What do you do if an eBay seller doesn't...

MorrellMan

...answer a question regarding his lot? I may be in the minority, but when I have cards up on the 'bay, I'm on the computer at least once a day to see if anybody has questions. I sent a seller a question regarding the condition of two cards he has up where his description wasn't too clear, and I haven't gotten an answer. Would you assume that the seller doesn't want to be more explicit regarding the actual condition of the card he's offering? I know what I think; just trying to find out what others think.

SKINSFAN

NO RESPONCE = NO BID

DeutscherGeist

Its always better to just pass when there is no response. This happens quite a bit. Either the sellers are out of town or tied up, or they don't care enough to respond. Either way, you don't know what you are bidding on, so just stay away.

Rainman

usually i pass, unless i REALLY want the card and it's likely the condition matches the picture (i.e., PSA 10 means i'll get a PSA 10). some ISPs (AOL) filter out 'spam' email and i know i haven't gotten all questions from bidders. however, i try to make my auctions as clear as possible- picture and description wise...i.e., all known details about the card/player/condition etc., shipping terms, payment types accepted, etc...that way there really shouldn't be any need for someone to ask me a question. however, i answer all questions sent to me, even if it's after an auction close.

CON40

Mark;

If it is a high dollar item, I would not take the chance. If the seller isn't respectful enough to answer a potential bidder's questions, what else may he/she be capable of that is not in your best interest?

phreakydancin

If I get no response, I likely won't be bidding. I only ask questions if my bid is depending on the answer anyway.

What I hate is when sellers provide tiny eBay-hosted pictures, then refuse/can't be bothered to comply to requests for larger ones. How can I bid on a card if I can't get a reasonable idea of its condition?

Spigrimace

Caveat Emptor!

MorrellMan

Thanks for the consensus - pretty unanimous and inline with my thinking; I bid as if the seller's answer (which never came) was as negative as possible and, of course, I came up short - no regrets.

DirtyHarry

MM - you did the right thing. I once committed the STUPID act of bidding on a vintage card that was being represented as NM, even after the seller did not respond to me. The scan looked good. He then later did not respond to my emails after I received the card. I paid about $40, sent it in to PSA for grading, and it came back a 3 - three grades below NM.
I got $18 for it on Ebay. So, I learned the hard way. I'll never do that again.