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Some advice to give, some advice needed...

So I got back into collecting around two years ago and jumped headfirst into the eBay buying. Up until recently I had never received a card damaged. I've read the threads on here about eBay issues and tried to take each story and remember it so I don't have a similar issue (if possible). I wan't to say first that I am writing this post with no ill will towards the seller. So if you are part of the boards, please don't take this as stabbing you in the back. I just am looking for advice and if the majority of forum members think this looks jerkish, I will take it down asap.

On February 14th I purchased an Rick Nash SP Authentic RC for $62.74. It is a raw purchase and the description read "This Card is in NrMint condition or better" with a picture that looked good (no obvious damage). Here was the Pic...

image

I was stoked and happy about the purchase. I received that card in a short amount of time, but due to my crazy work load right now, I have got into the bad habit of getting mail and letting it pile up for for a few days. When I did open it, I did a quick look and put it with the other purchases that week. Once every few weeks I grab all the recent pick-ups and scan them to put into my Photobucket collection. While doing so I notice that there was a small crease on the top part of the card by his head that would be very hard to see unless you tilt it to catch the light. I scanned the card thinking I'd email the seller and show him the issue. I contacted the seller and just basically stated there is a crease and that I am new to the "opening a case" thing and I have been a long time eBay user with no bad marks. I also mentioned I could send pictures if needed. Here are the pics I took, again kind of tough to see....

image

image

image

The seller replied quickly stating "Bryan, returned card needs to be in condition that was mailed. The card mailed had no damage and since there was no initial communication about package damage when delivered three weeks ago, it has been in uor hands for some time . Let me know."

Considering that I don't want to act like or be an a$$hole and I would like to get an undamaged version or my money back, how would you handle this. The thing I have most definitely learned from this is always go over your new purchase with a loop or good eye as soon as you get it. I understand if that is an issue with him, considering he didn't hear from me when I first received it. Is this one of those time I bite the bullet, take what I have learned and call it a night? Thanks for your time and thoughts.

Comments

  • otwcardsotwcards Posts: 5,291 ✭✭✭
    The damage you circled is evident in the seller's original image. I'd just send him his original image and yours and if he doesn't acknowledge, there's still a window to open an eBay case.
  • dtkk49adtkk49a Posts: 2,489 ✭✭✭
    Save yourself a lot of time and aggravation - Forget about it and think of it as a lesson learned. You need to be very careful on eBay nowadays. Ask a lot of specific questions before buying. And remember, be very picky. You CAN pass on card, there will always be another coming up for sale on the bay....
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    They call me "Pack the Ripper"
  • PMKAYPMKAY Posts: 1,372 ✭✭


    << <i>The damage you circled is evident in the seller's original image. I'd just send him his original image and yours and if he doesn't acknowledge, there's still a window to open an eBay case. >>



    Agree with this. Point this fact out to him in a nice way. He likely was not aware of the crease when selling it. I disagree with the person who advised to eat the loss and move on.
  • bziddybziddy Posts: 710 ✭✭✭
    I agree with pointing out the defect on his scan that you are speaking of -- I don't think it is jerkish, given your explanation, but I would be miffed if someone contacted me after they had the item for a couple weeks.

    As a seller, he should work with you because you can SNAD the item and he loses.

  • JoeBanzaiJoeBanzai Posts: 11,995 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Just go ahead and open a SNAD case. Don't bother to go back and forth with this seller. As a seller (and buyer) on ebay you must understand that in nearly 100% of the cases a return is going to happen no matter what the seller's policy is!!!!

    There is no such thing as "you had the card for three weeks, you don't get a refund".

    YES in the future check your ebay purchases immediately. The seller figured after this long the sale would be fine and now he is not happy.

    Good luck,

    Joe
    2013,14 and 15 Certificate Award Winner Harmon Killebrew Master Set and Master Topps Set
  • jeffcbayjeffcbay Posts: 8,950 ✭✭✭✭
    On one hand, the damage is evident in the seller's original scan so you can prove that the damage existed before he shipped the card.

