some ebay people just

[WildforCup10]

DRIVE ME NUTS. Check out this e-mail I got from someone on a maybe 25-30.00 card I am selling on there. This is a best offer auction, not a regular auction. This sure sounds like this person has been burned way too many times or something. I have a pretty good picture of it too and I am not a grader by any means. I am sure I not want to reply because he has not even put in a best offer yet. I am guessing he is going to lowball me 10.00 lol especially with feedback around 150.

here is the cut and paste

Hi:

I'm interested in this item and questions are:
1)In what condition are the corners (are they sharp)?
2)In what condition are the edges (any cracking)?
3)In what condition is the surface (any scratches?)
4) Has the card been cut properly and well centered?
5) Can you ship the card in a plastic screwdown or magnetic one-touch? Or will it stay in the toploader?
6) How will it be packaged to prevent damage in the mail?

Please be specific with your responses so I can make an informed decision before bidding. Good luck with your auction and thank you! Have a great day!

he did have a nice ending, but I thought you would like to see what goes on out on the ebay world sometimes. It does surprise me sometimes especially when I have been a buyer and seller for over 2000 feedbacks with 100%

wned:

 

[punkoholic]

Do you think he plans on doing this? Hopes to get a response to each question. Then he bids on the card and wins it. He then recieves it and complains that the card was not as how you described it as so he can ask for a refund or a some kind of paypal claim? Then again this guy might want to get it graded and perhaps his collection is of cards that are 9.5 or better.

The best thing to do is say, your not to sure about the condition and arn't confortable making a guess because your standards might be different from his standards and don't want to deal with the hassle if a disagreement happens.

 

[Burner]

I tend to ask about the corners, edges and shipping method, especially if the item descriptions are unclear or laden with unspecific terms like "pack fresh" and "excellent" condition.

I don't understand why his asking questions is a chore or how it means he's going to low ball you.

Why would he even place an offer without getting an answer to his response? He obviously has some concerns and if he gets the answer he wants he'll likely place a bid. I know I wouldn't bid on a card if I had some unanswered questions about it.

 

[go_leafs]

just say this

this card is in MINT condition (if it is), and it will be ship in top loaders with team bag to avoid damage

should answer all the questions

 

[bto3105]

Everyone has a right to be picky as it's there money and have the right to ask the questions.That being said if one thing is not right with the card and transaction it will be pointed out quicky. Up to you if you want to deal with the many" what if senerios"


Good luck

 

[RGM81]

This is a very reasonable set of questions. Given all the troubles that people have been experiencing with eBay when it comes to receiving damaged cards in the mail, all the moreso. If this type of inquiry from a potential buyer "DRIVE [YOU] NUTS," perhaps the retail business, online or otherwise, isn't for you.

 

[leafs4_cup]

I have to agree that these are reasonable questions. As much as sellers get burned by buyers on ebay, it works the other way too. I have received a few damaged cards from ebay, which probably could have been avoided if I had asked those very questions.

As for feedback, I only have 300 and consider myself to be a very reasonable person to deal with. On the other hand, I have received terrible, terrible service from a couple of people with 10,000+ feedback.

 

[quincy]

Those are fair questions, even if the manner is a little brusque.

 

[hextall27]

Personally I would stay away....

Anyone who is that anal about a 25 dollar card will probably scrutinize it beyond reasonable means and be a problem anyways...

 

[geerhed19]

All those questions make perfect sense to me. It makes a lot more sense than saying it's "mint" or whatever, because you aren't a grader and that is completely subjective (as was discussed in another thread.) He's just looking for an accurate, honest description of the condition. I think giving him an answer of "it's mint" is kind of shady-why is it so hard to give an honest description of the card? If I was to get the answer of "it's mint" and nothing else, when I asked about a couple specific things that aren't unreasonable, it would look to me like you were trying to cover up something that is wrong with it.

 

[hextall27]

It's the precedent of having to do this for every auction one might have. Sure it's alright if you're selling less than $500 a month on Ebay, but some of the bigger guys would never be able to answer all these question on a regular basis.
I would suggest the person buy from hobby shops/card shows?

