codebreaker prize is something entirely different.


I was looking for information on this and haven't seen anything but I agree

[poppudaimadochi]

Hey G ... what if the 2014 set has 'CODE BREAKER' on the minis as well ;)

that'd be amazing for you guys for sure ;)

[shrevecity]

I was looking for information on this and haven't seen anything but I agree

Ginter has been known for its unannounced inserts and such in the past.

[Jblaw1]

Does Brent gets his cases direct from Topps? Do they give him steep discounts for being the face of the breaking their product? I'm not saying there is a two sided business relationship, but if there is, and Brent benefits from this relationship (in more ways than big hits), then yeah, I think he would be expected to have a quasi-fiduciary duty to bring it to their attention. If he doesn't get any perks from Topps, then no harm no foul.

Then again, sounds like it was an honest mistake (supported by the low BIN), so it is defiantly in Topps corner.

Hate to do this, but there is no "fiduciary" duty, quasi or otherwise owed by Brent, a customer, to Topps who supplies to him.


Brent got a great card and sold it too cheap because no one expected a screw up like this. Topps has screwed the pooch and will have to figure it out.

From what little I know of Brent he is a solid guy who is concerned about the product and how this will affect. Seems like this stuff is loaded with errors and mix ups (see the 10th anniversary cards not numbered, 16/15 stanton etc.

[benjamincarm]

Hate to do this, but there is no "fiduciary" duty, quasi or otherwise owed by Brent, a customer, to Topps who supplies to him.

I agree, now that I know he gets it from a distributor. My point was IF he has a business relationship with Topps. We're on the same page. :)!

[brentandbecca]

OK, lots going on in this thread.
It's amazing to always see so many assumptions or speculation

1. I am not allowed to buy from Topps. I have asked 3 times in past 9-10 years (most recently in 2012). I buy from a distributor like most everyone else does. Breakers all get the same prices as most distributors are at the same % above cost. Anyone can buy from them. You don't have to be 'special'
Often distributor cases are seen as not as solid as the hobby store/direct ones as has been floating around for years but that's another point for another day, lol

2. I do not have contact info or business deal with Topps. I used to have many contacts and spoke with Mark Sapir regularly. He was tough but was always open to hear my suggestions and helped me if I had damaged a couple times (or missing, like the big 2010 Topps Chrome Baseball mess that most can recall)
Topps had many people leave or be fired about 2 years ago, so i lost the few higher up contacts I have.
The only interaction I have had with Topps in the past year is via Twitter, and of course Sooz, who most follow and chat with thru twitter regularly, but she is behind the scenes, and now is doing the blog among other things.

3. If I was involved in the ginter code or something, don't you think I would have listed the card higher or listed it as such. It was an error. I have another Harper auto and did not see the pic I used. I see 100s of autos and cards. I missed it, my wife missed it when she opened it, and my friend who scanned it for me missed it. We weren't looking, didn't think to, why would that be packed out, and was not different color frame or numbered 1/1. Plus it shows up much better in scan than in person. I was not even going to list it last night, was going to 5-day auction it as it was close to midnight, so thought I'd throw it up to see if any overnight offers before auctioning today. Big mistake.

4. This was not intentional by Topps. They have been notified thru twitter and are researching and are not happy. Several packed out things apparently got packed out, and they are researching many incidents (not just mine) asking what case # it came from and want pictures, etc. They are trying to see what happened. But to think it is part of the Ginter code is odd as it may have not been opened for long time and should not have been packed out.

5. This does mess up this year's codebreaker auto set. Question is...did more get out? I guess we will see, and I am sure that is something Topps is looking in to. But maybe the code breakers will get an ever cooler color variation set or something as can't do another one like this or that kills the 1/1 codebreaker.

6. I care for the hobby and collect as well. So want to do what is best. I have contacted Topps and the buyer. If the buyer wants to continue with the sell I am one to honor that and let Topps reach him if they do want the card back. This looks to be honest mistake by Topps and I missed it. I am not sure they would even want the card back.

