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Collector Zone _ No Purchase Necessary _ How to do an NPN

Posted by: Luke2411 Feb 24 2007, 05:52 PM

I posted this in another thread, in order to directly respond to a question, but I thought I would copy it and post it as it's own thread in case people are looking for some direction in sending in NPNs. Maybe if someone wanted to pin this topic, it could serve as a reference point.

NPNs, or No Purchase Necessary offers are a pretty fun way to get free cards from card companies. From what I understand, companies have to provide a way for you to acquire the special insert cards in their packs without purchasing a pack. Otherwise, by associating odds with certain insert cards, buying packs would be considered gambling, and gambling rules would apply. This would completely eliminate the ability of companies to sell cards to kids. So, just like any other contest you might see on the back of a candy bar wrapper, they offer you a chance to get an insert card for free, at the same odds they are inserted into packs.

Typically, NPN offers are specifically outlined on the outside wrapper of a pack of cards. Follow those directions to the "T." Some TCC members are nice enough to post the addresses for some of the products we may never actually break ourselves, but you can always get the NPN directions for each specific product off a pack wrapper. Also, try http://www.npnsportscards.com/ website for many current NPN offers.

In order to send in an NPN, follow these general guidelines along with what you read on the back of a wrapper, for Donruss/Playoff, Topps, or companies other than Upper Deck. Directions for Upper Deck will be given at the bottom.

1. Write your name, address, phone number and e-mail address on a 3"x5" index card. Not a piece of paper, not a burger wrapper, not a post-it, not a piece of toilet paper, not a scroll. Write it on an index card. These are free cards the company is giving you. They specify precise directions for submitting an entry for an NPN card, and they expect you to follow them. They will look for any reason not to give you a free card. If you don't follow their directions, they will not send you one. So, just do it. It's not hard. If you live in Canada, you'll also want to include the answer to the skills question on the index card. If you don't live in Canada don't worry about this. I've never seen one where you had to write your age on it, but if the wrapper says it, do it. As far as I know, there are no age restrictions. This makes sense because, like I said above, companies offer NPNs to get around gambling restrictions. This would eliminate the youth market, because kids under 18 would then not be able to buy cards. So, it would make sense that they don't have an age restriction on NPNs, because one reason they exist is so children can still buy cards. Hope that makes sense.

Also, if the wrapper (offer) says one per household, only send in one for that particular product. If it says one per household per day, only send one per day. Don't press your luck, just do as they say. It's a "free" card, why be stupid and ruin your chances of getting one?

2. Place that index card into a no. 10 envelope. This is not a regular envelope, it's a longer one (typically used for business letters). They are 4 1/8" x 9 1/2." Do not try to use some other types of envelope for the same reasons above. And, please, just use a white one.

3. On the outside of the envelope write the address for the NPN offer. Write it exactly the way the wrapper indicates, or follow the directions on the website listed above. You may also add a return address in the upper left hand corner of the envelope, as you usually would. However, there is no need to send an SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) with your submission. So, DON'T SEND ONE. They will typically send you back a card (if you get one) in their own envelope (usually a bubble mailer), so they don't need one from you.

4. Put a stamp on it and drop it in the mail box.

So, your no. 10 envelope should include an index card only with the appropriate information written on it, with the correct address for the NPN offer written on the outside and your return address in the upper left hand corner (optional). THAT'S IT.

For Upper Deck Products: As of January 2008 Upper Deck has gone to an online submission for NPNs. You have to register for an online account with Upper Deck. To access the NPN page, go to npn.upperdeck.com, login and then click the drop down menu to choose the product you want to submit an NPN request for. It's that simple. Hopefully, the other companies will follow suit (as long as UDs program goes smoothly). This will save us the postage that we generally have to pay for NPNs.

It's pretty easy, only takes about two minutes to complete one.

Now, will you or will you not get one back???

