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Scammed by Sirius Sports Cards

Received an empty envelope in today's mail. The side was slit open and the three cards I bought from Sirius Sports Cards were nowhere to be found. First time in 15 years that I have had any mail problems. It was a small purchase so I did not check the feedback. I check the feedback today and there are piles of neutrals and negs. Looks like a classic eBay scammer. A bunch of good transactions followed by the scam. Unfortunately, I was the mark this time around. Run out of a PO Box in Columbia, MD. Doesn't this place advertise in PSA mags? Yikes.

Comments

  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,727 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Are you taking about siriussportscards or an imposter? The real siriussportscards has a FB rating of 99.9% and just 1 neg and 1 neut in last 30 days covering
    nearly 1,500 positives. And if the package was slit open as you claim, why are you saying they scammed you? Sounds like someone stole the cards while the package
    was in transit. I would reconsider calling them scammers on a public message board under those circumstances.


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • cards651cards651 Posts: 665 ✭✭
    Here's the link to the feedback -

    eBay Feedback

    The envelope says 'Sirius Sports Cards' but the eBay ID is siriusspotsauctions-store so it may not be the same Sirius Sports Cards.

    As for the comment -

    And if the package was slit open as you claim, why are you saying they scammed you? Sounds like someone stole the cards while the package
    was in transit. I would reconsider calling them scammers on a public message board under those circumstances.

    This is what all the eBay scammers rely upon. Intimidate the person that was scammed and point out the good transactions.

    The feedback referenced above speaks to the scam. A number of valid transactions followed by the scam. Unfortunately, I was scammed this time.
  • what's "small purchase"? i don't think a top rated seller would try to scam someone out of say...$10. it's more hassle than it's worth.
  • cards651cards651 Posts: 665 ✭✭
    eBay ID is siriussportsauctions-store

    I mis-spelled the ID in last post.
  • cards651cards651 Posts: 665 ✭✭
    Not really. That's the whole point of the eBay scams. Most just walk away from the hassle. But when you see all those neutrals and negs, it's pretty clear what's happening, particularly when you receive an envelope that's slit open. Oh sure, 'sounds like someone stole the cards while the package was in transit.' Yeah, right. No big deal in the grand scheme of things but when I get scammed, I point it out.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,727 ✭✭✭✭✭
    [iAnd if the package was slit open as you claim, why are you saying they scammed you? Sounds like someone stole the cards while the package
    was in transit. I would reconsider calling them scammers on a public message board under those circumstances.

    This is what all the eBay scammers rely upon. Intimidate the person that was scammed and point out the good transactions.

    The feedback referenced above speaks to the scam. A number of valid transactions followed by the scam. Unfortunately, I was scammed this time.
    ]

    You have no evidence that they scammed you. If you are arriving at that conclusion because you
    received a box that was slit open, how do you even know when that occurred? If they really wanted
    to scam people, why would they do so on a "small purchase" like yours when they conduct literally tens
    of thousands of transactions on ebay, with a positive to negative or neutral FB ratio of 1,000 to 1?
    Sorry, but it t is really unjustified and irresponsible, imo, to declare them as "scammers" just because
    you recerived an empty box in the mail that by your own admission was "slit open."
    Have you even tried contacting them about this??


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • al032184al032184 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭
    Here is Sirius Sportscards that advertises with PSA..
    Text

    It looks like they are out of New Jersey

  • cards651cards651 Posts: 665 ✭✭
    al032184 - do not know if they are related companies.

    grote15 - sorry, I stand by my comment. It was a 4 by 6 plain envelope. Why would a USPS employee (your posts imply a USPS employee btw) slit open a 4 by 6 plain envelope and risk their job? hmm...

    I chased down my mail carrier with the slit envelope. She was none too happy. Will file the necessary papers and let USPS and eBay take it from here.

  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,727 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Here is Sirius Sportscards that advertises with PSA..
    Text >>



    A 99.9 positive feedback rating with 5.0s across the board on almost 8,000 transactions.

    If they are scammers they certainly do a good job at hiding it, LOL!!


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,727 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Why would a USPS employee (your posts imply a USPS employee btw) slit open a 4 by 6 plain envelope and risk their job? hmm...


