Help me justify buying high dollar on ebay.

akuracy503 · March 8, 2010 5:18AM

If a buyer is looking to purchase a high $10k dollar card on ebay what types of insurance does buyer have from getting scammed?
I know it's a wide open question but I'll present a scenario for you, if a seller's account has been around for more than 3 years with about 1000 feedbacks at %100 rating.

Do you feel good about buying a high dollar card in this scenario? what protection do you have if using paypal for payment.

I am nervous enough that the card will be shipped by a courrier, help me justify that I have nothing to worry about and that the item/seller is legit .

storm888 · March 8, 2010 5:27AM

PayPal + Credit Card is pretty safe.

"Courier" is a TERRIBLE idea; for buyer and seller. No experienced seller
would agree to it, with PayPal in the mix.

PayPal currently likes Express Mail.

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

I would NEVER buy ANY item with a value over a couple-hundred bucks
from a STRANGER on EBAY.

The place is a den of thieves on both sides of the counter.

zep33 · March 8, 2010 5:40AM

Fly out there and pick it up and pay in cash. might be worth the extra couple hundred and maybe the seller will split some of the airfare cost since he won't have paypal fees.

72skywalker · March 8, 2010 5:45AM

i agree with personal pickup. If it is over $10K it is worth the extra few hundred to take a day on a Saturday fly out and get right back on a plane is a few hours (or sightsee if that floats your boat) That way you don't exchange money until the card is in your hand. I would also use paypal instead of cash. When you get out there go on a computer and log in to paypal with the seller right there. This way both of you are protected. Alot of airports have hotspots for computers.

Stone193 · March 8, 2010 5:47AM

<< Help me justify buying high dollar on ebay >>

I can't.

Unless the seller is a high visibility guy like Levi, Steve H., Rosen, Young, Novella etc. - there's no way I would complete a transaction for that kind of dough.

Too risky IMO.

fkw · March 8, 2010 5:56AM

I would only buy from someone I already know for that $$. Or has very good hobby references.

Or at least..... talk to the guy on the phone a couple times and only consider bidding if he will let me arrange to pick up in person.

For someone who is willing to spend $10K+ in one pop, a plane tix is nothing.

Any unknown seller that balks at all (pickup), cant be trusted.

storm888 · March 8, 2010 6:03AM

"... I would also use paypal instead of cash. When you get out there go on a computer and log in to paypal with the seller right there. This way both of you are protected...."

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

PayPal offers ZERO seller-protection for local pickups.

ANY seller allowing PP to be used on local pickups is
asking to be burned.

bobbyw8469 · March 8, 2010 6:03AM

Most sellers won't sell a high dollar card that high on Ebay.....the most I would do would be a couple of grand.....anything 5 figures or more would get consigned to one of the major auction houses.....

ThoseBackPages · March 8, 2010 6:52AM

I agree with flying to pick it up, especially with how cheap flights are

thunderdan · March 8, 2010 7:01AM

Main thing is you have to be extremely comfortable with the seller. References help as do past transactions of similarly priced cards.

Paypal+credit card is a good way to go so you can have recourse if (God forbid), anything goes wrong.

Also, Paypal will say that 10K is the limit of their protection (because they say the limit per payment instance is 10K), they can make exceptions to this, as they did with the transaction I had with Pat (Cohocorp) for that 52 Mantle. You don't want to be splitting up the transaction if it's over 10K as Paypal will only apply buyer protection to ONE of those payments.

If you have ANY doubts about the seller, I wouldn't do the transaction.

ndleo · March 8, 2010 7:25AM

I wouldn't do it. I got burned for a $3000 card and it was pain to get it corrected with Paypal and the credit card company. Paypal is OK when the card is not delivered, they are a pain if the condition (or tampered) is an issue. The credit card company is better but you have to your case well documented and it is time consuming.