The offer states that you are sending in for a chance to win an insert card at the same odds that the insert cards occur in that product's packs. So, if you're sending in for 05 Donruss Elite Baseball, an insert card falls about one per pack, so you should get at least an insert card back from Donruss. Game-used or autos fall three per box, so you have a 3 in 20 (since there are 20 packs in a box) chance of getting one of those back. Understand? If the odds in a pack for a game-used or auto are 1 in 4, you get the same odds when submitting your NPN. From what I understand, the companies set aside a number of boxes for NPNs, they open one up, draw a name, open a pack and if that pack has an insert card in it, they send it to whomever's name they drew. Your name always gets drawn, if you've sent one in, but if there's no insert in the pack they open for you, you don't get anything.

Now, it's unclear what they do for the high end products that guarantee game-used or autos in every pack. I know with Triple Threads Baseball, last year, people only got back the inserted parallel cards of the base set, not any of the triple game-used or autos. So, with Triple Threads football, don't expect to get a triple jersey or triple jersey auto. My guess is that they aren't going to give you a card for free that you'd normally have to pay $100+ a pack for. If you send one in for National Treasures, you'll probably just get back one of the numbered base cards, not one of the game-used or autos. However, in the lower end products, it seems that everything is fair game. I've gotten back autos, game-used, parallels, you name it.

So, just follow those directions and good luck. I hope this helps.

Posted by: jetsrock3195 Mar 3 2007, 07:28 PM

thanks

Posted by: northicehero99 Mar 3 2007, 07:57 PM

QUOTE(Luke2411 @ Feb 24 2007, 05:52 PM)
From what I understand, the companies set aside a number of boxes for NPNs, they open one up, draw a name, open a pack and if that pack has an insert card in it, they send it to whomever's name they drew. Your name always gets drawn, if you've sent one in, but if there's no insert in the pack they open for you, you don't get anything.


Thanks so much for the helpful listing, I should have put one of these up a long time ago.

Just curious where you heard the quote above from? Of course that might explain why it takes them so long to send out the NPNs. laugh.gif

Posted by: Luke2411 Mar 4 2007, 03:41 PM

QUOTE(northicehero99 @ Mar 3 2007, 07:57 PM)
Thanks so much for the helpful listing, I should have put one of these up a long time ago.

Just curious where you heard the quote above from?  Of course that might explain why it takes them so long to send out the NPNs.  laugh.gif
*




I can't really attribute the information to anyone in particular. It's just part of an amalgamation of info that I've been able to piece together from discussing NPNs on this board and others. I could very well be wrong, but it seems to me that would be the logical way for the process to occur. I used to think that what they meant by having the opportunity to get cards at the same odds meant that the odds of your name being drawn would be the same as it was for getting the cards in a pack, so for instance 1 in 5. But, the way I understand it now, which to me makes more sense, is that they set aside some product for NPNs. They draw names at random, and if you sent one in your name gets drawn, and they open a pack. If there's an insert in it, they send it to you. This way ensures that you have the same odds of getting an insert as stated on the packs. To me, the other way seemed rather complicated when it came to ensuring odds, because it would all determine on how many NPNs were sent in, plus, how would they pick which cards to send you? This way, the odds are the same, and they send you whatever insert is in the pack. Not as complicated if you ask me.

Hope that makes sense.

Posted by: Cratty Mar 14 2007, 04:49 AM

Hello there. I just read this post and wantted to try it. I bought 3 packs of 2001 Topps EX Football cards. But i looked on the back and it didnt say anything about how to do this. Do all companys put them on the packs or are they only certen ones? And the others put them on the boxs? I read this post after i bought the packs.

Now even though it doesnt say anything on the packs about a NPN. Should i still try to send it in a see what happens?? I mean the cards i got sucked. They were all based and no one good. I think the only good one was Terrell Owens. LoL. PLMK Thank you


Sean

Posted by: 2000 rushing yards Mar 14 2007, 05:41 AM

Not all of the products have the NPn address on the boxes and packs and some don't even have them at all.
Another thing is a 2001 pack won't get you any cards from an NPN wink.gif . As of now, they have to be 2006, 2006-07, or 2007 products.

