Give me your opinions about how to handle this dealer who has given me problems.......

RonBurgundy · July 5, 2007 12:15AM

I ask the board's opinion on how to handle a couple of issues I have had recently with a dealer that I deal with regularly. He is a longtime national dealer, who shall remain unnamed.

1) I recently purchased a team signed baseball from him that he stated was a 1954 Cleveland Indians ball. When I bought it, we had an extended conversation about the ball, part of which was the fact (according to him) that it was from the Tribe's AL Championship season in '54. I had 100% confidence that the ball would authenticate, as he has a solid reputation. Well, I get the ball authenticated and it is genuine, but the ball is from 1951, not 1954. So I approach the dealer about 2 weeks ago about it, thinking a partial refund was in order. He essentially gave me the runaround on it, and then said, "well if you want to return it, you can." He offered no partial refund and really didn't want to be bothered with it. I'd like to keep the ball but it's not worth what I paid for it.

2) This is the same dealer who in the last 6-8 months has developed a habit of showing me material that he hasn't priced. He knows I like nice stuff, so what he does is he waits until I pick out cards I like, then he prices them "accordingly", i.e., higher than he probably would if he priced them to put in his showcase. This has now happened 4 or 5 times, and I recently talked with another collector that he does the same thing with. I want to call him on it, but I want to do it in a classy and professional way.

How would y'all handle both situations? I know the easy thing to do with #2 is to stop buying unpriced stuff, but I want to send him a subtle message at the same time that I'm on to his bit and I'm not going to play that game anymore.

Thanks,

Ron

SoFLPhillyFan · July 5, 2007 12:28AM

1) If you both agree that it was sold as a '54 ball then insist on a full refund if you do not want it. You bought it with that year in mind and he sold it as a '54.

2) Give him longer lists of desired items for pricing rather than a few at a time? Does he bargain?

For #1 - Maybe you can return the ball at the National and reenact the "Mr. Mint Fastball" episode. Just make sure to duck.

Best of luck.

nightcrawler · July 5, 2007 12:34AM

Are you getting that, " saw you coming feeling "?

I hate that

It's probably best to just stop buying unless it's something you really want.

Any message can and probably will be taken as being rude.

NathanSr · July 5, 2007 12:35AM

#1 - Get the full refund and return the ball. He misrepresented it and you should not reward him for that.

#2 - Next time the situation arises, simply explain you want prices first and it is your new way doing business. If he takes it wrong and gets offended, too bad. you should not feel responsible for his reacitons.

You hold the money in these transactions, so you have the power/control over how things go down. If you do not get your price, you walk away.

NathanSr

SoFLPhillyFan · July 5, 2007 12:49AM

<< <i>Any message can and probably will be taken as being rude. >>

Rudeness has no place in card collecting.

Regards,
Mr. Mint

nam812 · July 5, 2007 12:52AM

It sounds like a seller i'd avoid, but if you must, here are 2 possibles solutions.

1) Hand them back to him saying "these still aren't priced? Hopefully they will be by the nex show", and walk away. He obviously knows you are a serious buyer, and probably counts on you showing up. To watch you walk away without spending anything may just make him price those cards.

2) Next time before you even look through the unpriced cards, just ask him what % of book he needs for the ones without prices.

hotmush · July 5, 2007 1:01AM

Maybe I'm in the minority, but if you had visual contact with the ball before you bought it, you might have done a little research by copying down the names and doublechecking the rosters for that year. I know, I know. "I can get a good look at a steak by sticking my head up a cow's rear but I'd rather take the butcher's word for it." But unfortunately, there's aren't many honest butchers in sports memorabilia these days.

ebayaddict · July 5, 2007 1:13AM

<< <i>#1 - Get the full refund and return the ball. He misrepresented it and you should not reward him for that.

#2 - Next time the situation arises, simply explain you want prices first and it is your new way doing business. If he takes it wrong and gets offended, too bad. you should not feel responsible for his reacitons.

You hold the money in these transactions, so you have the power/control over how things go down. If you do not get your price, you walk away.

NathanSr >>

Smart advice!

Rogermnj · July 5, 2007 1:30AM

Next time you are looking through his newer inventory... Pick out a few things that you are really not interested in..

Then take one item that you are really interested in and tell him in a by the way fashion that you saw this item sell cheap or that your friend picked one up for $xx and say, oh by the way, what would this run? Since he will think you arent really interested he will probably give you a cheap price on that item to make you feel that his prices are fair... Then say, ok i will take that.

eyebone · July 5, 2007 2:06AM

<< <i>I ask the board's opinion on how to handle a couple of issues I have had recently with a dealer that I deal with regularly. He is a longtime national dealer, who shall remain unnamed.

