Proper Etiquette After Purchasing "Altered" Card

[theshowandme]

I am not sure how to handle this situation.

I bought a W517 Eddie Collins card raw at a Chantilly card show a few months ago. I thought I scored a pretty good deal on a beat-up example of this card.

I was always expecting a 1, but it came back Authentic: Color Added.



How would you handle this situation? I am going to see the dealer again. I don't want my money back, and I definitely do not want a return. Do I politely tell them about this? I am not accusing them of altering this card, I mean, look at its other glaring issues lol. Is that the proper way to handle this? I do not want them to think I am accusing them (I have no reason to believe they did this).

Thoughts?

[Exhibitman]

The card is an obvious wreck and you got to look it over in person before you bought it. I don't think you have any reason to bring it up. Your assumption it would grade a certain way is a "you" problem, as my kid would say.

[D. Bergin]

I've seen "Authentics" that are nicer then "1's" and "1's" that are nicer then "Authentics".

Once you are down to that grading level it's all in the eye of the beholder. Only way I'd be concerned or bring it up with the original dealer is if the card came back as "Not Authentic".

I assumed you got it graded because you wanted to enhance it's look in the holder a little bit, and make sure it was authentic...and that's pretty much what you got.

[theshowandme]

Good points. I don't feel duped. I saw a HOF pre-war card at a fair price, I purchased, and knew it was a beater.

I'll move on.

[NiceDocter]

Depends on how well you know the dealer and your relationship. He may have other cards in this same group and would appreciate the input if not done in a negative way. Most guys would probably offer to buy it back but youd still be out the grading fees. And dont forget that just because a grading company says something doesnt make it the last word. Another company might have a different opinion. Either way, its a decent card in rough shape and if you paid "1" money for it you got what you paid for. I always let dealers know if something came up with a card I bought that was unexpected and maybe because I handle it in a diplomatic way and not expecting anything I have almost always had no problems. Most of the time I end up keeping the card anyhow because I liked it and thats why I bought it.

[steve B]

I' not really seeing any color added. Other issues yes, but color added?

I wonder if the other stuff added up to an A, but they didn't have a code for "lots of scuffs and paper loss"

[Peter_Spaeth]

If you don't want a return or refund, what would be your purpose in telling the guy?

[NiceDocter]

The purpose would be that if the dealer had a group of similar cards purchased at the same time he could look and see if others might have color added or were altered in some way. If I were a dealer I would want to know so I could sell with the best information to buyers ..... not just letting "the buyer beware".... also it may be educational for him ( if it actually does have color added) assuming he was not being deceptive in the first place. Finally, the dealer may know where he got the card (or cards) in the first place and then may consider that information in future purchases from that source. I think bringing the card in the holder and showing it to him rather than just telling him would be the right way. OR>>>>>> he might just tell you to shove it and then you would know more about that dealer for the future as well!!!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by NiceDocter

The purpose would be that if the dealer had a group of similar cards purchased at the same time he could look and see if others might have color added or were altered in some way. If I were a dealer I would want to know so I could sell with the best information to buyers ..... not just letting "the buyer beware".... also it may be educational for him ( if it actually does have color added) assuming he was not being deceptive in the first place. Finally, the dealer may know where he got the card (or cards) in the first place and then may consider that information in future purchases from that source.

Agreed, but I am wondering what the OP's purpose would be and why he brought this up, he only told us what his purpose would NOT be.

[Johnny630]

Unless you want a refund...there is nothing further to do.

[Zach Wheat]

agree with others let it go

[LEHR]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

The card is an obvious wreck and you got to look it over in person before you bought it. I don't think you have any reason to bring it up.

This was my first thought as well. It's still the same card you were happy to buy at the show so I don't think an authenticators opinion matters here.
Just my two cents.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by LEHR

I don't think an authenticators opinion matters here.

or anywhere else unless you are trying to sell it.

[Jewish-collector]

Chances are good that the seller is a member of Net54.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by LEHR

This was my first thought as well. It's still the same card you were happy to buy at the show so I don't think an authenticators opinion matters here.
Just my two cents.

+1 Agree

and sadly you cannot control how they grade it.
Nice card enjoy it

[G1911]

If you do not feel duped, you scored a good deal on it, you do not want a refund, you do not want to return it, and you don't want the dealer to take it the wrong way... what is there to talk about? What reason is there to discuss it at all?

[Snowman]

People get way too wound up over supposed alterations, especially for low grade cards like this. What's the difference? It's not like you thought you were buying a NM+ card that was "improved" to get it to appear nicer than it was by recoloring. I don't see any obvious signs of recoloring on this card. I wouldn't be surprised if they're wrong. This is the type of card that I would just keep raw anyhow.

[perezfan]

Aren't beaten up cards like this kind of "altered" anyway? I guess it depends on how you formally define "altered"...

Even if not intentional (like trimming, bleaching, recoloring) any card with an honest crease, wrinkle, scraped surface or dinged corner is sort of altered in its own way. I mean, the card is no longer in its original state. The unthinkable things that kids did to these cards back in the day (like flipping or putting them in bicycle spokes) just produced a different form of alteration.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Snowman

People get way too wound up over supposed alterations, especially for low grade cards like this. What's the difference? It's not like you thought you were buying a NM+ card that was "improved" to get it to appear nicer than it was by recoloring. I don't see any obvious signs of recoloring on this card. I wouldn't be surprised if they're wrong. This is the type of card that I would just keep raw anyhow.

+1 especially the last sentence. And I would be pleased to have it.

[ALBB]

Yes,
agree with last two posts

Its a beat up old card..whats the difference

[bobbyw8469]

Agree with the others. I don't see the recoloring. I see some vintage staining that is brown. Maybe they are calling THAT recoloring?? No one recolored that card. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if SGC got it wrong. The members here on Net54 know more about the cards than these guys doing the grading, I can promise you that.

[Belfast1933]

Nothing new to add to the question posed…

But I have to say that I think this is a great looking card! Sure, a little water and tear but it’s a great image of a great HOFer.

Nice pick up - and enjoy the bargain price you hopefully got. (And going way off on a tangent, am I the only one who just can’t see the similarities of the Collins image in his T206 potrait to almost every other card he’s on? Great player, not exactly the most dashing looking guy!)

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

...The members here on Net54 know more about the cards than these guys doing the grading...

Truer words were never spoken.

[obcbobd]

I agree with the consensus that its a nice card and I could care less about an "A" vs. a 1, but what is the white blotch on his hat? It looks like white paint or white out (is not white a color?) Or is that paper loss. I cannot tell from the picture.

[theshowandme]

Originally Posted by obcbobd

I agree with the consensus that its a nice card and I could care less about an "A" vs. a 1, but what is the white blotch on his hat? It looks like white paint or white out (is not white a color?) Or is that paper loss. I cannot tell from the picture.

It's paper loss

[Leon]

Originally Posted by G1911

If you do not feel duped, you scored a good deal on it, you do not want a refund, you do not want to return it, and you don't want the dealer to take it the wrong way... what is there to talk about? What reason is there to discuss it at all?

Because this is a chat board?
.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Leon

Because this is a chat board?
.

Bwhahahahahhahahahaha!!! Leon for the win.