Fixing Card Misprint -Any Ideas?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 06 Apr 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

northsea	06 Apr 2004
I received a deck from overseas (Europe) with a couple of card misprints on two of the minors. It's the Golden Rider, and two cards (3 of Cups and King of Wands) have yellow-type fade/spots on the red clothing. I don't want to return the majors for replacements (their policy) because the majors are fine, and the shipping is expensive (about $15). Any ideas on how to paint over the defects? I'm thinking of using a red marker or something. (You may wonder why I ordered the Golden Rider from overseas. I also ordered the Moroccan Fez, but it turns out they don't really have the Fez in stock, so they sent the Golden Rider anyhow.)

closrapexa	06 Apr 2004
I'm somewhat a perfectionist, and if I'd paint over the miscoloured spots that would invariably show, I probably would feel even worse about the deck afterward. But thats just me. Still, if the misprints aren't that bad, why not leave them there? We forgive blemishes on the people we love, why not on our decks?

OakDragon	06 Apr 2004
Just an idea, but you may want to consider keeping them as they are. I don't know for sure about the tarot card collecting industry, but in other such things, misprints often become collector's items that people are willing to pay more for if you want to sell them.

northsea	06 Apr 2004
Hi closrapexa, That's a nice way of thinking about it, but the Golden Rider red is a deep/bright red, and the cards look a bit...off...with the green-yellow spots on the red clothing, for me. I'll probably try something to correct it. There's a couple of very minor defects on the WoF (the anubis has a dot on his nose, for one), and a spot on another minor, that I can probably be okay with.

northsea	06 Apr 2004
Hi OakDragon, I'm not sure if the card defects really qualify as 'misprint' for collector value, though, since it's just this deck, not all Golden Rider decks, that has the glitches.

Astraea	06 Apr 2004
Tommy, if I were you I would e-mail the company where you bought the deck and explain the situation (including the fact that shipping is too expensive to warrant returning the deck in order to replace two cards). They just might send you a replacement deck, especially if they know how distracting the misprints are.

OakDragon	06 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Tommy Hi OakDragon, I'm not sure if the card defects really qualify as 'misprint' for collector value, though, since it's just this deck, not all Golden Rider decks, that has the glitches. FWIW, if it's just that copy, that usually makes something more valuable, but then it does, as you say, depend on the type of defect and that may not qualify.

northsea	06 Apr 2004
Astraea, it's a possibility, but I'd probably be charged for the replacement deck shipping, according to their replacement policy. Something to consider, though.

Le_Corsair	07 Apr 2004
I ordered the Golden Rider last year, also, and it has ink runs across various cards, including my soul card, The Hermit. Since when I got the deck I was disappointed in the artwork, I never pursued getting replacement cards or a new deck; I think that they had a sloppy card run at AG Muller and you got a deck from the same time period as mine; it shows an indifference to quality control, if you ask me. As for your own particular card problem, why not try a red Sharpie? They are a good bright red, and if you use the pen carefully, you won't be any worse than you started. Bob :THERM

northsea	07 Apr 2004
Le_Corsair, You too, huh? hmmm Since the majors are fine, it seems correcting the two minors would be the easiest way to go. I'll probably try the red sharpie pen on them.

ScarabFlight	08 Apr 2004
Just an idea: could you get in touch with whoever made the deck? Maybe they could send you replacements of those two cards? Who knows it might work and the shipping for two cards has to be cheaper!

Logiatrix	08 Apr 2004
Tommy, I just returned my Golden Rider yesterday...it was the 7 of Pents in mine that had the blotchy paint mess up into the right corner of the border. :( I guess I'm quite picky, 'cuz once I see a glitch on my cards, I just can't get it out of my head. (I'm much more forgiving of people.... :D ) The way I see it, it's different if I cause the boo-boo in my deck, but finding one right out of the box? No, thanx! So, back to the store it goes.... Bummer that you got the deck from over-seas....maybe you can find another one here, and just replace the cards with that "back-up" deck...it wouldn't cost much more than shipping, etc. :)

northsea	08 Apr 2004
Hi Tauni, You too, huh? That deck must be prone to misprints, maybe because of the deep colors? Great idea about buying another deck locally :), it would be just as cheap as getting a replacement from overseas ....but this one is replacing my old GR, as it is wearing thin.... and they have different backs :laugh: , one deeper pink/magenta than the other. It may be most peace-of-mind for me to rectify the two minors with a Sharpie, and leave the investment at near $30, albeit flawed.

yve	08 Apr 2004
Many distributors carry spare decks just for replacement card purposes. If you e-mail the company, they may just send replacement cards for those 2 misprinted cards, it isn't necessary to get a whole new deck...I've had two manufacturers so far do this for me....If you don't know their e-mail, why not do a search on the internet?

DeLani	09 Apr 2004
I agree - you spent good money on a product that was, in no uncertain terms, defective. The company is obligated to replace the defective cards or else refund your money. Don't be shy - you are a customer, and you spent your money with them in good faith. Add to the fact that this wasn't even the deck you chose in the first place... E-mail the customer service dept., and be firm but polite that these defects are unslightly and you want replacements right away. Perhaps send pictures of the messed-up cards. If that doesn't work, go to the president of the company. Don't stop until you get what you paid for, or your money back. If this were any other product, would you be so hesitant to ask for what you paid for? Best of luck, DeLani

SongDeva	01 May 2004
Alternatively, you could use tiny little post-its to cover up the flaws.

hedgecub	02 May 2004
I believe you can also contact the deck publisher. If they had a bad run, they will know about it by now, and they should be happy to post you replacement cards for the ones that were misprinted in your deck.

The Fixing Card Misprint -Any Ideas? thread was originally posted on 06 Apr 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.