EBAY sellers not putting the qualifier in their title.

Mickey71 · October 7, 2009 6:11AM

This actually pisses me off and I hate to say it but members of this board do this. It is the biggest waste of time on EBAY other than going through a few dealers auctions. It seems like every other 1 is like this. I think it is a sneaky tactic.

Dboneesq · October 7, 2009 6:13AM

Agree !!!

Reljac · October 7, 2009 6:20AM

It's definitely not being upfront.

Boopotts · October 7, 2009 6:28AM

Thank you for sharing.

Mickey71 · October 7, 2009 6:35AM

You're welcome Boo.

minnesotahusker · October 7, 2009 6:39AM

100% agree with you!! Borderline fraud IMHO.

vladguerrero · October 7, 2009 7:08AM

get rid of qualifiers all together...

Brick · October 7, 2009 7:09AM

VintageCardLover · October 7, 2009 7:09AM

fraud? perhaps if they dont include it in the auction description (text, body etc)

Reljac · October 7, 2009 7:11AM

<< get rid of qualifiers all together... >>

KbKards · October 7, 2009 7:12AM

You should like that sellers do that. It helps keep VCP prices low.

MULLINS5 · October 7, 2009 7:19AM

<< You should like that sellers do that. It helps keep VCP prices low. >>

...another reason the qualifier should be posted in the title.

I agree with Mickey71, total waste of time and very sneaky. When sellers list their item this way, I as a seller, start thinking, "if this guy doesn't list the qualifier, he is more apt to shill on his auctions" then I don't buy anything from them/don't look through their inventory.

Patrick

jay0791 · October 7, 2009 9:04AM

I totally agree. Big time waster. Also it could help those that do look for the nicer card just OC and don't mind the qualifier at a much better price.

Some sellers even don't mention it and then start quoting prices realized on straight grades w/o qualifiers. Or quote population reports of the straight card. ...trying to infer that his OC card is very scarce. This is nothing short of dishonesty. I would like to see ebay blitz listings and seller forfeits the initial fees. After a set number of fraudulent listings, then ebay should freeze the selling account for a month.

A good rule of thumb....nothing ever really changes unless it hits the pocketbook.

itzagoner · October 7, 2009 10:29AM

every now and then, you can check the seller's other items for sale and find a gold nugget in the stream, so i don't fuss over the stupid qualifier listings anymore, only if someone else finds the nugget and outbids me.

otwcards · October 7, 2009 10:31AM

Not to defend those that fail to include the qualifiers, but on rare occasions, I may omit the qualifier if the title is too long and I cannot fit it, but I make certain to point out in the auction that the item INDEED has a qualifier and if the qualifier doesn't fit, I add the secondary subtitle to avoid confusion. I'm not sure how many qualified items I've had over the past few years, but I would suspect it has been less than 10.

I agree, it is annoying when sellers purposely omit the information in an attempt to garner a larger return or mislead searchers to view (and hopefully erroneously bid) on their auctions.

WalterSobchak · October 7, 2009 10:57AM

I find the practice mildly irritating. As long as the seller makes it clear in the item description that the card does indeed have a qualifier, I don't have a huge problem with it.

Half the time you can tell there's a qualifier by the current price of the card anyway, even if the title doesn't specify. If I see a "1978 Topps Eddie Murray PSA 9" BIN $75/OBO, I know there is no need for me to look into that auction any further.

Sportsamerica · October 7, 2009 11:12AM

With ebays changes you cannot put a qualifier in the items section anymore...

alnavman · October 7, 2009 11:22AM

I too sometimes leave the qualifier off if the title is too long, but I don't try to deceive, I just leave say PSA with no grade or reference to grade. I make sure I say something in the description like this Professionally graded by PSA 8OC (Off Center). There are times that the whole title won't fit in the title line.

sportscardtheory · October 7, 2009 11:53AM

I have a hard enough time fitting all the searchable words in my title. I make it as clear as day in my listing, that should be good enough. No one is searching (OC) and/or the like, so I don't feel it's a necessary addition in the title.

