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Mars Attacks horror story on eBay
MarsAttacks
Posts: 279 ✭✭✭
I am building a Mars Attacks set in PSA 8 (no easy task as you all know) and decided to take a chance on adding some raw cards to my collection that were prominently featured in eBay auctions ending yesterday (10/11/09). The visual & stated condition of these cards and the seller's history of high end sci-fi items from the same era gave me high confidence that if successful, I'd be receiving a very nice product. Although I did not win all of the cards I had hoped to (bidding was spirited as one can imagine on NM-MT Mars Attacks cards), I was excited to be the high bidder on a handful at what I thought were reasonable prices.
Immediately after the auctions ended, I received an e-mail (for each item won) from the seller that requested cancelation of the transaction. Those requests were immediately followed by a personal e-mail from the seller that stated the cards were "destroyed that afternoon" when his children apparently spilled milk all over them. Obviously disappointed and concerned the cards had not sold for as much as the seller had hoped, thus causing him to request cancelation of the auctions after they ended, I asked him to call me, which (to his credit), he did promptly.
Although he repeated the same story on the phone (and having children myself, I understand they often get into things they're not supposed to), I became a little concerned when I asked (as I explained for my own peace of mind) for him to send a scan of a couple of the damaged cards. He stated that in the moment, his wife had carried the cards out and thrown them down a trash chute as they "were like sponges for the spilled milk" and totally destroyed. As such, no photographic evidence of the damage exists.
I have spent the day trying to reconcile this in my mind and simply cannot do so. Although I understand that I have limited (if any) recourse, it still irritates the h*ll out of me!
Immediately after the auctions ended, I received an e-mail (for each item won) from the seller that requested cancelation of the transaction. Those requests were immediately followed by a personal e-mail from the seller that stated the cards were "destroyed that afternoon" when his children apparently spilled milk all over them. Obviously disappointed and concerned the cards had not sold for as much as the seller had hoped, thus causing him to request cancelation of the auctions after they ended, I asked him to call me, which (to his credit), he did promptly.
Although he repeated the same story on the phone (and having children myself, I understand they often get into things they're not supposed to), I became a little concerned when I asked (as I explained for my own peace of mind) for him to send a scan of a couple of the damaged cards. He stated that in the moment, his wife had carried the cards out and thrown them down a trash chute as they "were like sponges for the spilled milk" and totally destroyed. As such, no photographic evidence of the damage exists.
I have spent the day trying to reconcile this in my mind and simply cannot do so. Although I understand that I have limited (if any) recourse, it still irritates the h*ll out of me!
Go Dodgers!
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Comments
I watched those auctions, (Even threw in Pity bids on a couple), and I thought the guy did quite well. BS on the milk, I have kids too, and if you think they are going to be anywhere near 10K of just finished sales with a glass of milk, you are kindly mistaken.
He was offered before the Auctions ended a larger sum of money for most of them and is going that route.
Period.
Neil
Better luck next time.
Take it easy,
Jared
Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes,
Hypnotized by you if I should linger,
Staring at the ring around your finger" - Sting
Ray Thiel (1964-2007) - the man who showed me more wonderful games & gaming sessions than I ever dreamed possible... you ran out of hit points too young, my friend.
If the guy was so concerned about value...why not put a rediculous high reserve that one bids up to ( unless you get those two insane bidders that want it). then you could always relist knowing your potential max// Problem solved and NO SPILT MILK!!!
Don't waste your time and fees listing on ebay before getting in touch me by PM or at gregmo32@aol.com !
<< <i>so how many negatives can you leave him? >>
I am with Goose...
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
JDRF Donation
Steve
I also checked his completed auctions and he was getting PSA 7 prices for many cards that may or may not 7
if graded. A few of them got 25-50.00 which IMO is what raw cards are worth. If he wants PSA graded money then he should
have the set graded.
Glad I built my set 5 years ago.
Steve
love and laughter,
slacker
and averaged my 8's out at under 250.00, I was able to get 3 or 4 for 100.00 each!
One guy who was paying 750.00 sold his set the same year through BBCE and took a real beating.
IMO it didn't hurt him as he was worth prolly 20 mil.
Steve
<< <i>Don't cry over spilt milk. >>
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Smokestack Lightning (Live) 1968
Quicksilver Messenger Service - The Hat (Live) 1971
i paid crazy money on my #2 psa 8.5 and crazy money for a few low pop psa 8.5 and 8s recently.
i'm better off to wait and be patient but i've never been good at listening to my own wisdom so with faith my set will one day be psa 8.0 gpa.
love and laughter,
slacker
Steve
<< <i> BS on the milk, I have kids too, and if you think they are going to be anywhere near 10K of just finished sales with a glass of milk, you are kindly mistaken.
Neil >>
Here is the ebay message the seller sent me when attempting to cancel the transaction(s) for the cards I won "Dear bidder. Please excuse this intrusion and forgive me however my Mars Attacks and Battle cards were destroyed earlier today as my children spilled milk in my office all over my non sport card collection. The card sets are destroyed beyond repair. A terrible tragedy and loss. I have ended thewithin the time limit. I could not end all of the Mars Attacks auctions except for those that did not have bids. Can I ask your forgiveness and understanding in this. Gary"
However, on 10/21, the ebay user who was the winning bidder on cards #54 & #55 posted positive feedback for the seller, indicating he had received the cards "just as described."
As the auction description doesn't state anything about them being covered in milk and the seller was nearly in hysterics telling me about how his wife threw the cards away after the "terrible tragedy" and therefore no photographic evidence of the damage could be produced, wouldn't it be fascinating if they rose from the trash chute (where he claimed they had gone) like the phoenix and ended up in the someone's hands in perfect condition? It's a miracle!
Negative feedback awaits this clown.
love and laughter,
slacker
Steve
Kiss me twice.....let's party.
Go Phillies