1) I recently purchased a team signed baseball from him that he stated was a 1954 Cleveland Indians ball. When I bought it, we had an extended conversation about the ball, part of which was the fact (according to him) that it was from the Tribe's AL Championship season in '54. I had 100% confidence that the ball would authenticate, as he has a solid reputation. Well, I get the ball authenticated and it is genuine, but the ball is from 1951, not 1954. So I approach the dealer about 2 weeks ago about it, thinking a partial refund was in order. He essentially gave me the runaround on it, and then said, "well if you want to return it, you can." He offered no partial refund and really didn't want to be bothered with it. I'd like to keep the ball but it's not worth what I paid for it.

2) This is the same dealer who in the last 6-8 months has developed a habit of showing me material that he hasn't priced. He knows I like nice stuff, so what he does is he waits until I pick out cards I like, then he prices them "accordingly", i.e., higher than he probably would if he priced them to put in his showcase. This has now happened 4 or 5 times, and I recently talked with another collector that he does the same thing with. I want to call him on it, but I want to do it in a classy and professional way.

How would y'all handle both situations? I know the easy thing to do with #2 is to stop buying unpriced stuff, but I want to send him a subtle message at the same time that I'm on to his bit and I'm not going to play that game anymore.

Thanks,

Ron >>

Ron:

You are a sharp guy. Why has this dealer been able to pull the same tired routine on your four or five times recently?

Eyebone

RonBurgundy · July 5, 2007 2:44AM

Eyebone -

Good question!

I suppose it's because sometimes I'm patient to a fault, and like anyone I have a soft spot for nice vintage stuff. I picked up on it after the 2nd or 3rd time, and let it go to see if it would happen again. Sure enough, it did and the gig's up.

Thanks,

Ron

SidePocket · July 5, 2007 2:45AM

This is nothing you don't already know, but when he "prices" the cards it's just a starting point for negotiating. I think you know what you want to pay - stick to it. He'll get the hint after a few non purchases.

WinPitcher · July 5, 2007 3:36AM

Ron

Number 1...................Get the full refund, not sure what happens with the PSA/DNA fees?

Number 2................As long as you are paying your price I do not see where it matters when he prices the material. He may be (in his mind) giving you a break and if he priced them upfront they would be more?

Steve

GlynRParson · July 5, 2007 4:12AM

#1 ask for full refund

#2 if you are cherry picking and he holds the material for you before he puts it out paying more is no big deal I voluntarily did this for years with several dealers.

baseballfanatic · July 5, 2007 4:28AM

If a car dealer tells me Im buying a Corvette and I take it home and find out its a Vega, whos in the wrong? Its the same scenario.....

stown · July 5, 2007 4:35AM

It doesn't sound like this guy is reasonable.. Drawing a line in the sand with established customers is not the way to do business.

Give him one last shot and if he refuses, let him know how unsatisfied you are as a customer and don't purchase another thing from him.

Sorry to hear about your troubles.

onlyanumber · July 5, 2007 5:36AM

When you get the refund on the ball, make sure you get refunded your PSA/DNA fees as well. No reason he should benefit from that and you have to eat that cost.

Leiascards · July 5, 2007 5:54AM

Asking for the PSA fees might be a stretch, as a seller I would never give a partial refund on anything that is asking for more trouble in most cases. I also would not be too rececptive of refunding the PSA fees as that was the BUYERS choice to even do that, but never been in this situation so I don't know.. If you sold a raw card and the buyer submitted it and it came back trimmed would you refund the full price AND the grading fees? I wouldn't

RonBurgundy · July 5, 2007 5:57AM

As far as the ball is concerned, if a refund is agreed to it will be without the COA. If he wants that as well he can pay me for it. I agree with the sentiment that it was my choice to authenticate it.

Ron

WinPitcher · July 5, 2007 7:55AM

Geez it is rather simple, ask him if he wants the COA, if he does tell him it costs X

If he doesn't want it or you prefer he does not get it then it is not part of the refund.

Steve

justmichael · July 5, 2007 12:51PM

I have a local dealer who pulls the same stunts.The guy is an absolute douche.I have since taken my money to another dealer.Unfortunately dealer 1 has been calling me twice a week for the last 3 months trying to get my business back.The lack of pricing until you are interested in the card reminds me of the 80's card shows.Some of these dealers have not changed with the times.
It has taken 10 years and countless dealers but I have found two that I never have to haggle prices with.If anyone is ever in the Albany,NY area and looking for a shop,Pm me.

yankeeno7 · July 5, 2007 1:52PM

1. I agree with Nathan on #1

2. I would take a stance for about 4 or 5 months and not buy anything from him....after you visit him and ask him for prices on numorous items and then you walk away. Maybe buy a couple of VERY cheap items from him. He will balk and once again try to regain your business. You are a valuable buyer for him....losing buyers can hurt and he knows it. See what he does from there, unless of course he is Levi and doesnt care if he sells his stuff or not.

Justmichael, turn on your PMs. I am also in Albany area. Im sure I can guess one of the dealers (Has a shop on Central Ave) but would like to hear who the second one is.

Barry

justmichael · July 6, 2007 6:23AM

justmichael · July 6, 2007 6:24AM

PM's are on

Give me your opinions about how to handle this dealer who has given me problems.......

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