    On the other hand, the seller only offers a 14-day return policy, so he probably doesn't have to offer you a refund at this point. Obviously a SNAD would likely override his return policy, but still... it might be too late.

    What I would do, I would eat it. Sell the card and BE SURE to describe the damage on the card. That way you can recoup at least some of your money and buy another card that you're satisfied with.
  • EagleEyeKidEagleEyeKid Posts: 4,496 ✭✭
    What Joe said. Btw, that's one of my favorite cards.
    You do not have to eat it. File an SNAD. You'll get your money back.
  • MrKnowthanxMrKnowthanx Posts: 322 ✭✭
    So far so good. The seller sent me a message to return the card for a refund. According to eBay, there is a place to enter the return tracking number in the resolution page but I can't find it. I'll have to do some more searching when I get off work. Also I see there is an area to add pictures, should I put those pics there just in case?
  • MrKnowthanxMrKnowthanx Posts: 322 ✭✭
    Well now all of a sudden the seller won't accept the card as a return, after he told me he would. I called eBay customer service and they advised me to escalate the case after looking at the case details. They told me that they think I should be ok because he agreed to refund the money and then a few hours later, after I agreed to send it back, he sent this....



    << <i>The seller has responded to your case with other solution. Mar 04, 2014 at 12:56 PM
    Seller's message:
    "hi stated in auction description returns are accepted within 14 day period within receiving card. Once in possesion of buyer, there is too much opportunity for damage, mishandling, book value decrease, demand decreases, etc. You have possesion of card for 17 days. As stated in previous eBay message, I would only offer refund if card is returned in condition as originally shipped. The caed was mailed in condition as described in auction and had no damage. If card is returned, it must be returned in this condition."
    >>




    What a bummer. It was only $60 for the card, but that is my card spending money for two months, lol. Oh well, we'll see how it goes.
  • EagleEyeKidEagleEyeKid Posts: 4,496 ✭✭
    Just escalate it to a claim. I hope you sent it back with tracking. All will be fine.
  • MrKnowthanxMrKnowthanx Posts: 322 ✭✭
    I haven't sent it back yet. While in the post office I read his last response and thought it might be best to talk with eBay and make sure I am doing the correct procedures. They told me to wait to hear back from either him or customer service on what to do next. I will be sure to send it with tracking though, if it comes to that. What a pain. At least it has taught me to be very, very cautious buying raw cards and to make sure that they are undamaged as soon as you get them.
  • elsnortoelsnorto Posts: 2,012 ✭✭
    This stuff happens, but I'm sorry you came across a bad seller who won't stand behind their items.

    I would have opened/escalated the case after the seller's initial response where it was clear they were not willing to work with you.

    My recommendation going forward is to always pay by credit card so, if push comes to shove, you can always work with your card issuer as a last resort.

    I don't know why eBay allows sellers to set their own return policy when, ultimately, eBay's return policies trump those stated by a seller... and eBay doesn't impose a 14 day limit.

    I'm glad you decided to return this card regardless of the time that had passed. There is absolutely no reason you should have punished yourself for what was ultimately the seller's oversight.

    Snorto~





  • ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭
    Sorry to hear this happened to you.

    This is one of the reasons i dnt buy raw cards, especially online. just not worth it.
    Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
    WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
  • leftofdialleftofdial Posts: 443 ✭✭
    You'll ultimately win the claim, but any good memories of having that card went poof. To bad that the seller doesn't acknowledge the fact that the damage was obviously on the card beforehand as seen in the auction pic. Now, at least to me, he is kind of being a dink about things. If the damage wasn't there beforehand, that would be on you for not checking it out and also for having it for so long before reporting it. But it was there. I wonder why he changed his mind?

    +1 for elsnorto's advice to always pay with a Credit card
  • MrKnowthanxMrKnowthanx Posts: 322 ✭✭
    Yeah it is kind of a bummer but a bunch of lessons learned. I can take something positive from it. I will say one thing that was really hard to do was to find eBay's customer service number. I really just want to talk to a person when dealing with stuff like this.Either I didn't see it posted right in front of my face or they just don't want people calling.
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