Check the site in my sig that says the resource for all your NPN needs

Posted by: northicehero99 Mar 14 2007, 06:44 AM

2000 Rushing is right on, anything over 1/2 year or more older is not worth sending an NPN on, let alone 2001. Anything that has been out for a while probably has already had the NPN items distributed. Current products are the safest bet, that way you are not wasting your $0.39. Some of the products even have NPN deadlines, which is the case with any Topps products. Those dates are usually within 2 months of the product release and are clearly stated on the packaging.

Posted by: Luke2411 Mar 14 2007, 11:59 AM

Thanks for clearing up the question about timing guys. You think you cover everything but someone will always ask a question later on that you forgot to mention an answer for.

So, yeah, to reiterate, there's always at time limit on the NPNs. Topps states it directly, Upper Deck does not (and why would they, they make everything else a pain in the butt too). So, you should only send in for current products before the deadline, and with Upper Deck you still may send in too late, because you don't know the deadline.

Posted by: Cratty Mar 14 2007, 12:01 PM

Oh ok, Yea i was just woundering. I bought 2001 football packs cause that was L.T RC's and wantted to see in the NPN would send me maybe a RC or 2 of him. Hey, I tried LoL. Anyways, The NPN program, Is that only gonna be for last year and this years only or are they gonna keep doing it in years to come?



QUOTE(2000 rushing yards @ Mar 14 2007, 05:41 AM)
Not all of the products have the NPn address on the boxes and packs and some don't even have them at all.
Another thing is a 2001 pack won't get you any cards from an NPN wink.gif . As of now, they have to be 2006, 2006-07, or 2007 products.

Check the site in my sig that says the resource for all your NPN needs
*



Posted by: Luke2411 Mar 14 2007, 01:29 PM

No, they always do it, for the reasons I listed in the original post. They just have deadlines, so you can't send in for the 2001 NPNs in 2006. They'll continue to do them, as far as I know, indefinitely.

Posted by: fightingirishjd8 May 17 2007, 08:24 PM

dude say i did one for nat treasures, then i would deffinetly get a #ed base card?

Posted by: trot2millah Jun 4 2007, 05:51 PM

just out of curiosity, I just sent a couple in, how long should I expect to wait before receiving my cards or not cards?

Posted by: mzhang13 Jul 24 2007, 11:29 AM

just a question, is there any particular order to write your personal information and should you write on the blank side or the lined side?

Posted by: northicehero99 Jul 24 2007, 11:49 AM

QUOTE(mzhang13 @ Jul 24 2007, 11:29 AM)
just a question, is there any particular order to write your personal information and should you write on the blank side or the lined side?
*



I usually fill mine out on the lined side in this order:

Name
for UD I put my email under my name
Street info
City/State
for UD I put my phone number here

Not sure if there is a right or wrong way. Worst case though I would keep the address together so they do not get confused on where to send the package if you should win.

Posted by: ronaldinho0003 Mar 10 2008, 03:13 PM

thanx ill try it..

Posted by: rbkallstars Apr 5 2008, 06:53 PM

Thank You

Posted by: PaperMario4Brawl Jun 12 2008, 07:19 PM

Thanks

Posted by: 3rdbasestar20 Jul 2 2008, 08:27 AM

thanks for the post

Posted by: benshobbies Jul 14 2008, 08:26 AM

QUOTE(northicehero99 @ Jul 24 2007, 11:49 AM)
I usually fill mine out on the lined side in this order:

Name
for UD I put my email under my name
Street info
City/State
for UD I put my phone number here

Not sure if there is a right or wrong way.  Worst case though I would keep the address together so they do not get confused on where to send the package if you should win.
*



Does it matter what type of index card you send in? Cause I am going to send in some on a 3x5 index card that does not have any lines. Does it matter?

