Ebay question -- raw cards for sale
richtree
Posts: 1,501 ✭✭✭
Hey guys,
What do you do when someone ask you your opinion about the card(s) you have up for auction.
One buyer keeps asking me, "What do I think the card will grade?"
I think it will grade an 8, with shot at 9, but I am apprehensive to say this because if it comes back a 7, I don't want the buyer furious at me.
I have provided him with high - quality scans of the card. He is hinting that he wants one that will grade a 9.
I can't guarantee that, and I have responded with scans and saying the cards well-centered and no major flaws.
Is there anything else I could or should do ?
thanks for answering in advance
-rt
What do you do when someone ask you your opinion about the card(s) you have up for auction.
One buyer keeps asking me, "What do I think the card will grade?"
I think it will grade an 8, with shot at 9, but I am apprehensive to say this because if it comes back a 7, I don't want the buyer furious at me.
I have provided him with high - quality scans of the card. He is hinting that he wants one that will grade a 9.
I can't guarantee that, and I have responded with scans and saying the cards well-centered and no major flaws.
Is there anything else I could or should do ?
thanks for answering in advance
-rt
Buying:
Topps White Out (silver) letters Alex Gordon
80 Topps Greg Pryor “No Name"
90 ProSet Dexter Manley error
90 Topps Jeff King Yellow back
1958 Topps Pancho Herrera (no“a”)
81 Topps Art Howe (black smear above hat)
91 D A. Hawkins BC-12 “Pitcher”
Topps White Out (silver) letters Alex Gordon
80 Topps Greg Pryor “No Name"
90 ProSet Dexter Manley error
90 Topps Jeff King Yellow back
1958 Topps Pancho Herrera (no“a”)
81 Topps Art Howe (black smear above hat)
91 D A. Hawkins BC-12 “Pitcher”
0
Comments
<< <i>Hey guys,
What do you do when someone ask you your opinion about the card(s) you have up for auction.
One buyer keeps asking me, "What do I think the card will grade?"
I think it will grade an 8, with shot at 9, but I am apprehensive to say this because if it comes back a 7, I don't want the buyer furious at me.
I have provided him with high - quality scans of the card. He is hinting that he wants one that will grade a 9.
I can't guarantee that, and I have responded with scans and saying the cards well-centered and no major flaws.
Is there anything else I could or should do ?
thanks for answering in advance
-rt >>
Wouldn't guarantee anything, this can only get you in trouble. You can mention you think its near mint, but your not a grader. Would say its best to undergrade your cards, this way your safe.
Save on ebay with Big Crumbs
<< <i>Your response: "In my opinion this card looks to be at least an "8"" or "I think this card is an 8 with an outside shot of a 9." -- better to underestimate than overestimate. >>
I didn't say anything like that to potenial buyer. I think they are 8's but I have seen 8's come back as 6's....
So , I don't know if its even good to underestimate? Is it?
Topps White Out (silver) letters Alex Gordon
80 Topps Greg Pryor “No Name"
90 ProSet Dexter Manley error
90 Topps Jeff King Yellow back
1958 Topps Pancho Herrera (no“a”)
81 Topps Art Howe (black smear above hat)
91 D A. Hawkins BC-12 “Pitcher”
To see a sample size of my listing picture look at a few closed ebay auctions from last week - seller ID mcolney - 1962 Unitas, 1962 Brown, 1958 Unitas to see a few. Have received strong positive feedback on all these transaction.
<< <i>do NOT get into numbers debates, it will only cause headaches.....if they want a 9, they should BUY a 9. >>
I agree 100%. Do not give number grades. It will only become a problem.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
"I am not a professional grader, and therefore, I do not have the qualifications to render an opinion as to the condition of this card. Please see the scan I have provided to come to your own conclusion."
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
<< <i>I give general descriptions of the card as NM, EX-MT, but do not provide what I think it would grade with a TPG >>
------Isn't saying a card is "EX-MT" the same as saying "Looks to be a 6"??
So, here is a good question.
Is there any program that is best for high quality scans?
I usually scan into "PAINT" but limited options.
Should I windex the scanner ?
Anything I can do to give buyers the best possible scan ? ? ?
Topps White Out (silver) letters Alex Gordon
80 Topps Greg Pryor “No Name"
90 ProSet Dexter Manley error
90 Topps Jeff King Yellow back
1958 Topps Pancho Herrera (no“a”)
81 Topps Art Howe (black smear above hat)
91 D A. Hawkins BC-12 “Pitcher”
Any speculative assignment of a numerical grade will almost
always guarantee an EBAY/PayPal problem, down the road.
...........
If you feel compelled to engage in a non-beneficial conversation
with buyers like the one described, simply tell them to buy a card
that has already been graded a 9. If they collect raw-cards, they
can easily bust the card out of the slab.
...........................
EBAY prohibits the assignment of number-grades to raw coins;
giving some cover for sellers to refuse to have "number" chats
with AH buyers. A similar rule should be put in place for cards.