KbKards · October 8, 2009 1:09AM

There's no legitimate excuse for knowingly leaving the qualifier out of the title. 100% of the value of the card you're selling is based on the condition of the card and a qualifier affects the value significantly. When it's left out on purpose by a knowledgeable seller they are just trying to trick somebody into clicking on their item and not noticing the qualifier info listed in the fine print. With no qualifier in the title it says what you're about to click on is a full value card. Then it's up to the clicker to notice in the fine print that what they're really about to bid on is worth 1/4 to 1/2 of the card listed in the title they just clicked on. Experienced clickers spot the scam, utter "ahole", and hit the back button. Buyers with less experience, or not bothering to read the fine print might miss the OC,MC,ST buried somewhere or "mentioned" only in a tiny blurred scan. If the buyer then gets a qualified card and complains, then the seller acts like it's all the buyer's fault for not reading the fine print.

celesterussell · October 8, 2009 1:14AM

100% correct. what those sellers dont realize is that many people wont buy from them at all because they seem like a snake seller.

I have even seen seeler put white tape over the qualifier on the card, but lets be fair ebay or not ther have been a lot of crooked sellers in the card business. maybe less so now, but the industry was infested...........

Publius · October 8, 2009 1:15AM

I accidentally bought a psa 9 OC 57 topps football card with a horrible scan about a year ago. No mention of the OC in the title, the description said " you are bidding on the pictured card only" a typical exclusion for sellers who have multiple cards in scans, didnt really think about it

Till I got the card that is. Shame on me for not paying more attention, or asking for a better scan, but shame on that turd for being so elusive about a qualifier. I was pissed.

hammered · October 8, 2009 1:19AM

<< I too sometimes leave the qualifier off if the title is too long, but I don't try to deceive, I just leave say PSA with no grade or reference to grade. I make sure I say something in the description like this Professionally graded by PSA 8OC (Off Center). There are times that the whole title won't fit in the title line. >>

I can't think of an instance where there wouldn't be enough space to put a 2-digit qualifier in the title line.

itzagoner · October 8, 2009 1:25AM

<< 
I can't think of an instance where there wouldn't be enough space to put a 2-digit qualifier in the title line. >>

after "FRESHLY GRADED BY PSA, YOU MUST OWN THIS AMAZING RARE GEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", it's entirely possible.

hammered · October 8, 2009 1:28AM

<< I have a hard enough time fitting all the searchable words in my title. I make it as clear as day in my listing, that should be good enough. No one is searching (OC) and/or the like, so I don't feel it's a necessary addition in the title. >>

It's not about what people are searching, of course they're not searching O/C. It's about being upfront with the buyer about what you are selling.
Since a 9 O/C means essentially that you are selling a PSA 6 or 7, I'd think it's important enough to include in the title.
It's your business, but if I saw that you omitted the qual from the title and buried it in the description instead, I would move on.

hammered · October 8, 2009 1:45AM

<< 

<< 
I can't think of an instance where there wouldn't be enough space to put a 2-digit qualifier in the title line. >>

after "FRESHLY GRADED BY PSA, YOU MUST OWN THIS AMAZING RARE GEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", it's entirely possible.

>>

**PLEASE READ**LOOK**100% FEEDBACK**

mmsportscards · October 8, 2009 1:52AM

<< I can't think of an instance where there wouldn't be enough space to put a 2-digit qualifier in the title line. >>

Priceless!!!!! Dont think Ive ever sold a card with an oc qualifier???? Always NQ's here....Its just one word SHADY

richtree · October 8, 2009 1:54AM

I honestly do not agree with having to put the qualifier in the title.

Ebay gives u so little space for title description. Anyone that cares so much about the card and wants to bid on an auction simply should take the time to read the description.

If you leave out the qualifier in both the title and description and expect the seller to go by the picture, then I think you have a point.

But as long as the seller tells me in either the title or description, I won't be mad.

stown · October 8, 2009 1:56AM

<< It's your business, but if I saw that you omitted the qual from the title and buried it in the description instead, I would move on. >>

Especially if there's room for OC, then in my opinion, your attempting to sneak one past the prospective buyers. Doesn't matter if your intent is as good as gold, because we can only go by what we see in the auction.

Not only will I move on but won't even look at your other auctions. So if you have a card I need, then because of your actions, you lost a potential bid.

TheVon · October 8, 2009 2:29AM

If I think a dealer repeatedly and purposely neglects to add the qualifier in their title I stop buying from them altogether.