Also thanks to the OP for writing on this topic. It has stirred up a new desire in me for the hobby. I was floundering because I did not have enough money to buy hobby boxes and this seems like a really fun way to take part in the hobby. I'm sending out 5 NPN's in today's mail. I'm thinking about keeping a spreadsheet for NPN's so I do not accidentally send in the same NPN twice.

Thanks!

Benjamin
benshobbies

Edit: In the addresses that are posted on the NPNSportsCards.com website, do we have to include the (hobby) or the (jumbo) for Topps?

Posted by: FerrisBueller Jul 14 2008, 03:14 PM

QUOTE(benshobbies @ Jul 14 2008, 09:26 AM)
Does it matter what type of index card you send in?  Cause I am going to send in some on a 3x5 index card that does not have any lines.  Does it matter? 

Also thanks to the OP for writing on this topic.  It has stirred up a new desire in me for the hobby.  I was floundering because I did not have enough money to buy hobby boxes and this seems like a really fun way to take part in the hobby.  I'm sending out 5 NPN's in today's mail.  I'm thinking about keeping a spreadsheet for NPN's so I do not accidentally send in the same NPN twice.

Thanks!

Benjamin
benshobbies

Edit:  In the addresses that are posted on the NPNSportsCards.com website, do we have to include the (hobby) or the (jumbo) for Topps?
*



Do not include anything in the ().
The index card size matters, not whether it is lined or not (or white or colored index cards)
Yes, I suggest keeping a spreadsheet and an up to date response rate, its fun.
Good luck!

Posted by: cmalone1451 Dec 10 2008, 10:41 PM

would you put the same info for different companies

Posted by: FerrisBueller Dec 11 2008, 05:37 AM

Yes.

Posted by: Pete May 30 2009, 06:35 AM

Are these offers only valid in US and Canada?

Posted by: Luke2411 Jun 3 2009, 04:17 PM

QUOTE(Pete @ May 30 2009, 06:35 AM)
Are these offers only valid in US and Canada?
*




I'm not sure about that Pete. My guess is they probably are.

Posted by: 2000 rushing yards Jun 7 2009, 08:53 PM

i believe they are

Posted by: Pete Jun 8 2009, 10:03 AM

ok. Thanks guys

Posted by: meuandthelot Jul 6 2009, 11:55 AM

How do you do UD npn's again?

They seem to have grouped their NPN's with their rewards program scrapage!?

Odd

Posted by: benshobbies Jul 6 2009, 03:49 PM

QUOTE(meuandthelot @ Jul 6 2009, 11:55 AM)
How do you do UD npn's again?

They seem to have grouped their NPN's with their rewards program scrapage!?

Odd
*



As of right now we can't do Upper Deck NPN's. There are none to submit to on their site!

Posted by: Gamedudebt Jul 21 2009, 11:31 PM

So all you have to do is write the information on the index card on the NPN Site, and they send you some cards? If so how long does it take?

Posted by: benshobbies Jul 22 2009, 07:17 AM

QUOTE(Gamedudebt @ Jul 21 2009, 11:31 PM)
So all you have to do is write the information on the index card on the NPN Site, and they send you some cards? If so how long does it take?
*



You have to hand write your name, address, email address & Phone number on a index card and send it in the mail (a $.44 cent stamp will work...has to be in a #12 business size envelope). Some turn arounds have been between 2-4 months, others 4-6 months. If you read the thread you will see that we have still been getting NPN's from 2008 Products. I'm eagerly awaiting the 2009 Returns.

Posted by: Gamedudebt Jul 22 2009, 07:26 AM

Thanks! But if you send it in, is it garanteed that you'll get the free cards , between 2-4 months? or its only like sending it on and they might send you one.