<< <i>Storm, ------I just don't see the difference in calling a card "EX-MT" or a "6" (they are interchangeable, no?). When PSA sends a card back it comes with a number & condition descriptor: "EX-MT 6" and therefore if you sell a card as "EX-MT" and it comes back "EX 5" wouldn't you be in the same boat with paypal? In short, why is giving a number to the card any different than assigning a descriptor (and by descriptor I mean "EX-MT", perhaps my vocab is off). >>
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Sounds pretty logical.
There prolly is no material difference between using a number
and the grading term.
IMV, both are a mistake.
If the scans are good, a simple:
"The Cards Appear Nice and Fresh As Noted In The Scans"
is as far as I would wanna go with an EBAY buyer.
........................
The challenge is that there is no PayPal acceptable way to differentiate
between my "opinion" of the condition AND the opinion of the grading
company standards that the buyer has in his mind when he asks the
question or reads the description.
"I am not a professional grader," is amateur nonsense and it cuts no
ice with EBAY/PayPal. It constitutes a disallowed disclaimer. The seller
is responsible to "know" the condition, AND any attempt to describe it
needs to be accurate.
Since such "accuracy" requires a prediction of what PSA will think of
the card, the prediction will always be the same as a WAG. It might
be right more often that not, but when it is not the buyer can complain.
.............
The coin rap:
Raw and uncertified coins
A raw or uncertified coin is defined as any coin not graded by one of the authorized grading companies. Sellers can list these items on eBay as long as:
A numeric grade is not included in the title of the listing, such as MS-65, VF-25, etc. A numeric grade may only be included in the description of the listing.
The grading company or price guide is not referenced in the title or description.
A dollar value (even if personal opinion) is not included in the title or description.
The listing includes a photo of the coin with the appropriate markings. Images that are dark, out of focus, edited, or otherwise deemed misleading are not permitted. Stock photos aren’t permitted.
............
It appears that the current iteration of the rule has nothing to do with
confusing/misleading buyers. Obviously, it is designed to keep search
returns cleaner.
The difference is when you say it is a 6 you are implying it will grade a 6 at a TPG.
When you say the card appears Ex/MNT you are simply giving your opinion as to the condition of the card.
IMO they are 2 different statements.
Steve
Exactly, that is where the difference is.
Let me explain it this way, before pro grading people had to describe a card, right? well one would say ex. never back in the day would they say 5.
Of course one could say today it appears to be a 5 and then state, but who knows what a pro grader would say?
Just because someone claims a card is ex he/she is not claiming it will grade a 5 unless of course they make that statement.
Steve
I might tell him what I thought it was, but never could I guarantee what someone else would grade it.
Steve
So, if on eBay you describe a card as appearing to be "EXCELLENT" or appearing to be a "5" you are taking an equal risk that the card, if submitted, could come back as less. As I stated, the flip on PSA and other co.'s have a number and grade level. Thus, if you describe a card as "EXCELLENT" and it comes back from PSA 4 VG-EX, in theory the buyer could file a claim saying your "EXCELLENT" card came back "VG-EX."
"The card appears to have great eye appeal with no major flaws (if there are flaws, disclose them). I'm not a professional grader, so please carefully review the scans. If you would like additional scans, please feel free to contact me."
Scan the highest quality possible, of both sides, and post them in the auction.
Meaning it is not altered, fake, etc.
<< <i>I'm not a professional grader----------This one always scares me. Sounds like the seller is creating a loophole so when their EX-MT card comes in the mail with back wrinkle and pen mark, they can throw their hands up and say "Well, told you I wasn't a professional grader!" >>
//////////////////
While most folks who use that phrase are not scammers,
many scammers will use that phrase.
.......
The use of the phrase does NOT let a seller off the hook
in a PayPal SNAD-claim.
I agree with those who say, "If you want a 9, then buy a graded 9." How does one say that tactifully, without sounding like a jerk?
I've been asked the "grade" question only once, back when I first began selling on eBay. I was not too familiar with TPG's at that time and was naive about grading. I gave a numerical answer. Luckily it worked out, but I'll not do that again!
<< <i>
<< <i>I'm not a professional grader----------This one always scares me. Sounds like the seller is creating a loophole so when their EX-MT card comes in the mail with back wrinkle and pen mark, they can throw their hands up and say "Well, told you I wasn't a professional grader!" >>
//////////////////
While most folks who use that phrase are not scammers,
many scammers will use that phrase.
.......
The use of the phrase does NOT let a seller off the hook
in a PayPal SNAD-claim. >>
Storm - Hence the reason why I said not to give a value (be it numerical or classification).
Say your not a professional grader, disclose any and ALL flaws, post high res photos, and offer additional assistance.
If a potential buyer sees that as a scam, then they have serious issues and probably aren't worth dealing with in the first place.
Win, win.
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There might be merit in that.
But, I would be unlikely to buy anything I was not desperate
for from a seller who used the "I am not a grader" pitch.
The phrase has simply been used to death by bad boys who
wrongly think they are covering themselves with PayPal.