Sometimes, when I'm buying dozens of commons for a set I just want to open the auction, copy the item number, and set my snipe. I don't want to read 40 auction descriptions for low-priced cards and enlarge scans on each one of them just to make sure the seller isn't sneaking a qualifier into the mix.

If there's not enough room to leave the qualifier in the title, the seller should do what Alnavman does and just write "PSA" in the title and not include the numerical grade. At least that gives the potential buyer the heads up that they need to pay more attention to that particular card.

storm888 · October 8, 2009 3:08AM

"...if I saw that you omitted the qual from the title and buried it in the description instead, I would move on...."

//////////////////////////////

Ditto.

If there is "no room" for the Q in the title, make room by removing some other copy.

A PSA 9 (OC) is NOT a "PSA 9."

Shady titles are designed to nail newbies, gift buyers, and negligent/careless collectors.

PoppaJ · October 8, 2009 3:25AM

Along these same lines, why can't this seller omit the word "outstanding" from his title and insert the word "reprint"? ..... hmmmm!

onebamafan · October 8, 2009 4:20AM

<< This actually pisses me off and I hate to say it but members of this board do this. It is the biggest waste of time on EBAY other than going through a few dealers auctions. It seems like every other 1 is like this. I think it is a sneaky tactic. >>

DITTO!!!!

I used to contact the seller and tell them to list it in the title, but there just wasn't enough time in the day.

BobbyVCP · October 8, 2009 4:39AM

I would love it if all sellers would put the qualifier in the title and think we do a very good job of catching most of them. In our system we rate the sellers as good (they list Q;s in the title) and Warn (They don't list in the title). So as we are adding new listings to the system we check the seller and if they have a warn we look closer to verify if there is a qualifier or not.

bobbyw8469 · October 8, 2009 5:23AM

I have sold cards with qualifiers, and have ALWAYS put the qualifier in the title.........it's only fair......

sportscardtheory · October 8, 2009 5:38AM

I can't believe people actually care what is OMITTED from an eBay title. People adding extra words to get views is wrong, but so is not adding everything? You don't buy the title, you buy the scan/photo and description. If you are not smart enough to know what it is you are buying even when it's all in eBay's AND the seller's description, then I wouldn't want you buying from me anyway. I'm sure none of you have ever not bid on a listing with the title "baseball card" because the seller is not being "up front" about their listing with their title. Get real. Gotta love collectors eBaying from their high-horses.

alnavman · October 8, 2009 6:02AM

<< 

<< I too sometimes leave the qualifier off if the title is too long, but I don't try to deceive, I just leave say PSA with no grade or reference to grade. I make sure I say something in the description like this Professionally graded by PSA 8OC (Off Center). There are times that the whole title won't fit in the title line. >>

I can't think of an instance where there wouldn't be enough space to put a 2-digit qualifier in the title line. >>

This may not be totally correct but let's give it a try:

1965 Topps NL HR LDRS Mays/Aaron/Stargell PSA 9 OC Off the top of my head I am not sure exactly how many characters can go in the title line but if you start spelling out some of the abbreviations such as NL, HR, LDRS then you will get way beyond the character max. This was just a made up example and I'm not even sure if they were even the HR leaders that year so don't jump me for that.....BUT I think there are times the qualifier might not fit....that was all I was trying to say when I made mention of putting the full explanation in the description. I don't buy cards without reading the description...my feedback is 100% with over 5000 hits so it's not like I'm trying to scam anyone.....just random thoughts on a day I'm tired from late night work schedule but it did sort of hit a nerve. al.

alnavman · October 8, 2009 6:07AM

also forgot to add, if the qualifier fits, it's IN THE TITLE line in all my auctions. another example: 1988 Fleer John Stockton PSA 9 MINT!! if there was a qualifier it would read 1988 Fleer John Stockton PSA 9 OC (Offcenter) I'd leave the MINT off since I don't think it would fit.

bobbyw8469 · October 8, 2009 6:17AM

You forgot the card number in both cases....I would think that is the most important part.....

hammered · October 8, 2009 6:33AM

<< I'm sure none of you have ever not bid on a listing with the title "baseball card" because the seller is not being "up front" about their listing with their title. Get real. Gotta love collectors eBaying from their high-horses. >>

This comparison is ignorant.
And unfortunately, ebay is polluted with sellers like you.

What is your ebay username? I'm curious to see how well your items are selling with vital info deleted from the titles...

