I'm done buying raw cards on Ebay
JasonM32
Posts: 170 ✭✭
Please forgive the frank nature of this post but...............
If you buy a raw card on Ebay. This is what will happen. You will see a listing claiming that someone is breaking a set. You will see a picture of a mint card that is well centered. You will read a description that says "centered". You will also see a bunch of nonsensical meaningless words used to describe the card like "BLAZER" and "SCREAMER". You will be told that the card is a"MUST HAVE". You decide to buy the card. You will over pay for shipping and eventually receive a completely different card that is poorly centered. It doesn't blaze, it doesn't scream. It sucks. It is a card that you would never have purchased if either the picture or the description had been accurate.
You see what's happened here is that the seller has either used someone elses picture of a mint card or he has taken a picture of his mint card and sent you one of his many blemished versions of the same card and kept the nice one for himself. He is counting on the fact that since this card is somewhat inexpensive that you will not go to the time or expense to return it.
To all of those who do this (and you know who you are), your card sucks and you suck!
If you buy a raw card on Ebay. This is what will happen. You will see a listing claiming that someone is breaking a set. You will see a picture of a mint card that is well centered. You will read a description that says "centered". You will also see a bunch of nonsensical meaningless words used to describe the card like "BLAZER" and "SCREAMER". You will be told that the card is a"MUST HAVE". You decide to buy the card. You will over pay for shipping and eventually receive a completely different card that is poorly centered. It doesn't blaze, it doesn't scream. It sucks. It is a card that you would never have purchased if either the picture or the description had been accurate.
You see what's happened here is that the seller has either used someone elses picture of a mint card or he has taken a picture of his mint card and sent you one of his many blemished versions of the same card and kept the nice one for himself. He is counting on the fact that since this card is somewhat inexpensive that you will not go to the time or expense to return it.
To all of those who do this (and you know who you are), your card sucks and you suck!
Bernie Kosar collector
0
Comments
I ditto the "your card sucks and you suck".
Bernie Kosar collector
This problem was much more prevalent prior to the major grading services.
Oh well, now I stick with PSA.
Joe
I'll buy raw ex cards all day long. Nothing high dollar of course.
Nick
Reap the whirlwind.
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<< <i>There is a guide to deciphering ebay sellers' statements. If he says the card is a blazer, he means that it was heated by secondhand tobacco smoke. If he says the card is a screamer, he means that it screamed in pain when he trimmed it.
Nick >>
lol
Bernie Kosar collector
And yes, sellers like that are scum. Hit them with a neg after your refund.
Bob
email bcmiller7@comcast.net
<< <i>I operate under the assumption that if a vintage card is worth having graded it would already be in a PSA, SGC or BVG slab. >>
A logical assumption and one that oft times may be correct. However, there is a bevy of sellers that do not grade their cards and/or do not know the value of some higher grade, lower pop commons/minor stars. There are raw bargains to be had and those that automatically pass on them make it easier for others to buy them at a discount.
I've always been cautious in what I buy raw looking for those gems but it's tough. There are a lot of people going to great lengths to disguise their crappy ex-nrmt cards as mint. Even when I ask questions and look at scans I always end up getting burned. I would rather go to card shows and inspect the cards in person but there just aren't any good ones in AZ.
Bernie Kosar collector
Grading prices, expenses in shipping/insurance and handling time often keep sellers from having them graded just for resale...
It is definitely not advantagous in many cases to grade a true NM to NM-MT 1969 Topps Joe Niekro if you have thousands of positive feedback at 100% and are known to be an honest seller. Great card for filling in high grade sets, but dunno you can guarantee you will always recover your expenses plus a profit versus just selling it as is with NM in the title and get a few bucks per card. Afterall they prolly got it for .25 or less to begin with and will be flipping right away.
<< <i>
<< <i>I operate under the assumption that if a vintage card is worth having graded it would already be in a PSA, SGC or BVG slab. >>
A logical assumption and one that oft times may be correct. However, there is a bevy of sellers that do not grade their cards and/or do not know the value of some higher grade, lower pop commons/minor stars. There are raw bargains to be had and those that automatically pass on them make it easier for others to buy them at a discount. >>
i have bought many bgs 9.5's and some psa 10's from ebay and in fact it is more fun than going to show a lot of times. but, i do understand the frustration. buying high demand vintage cards such as mantle and rose does involve risk. i have purchased a psa 7 mantle raw and have purchased completely fake elway's and mantles. hang in there.
as for finding great raw cards on eBay, i can vouch for any and all sides from recent experiences......
YES, there are dealers who over-hype and there are dealers who scuttle the truth, but there are also plenty of cards to be bought if you are willing to put in the effort to find them.
my attitude is this: i wish the best to all my fellow collectors and without the communal nature of the hobby it's no fun anyways.
but to anyone who shys away from it, that's ok too.....just one less person for me to battle with.