What would you do in this situation?

RonBurgundy

I sold a PSA 7 Mantle on Ebay recently. I had a very nice, large scan on the card and described it accurately. My seller policy is no returns on graded cards (unless it is damaged in shipping, etc.).

Well, the buyer gets it and immediately starts complaining about a print line on the card, which is somewhat evident from the scan. Claims the card is an "eyesore", etc. and wants a refund. I told him no, my policy is clear, as PSA grades the cards and I don't. (FWIW, the card is very nice despite the print line. The corners are PSA 9 quality and it has great gloss and 60-40 vertical centering and 50-50 horizontal centering). Now I'm getting accused of "not being a reputable dealer", etc. despite 100% feedback......I suspect the guy is having buyer's remorse because the card sold fairly high.


I would love your thoughts. I am not at all inclined to take the card back but would be curious as to any and all thoughts.



Stay classy,

Ron

JrMacdaddy

TS

baseballfanatic

Your policy states clearly "No returns on graded cards". Nuff said.............

onefasttalon

You're probably right, the guy is either having buyer's remorse, his wife (or mom) found out home much he spent on it, or he was HOPING you would send it without confirmation in hopes to then scam you via Paypal for his money back (and keep the card.) Large scan... PSA graded... AND a policy that states no returns! What more can you do? If you ask me, I say let him keep the card.... you'll get a neg feedback (completely unwarranted) if that matters. I believe most of us are Ebay'rs here and KNOW these things happen (concerning the neg. feedback.) If you don't want to deal with him, give him the $$ back, but you will NOT avoid the neg. feedback, I'm pretty sure of it. If you go the $$ back route, remind that person it cost you several bucks to list it, sell it, and collect on it... I'd do what you could to get your fees back.

You COULD offer to send him a bottle of Sex Panther first... maybe that will pursuade him otherwise?

RonBurgundy

I would add too my only real concern, I suppose, is like a lot of sellers I leave people feedback when they pay. I don't wait for them to do so first. So now of course I'm at risk of negative feedback because this guy is supposedly unhappy

baseballfanatic

You'll just have to add a comment under his feedback. No big deal. Sellers with a couple of negative feedbacks mean nothing to buyers because stuff happens. Leaving him a positive will actually work in your favor. This is an excellant example of a buyer holding feedback hostage.....

sagard

Show us the auction in question.

coachh

Offer him 20% less than he paid. If he takes it, good for you. If not, oh well.

Barfvader

If this is the auction in question AWESOME 1961 TOPPS MICKEY MANTLE #300 PSA 7 NEAR MINT! the print line is not only somewhat evident it is clearly visible so there should not be an issue of the buyer not noticing it until they got the card.

Sounds like buyers remorse.

zef204

I agree. Fcuk him.

gaspipe26

No return of graded cards. Enough said is correct.

SDavid

Just take the neg/neutral, if necessary. Scammers (not saying this guy is one, btw) typically look for sellers who obviously "give in" easily to protect their feedback, so you're really better off with a few negs. As long as you respond intelligently to his comments, you'll come out looking fine.

jimq112

At the bottom of your auction it says

Seller's return policy:
Item must be returned within: 7 Days Refund will be given as: Money Back

You might be stuck, if he files a complaint with ebay.

Make sure you save your picture and a copy of the auction in case you need it later.

sfmays24

Hi Ron,

I agree with jimq112... you might want to remove this from your settings to avoid this from happening again:

Seller's return policy: Item must be returned within: 7 Days Refund will be given as: Money Back

Also, I believe PayPal requires a "refund policy" ...even if it's something like, "no refunds on graded cards unless wrong card is sent, ect." But, since you forgot to remove the "Seller's return policy" at the bottom of your page, I think this would overule your added "no refund on graded cards" policy... just my opinion.

By the way, I clearly can see the vertical print line that run nearly the length of he card... not to mention the O/C TB and print dots, I would have never bid on this card and no doubt the buyers realizes he made a mistake or at least paid too much. The best you could hope for is to offer a refund less all eBay, Paypal and shipping fees.

Best of luck.