I guess the bigger question (and one that you have not answered) is: Since a qualifier vs. non-qualifier can mean the difference in hundreds of dollars in value, why on earth would you NOT include it in the title?

Brick · October 8, 2009 6:42AM

I guess the bigger question (and one that you have not answered) is: Since a qualifier vs. non-qualifier can mean the difference in hundreds of dollars in value, why on earth would you NOT include it in the title?

Easily answered. As Storm said a newbie, a gifter, or someone not paying enough attention such as myself when I am surfing auctions and watching the game at the same time may overpay. Another plus to not listing the qualifier is it becomes the buyers responsibility for the mistaken purchase because he is obviously an idiot.
Because of these type of sellers I have told my wife and children not to buy cards for me as a gift.

storm888 · October 8, 2009 6:52AM

"...Since a qualifier vs. non-qualifier can mean the difference in hundreds of dollars in value, why on earth would you NOT include it in the title? ..."

////////////////////////////////////////

THAT really is the issue.

Since it is not ok to steal from folks just because they
are too stupid to look at pics and read descriptions,
EVERY element of a listing needs to be as gushy with
ALL of the facts as possible.

Holding anything back is a SURE sign of either an "error"
or "dishonesty." In most cases, dishonesty and guile are
the reasons.

................................

Any corrupt seller who thinks he can prevail in a buyer-filed
SNAD claim at EBAY/PP by claiming "the title was incomplete
but the description was correct," is going to be disappointed
if either a sympathetic or sophisticated buyer is in the mix.

KbKards · October 8, 2009 6:56AM

I can't believe people actually care what is OMITTED from an eBay title. People adding extra words to get views is wrong, but so is not adding everything? You don't buy the title, you buy the scan/photo and description. If you are not smart enough to know what it is you are buying even when it's all in eBay's AND the seller's description, then I wouldn't want you buying from me anyway. I'm sure none of you have ever not bid on a listing with the title "baseball card" because the seller is not being "up front" about their listing with their title. Get real. Gotta love collectors eBaying from their high-horses.

Actually, in probably more than 95% of Ebay's PSA graded card listings, the title accurately lists exactly what's for sale. I'm sure Bobby from VCP can come up with a pretty good guess on the percentage they see that don't match. When a seller doesn't list the qualifier in the title they either don't know any better, or they're trying to scam you. Defending it by saying it's the buyer's fault for not scrutinizing the fine print helps scammers sleep at night. Most everyone who posts here has dozens to hundreds of Ebay purchases and PayPal invoices listing the item title as the item you purchased. When you receive the card the expectation is that you'll get exactly what was described in the title. That's normal and expected when buying PSA graded cards. If you receive a qualified card when you were expecting an unqualified card then you're not stupid, you were scammed.

storm888 · October 8, 2009 7:08AM

"...If you receive a qualified card when you were expecting an unqualified card then you're not stupid, you were scammed...."

///////////////////////////////

That is very much so because IF the title had been correct, the collector
would not likely have EVEN looked at the seller's listing.

Reljac · October 8, 2009 7:57AM

All I have to say is currently on ebay:
1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARD #177 NOLAN RYAN ROOKIE PSA 9
for sale for $1095.

This title has 2 unused characters. You can't tell me that the # sign in front of the 177 is more important than the title stating:
1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARD 177 NOLAN RYAN ROOKIE PSA 9 OC
or better yet
How is "baseball card" and "rookie" more important to the buyer than "OC"

The card is definitely not PSA 9... PSA 9 IS NOT PSA 9 (OC). PSA will grade without qualifiers. Sellers shouldn't put the grade if the WHOLE GRADE doesn't fit.

I'd bet if the card grade for the same sellers was PSA 8.5 and they ran out of title room, they wouldn't call it PSA 8.