    Are you serious? Mail gets stolen and tampered with all the time for any number of reasons. Just recently, several packages
    were "slit open" on their way to PCGS/CU and the coins were stolen.

    A more appropriate question for you to ask is why would a large seller like this go through all the trouble to intentionally
    "slit open" (and mail out!) an envelope to scam a buyer on a low dollar purchase? That makes far less sense than what you're suggesting.

    Edit to add: A word of caution too--I'd also be careful about declaring them to be scammers here as you may be opening
    yourself up to accusations of libel. JMO..


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • I would like to purchase this item you are selling, thank you.
  • al032184al032184 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭
    There is something weird going on, if you click on an auction in the "store", were the OP purchased from, then click on the Sirius Sportscards banner in the auction description, it takes you to the other Sirius Sportscards auction home, which seems to be the genuine one.

    "Store" auction

    Genuine Store
  • cards651cards651 Posts: 665 ✭✭
    Where are they located? Their listings say United States. Hmm....

    The outfit I bought from uses a PO Box in Columbia, MD.

    Here are the eBay ID's and Feedback

    Sirius Sports Auctions

    siriussportsauctions-store

    Seems to be same name with '-store' added. Could someone in Columbia, MD be scamming the good name of the real Sirius Sports Auctions?
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,727 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm pretty certain they are the same company--similar to 4SC and 4SC store.


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • al032184al032184 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭
  • cards651cards651 Posts: 665 ✭✭
    grote15 - As I mentioned earlier, the approach of intimidating the person who was scammed is a popular one. Thank you for the warning that I may be opening myself to a libel charge.
  • cards651cards651 Posts: 665 ✭✭
    Thanks, Al. Does not seem to be the same Sirius. It is the exact same name, however. Certainly easy to mix up. Maybe the folks in NJ can put them out of business.
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>grote15 - sorry, I stand by my comment. It was a 4 by 6 plain envelope. Why would a USPS employee (your posts imply a USPS employee btw) slit open a 4 by 6 plain envelope and risk their job? hmm...q]

    Are you kidding?? Why would someone risk their job? So you have trust in every postal worker? Most Jewelry stores when shipping things never include the the word "JEWELRY" on the package, any idea why?
    opcbaseball.com
  • otwcardsotwcards Posts: 5,291 ✭✭✭
    Check the postage. What was the postage value and weight of the package?

    I seriously doubt that a high volume dealer is going to try to save a few bucks shorting a package a couple times a year.

    I've known Michael for about 15 years and have always known him to be upfront and run a clean ship.

    Suggesting that he's a scammer just because an item may have been damaged/stolen in the mail and providing little more than conjecture and opinion rather than facts is dangerous ground. It has nothing to do with intimidation or any other excuse. You have provided nothing more than an empty envelope and an accusation. I am pretty certain that a quick contact to Michael will resolve the situation in your favor, but instead, you shoot from the hip and tarnish his reputation and question his character. Did you review the neutrals? Most are from two people...

    Here's his feedback: Feedback for Sirius....

    **Edit to add feedback link
  • al032184al032184 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭
    Sorry, nevermind, they're both in Columbia, MD
  • cards651cards651 Posts: 665 ✭✭
    hhmag - sorry to take up space on this. did not know where else to post.

    The outfit I bought from has 'blocked me from ever doing business with them again'. Oh, the horror.

    Will leave it to USPS from here.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,727 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Will leave it to USPS from here.

    Hopefully they can find where in the postal system your envelope was slit open in hopes of finding something valuable inside..


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • cards651cards651 Posts: 665 ✭✭
    Scott - Would agree with your comments until I checked the feedback.

    Al - Thanks. Sounds like same outfit.

    tsalem - If these guys are so big, smart and honest, perhaps they should consider re-labeling their packages to protect themselves from those awful USPS employees.
  • cardcountrycardcountry Posts: 571 ✭✭✭
    Over the years I've bought several items from Sirius and always found them to be a great company.

