Are you claiming the Diamond Stars card is fake?

I'm not asking about it having been labeled with the wrong year. Clearly, the Diamond Stars set was not produced in 1951.

I'm asking if it's a counterfeit card. I was under the impression the card is genuine R327 Hank "Greenburg" (Greenberg).

I think this will be the crux of problems with this also. I don't mind personally but I think it will bring a bunch of negs from long arrival times.

The general public can usually be confidently relied on to be moronic.

Update:
The seller mailed the card on Monday. Today, I received the following email from eBay

Hi Kris,
Our authentication partner received your item from the seller but, unfortunately, it didn’t pass inspection. We assess items covered by Authenticity Guarantee against the highest standards, and reject items for a variety of reasons, including damaged packaging, missing accessories, not matching the seller’s description, or an inability to confirm authenticity.

I also received a notice from PayPal stating I received a full refund.

So, from the day the seller finally mailed the card, it only took 4 days (and most of that was USPS). The success of the program will be determined over the long term, but in this case, they certainly met expectations.

That is excellent. Thanks for running the test.

Kris,
Can you check regularly to see if eBay removes the seller from their site? Wondering if 1 or multiple fakes being passed as real finally gets eBay to ban these fraudsters.

Will do. Unfortunately, he sold four other fake cards to other buyers for under $750 shortly after I explained the program to him. I’m sure it was just a coincidence that he priced them under $750, although the value of the same legitimate card is much higher. :rolleyes:

The good news is that he currently does not have any cards listed, just a few non-card items.

Kris, was the card you purchased something you expected to fail the authenticity check?

Hi Jay! Yes, as I estimated in post #56 in this thread, I was 99.9% sure it was fake. Just wanted to test out the authentication program and timing.

Thought this might be pertinent to add...

They literally didn't tape the box that they sent. Just closed lid with a label. Anyone along the way could have opened it. Luckily everything arrived in tact.

I just saw on twitter that someone is claiming the new threshold is $500. If so, more cards to be done that way.

Rich

If true, it apparently hasn't caused any change to existing listings yet. A card I am watching is priced at $580 and there is nothing on the listing about it getting authenticated.

I just got a PM on eBay from eBay stating the threshold is now $500 for ungraded cards. No sign so far of them hitting my graded stuff.

The same card I was watching and commented on a few hours ago now does show the Authenticity Guarantee on the listing so looks like updates are happening.

I call bullshit unless you have pics to prove it. Not saying it couldn't happen, people make mistakes and perhaps someone forgot to tape one box, but this obviously isn't standard practice, and I see no reason to believe you without evidence.

Ebay is slowly implementing this new "service", they will probably keep gradually lowering the $ amount and then implement their fee as people become used to the process. I don't believe there is a way to opt out, you will at one point be required to use the service on even lower dollar cards and pay for it....

Shows picture of un-taped box.

"You removed the tape from the box"

Why would he lie about something as ambiguous as that? :confused:

First off, people in this hobby lie all the time. The blowhard forums are chock-full of absolute nonsense. But even absent of intentional mistruths, what I run into more often in this community usually amounts to simple incompetence. Someone reads something that someone else posted and twists it into something it isn't because they lack reading comprehension skills or critical thinking skills, and then they repost it, others gobble it up, and next thing you know people start spouting out nonsense and every believes it. I wouldn't be surprised at all to find out that this "no tape" claim is someone who read some post on Blowhard where someone posted a picture of their eBay certified box, then someone else commented, "why is there no tape on that box?" (meanwhile, it was there all along, just on the back corner that isn't pictured) and next thing you know, all the eBay haters and TPG haters jump in and pile on with the "See! They don't even tape the boxes! I told you this was going to be a joke!". This shit happens ALL THE TIME. So, like I said. Sure, it's plausible. But I have no reason to believe this without evidence.

Was this a box you received, Sean?

Any sales from 3/1 on, FVF are going up to 12.9%.


https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center...es-update.html

....and the other shoe drops.......and that final value fee will also be charged for collecting shipping charges, sales taxes and VAT taxes.

That ain't the end of it either. No way that's not going to include a "free" service of "authenticating" your cards, for very long.

This has been the case for a long time. This is not new.

I wasn’t suggesting it was new. I was suggesting the higher fee was new……and the higher fee also applies to sales tax, vat tax and shipping fees, just like it has since EBay took over the merchant processing from PayPal.

It’s a price hike across the board, that makes what some might see as a smaller price hike, bigger then it seems, since they are taking a big portion of parts of the sale, that most sellers don’t make a penny on.

You think that’s cool, well good for you.

I don't want to be a Richard, but the word is intact. It is not two words. I see people on this site regularly misspell the word. If it arrived in tact does that mean it arrived in a tasteful manner?

There may be one loophole around this authenticity issue that the handwringers have not mentioned. Increase your postage. If you have an item that you would sell for $500 and ship for $10, raise the postage to $35 and sell for $475. Sure, the FVF will still be high, but you then avoid extra hands on the item and delays in getting it to the buyer.