Mickey71 · October 8, 2009 8:52AM

The masses have spoken. Put the qualifiers in the title if the card has a qualifier. Out of about 50 replies, 2 people think it's okay and count characters on a keyboard--cmon folks. We're talking about things like ETHICS and HONESTY. The more you do these things the easier it is to continue. What's so wrong with doing the right thing? I realize that some that don't do the right thing find it hard to ever do the right thing. Plus if there are 100 reasons to put the qualifiers in the title and 1 reason why someone would not put the qualifier in the title and you choose the 1 reason you have issues. JMO.

sportscardtheory · October 8, 2009 9:50AM

I have sold two (OC) cards in my life and neither time did I have (OC) in the title. I didn't do it to scam anyone, I did it because I'm a seller who knows what I'm doing. I only put information in my titles that people will be searching, and I'm always honest. I didn't put (OC) in the title because it is not needed, it's in the eBay provided specs, clear as day in my over-sized pictures and in giant bold lettering in my description. If I sell an ungraded 1962 Topps Mickey Mantle card with a small crease, I'm not going to waste valuable title space with "small crease" because no one searches "small crease". No matter what ANYONE says, you aren't buying the title... you simply aren't. The only reason anyone here cares about this topic is because they are NOT searching for (OC) cards and are upset they have to see (OC) listings by clicking on them when someone doesn't put (OC) in the title. Cry me a freaking river. The seller did their job and did it within eBay's guidelines.

mmsportscards · October 8, 2009 11:10AM

<< have sold two (OC) cards in my life and neither time did I have (OC) in the title. I didn't do it to scam anyone, I did it because I'm a seller who knows what I'm doing. I only put information in my titles that people will be searching, and I'm always honest. I didn't put (OC) in the title because it is not needed, it's in the eBay provided specs, clear as day in my over-sized pictures and in giant bold lettering in my description. If I sell an ungraded 1962 Topps Mickey Mantle card with a small crease, I'm not going to waste valuable title space with "small crease" because no one searches "small crease". No matter what ANYONE says, you aren't buying the title... you simply aren't. The only reason anyone here cares about this topic is because they are NOT searching for (OC) cards and are upset they have to see (OC) listings by clicking on them when someone doesn't put (OC) in the title. Cry me a freaking river. The seller did their job and did it within eBay's guidelines. >>

No what I put is nm- (minus) READ why because I care. Leave out the team or the first name. Your selling a bunk card let the buyer know that if your stating a grade thats above the actual grade.....Now if your listing a card as nm-mt with a stain on the back, not wax stain you MIGHT have some cred if its a psa buyer......

Guess I care about my biz practices, however after reading bs like this or watching what go's on the bay makes you want to go to the darkside.....Never..Not worth the non repeat customer but do they really repeat or sell out???? Hmmmm

cohocorp · October 8, 2009 11:20AM

When a seller leaves out that fact in the title, I will never deal with them period. I have no interest in dealing with deceptive people.

sportscardtheory · October 8, 2009 11:51AM

<< 

<< have sold two (OC) cards in my life and neither time did I have (OC) in the title. I didn't do it to scam anyone, I did it because I'm a seller who knows what I'm doing. I only put information in my titles that people will be searching, and I'm always honest. I didn't put (OC) in the title because it is not needed, it's in the eBay provided specs, clear as day in my over-sized pictures and in giant bold lettering in my description. If I sell an ungraded 1962 Topps Mickey Mantle card with a small crease, I'm not going to waste valuable title space with "small crease" because no one searches "small crease". No matter what ANYONE says, you aren't buying the title... you simply aren't. The only reason anyone here cares about this topic is because they are NOT searching for (OC) cards and are upset they have to see (OC) listings by clicking on them when someone doesn't put (OC) in the title. Cry me a freaking river. The seller did their job and did it within eBay's guidelines. >>

No what I put is nm- (minus) READ why because I care. Leave out the team or the first name. Your selling a bunk card let the buyer know that if your stating a grade thats above the actual grade.....Now if your listing a card as nm-mt with a stain on the back, not wax stain you MIGHT have some cred if its a psa buyer......

Guess I care about my biz practices, however after reading bs like this or watching what go's on the bay makes you want to go to the darkside.....Never..Not worth the non repeat customer but do they really repeat or sell out???? Hmmmm >>

I do WONDERFULLY on eBay and have perfect feedback with many MANY repeat buyers. I am not a scammer because I didn't waste 4 spaces in my titles with OC on the two OC cards I have sold. lol

JackWESQ · October 8, 2009 11:52AM

Who Here Has Intentionally Omitted a Qualifier From Their Auction Title ...

I started this thread back in October 2007 and yes, omitting a qualifier is, at minimum, deceptive.

/s/ JackWESQ

EBAY sellers not putting the qualifier in their title.

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