Do you feel bad about returning items that dont meet your expectations?

lightningboy

I am not referring to the blatant misrepresentations of a "mint" card or cards having creases. I am talking about a nmt - mint set being slightly less than what you hoped for, especially regarding the key cards.

I returned my first 2 items ever, within the past 3 months. One was a 1976 Topps baseball set and one was 1976 Topps football. Overall the cards were in nice shape, but the Payton/Lambert cards and the Brett/ Eckersley cards were probably a grade or 2 lower than what I needed to flip and make money.

any experiences or thoughts on this subject are appreciated.

For the record, both returns were handled properly and without any trouble. Thanks, Tom

totallyradd

I got a Ripken rookie from a regular at a card show last summer. Mailed it in, and it came back as trimmed. I wanna bring it back to the guy. I got it for around 12 bucks, so not a huge loss, but still a bit irked. Chances are he didn't know it was trimmed either though.

1954

I never like doing this but it has happened once or twice in the 20 years of collecting. I feel as if I did something wrong in the deal but actually it was them that misrepresented the set. One set that I purchased was a very rare set that I really wanted however they claimed that the set was VG/ex or better. I got the enitre set graded by PSA and they gave me $2000 back for being so far off. I believe the hammer on the set was around $2000 so I felt like that was fair compensation for the error.

Shane

dennis07

I've made many card purchases over the years and never returned any until recently. The lot was almost 100 1970 baseball raw cards. They were described as "most should grade PSA 8". The seller apologized in the
description for the poor quality of the pictures so I was taking the sellers word.
I own over 1000 1970 graded cards in either PSA 7 or 8 so I am pretty good at knowing the difference. Out of the nearly 100 I'd say maybe 3 would've had a chance at an 8. Most would not of even had a chance at a 7.
For that reason I returned them and no I don't feel bad about it.
Everything concerning the return on both ends was handled professionally and promptly.

Edit to correct spelling

gemint

I think it has to be reasonable. If the set was slightly lower than described I think you need to expect that and factor it into your bids. If you're disappointed that you won't be able to flip it and make a profit, I think that falls short of a reasonable excuse to return it. If the set is Ex and they described it as NM-MT, then that's a valid reason. I had this happen when I bought a '71 set several years ago on eBay. It was described as NM-MT but was actually no better than EX. Back then, eBay didn't side with the buyer like they did today. I had to take the set to a local card shop and have them write a letter stating it wasn't in the condition described in the auction. Only then did I get a rebate from eBay's fraud insurance.

MrNearMint

I returned a $5 card , first and only return so far. The guy refunded my money, told me to shred the card and never bid on his auctions again.

I returned his card anyway and took a 2 dollar loss.

I still feel kind of bad for asking for a refund.

If people would be more honest (or get educated) about the grading scale then there would be significantly less returns. Everything is automatically "mint" on ebay.

elsnorto

<< <i>I am not referring to the blatant misrepresentations of a "mint" card or cards having creases. I am talking about a nmt - mint set being slightly less than what you hoped for, especially regarding the key cards.

I returned my first 2 items ever, within the past 3 months. One was a 1976 Topps baseball set and one was 1976 Topps football. Overall the cards were in nice shape, but the Payton/Lambert cards and the Brett/ Eckersley cards were probably a grade or 2 lower than what I needed to flip and make money.

any experiences or thoughts on this subject are appreciated.

For the record, both returns were handled properly and without any trouble. Thanks, Tom >>



If the item is material different from what was advertised/pictured, I have no problem returning it.

If the item is largely as described/pictured, but I don't want it for some reason, I will just sell it myself.

I actually buy a surprising number of cards that look centered enough for my OCD to handle, but when I get them in hand, they aren't... I am certainly not going to ask to return those. The seller did their part, they shouldn't be inconvenienced by my OCD... if only I weren't, I might have more of my sets completed!

