Scams - Let's hear 'em

[rainier2004]

I know a guy who recently lost a substantial amount in a card scam. Out of respect Id rather not go into detail as its still ongoing but am curious as to other scams out there. This one made me think a little and am really looking to hear about other scams. The more details the better. Ive been collecting for 25+ years and am not looking for "how to buy cards" literature as much as scams with angles that may not be as obvious. I swear Im an honest guy and figure the more its discussed and others are educated, the better and stronger we become as a community. I hate thieves...

[dstraate]

You might want to check the Joey Farino thread, that was the most involved one I've heard of recently.

[glchen]

These are pretty common scams on ebay that I assume everyone already knows about.

(1) Ungraded reprints sold as authentics where the card is made to look old and any words for reprint are wiped out. Card is often sold by buyers with low feedback and with the description that the seller isn't sure if it's authentic or not, but believes it is. (This way if the card comes back as counterfeit from TPG, seller may still win the case.) Sometimes, in the description, there is wording that the local card dealer said the card was original and that the card has been owned for a long time and/or was found in grandpa's attic. Picture of card is often fuzzy or taken at weird angles so it difficult to properly examine.

(2) Card is sold in a holder, but not by PSA/SGC/BVG/GAI, but something like PRO, CSA, etc. This tricks buyers into thinking the card is legit and/or is not altered, trimmed, etc.

(3) Card is sold in a compromised/frosted holder. Seller takes original card out of legitimate holder/flip, and replaces it with a card of lower quality (or counterfeit).

(4) Empty box trick. Can go both ways. Buyer receives package, but there is nothing in it. Or seller sends card in package, but buyer claims that the package contained nothing.

(5) Damaged card trick. Buyer receives card and claims it was damaged in the mail. In reality, they themselves cracked out card out of the slab.

(6) Lost package hoax. This usually happens when sellers send card internationally, including Canada where there is not proper tracking. Without proper tracking, buyers can claim that they never received the card.

(7) Deception description scam. Modern card that is made to look old is sold as vintage/prewar. Decription in listing or on card does not clearly point out that the card is modern, so things are grayish. (e.g., Helmar (at least in the past), others)

(8) This is a grayish level "scam," so it's not really a scam, but just unethical. First, seller cracks out card out of Authentic or Altered holder, and sells card as raw, and never stating that the card came out of Authentic/Altered holder. Similarly, seller cracks card out of low grade holder and advertises card at higher grade. Pictures of card are often small or unclear.

Another thing similar are dealers who create their own grading system, when they know that their cards would grader at a lower level if sent to a reputable TPG. This way they can sell their Poor cards as VG or above since it has "EX eye appeal." Again, not a true scam, but somewhat unethical.

[glchen]

BTW, the above are only for cards. Don't even get me started on scams for autos or memorabilia.

[novakjr]

"stolen scan scam". The good ol' selling an item that they don't have in the first place...Basically, take your money and run.

[ctownboy]

There is the scam where a seller sprinkles in some worthless modern reproduction or outright fake items among some genuine older items and lists the fake items as "vintage" so as to throw people off who don't know any better.

David

[sycks22]

There was a guy on craiglist in Raleigh by me last week who said he had to sell a bunch of high end cards before his divorce next week. Of course he had two '52 Topps Mantle's in a PSA 4.5 and 6 and E90-1 Jackson among others. The second I saw the scans it took me exactly 52 seconds to locate the scans of the real cards. He stole the cert #'s and put them in his own PSA cases. I told him that if he tries selling them anywhere ever again I'd call the feds, he got pretty quiet. I laughed when I saw the scans as they were that bad.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by rainier2004

I know a guy who recently lost a substantial amount in a card scam. Out of respect Id rather not go into detail as its still ongoing but am curious as to other scams out there. This one made me think a little and am really looking to hear about other scams. The more details the better. Ive been collecting for 25+ years and am not looking for "how to buy cards" literature as much as scams with angles that may not be as obvious. I swear Im an honest guy and figure the more its discussed and others are educated, the better and stronger we become as a community. I hate thieves...

I can understand that with an ongoing investigation you don't want to give out too much information, but I think you should at least let us know the details of the scam. You don't have to give out names, dollar amounts, etc, but if it's a new scam, we would all like to know so that we do not fall victims ourselves.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by glchen

(5) Damaged card trick. Buyer receives card and claims it was damaged in the mail. In reality, they themselves cracked out card out of the slab.

Otherwise known as the Joey Farino scam. However, he never cracked the card out of the case. He just told the seller that it was damaged and asked for a partial refund.

[rjackson44]

Coaches corner auctions

[irishdenny]

I bought a card from a pretty reputable seller on ebay. It was a PSA 4 and he sent it to me in a Bubble mailer. No cardboard protection, just the bubble mailer. When I opened it up, the card was cracked in half and the card was an entirely different card from the one in the auction!? WT$ Right!

It also was weird that nothing was wrong with the Card. I figured that if the Slab was completely cracked in half during shipment, then something would happen to the Card Right!? Nope! And the Mailer was in PERFECT CONDITION!!!

So, I emailed the Seller and he told me to send it back to PSA and have them ReSlab it...

After I told him that they wouldn't do such a thing because the Card was not the Card I Bought in the Auction, He accused me of switching the Card.

I went the full route with Paypal and Ebay insurance.... Nothing! They just determined that I received my item and it was his word against mine... Ouch... One kick in the Crouch (I didn't order) was served up and I took like a Man

Go figure... They're out there!!!