MMarch
One Man Wolfpack, ,
This might be long winded so I apologize in advance, but I believe people who purchase graded cards should be aware of situations like this in the hobby.
I purchased 3 graded cards in PWCC auctions on EBAY. 2 of them were graded by PSA, one by KSA. I received the 3 cards quickly from PWCC, but when I opened the package the drama began. The KSA card was sandwiched between the two PSA cards with no protection between them. I don't know how or when it happened but when I separated the cards, the KSA holder literally fell apart in two pieces and the card hit the floor, thankfully it was carpet, but this is what I was left with:
I've heard complaints before about KSA holders but never saw it in person until now. When I inspected the card closely with a loop, something just didn't seem right. The color of the card stock was off, the printing was way too crisp for a card of this age, and my gut told me something just wasn't right here. So, although I needed the card for my set, I decided I needed to contact PWCC and discuss the issue. I called the day I received the card and talked to someone who told me he needed to talk to someone else who wasn't available at the time. He said they absolutely will take care of the issue, took my info, and said I would receive a call back later in the day. No call came, so the next day I called back in the afternoon and once again was told they had all the info, the person was aware of the issue, and promised a call back in an hour or so. Again, no call. I sent an email the next day asking for an update, no response. So, 4 business days after receiving them I called one more time, told them they were leaving me no choice but to send it out for re-grading at my own expense and I needed to hear from them as to what they wanted me to do. Of course, that call went unanswered as well.
That lead me to the PSA adventure and unfortunately my situation did not get any better. I filled out the online forms, paid for the "Express" service, and shipped it Priority Mail to CA. It arrived and took them 8 days just to check it in to their system. The "Express" service says it takes 5 days on average, and of course, on day 5, it still said "Oder still in process". On day 9 I finally picked up the phone and called, got a very nice person who looked it up and apologized saying he had no idea why it was taking so long. He did say he would investigate and try to get it out by today. Well, that's the only thing that actually went well and tonight I got the email that my credit card had been charged by PSA, and of course they still charged me for the "Express Service" even though I didn't actually get the Express Service. I rushed to my computer to look up the order with great anticipation as this is the last card I needed for my set, I can finally say I have completed this beautiful set! I click the order and instantly felt like someone kicked me in the gut. There in all it's glory is this wonderful message:
So yeah, I'm pretty pissed at this point. Not only am I left with an incomplete set and an altered card, because PWCC took their sweet time ignoring me, and PSA took their sweet time not providing the service I paid for, I am outside the 30 day window with EBAY. So, what do I do now. Some might say you should have just filed for a return with PWCC when I got it from them. I certainly can see that opinion, but this was the last card needed for my set and they very rarely come up for sale in decent condition. But, if PWCC actually provided customer service and said they are happy to take it back, or maybe even split the cost of having it re-graded, I would have chosen that option. But after 3 calls and an email were ignored, I didn't have any indication that they cared to even try and resolve the issue in any way.
So, what would you do if you were in my shoes? And for all those who believe KSA is a reputable company, here's another example of a card being altered that they have no problem giving a grade of 6. I know for sure I will never again buy a KSA card for any reason.
I purchased 3 graded cards in PWCC auctions on EBAY. 2 of them were graded by PSA, one by KSA. I received the 3 cards quickly from PWCC, but when I opened the package the drama began. The KSA card was sandwiched between the two PSA cards with no protection between them. I don't know how or when it happened but when I separated the cards, the KSA holder literally fell apart in two pieces and the card hit the floor, thankfully it was carpet, but this is what I was left with:
I've heard complaints before about KSA holders but never saw it in person until now. When I inspected the card closely with a loop, something just didn't seem right. The color of the card stock was off, the printing was way too crisp for a card of this age, and my gut told me something just wasn't right here. So, although I needed the card for my set, I decided I needed to contact PWCC and discuss the issue. I called the day I received the card and talked to someone who told me he needed to talk to someone else who wasn't available at the time. He said they absolutely will take care of the issue, took my info, and said I would receive a call back later in the day. No call came, so the next day I called back in the afternoon and once again was told they had all the info, the person was aware of the issue, and promised a call back in an hour or so. Again, no call. I sent an email the next day asking for an update, no response. So, 4 business days after receiving them I called one more time, told them they were leaving me no choice but to send it out for re-grading at my own expense and I needed to hear from them as to what they wanted me to do. Of course, that call went unanswered as well.
That lead me to the PSA adventure and unfortunately my situation did not get any better. I filled out the online forms, paid for the "Express" service, and shipped it Priority Mail to CA. It arrived and took them 8 days just to check it in to their system. The "Express" service says it takes 5 days on average, and of course, on day 5, it still said "Oder still in process". On day 9 I finally picked up the phone and called, got a very nice person who looked it up and apologized saying he had no idea why it was taking so long. He did say he would investigate and try to get it out by today. Well, that's the only thing that actually went well and tonight I got the email that my credit card had been charged by PSA, and of course they still charged me for the "Express Service" even though I didn't actually get the Express Service. I rushed to my computer to look up the order with great anticipation as this is the last card I needed for my set, I can finally say I have completed this beautiful set! I click the order and instantly felt like someone kicked me in the gut. There in all it's glory is this wonderful message:
So yeah, I'm pretty pissed at this point. Not only am I left with an incomplete set and an altered card, because PWCC took their sweet time ignoring me, and PSA took their sweet time not providing the service I paid for, I am outside the 30 day window with EBAY. So, what do I do now. Some might say you should have just filed for a return with PWCC when I got it from them. I certainly can see that opinion, but this was the last card needed for my set and they very rarely come up for sale in decent condition. But, if PWCC actually provided customer service and said they are happy to take it back, or maybe even split the cost of having it re-graded, I would have chosen that option. But after 3 calls and an email were ignored, I didn't have any indication that they cared to even try and resolve the issue in any way.
So, what would you do if you were in my shoes? And for all those who believe KSA is a reputable company, here's another example of a card being altered that they have no problem giving a grade of 6. I know for sure I will never again buy a KSA card for any reason.
