4 sharp corners business practices

firedawg45 · July 22, 2011 4:27AM

hey guys, i bought the 69 rose milton bradley on ebay and paid yesterday!. i get this email and a refund today!. what kind of buisness are they running, this is b.s. its a pop 4 card and needed for my set. what other avenues do i have? thanks corey

Hello, I am writing because this listing was an error. The Buy It Now price was meant for another item. This card should have been $300. I know it is our error and we try to keep errors like this to a bare minimum, although mistakes are made sometimes. We can offer this item to you for $250, and ask if we may cancel this original transaction. Our sincere apologies for the error and the inconvenience.

gemint · July 22, 2011 4:33AM

That's cheap. When I make an error, I own up to it and eat the losses. They should honor the transaction. As many transactions as they do, a $250 or so loss is a rounding error. I'd write them back and tell them you expect them to complete the transaction.

Good luck.

al032184 · July 22, 2011 4:35AM

What was the BIN

firedawg45 · July 22, 2011 4:36AM

$79.99 its a pop 4.

bobbyw8469 · July 22, 2011 4:39AM

What is the grade number? I can check VCP and let you know if the $250 is a good deal or not....

al032184 · July 22, 2011 4:42AM

The situation definitely sucks. Knowing the card, when you saw the $80 BIN, did you think it was a little low?

WalterSobchak · July 22, 2011 4:43AM

in

storm888 · July 22, 2011 4:43AM

Did the OP think it was "odd" that a $300 card was being sold for $75.00?

It's called "sharpshooting errors;" sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

twiley · July 22, 2011 4:47AM

I have had many dealings with them in the past. Recently I too have had an issue with them that is not related to what the OP is mentioning.

Ironmanfan · July 22, 2011 4:59AM

don't forget to leave adequate feedback

IMF

mknez · July 22, 2011 5:21AM

<< in >>

Before

zep33 · July 22, 2011 5:25AM

<< 

<< in >>

Before >>

KbKards · July 22, 2011 5:27AM

It will be funny to compare what the responses will be in this thread, against what the responses were in this recent thread.
http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=11&threadid=823900&STARTPAGE=1
With very few exceptions the responses were overwhelmingly in support of the seller and somebody even called the buyer a douche for wanting the card. All you do is change the seller name and the responses will be quite different.

MeteoriteGuy · July 22, 2011 5:36AM

Shouldn't this thread be labeled, bad purchase, bad deal or something like that. There were no business practices shown....rather an error transaction, not quite the same.

MULLINS5 · July 22, 2011 5:44AM

If I listed a $250-300 card for 79.99 (and it was an error) -- I'd refund the money and re-list the card for what I believe it should go for.

firedawg45 · July 22, 2011 5:57AM

you have to consider the power of the registry, once the #1 guy gets his $250 card the price falls, the value in not at all what the last one sold for! the smr does not reflect that and should not be used for this instance...

MBMiller25 · July 22, 2011 5:59AM

I refuse to do any business with these guys. I hate there business practices, and frankly, even if they have a card I really need, I avoid them.

twiley · July 22, 2011 6:53AM

1969 Milton Bradly Pete Rose PSA 10

Mickey71 · July 22, 2011 7:00AM

Many favorable grades.....

larryallen73 · July 22, 2011 7:07AM

It sounds like an obvious listing error to me.

MULLINS5 · July 22, 2011 7:11AM

<< you have to consider the power of the registry, once the #1 guy gets his $250 card the price falls, the value in not at all what the last one sold for! the smr does not reflect that and should not be used for this instance... >>

OK then let 4SC list it for $300 -- they'll continue to lower the price until you can pick it up again for $79.99

twiley · July 22, 2011 7:20AM

In all honesty. I would consider this cancellation a blessing. The Pete Rose card is O/C and doesn't look like a 10 to me. I would pass on it and wait for a better centered example. As many have said. Buy the card. Not the grade. I wouldn't pay PSA 10 prices for that card. Maybe PSA 9 but not 10. JMO

hammered · July 22, 2011 7:27AM

Where's all the glowing praise that's usually found in a 4sc thread?
You won't get that card for 80. And they couldn't care less about the neg you're gonna leave.

itzagoner · July 22, 2011 7:47AM

<< 

<< 

<< in >>

Before >>

>>

brilliant. absolute genius.

storm888 · July 22, 2011 7:59AM

<< ....And they couldn't care less about the neg you're gonna leave.... >>

...................................

Leaving NEGs for sellers who make pricing errors that cost buyers
NOTHING, seems pretty harsh.

Toro · July 22, 2011 8:03AM

This is a tough one, because they are likely THE biggest PSA subbers, I would think they would take the $170 hit.