Posted by: FerrisBueller Jul 22 2009, 07:35 AM

There are no guarantees. The odds of receiving a free NPN card are the same as the odds of receiving an insert or subset card printed on the back of the wrapper.

Posted by: nuhuskers Aug 22 2009, 11:52 PM

I am new to the npns and have a quick question. I see the npn site has addresses for the hobby, retail, blasters. Are all of these considered different product to where I can send to each address or should I just be sending to one address?
Thanks

Posted by: benshobbies Aug 23 2009, 07:07 AM

QUOTE(nuhuskers @ Aug 22 2009, 11:52 PM)
I am new to the npns and have a quick question.  I see the npn site has addresses for the hobby, retail, blasters.  Are all of these considered different product to where I can send to each address or should I just be sending to one address?
Thanks
*



They are all different products. For Topps NPN's you can send one for Blaster, Hobby, Retail, Cereal, etc. They are all sent to different addresses. If you send them all to the same address you will most likely be disqualified. Just send 1 index card per address unless it states otherwise.

Posted by: FerrisBueller Aug 23 2009, 08:56 AM

QUOTE(benshobbies @ Aug 23 2009, 08:07 AM)
They are all different products.  For Topps NPN's you can send one for Blaster, Hobby, Retail, Cereal, etc.  They are all sent to different addresses.  If you send them all to the same address you will most likely be disqualified.  Just send 1 index card per address unless it states otherwise.
*



Ben, are you sure about that? I used to think it was that way (each PO Box was its own product response), but with the recent lack of NPN reponses, I am starting to doubt that. Recently checking a wrapper, Topps printed that the NPN was limited to one per 2009 Topps Product Name. Not the PO Box. It stuck out to me for some reason, whether it was a wording change or something else. Has TOPPS verified this?

From the NPNsportscards.com website:

Can I send in entries for both the retail and hobby versions of the product?
No. NPNs specify that the limits are for the product overall, not on which version of the product you're mailing in an NPN for.

One more question: My son is now at college. He has his own box # there. NPN's state that they will not send to PO Boxes. Will companies send NPN's to a college box?

Posted by: benshobbies Aug 24 2009, 07:22 AM

QUOTE(FerrisBueller @ Aug 23 2009, 08:56 AM)
Ben, are you sure about that?  I used to think it was that way (each PO Box was its own product response), but with the recent lack of NPN reponses, I am starting to doubt that.  Recently checking a wrapper, Topps printed that the NPN was limited to one per 2009 Topps Product Name. Not the PO Box.  It stuck out to me for some reason, whether it was a wording change or something else.  Has TOPPS verified this?

From the NPNsportscards.com website:

Can I send in entries for both the retail and hobby versions of the product?
No. NPNs specify that the limits are for the product overall, not on which version of the product you're mailing in an NPN for.

One more question: My son is now at college. He has his own box # there.  NPN's state that they will not send to PO Boxes.  Will companies send NPN's to a college box?
*



That is Odd. I thought I had read on NPNSportscards.com 6 months ago that you could send one to each address. Also on the P.O. Box I have been putting the my address as Street/P.O. Box and it has been working fine. We'll see if I get any 2009 products from Topps and I'll let you know about the other one. Cause I sent one to each address and so far it has worked with Topps Products.

Posted by: kidcarcia Sep 6 2009, 08:32 PM

do you have to include the wrapper?

Posted by: benshobbies Sep 7 2009, 12:37 PM

QUOTE(kidcarcia @ Sep 6 2009, 08:32 PM)
do you have to include the wrapper?
*



Thankfully, no. It is best doing it from the wrapper, but if you need the addresses just go to www.npnsportscards.com and they usually have all the information you need. I have been using that site for quite a while now and would highly recommend it to someone who doesn't have all the money to buy packs of each product.

And if you have an address on your wrapper that isn't expired and that is not on the site, you can always help them out by sending them an email.

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