Mike

Rambler

I think you could have mentioned the print line in your description which you didn't, you said the card had terrific eye appeal and will fit in very well with any high grade set, no mention of a big print line. Granted it's pretty obvious in the scan but still... you could have mentioned it, he may have assumed it was in the scan and not on the card since you didn't mention it. I'd think before I shelled out 450.00 bucks I'd be finding out. If you did mention it then there probably wouldn't have been a problem, but then again you probably wouldn't have got that price for it either. How do you feel about it ? Do you feel you were forthright and upfront about the print line or did you fail to mention it for a reason and hope the scan would speak for itsself because you planned on taking no returns on graded cards anyway ? It is a pretty ugly print line. My question is how come it wasn't graded with a PD qualifier ? I've sure seen cards with a PD qualifier that look better then that card. Would I give him his money back ? I don't know. Maybe you could offer it to the next highest bidder which is only a 5.00 difference and see if they still want it, that way he gets his money back, you sell it for 5.00 less and everybody is happy.

RonBurgundy

All - thank you for the thoughts. That is the auction in question. As you can see the print line is evident from the scan. I take great care when I list something to get a good scan and often pay for the larger picture so there are no surprises.

I do offer a 7 day return policy on anything ungraded. The no return policy for graded cards. is clearly stated in my shipping instructions, however, with future auctions I'll be sure to add this to the item description as well, just to make things clear. "Crystal" clear.



Stay classy,


Ron

chaz43

<< <i>I sold a PSA 7 Mantle on Ebay recently. I had a very nice, large scan on the card and described it accurately. My seller policy is no returns on graded cards (unless it is damaged in shipping, etc.).

Well, the buyer gets it and immediately starts complaining about a print line on the card, which is somewhat evident from the scan. Claims the card is an "eyesore", etc. and wants a refund. I told him no, my policy is clear, as PSA grades the cards and I don't. (FWIW, the card is very nice despite the print line. The corners are PSA 9 quality and it has great gloss and 60-40 vertical centering and 50-50 horizontal centering). Now I'm getting accused of "not being a reputable dealer", etc. despite 100% feedback......I suspect the guy is having buyer's remorse because the card sold fairly high.


I would love your thoughts. I am not at all inclined to take the card back but would be curious as to any and all thoughts.



Stay classy,

Ron >>





No returns on graded cards is a tough thing.... I would give the guy his money back . It's not worth seeing the "neg" up in the box everytime you look at your feedback. chaz

yawie99

The scan is clear, but your description is not even remotely honest. And as somebody else pointed out, there's some disconnect between the stated Seller's return policy and the Seller's payment instructions. You're as much to blame as this guy. Give 'im the refund.

RonBurgundy

That is a gross overstatement to say the description is not even "remotely honest". In addition, if you cannot discern the issues with the card by viewing the scan, then you are blind and perhaps should not be on Ebay. As far as the description is concerned, the card was graded a 7 and having held the card in my hand, I concur that was the appropriate grade. The corners on the card were PSA 9 quality and the gloss and color on the card were very solid, but for the print line. Furthermore, if you disagree from the scan that the card does not have good eye appeal, then don't bid on it.

I had actually thought about mentioning the print line in the description, then thought to myself, "no, it's easy enough to see, it is self-evident." Apparently some people need to be told that, despite what their eyes should be readily able to see.

As far as the disconnect between the return policy is concerned, I agree with that and it will be corrected.


Stay classy,


Ron

WinPitcher

From the scan, I see the print line but since it does not run into the border one could be inclined to think that it is part of the card and should be there. Not everyone is familiar with the 61 set. Had the print line ran thru Micks face then no one could complain. I dunno, it is a tuff call.


Steve

calleocho

Offer the card to the second highest bidder...its a 5 dollar difference.

If that works out , then give him a return.

WinPitcher

cal and others.........offering it to the 2nd hi bidder is sorta hard since Ron does not have the card and I assume a substantial amt. of time has gone by since the auction ended. plus, many people dislike taking a 2nd chance offer. I know i do. the 2nd hi bidder may have spent his dough elsewhere seeing that he did not win here.

jmo

steve

earlycalguy

Someone bidding $500 bucks on a card should be taking a look at the scan - it's a clear scan and the card's defects can be seen. as a courtesy you could offer it to the second highest bidder - if they don't want it then I say no return.

pandrews

the guy that bought this one from you might want a refund, when he finds out it's not GAI PSA..

stay classy,

onlyanumber

This looks like buyers remorse to me. He lost out on a PSA 4 1961 #300 on March 9th. He has bought cards graded as low as a 2 and as high as an 8. He either has a snipe program set or is very good at throwing bids in as all his bids come in with just seconds to play. Either or, I don't think he pays much attention to the cards or the item descriptions and works more on the impulse. With that said, I just wanted to emphasize some points:

1) The card was graded by PSA. You did not overgrade any card in the description. PSA graded it a 7.