Probstein123 · July 22, 2011 8:15AM

I understand the predicament...

about a year ago, a Probstein123 new employee made a typo...a $300 error...

here is how I handled it...

I called the buyer on phone and explained that a new employee made a typo and that the sale price was an error...

I said that we would honor the sale if he insisted but maybe we could offer him store credit instead.

The buyer responded that he KNEW it was a typo and that he appreciated the call and that he would agree to cancel the transaction and forget about the store credit.

They left positive feedback. And we didn't lose the money. Happy ending.

hammered · July 22, 2011 8:21AM

<< 

<< ....And they couldn't care less about the neg you're gonna leave.... >>

...................................

Leaving NEGs for sellers who make pricing errors that cost buyers
NOTHING, seems pretty harsh. >>

Hey if I was the seller and I really thought thus is a $300 card, I wouldn't complete the sale either. But I'd expect the neg and would be shocked to escape without one. Even though it didn't cost my buyer anything, I broke the sales agreement. I get the neg. I'd just have to decide if the neg + DSR hits + losing a future buyer is worth $200 in this case. For me I'd take the 200. So would 4sc apparently.

MBMiller25 · July 22, 2011 8:27AM

The difference Rick is that you have built your business around not only offering high end material but more importantly superior customer service. Look how many people comment about getting packages quickly, well packed, etc. On these boards when commenting about you. That stuff goes a long way in today's market. 4SC could give a care less one way or another. Questionable grades, plus terrible customer service equals STAY FAR AWAY AWAY IN MY BOOK!

cards651 · July 22, 2011 8:43AM

hammered - I have left a lot of praise for 4sc in the past so I thought I would throw in my 2 cents. I have never had a problem. I agree that they do seem to get some favorable grades now and then. I have to say, reading this thread, I am a little stumped. 4sc obviously messed up their listing and should send out the card at the $79 price. I made a recent post about Steve Soloway selling some of his cards. To me, this 4sc dust-up over $250 indicates that they are really hurting and card prices must be on a continual downward slope, in general. My guess would be that they have hired lower paid workers who are making mistakes? Are they squeezing more out of the same workers resulting in mistakes? I picked up a Topps '69 card PSA 9 pop 21 with 3 higher for $19 BIN. I still can't believe it. It was clearly a mistake. On the other hand they are listing some 1986 Topps PSA 9 Hockey cards at absurd prices IMO, hoping to snag a big fish, I guess. I have rambled a bit but hope this helps. - Kevin M.

cards651 · July 22, 2011 8:45AM

Not sure if this matters but I meant 1968 Topps Hockey not 1986 Topps Hockey in my earlier post. Sorry about that.

itzagoner · July 22, 2011 8:51AM

Kevin - i'm kinda certain that '69 PSA 9 was priced to sell, the average mint common for that set isn't bringing what it used to.....that being said, my dos centavos.

4SC is responsible for the actions of the people who represent them and their business interests....if they make a so-called "mistake", i believe they should honor the price, unless there's an "oops, i goofed" clause somewhere in the contract, you can't just turn around and pull it back because another intelligent member made a sharpshooter's discovery.

how the heck else is eBay going to survive unless somebody gets a "deal"? i think it's bush league. honor your friggin listing. sheesh, they ain't hurting for cash, they've got almost every expendable penny from the masses for the bulk they sell.

come on.

calicrippler · July 22, 2011 8:55AM

$3.50 for a single graded card shipping-uggghh
actual shipping cost to them $1.75 + bubble mailer does not equal $3.50

They're packaging is boo boo as well. End rant.

storm888 · July 22, 2011 9:03AM

I have NO problem with sharpshooters; I am one, too.

But, I find it absurd that sharpshooters complain when
their shot gets dodged by the target.

NO seller - even one I don't like - is in ANY way obligated
to "honor" a price listed in error. Some sellers think it is a
"moral" imperative to eat their mistake; I love them.

MULLINS5 · July 22, 2011 9:05AM

<< Kevin - i'm kinda certain that '69 PSA 9 was priced to sell, the average mint common for that set isn't bringing what it used to.....that being said, my dos centavos.

4SC is responsible for the actions of the people who represent them and their business interests....if they make a so-called "mistake", i believe they should honor the price, unless there's an "oops, i goofed" clause somewhere in the contract, you can't just turn around and pull it back because another intelligent member made a sharpshooter's discovery.

how the heck else is eBay going to survive unless somebody gets a "deal"? i think it's bush league. honor your friggin listing. sheesh, they ain't hurting for cash, they've got almost every expendable penny from the masses for the bulk they sell.

come on.