7. Finally, I love this hobby, and have for over 30 years. And I am thankful to have a strong reputation in this hobby. I am one of only a few big breakers/sellers with 100% feedback (knock on wood, as it won't last, lol). For those that don't know I have been busting 100s of cases a year (Topps, UD, Donruss, Panini, Leaf) for a long time. Used to do every sport and non-sport. I bust more Topps than anyone I know and for over a decade, and has been a fun joy, even the ones I lose on, lol. I try to report anything I know about upcoming releases from odds to breaks to checklists as I can and try to offer facts and opinions that some may or may not be interested in. I do all this because I care. Does not help me gain business especially when I am bummed about some odds or releases, lol, and I break everything vs selling wax so I don't have a hidden agenda to pump a product you might say, lol. Point is, I enjoy the hobby. I do collect for myself. I have been at this a long time, and I know many think that there are so many 'bad' folks in the hobby and some have done 'bad' things thru this board, but most i run into are great, and love the hobby. 99.999% of my deals go smooth and I have life-long relationships with so many collectors and it has been a sincere joy helping them grow thir collections too, from the father and so who just want a $1 base team set each release to the guys like KO or master set builders.

Point is, sometimes guys like me don't visit here often as it seems to be so much negative and speculations that just aren't close to true...easy to do with social media and message boards...I get it. But very few of us have met in person or talked on the phone or really 'know' someone or the situation, so sometimes it is best to step back.

As of right now, the card is sold and will ship tonight unless something happens with the buyer today. He plans to visit with me after work. If any of that changes I will report it here so that those interested can know what is up.

[scottagibson]

Brent, thanks for being part of what is good about the hobby.

[benjamincarm]

I had a mens meeting this morning at my church and we discussed cynacism, honestly, I thought of this forum as a great example, myself included. Good post Brent, I think we all could/should learn a little something from it.

[HeritageKing]

Yeah not much you can do. Card has been sold. You gotta honor the bid and send it off. Topps can deal with the ramifications next year when the code gets solved.

[brentandbecca]

Update...
Topps does not want the card back.
I heard back just moments ago and the was told it is my card at this point.

I have talked to the buyer, who is a great guy and repeat buyer, and is completely understanding, and bought it because of the codebreaker, and loves the story behind the card. We are going to visit via phone tonight. If he still wants the card, I will ship it to him, but he also said he understood from my side and that it was not listed as codebreaker and that I did not see it, which is my fault, so we might make a joint deal or he may just take the card. We will talk tonight.

[benjamincarm]

Did they provide any other details?

[brentandbecca]

Did they provide any other details?

no
I know they are talking about all the stuff that did slip out and getting as much details as they can
I could be way off but definitely sounds like a packout issue where a box of non-packouts got placed in the mix
surely this is not the only 'codebreaker' card that got out, but never know

[cardbored]

Sounds like everything will work out nicely, Brent. And, by the looks of that Ted Williams cut sig you pulled in the last case, it looks like karma did you a solid for handling this issue with class.

[sthoemke]

It goes perfectly with the 16/15 Stanton rip card.

Is that even possible? ;)

[rob11nats]

If you end up honoring the original sale price - as your post on the previous page alluded to - I applaud you tremendously. I'd say 8 out of 10 ebay sellers would cancel the transaction, refund the money, and take the one negative feedback. Kudos to you, Brent. I don't think I've ever bought from you on ebay before but I can promise you that will change soon!

[homerunoveryou]

I imagine in that box of nonpackouts were the empty rip cards marked to be destroyed with a blue sharpie

[Eckstein197]

Just pulled the Brody Stevens code breaker auto.

And the Michael Taylor is on ebay.

In case anyone is keeping track

[mgugs46]

Weird. Topps completely botched something. Who would have thought it?

[stormshadow815]

I bet 100% this has something to do with the code. Someone posted a framed 10th anni stamped Mel Ott Kimball champ as well...

http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/baseball/900031-2015-ginter.html

Too many odd mistakes happening, even for topps.

[brentandbecca]

I bet 100% this has something to do with the code. Someone posted a framed 10th anni stamped Mel Ott Kimball champ as well...

http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/baseball/900031-2015-ginter.html

Too many odd mistakes happening, even for topps.


I was told the autos were NOT supposed to get packed out; now maybe they were wrong or lying, but doubtful and makes no sense to be part of the ginter code when it may have never got pulled or shown in public since a 1 of a kind
Plus code is said to be given thru twitter again this year


UPDATE:
I got a couple questions so wanted to update.
I shipped the buyer the card Friday night. He and I did speak, he is a great guy, and really liked the story behind the card and wanted to keep the deal in place, which I don't blame him at all, and after talking with him am happy he is the one getting it. He even thought it would be cool if Topps would make a special card about the card getting out and having us both in the Ginter set next year :)
Needless to say, he was excited.

[shrevecity]

http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/baseball-box-breaks/900509-2015-allen-ginter-code-breaker.html