The most I will go is less than $1000.

akuracy503 · March 8, 2010 9:21AM

Tough call guys, do we know that a high percentage of over $5k cards sell on a daily basis and change hands through the normal routes of ebay-paypal-USPS registered etc.

I like the idea of flying out but this one's located on the east coast where i'm on the far west, the other viable option would be to provide a hobby reference.

Thanks for the ideas guys.

perkdog · March 8, 2010 9:37AM

Where on the East Coast?

MCMLVTopps · March 8, 2010 9:44AM

Assuming you have qualified the seller.

Pay with paypal. If your credit card can stand the whack, pay that way...this provides additonal protection to you.

Have the item shipped Registered Mail and insured for the $10k.

No courier, waste of time, it ain't the Hope Diamond.

akuracy503 · March 8, 2010 9:45AM

Saylorsburg PA

otwcards · March 8, 2010 10:19AM

<< Saylorsburg PA >>

That's a little over an hour drive each way for me. If you get to crunch time and need someone to facilitate the transaction, let me know. I'm pretty certain that I can provide enough hobby references to satisfy anyone on this board with regard to my integrity and follow-through.

KbKards · March 8, 2010 10:24AM

The seller looks solid and while the 52 Mantle is dead centered I don't see it going for over 10k, with the heavy creases. Use a credit card to fund the Pay Pal payment in case anything goes wrong, but nothing jumps out as being too weird with the auction other than the seller's claim of not having the time to get it in a higher grade holder.

akuracy503 · March 8, 2010 12:09PM

You guys are great thanks for all the wonderful feedback.

OTW I really appreciate your offer to help out in the deal.
I will follow up on this thread and send you a message if I end up taking the auction, i'm sure we can work something out.

Right now i'm leaning on the side of patience to find an easier scenario such as an auction house or reputable ebay dealer.

We'll see what happens.

Thanks for making this a great community.

vladguerrero · March 8, 2010 12:11PM

Road Trip! That's what I did....

akuracy503 · March 8, 2010 12:14PM

<< The seller looks solid and while the 52 Mantle is dead centered I don't see it going for over 10k, with the heavy creases. Use a credit card to fund the Pay Pal payment in case anything goes wrong, but nothing jumps out as being too weird with the auction other than the seller's claim of not having the time to get it in a higher grade holder. >>

It is just a weird scenario since the seller just joined PSA and is able to submit, after a few message seems the seller needs cash in hand quickly due to circumstances.
I tracked the card down to a sale back in Nov 2008 through VCP but this seller would not divulge in how he obtained it from that 11/2008 buyer.

akuracy503 · March 8, 2010 12:15PM

<< Road Trip! That's what I did.... >>

Roadtrip Oregon to PA! HA might cost me $5000 in diesel fuel.

sportscardtheory · March 8, 2010 12:29PM

As a seller, I would sell anything on eBay to anyone for cash in-person. The only thing you are risking is a possible negative feedback, which wouldn't hold up on eBay because you can say they never paid.

Yankees001 · March 8, 2010 10:15PM

Unlike everyone else, I can justify it.

It's simple, you want the item. If you can't find one closer to home, the purchase is justified.

BUT, be careful. I would probably demand the item be shipped next day delivery.

Good luck if you make the purchse.

Dave

KbKards · March 9, 2010 12:55AM

As long as you make your demands known to the seller prior to the close of the auction I'm sure they will comply as long as it protects both parties. If you start making demands after the auction then you could very well lose your opportunty to purchase the card you won.

burke23 · March 9, 2010 1:06AM

For a fee, aren't there places that will make the transaction for you? Basically both parties send the item/$ to this third party, and the third party handles the transaction?

akuracy503 · March 9, 2010 1:33AM

<< For a fee, aren't there places that will make the transaction for you? Basically both parties send the item/$ to this third party, and the third party handles the transaction? >>

Good question, would like to know this...Looks like eBay suggests using escrow.com for purchases above $500

http://pages.ebay.com/help/pay/escrow.html

Help me justify buying high dollar on ebay.

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