Snorto~

Snorto~

Boopotts

<< <i>I think it has to be reasonable. If the set was slightly lower than described I think you need to expect that and factor it into your bids. If you're disappointed that you won't be able to flip it and make a profit, I think that falls short of a reasonable excuse to return it. If the set is Ex and they described it as NM-MT, then that's a valid reason. I had this happen when I bought a '71 set several years ago on eBay. It was described as NM-MT but was actually no better than EX. Back then, eBay didn't side with the buyer like they did today. I had to take the set to a local card shop and have them write a letter stating it wasn't in the condition described in the auction. Only then did I get a rebate from eBay's fraud insurance. >>



Great post- this sums up my thoughts as well.

wrighty

I returned my first item on eBay not long ago. It was a 1972 baseball set described as ex/mt with a few cards lesser. Those few cards lower ended up being all the listed stars and most were trimmed. I must have gone through the set 3 or 4 times trying to make it work in my mind to keep it but in the end returning it was the best choice.

JoeBanzai

I returned a BEAUTIFUL early 1960's exhibit card a while back as it had a very hard to see crease/wrinkle that PSA would have certainly caught. Paid $50.00 or so and returned it. Seller was kind of irritated about it, but took it back. He/she then followed up with a nice email when the problem was noticed.

I would not bother to return a $5.00 card, not worth the time effort.

edited to add Oops reread your OP and I guess this is not an example you were interested in hearing about, sorry.

slum22

I don't think there is any reason to feel bad returning a card. If a seller puts down they accept returns that is the risk they have to be willing to take. I almost always buy graded cards. On the rare time I buy a raw card or unopened wax on ebay, I almost exclusively bid when there is a buyer accepts returns options. The seller likely receives more bids and higher bids because they offer the return option. The occasional return is just the cost of doing business then.

Steve

MinorLeaguer

The way i look at it is that in the old days you went to a show or store and inspected the card in-hand and made a decision to purchase or not. Scans are good but dont substitute an in hand inspection. We lose that in hand inspection luxury with the internet but gain savings in gas, tolls, car wear and tear, show admission fees and above all, time. I dont see a problem with returning once inspected in-hand as long as buyer pays return shipping and the item is returned in the same condition. Online Sellers save all the above too plus get such a customer reach with the internet. Losing shipping once in a while is an easy tradeoff for not having to pay rent, utilities, time, etc for a store. Lastly, if you had a store or paid to be a dealer at a show, and the buyer saw the cards in hand, they wouldnt have bought it in the first place. The "in hand" inspection has now shifted from pre to post payment. Buyers should be prepared to pay that return shipping as a cost of their hobby vs. The tradeoff of all they save on all the successful transactions. Sellers may need to think differently, and as businessmen may need to adjust and keep some reserves, ie cash on-hand, to fund returns. The seller's postage lost is a cost of doing business and pales against all the savings incurred on successful transactions. Just IMHO.

itzagoner

no.

Maurice

<< <i>no. >>



Facepalm: eBay story of amusement & pattycakes.

cjaccardi

No, but as a seller I'm always scared about what I will get back

itzagoner

<< <i>

<< <i>no. >>



Facepalm: eBay story of amusement & pattycakes. >>



you're good, man. someday i buy you beer.

1980scollector

On average I sell around 10K-12K a month on ebay. However, I do not sell sets on eBay.

There are 792 reasons for someone to send it back.

There is no way for me to insure what I sent is what I am going to get back.

I feel more collectors are honest than not. However, the ones that are not can cause you issues.

I've learned there is too much risk for me to sell sets online. I take them(60s/70s sets) to the bigger shows and sell the sets there where I have only had happy customers.

The 80s set I pile up in my bonus room because I feel like they are a bargain at the price I am getting them at when I buy them.

There may come a time when 80s sets pick up.

itzagoner

here's a link below for the thread to which my good buddy Maurice is referring:

facepalm linkypoo

not that it requires any further attention, but it provides a bit of insight about various types of opinions and attitudes regarding customer satisfaction and how to protect yourself from evil monsters.



just another taste of irony for anyone who actually reads - my other good buddy bbuckner (Apple383 on ebay) threatened to block me which i know could never happen, because we're like two peas in a pod, eh Dave?

so what do you think happened a few months ago when i scored a beautiful '57 Topps Carl Erskine from this top-notch A+++ seller and then shipped it off to PSA for the anticipated high grade?

yup. EOT. just perfectly juicy stuff to use to beat my drum. except the card is still in my possession and it's obvious to me that it ain't been trimmed, so someday it'll go back with another order.......oh wait, that's a different thread and a different argument.