When it says in the auction description "I am not a professional grader..."

digicat

Do you feel free to ask "the tough questions"?

I saw an auction for a card I was interested in, but it had the "Since I am not a professional grader, I am unqualified to render an opinion on the condition of this card."

I asekd if the card had any creases, wrinkles, paper loss, writing, known trimming, and the seller responded by letting me know that I offended him with my questions and that I had been blocked from bidding on his auctions.

Is it taboo to ask stuff like this?

lawnmowerman

Usually when I see that line, I move on. 9 times out of 10 they know there is a problem with the card and just say that to cover themselves.

baseballfanatic

If it needs to be asked, dont bid.

The only time I ask questions like that is if the person has 1,000 feedback and there is no history of selling cards in thier feedback.
Sometimes Ma and Pa antiquers DO come accross a lot of cards that they will list in the Sports catagory and are just trying to be honest.

Most of the time though, a person will be selling and dealing only in cards for 5 years and will use the same excuse (not an expert)

THOSE are the ones who are trying to get something past an unsuspecting bidder.

The one you wrote to is one of these people and is why he blocked you

JeffD27177

It's odd that you all feel it's a lie and an attempt to cover something up.

I use a similar line as a disclaimer to protect myself from buyers that are expecting PSA 10 or BGS 9.5 cards. I usually write something to the effect of "I don't see any significant flaws, but I'm not a professional grader, so please use the scan to judge for yourself."

If I just wrote "I don't see any significant flaws" and then they send it to BGS and get an 8 on the corners, I don't want to have to refund their money.

If everyone thinks this is just a ruse to cover up obvious flaws that I know are there, then I'm going to change my language. But I can promise in my case, that's not at all what it is.

bifff257

<< <i>When it says in the auction description "I am not a professional grader..." >>





RUN FORREST RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NathanSr

Using the disclaimer is not 100 percent proof positive that the seller is hiding something. However, the getting easily offended and blocking you, now I believe he is hiding something. Honest sellers want to help potential buyers out. My 2 cents.

NathanSr

thedutymon

Good day,
Even after having done this for 20+ years I still do not grade my Raw cards in my auctions......Period !!!!!
That being said, I would have already provided all of the info for the questions you asked (Wrinkles, paper loss, trimming, creases, ect.) already in my listing. Or if you asked a question about the cards condition not in my listing, I would more than happily offer any info I had short of offering an opinion on the condition.
As everyone else is saying when the use the "Not a Pro Grader" line, 9 times out of 10 they are being dishonest in some way.
Neil

sfmays24

"9 times out of 10 they know there is a problem with the card and just say that to cover themselves" ...lawnmowerman is correct.

I always use the following without a problem .... "I am not a professional grader, but I play one on TV."

Mike

bullrat

I usually put in my descriptions that I am not a professional grader, so look at the scan and decide for yourself the quality of the card. Not trying to hide anything and the fact is, if there is a good scan it makes no difference what I say the card grades. Buyers go by the scan which is what I want them to do. However, I do try to be as helpful as possible when buyers have a question or want more scans.

I don't think buyers ask enough questions which leads to misunderstandings. Also, the way sellers answer questions, how quickly, etc. should play a part in the buying decision. If a seller gets offended because of "tough questions", which they weren't, or won't reply they may as well block me from bidding because it won't be happening anyway.

lawnmowerman

Are you a professional grader?

No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

digicat

I always ask specific questions when I see this statement in an auction.

This is why I was kinda shocked that the seller got so upset by my questions.

At least with this guy, it seems that he might as well post: "You are bidding on the privilege to give me money. As a freebie, I'll send you this card."

f2tornado

"I am not a professional grader" means check the next listing. Any longtime card collector/seller can look at a card and give an honest opinion of condition. If the card has a bent corner it is not mint. A buyer simply cannot see all the details in a scan and a general condition is needed. When I buy older Twins cards I usually avoid sellers who do not state the condition as this is one area where a buyer has some recourse. When I buy a card stated mint I don't expect it to end up in a PSA 9 slab but it better at least resemble a NRMT 7. I understand the conundrum sellers can get into stating a condition and then having a picky buyer. My advice would be slightly lowball your grade (i.e. near mint or better) or slab it. Of the thousands of single cards I've sold on eBay over the last 11 years only once has a buyer noted the condition was not as advertised and that was simply a complete oversight on my part (that pesky reverse side chipping). The buyer didn't even wan't a refund when I offered. The BS seller might get a leg up initially but in the long run the no BS sellers get a bigger slice of the pie. My wife still cannot belive I can buy a card one day (often from a lower feedback seller) and flip it the next week for double or triple the amount. I tell her reputation goes a long way.

mcolney

I've been collecting since 1972 and just by the fact that I've handled 1000's of cards I have a pretty good idea of grade. I also use the PSA cards I have as a reference.

I have no problem grading a card in my description. I provide a good picture, note any issues like wax stains or indentations and provide a brief and clear explanation of the card. I rarely every have a problem and have received many positive feedbacks along the lines of "finally, an accurately graded card on ebay."

If its NM it better have four strong corners and no obvious flaws, period. How many cards do we see that are listed as NM and are obvioulsy EX or slightly better. I never list any card as Mint because that is were my expertise falls off - isn't a card that is grade as GEM MINT by PSA reviewed by more than one grader? Its just me grading the card and my eyes get weak beyond a NM-MT conditioned card.