    Jeff
    Jeff Foy/Dave Foy
    Card Country
    Graded stars 1950's-1980
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭


    << <i>As I mentioned earlier, the approach of intimidating the person who was scammed is a popular one. Thank you for the warning that I may be opening myself to a libel charge. >>



    How right you are!! One of my first dealings with the boards - I was a victim of a "steal the cards and return the seller a box with a brick in it" scam. I came on the boards asking for advice. A couple of the members were great (will never forget gameusedhoops great advice). Some of the others went as far to say that I was the scammer, and how could I be trusted. I was so new, I had no idea how to post links, pictures, anything! That little incident taught me a harsh lesson in how rude, obnoxious and vindicitive some of the members on here can be. Not all of them mind you - but some of them that seem to not want to do anything but start trouble....

    That was many years ago, but sometimes seems like only yesterday.....
  • nam812nam812 Posts: 10,585 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>.......That was many years ago, but sometimes seems like only yesterday..... >>



    Or today.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,727 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Bobby, you forgot to mention in your post the PSA graded Super Bowl ticket you are selling..


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Bobby, you forgot to mention in your post the PSA graded Super Bowl ticket you are selling.. >>



    Grote...I don't remember...I know Nam was...that is why he chimed in....were you one of the members accusing me of sending myself the brick in the mail?? if so, you can kiss me where the sun don't shine......

    You can now go back to being your miserable self......
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,727 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Bobby, you forgot to mention in your post the PSA graded Super Bowl ticket you are selling.. >>



    Grote...I don't remember...I know Nam was...that is why he chimed in....were you one of the members accusing me of sending myself the brick in the mail?? if so, you can kiss me where the sun don't shine......

    You can now go back to being your miserable self...... >>



    LOL, I have no idea what brick you are talking about...I do know that wherever you go, controversy seems to follow. So take that for what it's worth, champ..


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • shagrotn77shagrotn77 Posts: 5,607 ✭✭✭✭
    It never ceases to amaze me how shortsighted some people are on this board. How in the world could the OP think the eBay seller was responsible for this? Does he have any common sense? The latter is a rhetorical question. Ay caramba.
    "My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. Our childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When we were insolent we were placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds - pretty standard really."
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Scott - Would agree with your comments until I checked the feedback.

    Al - Thanks. Sounds like same outfit.

    tsalem - If these guys are so big, smart and honest, perhaps they should consider re-labeling their packages to protect themselves from those awful USPS employees. >>



    Yes I did take this as a sarcastic reply but you are also 100% correct, that is why they relabel the packages to protect themselves from those awful USPS employees
    opcbaseball.com
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭✭
    I remember about 10 years ago when I lived in the Boston area, a postal worker I was talking to was telling me about a flyer that was being sent to every address.
    On this flyer there were coupons for lottery tickets. From what I can remember, you got 1 free $1 ticket and $2 off $5 tickets (something like that). This USPS worker
    took every 1 of them on his route! Why would he risk his job? hmmmm
    opcbaseball.com
  • ReggieClevelandReggieCleveland Posts: 3,818 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What's the value of the items? $10? $50? $500? $10,000?
  • ArchaninatorArchaninator Posts: 827 ✭✭✭
    .
  • otwcardsotwcards Posts: 5,291 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Scott - Would agree with your comments until I checked the feedback.

    Al - Thanks. Sounds like same outfit.

    tsalem - If these guys are so big, smart and honest, perhaps they should consider re-labeling their packages to protect themselves from those awful USPS employees. >>



    I'll ask this again, what was the postage and the weight of the package? Did you contact the seller and give them a chance to make good? Did you actually review the feedback or just look at numbers and jump to a conclusion?

    I'm guess the postage and weight would be appropriate for the number of cards being sent, otherwise you would've responded. I'm guessing you didn't contact the seller otherwise you wouldn't have had anything to libel him about. I'm guessing that you didn't look closely at the feedback because your observations are skewed.

    Seems to be more here than meets the eye, but I don't have the time, energy or the inclination to delve into it...

  • dennis07dennis07 Posts: 1,842 ✭✭✭
    11045 positive feedback
    11 negative
    over the last 12 months. That is a 99.9% satisfactory rate.
    I think it is a very big stretch to think the seller intentionally caused you harm.
    You have a right to be upset but to say they are scamming you based on the 11
    negs over 12 months is reckless. Just my opinion.