>>

We don't know this.

itzagoner · July 22, 2011 9:08AM

<< 

<< Kevin - i'm kinda certain that '69 PSA 9 was priced to sell, the average mint common for that set isn't bringing what it used to.....that being said, my dos centavos.

4SC is responsible for the actions of the people who represent them and their business interests....if they make a so-called "mistake", i believe they should honor the price, unless there's an "oops, i goofed" clause somewhere in the contract, you can't just turn around and pull it back because another intelligent member made a sharpshooter's discovery.

how the heck else is eBay going to survive unless somebody gets a "deal"? i think it's bush league. honor your friggin listing. sheesh, they ain't hurting for cash, they've got almost every expendable penny from the masses for the bulk they sell.

come on.

>>

We don't know this. >>

good point. i should have said attention.

cards651 · July 22, 2011 9:08AM

itzagoner - I'm in complete agreement about honoring the $79 price. It shows they are hurting. I do not agree with you on the $19 card, however. Card prices have not dropped that much. I will take any 1969 Topps PSA 9 POP 21 or lower for $19 any day of the week. Those are relatively tough to find and still sell for a pretty good price, obviously depending who is on the card. - Kevin M.

JoeBanzai · July 22, 2011 9:08AM

I recently decided to do some business with Rick P. His response here is an example of why I chose him. Many posters here and on the other thread mentioned just don't want to pay for their mistakes and get all up in arms when they aren't let "off the hook".

If you don't like risking an item in an auction starting below what your item is worth, be extra careful when pricing your BIN's.

I also don't believe in bid retractions, we are making commitments to buy or sell things here and I do believe there's a "confirm bid" or "confirm price" option.

Thankfully it doesn't happen too often. Looking back I have snapped up items for great prices, never stopped to think they were mistakes in a listing. Never have been contacted in this regard either.

Have fun collecting!

Joe

tigerdean · July 22, 2011 9:18AM

If you neg them then they block you from ever bidding again on anything.

RonBurgundy · July 22, 2011 9:36AM

IN.

This thread has potential.

There's an elephant in the room.....

itzagoner · July 22, 2011 9:45AM

have you met JasonM32?

cards651 · July 22, 2011 9:49AM

Agreed. String a few of the comments together - Questionable grades, plus terrible customer service equals STAY FAR AWAY AWAY IN MY BOOK! - This is a tough one, because they are likely THE biggest PSA subbers, Oh oh....

Dpeck100 · July 22, 2011 10:56AM

If you are trying to find cards that are not subbed often they are great! I would not leave a negative if you are in need of their services.

I can see both sides of the argument about your item but think long term and most likely you are better off just letting it go.

I can honestly say they have been excellent to deal with from my end and have never had any problems and have purchased a good number of cards from them.

mcadams · July 22, 2011 11:44AM

I purchase 75-100 cards a year from 4SC. I only do so because they sell what I need and when I'm patient, I buy alot of their modern stuff for 9.99. That being said, I know not to send them messages with any questions because they never respond to any of them. No kidding, I've probably sent them a dozen questions over the years with ZERO responses on any of them. But I keep coming back because I like the cards.

thedutymon · July 22, 2011 12:01PM

<< If you neg them then they block you from ever bidding again on anything. >>

Happened to me a long time ago !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Couldn't be happier !!!!!!!!!!!

YeeHah

Neil

grote15 · July 22, 2011 1:44PM

I got rid of the 4SC cards in my graded set long ago..

Yankees001 · July 22, 2011 4:41PM

<< If you neg them then they block you from ever bidding again on anything. >>

Toro · July 22, 2011 5:41PM

<< Questionable grades, plus terrible customer service equals STAY FAR AWAY AWAY IN MY BOOK! >>

I've also made a couple large purchases from them with no issues. I believe they responded when I requested everythig be delivered at once. No problems here. A $170 hit is pretty big and personally, I wouldn't sell it. I simply couldn't afford a mistake like that. They may not be able to either, however, the negative publicity may be worth it.....

TheBusiness · July 22, 2011 5:45PM

<< Shouldn't this thread be labeled, bad purchase, bad deal or something like that. There were no business practices shown....rather an error transaction, not quite the same. >>

No.

TheBusiness · July 22, 2011 5:47PM

<< 

<< If you neg them then they block you from ever bidding again on anything. >>

>>

And? If someone gives you sh*tty customer service, why would you continue buying from them?

brendanb438 · July 22, 2011 6:07PM

As usual Storm is right. This is clearly a pricing error / mispriced listing. If the seller honors the price good for you, if they don't move the f*** along and don't complain. You are clearly trying to take advantage of someone not the other way around.

Now I am just like Storm I will also pull the trigger on such items but when the seller doesn't honor the sale price I don't go and complain on a public forum.

4 sharp corners business practices

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