 

[SkyFire47]

if his feedback is 100% with no negs and no neutrals i wouldn't worry. and only 150? that's a decent amount of transactions for anyone. i would prefer a buyer have good communication and show interest. his emails aren't anything out of the ordinary and would imply that he is looking to get it graded. you could:

1. reply to him and state the following are answers based on your opinion from looking at it with the naked eye
2. disclose you do not professionally grade cards, so again, it is just your observation
3. offer a large, close up scan that you can send him via email

it's because you are a 2000+ feedback seller that he expects this kind of customer service from you and rightfully so.

 

[geerhed19]

It's the precedent of having to do this for every auction one might have. Sure it's alright if you're selling less than $500 a month on Ebay, but some of the bigger guys would never be able to answer all these question on a regular basis.
I would suggest the seller buy from hobby shops/card shows?

I don't think it would be an issue if they listed "four sharp corners, no creases, no surface scratches, etc." in the item description in the first place. A lot of the big sellers use stock item descriptions that would apply well for the majority of the cards. I'm sure the number of times they'd have to change it for a card with a soft corner or whatever would be minimal.

 

[mclean_m]

Personally I would stay away....

Anyone who is that anal about a 25 dollar card will probably scrutinize it beyond reasonable means and be a problem anyways...

I agree with this. The questions on their own are fair and reasonable. But the way the message is written makes me fairly certain he will complain about the card once he receives it.

 

[cards-gotta-go]

And this is how I'd respond, qualifying that these are based upon looking at them with the naked eye, not a 20x magnification loupe:

I'm interested in this item and questions are:
1)In what condition are the corners (are they sharp)? Yes
2)In what condition are the edges (any cracking)? No
3)In what condition is the surface (any scratches?) No
4) Has the card been cut properly and well centered? I've never owned an uncut sheet, but the scan is indicative of centering
5) Can you ship the card in a plastic screwdown or magnetic one-touch? Or will it stay in the toploader? For an extra couple of bucks, SURE!
6) How will it be packaged to prevent damage in the mail? With my standard shipping practices, unless you want something specific, which we can talk about pricing on before you bid.

 

[geerhed19]

Personally I would stay away....

Anyone who is that anal about a 25 dollar card will probably scrutinize it beyond reasonable means and be a problem anyways...

I completely disagree. The dollar value of the card should be irrelevant-a $25 card to a guy who spends $1000/mo. means a completely different thing than it does to someone who may only be able to spend $50/mo. on cards.

 

[WildforCup10]

all I am saying if he is soooo picky about everything, find a graded card. I mean my point is why should I have to grade it for him then ship it to him and he is not happy for some reason. This is not a 100.00 card we are talking about. Some of you have good points but what if I get lowballed too. It is not worth my time is what I saying

For the record I always say my cards are nrmint to mint or better. If the card is or was damaged I wouldn't sell it.

 

[deepbluejacket]

I know the trend on eBay is not to say a thing about conditioning, and that always concerns me as a buyer. More often than not, I'll pass on any auction that won't give me a few details in text about the condition of the card (unless the scan is huge, but even then scans can be deceiving).

Mike

 

[Mack]

if his feedback is 100% with no negs and no neutrals i wouldn't worry. and only 150? that's a decent amount of transactions for anyone. i would prefer a buyer have good communication and show interest. his emails aren't anything out of the ordinary and would imply that he is looking to get it graded. you could:

1. reply to him and state the following are answers based on your opinion from looking at it with the naked eye
2. disclose you do not professionally grade cards, so again, it is just your observation
3. offer a large, close up scan that you can send him via email

it's because you are a 2000+ feedback seller that he expects this kind of customer service from you and rightfully so.

I shall now start the slow clap. Great post and advice. I only have a feedback rating of 121 with 100% right now but that do not mean a heck of alot. It sounds like he is a grader and does not want to waste your time and his if it is not what he is looking for.

 

[WildforCup10]

Another thing is too, is I am not dealer or grader. I am collector trying to enjoy the hobby. If a person cannot try and take a risk sometimes for that perfect copy or whatever that is. I dunno what to tell you. I for the record have never ask that question to anyone or plan on it. That is why I do not beleive in grading.