    Edited to add: Out of the 65 neutrals the majority came from 3 people.
    Collecting 1970 Topps baseball
  • JMDVMJMDVM Posts: 950 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Received an empty envelope in today's mail. The side was slit open and the three cards I bought from Sirius Sports Cards were nowhere to be found. First time in 15 years that I have had any mail problems. It was a small purchase so I did not check the feedback. I check the feedback today and there are piles of neutrals and negs. Looks like a classic eBay scammer. A bunch of good transactions followed by the scam. Unfortunately, I was the mark this time around. Run out of a PO Box in Columbia, MD. Doesn't this place advertise in PSA mags? Yikes. >>



    I've been dealing with Sirius for 7 years both on Ebay and his private auctions and he is reputable. I can't imagine that he would not respond to you. His location is Columbia, MD. Theft and damage is more common than you think at the PO. I too have received empty packages and brought it to my postmaster. My advice would be to alert both your post office and Sirius. No way would he scam you.
  • 70ToppsFanatic70ToppsFanatic Posts: 2,106 ✭✭✭✭
    Sirius had been rock solid for years. USPS, on the other hand, deals with BILLIONS of pieces of mail
    and certainly does not keep track of them on an individualized basis (unless they are REGISTERED MAIL).

    I have to agree with Tim and many others here. The OP seems to be jumping to a negative conclusion
    about Sirius that just is not supported by the vast majority of the evidence.


    Dave
  • cards651cards651 Posts: 665 ✭✭
    Fair enough guys. Perhaps the USPS is the culprit here but eBay Feedback can be pretty telling. You may not believe this but the first auction that I won since yesterday's mail is out of, you guessed it, Columbia, MD.

    eBay Auction

    While this seller has flawless Feedback and offers an appealing Free Shipping policy, this buyer is not taking any chances with the Columbia, MD USPS. I have asked the seller to ship Priority Mail at my expense. I wanted to ask the seller to print out this thread and hand it to the USPS employee for comment but did not seem fair to the seller.

    You can see from my feedback left for others that I am not in the habit of negging folks...
  • cards651cards651 Posts: 665 ✭✭
    Scott - Forgot to respond. Weight was accurate. No problem there.

    I buy thousands of cards on eBay and almost all sellers have close to flawless feedback with perhaps an occasional neutral, usually for shipping charges. Sirius has a good amount of neutrals and negs. If these are not accurate Sirius should take it up with eBay and correct accordingly.

    My Neutral Feedback in draft form -

    Plain white 4 by 6 envelope arrived slit open with no cards.

    This is factual with no opinion expressed. If others have problems in the future, they will have this as support.
  • ReggieClevelandReggieCleveland Posts: 3,818 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You didn't answer my question. What was the value of the lot?
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,727 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Scott - Forgot to respond. Weight was accurate. No problem there.

    I buy thousands of cards on eBay and almost all sellers have close to flawless feedback with perhaps an occasional neutral, usually for shipping charges. Sirius has a good amount of neutrals and negs. If these are not accurate Sirius should take it up with eBay and correct accordingly.

    My Neutral Feedback in draft form -

    Plain white 4 by 6 envelope arrived slit open with no cards.

    This is factual with no opinion expressed. If others have problems in the future, they will have this as support. >>



    Once again, have you even bothered to contact them about this issue??

    Leaving a neutral for something they had no control over is really unfair and inappropriate.

    Edit to add: You should really revise the libelous title of this thread, too, as you have absolutely zero
    evidence that the seller ever tried to "scam" you..


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • Quoted directly from ebay:

    "Most problems are best resolved with early and direct communication between the buyer and seller. Contact your trading partner to discuss the issue by phone or email. Review our tips for communicating with your trading partner—they'll help you resolve issues as quickly and easily as possible.

    Working it out in the Resolution Center
    If you're not able to work things out directly with your trading partner, you can open a case in the Resolution Center. eBay then contacts your trading partner and helps you both discuss, track, and resolve your case".