2) The line is clearly visible in your scan.

3) Although the seller's return policy section states you take returns, you state in your payment instructions no returns on graded cards. To me, that equals out and should not be a factor in your decision.

Yes, if you don't refund his money he will probably neg. you and take out a paypal dispute with you. That is a serious headache you probably don't want to deal with.

I like the idea of offering a refund - 20% and see if he bites. Because in the same token, if you give in and refund his money, it could be me next week or someone else the following week going through the same BS with this buyer.

lawnmowerman

The line is clearly visable. He should have emailed you and asked if the line was on the card or just on the case or scanner. Buyers need to pay attention to what they are buying and ask plenty of questions.

edit to say: You should give a refund because of what the auction states. Its says no refund then 7 day refund policy.

Refund his money and remove the refund policy from future auctions.

MorrellMan

Everything I need to know about your auction is shown before the scan:

1. Check the seller's reputation
Score: 220 | 100% Positive
Read feedback comments
2. Learn how you are protected
Free PayPal Buyer Protection.
See eligibility
Returns: Seller accepts returns.
7 Days Money Back

Description

You are bidding on an awesome 1961 Topps Mickey Mantle #300 PSA 7 NM! This is a very, very solid card, all the way around. Nice colors and gloss, well centered, and super corners. This card has terrific eye appeal and will fit in very well with any high grade set!

Shipping will be $5.00 via USPS first class mail with delivery confirmation. Insurance, if desired, is extra. Shipping costs for additional items won will be $1.00 each. Please check my other auctions as I will be listing many other items including a 1959 Topps Starter Set of over 200 cards including Mantle! This item will ship within 24 hours of payment. Feel free to check my feedback! Please email me with any questions, and good luck bidding! Thanks!

After viewing the scan, there is no further reason to scroll down any further, which is where the inserted line about no refunds on graded cards appears. I've seen the card, I've seen your return policy and that you accept paypal and I know the shipping cost. To hide behind fine print down at the bottom of an offering which contradicts content at the top of the offering is a bit unethical. No refund may have been your intent, but it isn't fair to assume the buyer knows that - to him, you're just trying to weasel out of the terms you stated up front.
IMHO, Regardless of his reason for seeking a refund, he is entitled to it.

Stone193

Ron

I agree, you could stick to your guns -

<< <i>There are no returns on graded cards! >>

- but I will say, someone could easily miss the disclaimer in the payment instructions.

Also, I will say that a print line may look ok in a scan and be much more of an eyesore in person?

I totally understand if you want to go by the letter of your law.

But, IMO, make the no return policy on graded bold for future sales.

Now, again, this is my opinion - it's a great card - life is short - my recommendation would be to take the card back and resell it. See if the guy would be willing to eat your ebay expenses - but if you are a semi-full time dealer or heavy part-timer? I'ld chalk it up to expenses.

Good luck
mike

baseballfanatic

Stick to your guns. The bidder bid on a Seated Liberty dime that was listed as a half dollar (even though the scan CLEARLY showed a dime, both obverse and reverse) and left the seller a negative because he didnt get a half dollar. I thought the reason we use PSA and GAI (I wont use SGC because of the centering issues) is to have a third party grade a card so things like this wont happen. No returns on graded cards wasnt hidden anywhere. This is an excellant example of why sellers should never leave feedback first........

Boopotts

I'd offer him a refund. The auction does say 7 day return policy, and while that's contradicted at the bottom I think it's fair for a buyer to assume you'll refund his money if he's not happy. For all he knows your 'usual' policy is not to allow returns, but you've decided to offer a 7 day return window on this particular card because it's a high dollar item and forgot to change the text at the bottom of the description.

JoeBanzai

This is a tough one, but I would refund the money. My reason is your description states that the card has "terrific eye appeal". Had you added "despite vertical print line", it would have come off a little better. I do see your point that you have a no return policy on graded cards.

JoeBanzai

WinPitcher

Good points by boo and morrellman,

I agree with them.


I'd tell the guy he is eating all expenses and you want the card back first.

I guess it falls into (how would I feel if it happened to me) Ron put yourself in his shoes..............then do what you would want happen to you.


SD

goose3

with you having conflicting statements in your listing.....I would opine that the proper thing to do would be to honor the one that benefits the bidder at this point.

In the future, do not even have that line in your PSA auctions whether or not you clearly state NO returns on graded items. It leaves you sort of out there hanging.