I generally purchase raw (ungraded) cards on eBay. Generally, the cards match the description... but not today. I purchased a 1962 Topps Willie Mays all star card for $7.99 and an additional $3.25 in shipping from seller DB.14. The seller's description says the card shows some wear, not a 10, but nice. I get the card today and observe that the top of the card, from the top edge down about an inch has a thick layer of Scotch tape residue along with two tears in the paper. The scan in the listing has the card tilted and tears look like reflection of light. The Scotch tape is vaguely viewable but tough to discern.
The card books at $50 and I figure, in its current Poor Condition (which is what the listing should have said), it is worth generously $6. Though, I think I'd have a tough time getting more than $3 for it. I know I'm not out a lot of money but I just angry that the seller didn't clue me in on the Scotch tape and the tears. I hate to leave negative feedback but this one certainly deserves it in my book. I just contacted the seller and told him I want to return the card and want a refund. If he refunds my money, I won't neg him, I just won't leave any feedback at all.
The next unlucky package contained six 1965 Topps football cards. The description, by seller ham8945, stated the cards were in low grade but no dogs. Well the description described one of the six cards, the other five are dogs with creasing, paper loss, major surface scratches and water damage. Again, I didn't spend a lot, $8.99 plus $2.78 in shipping, but I expect an honest description. Why say "no dogs" when five of the six cards are dogs. I buy these cards for resale, I'll have a tough time breaking even on these dogs.
My next group of winners is a lot of 1961 Fleer football. The description says the cards are VG/EX when the cards are actually POOR! How can creased cards be VG/EX? I went back and looked at the description and the creases in one of the cards is apparent from the scan. There was no way to tell the other cards are creased. I paid $4.25 for the cards plus $2.05 in shipping from seller whizzkidd3. Again, not a lot of money but I will have trouble recouping.
My next excellent eBay purchase was a 1963 Topps Gus Triandos, described as Near Mint. Well the card has a serious ding on the lower right corner. A serious ding does not make a card Near Mint. To me, Near Mint is a near perfect card with a very minor flaw. If the lower right corner had very slight wear, not a serious ding, it would be near mint in my book. I grade the card VG. Again, not a lot of money spent, $2.99 for the card plus $2 for shipping.
The next terrific purchase is a pair of 1963 Bazooka All Time greats, Ban Johnson and Ted Lyons. The seller described the cards as nice specimens, shiny and some flecking. No grade. I would grade them Fair. The backs are filthy. The Lyons has a stain. Both cards have more than "some" flecking. The corners are heavily worn. I only paid $1.49 for the cards but $4.95 in shipping. The seller did actually spend $4.95 in shipping by sending it priority with shipping confirmation. He could have put the cards in top loaders and a small bubble envelope, included delivery confirmation, and charged $3 in shipping.
My last card is actually a good purchase -- 1962 Tops K leaders with Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. The description says the card is Excellent to Near Mint. In reality it is off center, generally has slight corner/edge wear and no creases. A ding, however, on the upper left edge brings this card to VG. EX to Mint cards no NOT have dings, unless your talking pre-war. I only paid .99 cents for the card plus $2 shipping.
The card books at $50 and I figure, in its current Poor Condition (which is what the listing should have said), it is worth generously $6. Though, I think I'd have a tough time getting more than $3 for it. I know I'm not out a lot of money but I just angry that the seller didn't clue me in on the Scotch tape and the tears. I hate to leave negative feedback but this one certainly deserves it in my book. I just contacted the seller and told him I want to return the card and want a refund. If he refunds my money, I won't neg him, I just won't leave any feedback at all.
The next unlucky package contained six 1965 Topps football cards. The description, by seller ham8945, stated the cards were in low grade but no dogs. Well the description described one of the six cards, the other five are dogs with creasing, paper loss, major surface scratches and water damage. Again, I didn't spend a lot, $8.99 plus $2.78 in shipping, but I expect an honest description. Why say "no dogs" when five of the six cards are dogs. I buy these cards for resale, I'll have a tough time breaking even on these dogs.
My next group of winners is a lot of 1961 Fleer football. The description says the cards are VG/EX when the cards are actually POOR! How can creased cards be VG/EX? I went back and looked at the description and the creases in one of the cards is apparent from the scan. There was no way to tell the other cards are creased. I paid $4.25 for the cards plus $2.05 in shipping from seller whizzkidd3. Again, not a lot of money but I will have trouble recouping.
My next excellent eBay purchase was a 1963 Topps Gus Triandos, described as Near Mint. Well the card has a serious ding on the lower right corner. A serious ding does not make a card Near Mint. To me, Near Mint is a near perfect card with a very minor flaw. If the lower right corner had very slight wear, not a serious ding, it would be near mint in my book. I grade the card VG. Again, not a lot of money spent, $2.99 for the card plus $2 for shipping.
The next terrific purchase is a pair of 1963 Bazooka All Time greats, Ban Johnson and Ted Lyons. The seller described the cards as nice specimens, shiny and some flecking. No grade. I would grade them Fair. The backs are filthy. The Lyons has a stain. Both cards have more than "some" flecking. The corners are heavily worn. I only paid $1.49 for the cards but $4.95 in shipping. The seller did actually spend $4.95 in shipping by sending it priority with shipping confirmation. He could have put the cards in top loaders and a small bubble envelope, included delivery confirmation, and charged $3 in shipping.
My last card is actually a good purchase -- 1962 Tops K leaders with Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. The description says the card is Excellent to Near Mint. In reality it is off center, generally has slight corner/edge wear and no creases. A ding, however, on the upper left edge brings this card to VG. EX to Mint cards no NOT have dings, unless your talking pre-war. I only paid .99 cents for the card plus $2 shipping.
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