    My recommendation is once, you have taken the above steps, than leave your feedback.
    Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide.
    -Aries
    The Zodiac Collection
    My PC: The Zodiac Collection
  • CDsNutsCDsNuts Posts: 10,092
    Received an empty envelope in today's mail. The side was slit open and the three cards I bought from Sirius Sports Cards were nowhere to be found. First time in 15 years that I have had any mail problems. It was a small purchase so I did not check the feedback. I check the feedback today and there are piles of neutrals and negs. Looks like a classic eBay scammer. A bunch of good transactions followed by the scam. Unfortunately, I was the mark this time around. Run out of a PO Box in Columbia, MD. Doesn't this place advertise in PSA mags? Yikes.



    This is pretty insane, but I used to live in Columbia, MD and had almost the same exact experience. In 1995 I bought a 93 Piazza refractor for $750 from a dealer. It was sent insured and what I received when I picked it up from the branch was an empty envelope with a slit in it. I'm fairly certain a postal worker knew it was a card and extracted it. It's amazing that they're still at work after what I'm sure has been several thefts and insurance claims. Feel free to take this info to the Columbia post office branch. I'm sure my claim is no longer in the system but if they think there's a postal worker stealing stuff for years they might look into it.

    I think you are dead wrong for jumping to conclusions about the dealer without doing some research first. A $9/hr postal employee has a lot less to lose by stealing than a business that probably breaks $1 million annually in revenue with a pretty solid reputation for the amount of transactions they do.

    Lee


    Edit: It was only insured for $500 (I paid $750), so I knew the seller wasn't scamming me. Had it been him he would've insured it for the full amount.
  • AkbarCloneAkbarClone Posts: 2,476 ✭✭✭
    I looked at their 66 neutral feedbacks for the last 12 months, and they came from a total of 13 individuals--and any of those feedbacks that mentioned not getting their item all said they were refunded. Does not seem like any pattern of scamming at all.
    I collect Vintage Cards, Commemorative Sets, and way too many vintage and modern player collections in Baseball (180 players), Football (175 players), and Basketball (87 players). Also have a Dallas Cowboy team collection.
  • llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭
    Sirius will be able to sell the thousands of cards cards651 buys off of eBay each year... since they'll win them as part of their libel suit! image
    WANTED: Cincinnati Reds TEAM Cards
  • JMDVMJMDVM Posts: 950 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Received an empty envelope in today's mail. The side was slit open and the three cards I bought from Sirius Sports Cards were nowhere to be found. First time in 15 years that I have had any mail problems. It was a small purchase so I did not check the feedback. I check the feedback today and there are piles of neutrals and negs. Looks like a classic eBay scammer. A bunch of good transactions followed by the scam. Unfortunately, I was the mark this time around. Run out of a PO Box in Columbia, MD. Doesn't this place advertise in PSA mags? Yikes.



    This is pretty insane, but I used to live in Columbia, MD and had almost the same exact experience. In 1995 I bought a 93 Piazza refractor for $750 from a dealer. It was sent insured and what I received when I picked it up from the branch was an empty envelope with a slit in it. I'm fairly certain a postal worker knew it was a card and extracted it. It's amazing that they're still at work after what I'm sure has been several thefts and insurance claims. Feel free to take this info to the Columbia post office branch. I'm sure my claim is no longer in the system but if they think there's a postal worker stealing stuff for years they might look into it.

    I think you are dead wrong for jumping to conclusions about the dealer without doing some research first. A $9/hr postal employee has a lot less to lose by stealing than a business that probably breaks $1 million annually in revenue with a pretty solid reputation for the amount of transactions they do.

    Lee

    The Columbia post office is not the problem, its the sorting centers the packages go through to reach Columbia that is the problem. One sorting facility( in Washington,DC) continually would run packages through first class letter sorters so they would be crushed. At another sorting facility (in Gaithersburg), packages would sit there for weeks. Furthermore, I used to meet Sirius at the Columbia PO so I could pick up my cards in person and I witnessed first hand the personal attention Sirius received. You should contact your PO and show them the package.

    Edit: It was only insured for $500 (I paid $750), so I knew the seller wasn't scamming me. Had it been him he would've insured it for the full amount. >>

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