I sold my first $750 card 2 days ago and just received my payout this morning. So that answers that.

LOL. Just close the box, we are good..........that's funny.
.

My card was delivered to the Authenticater yesterday afternoon, got an email this morning saying the card was authenticated and mailed to the buyer. Less than 24 hours.

Is it a 1951 Diamond Stars?

Ebay earnings are out. It's getting blasted down $6 approx 12pct.

eBay item # 165345513894 - maybe someone can add the actual EBay listing.

I bought this T205 Cobb today hoping that the authentication process works. The listing has the usual red flags; bad photos, seller doesn’t sell any vintage. But the color looks good and the Polar Bear staining is similar to other T205’s that I own. I asked the seller if he thinks it’s real, and he said it’s good - we will see. eBay already notified me it’s been sent to authenticator.

What do the T205 experts think? Real or fake?

I am going to say fake, because when magnifying the front image, I can see those telltale 'squiggle' lines of inauthentic cards, especially in the white areas of the 1st and 3rd base in the design.

Brian

I wouldn't bid on that card with those poor photos. Out-of-focus images of the back are pointless. However, the card is not an obvious fake and most reprints will be. Could be genuine.

It could be real IMO based on the pics but I doubt it.

I would say you were astute to buy it under the new Ebay authentication standards. You can't be out anything and you may have won a card worth $10K for peanuts.

I'm sure you will update us with the outcome.

Looks fake to me, as described by Brian, it has the fake craquelure look to it. eBay may still okay it. My concern is the "swinging-sixties" scenario, where they keep the money and the card for over 18 months.

it is probably fake

+1
Sold a card requiring their review. It was authenticated and mailed to buyer approximately 1 day from when they received.

After about 10 days shipping to the authenticator (for the Cobb T205) , I received the following message:

"Our authentication partner received your item from the seller but, unfortunately it doesn't pass inspection. This happens when the item doesn't match the listing description or they are not able to confirm the authenticity of the item. We are refunding $666.82 back to your original payment method."

The refund to PayPal was received just a few minutes later. I should note that the original listing stated that the seller does not accept returns. So at least in this case, EBay authentication over ruled the seller policy.

Does anyone have an authentic Cobb T205 for sale at $666.82?

Well the process seems to be working so far.

I have mostly raw cards in my collection and I have hope now that I may be able to sell them someday without the time and cost of sending to a grading company first. Wouldn't that be nice.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

So much for buying stuff that's not listed properly. Some of my best deals have been from poor or incorrect listings.

PSA now part of the authenticity team for verifying that graded cards' holders and labels are 100% legit. How would PSA know about any other TPG holders and labels being legit or not?????

And the link to the eBay announcement

https://pages.ebay.com/authenticity-...=20013&mkevt=1

I view eBay Authentication as an important and first stage gate in grading, with onus initially on the seller (vs. buyer incurring cost for grading only to find out is fake). It passes, you receive the card in a tamper proof fold over plastic sleeve which is sealed with a hologram, with the card in a Card Saver enclosed within that sealed plastic sleeve. This way you can keep it raw knowing is authentic. Or, you can send for actual grading and to protect in the case. A flat edge knife, time and care enables carefully unsticking the hologram from the fold over plastic sleeve without actually breaking the Void if Damaged hologram seal. What's left behind on the plastic sleeve from where it stuck to seal the fold over is a gummy residue noting 'Void.' Before or after you receive the card back from grading and in it's new plastic graded case, the plastic sleeve with hologram can be discarded.

If purchasing an already ebay Authenticated card, ensure the sealed hologram is not easily opened nor Void is left behind on the plastic sleeve. Hypothetically, a bad actor could replace an authentic card with a fake one, and reseal the undamaged hologram. So, be vigilant and ensure you purchase with a 15-30 day return window to review the eBay Authenticated card and fold over plastic sleeve/hologram.

Hasn't been 18 months....They got logged in on May 5th. That's when the clock starts. It hasn't even been a year yet. Please don't think I am trying to justify it. I am not. But a year and a year and a half are far different.

My mistake, Bob. I stand corrected. I'm not looking to throw shade, or start any dust-ups. I like to collect some older sets of T,E and N, and am hoping to keep my future comments in those threads. I did post in this thread about how odd I think it is that eBay grades cards now. I stand by that as my personal opinion, and it's okay with me if other collectors like it.

This is funking nuts: eBay is going to have graded cards re-submitted for verification? WTF am I doing sending in the cards for grading if I have to turn around and send them back anyway? Might as well sell them raw. Auctioneers are going to benefit far more than consumers from this, especially once PSA starts passing the costs onto the sellers for this mandatory 'service': lots of eBay sellers are going to throw in the towel and consign instead.

hmmmm

Might have missed it discussed here, but if the buyer has a P.O Box, item doesn't go to CSG, it goes directly to the customer. No "Authenticity Guarantee", even though listing has it displayed.

Correct but you only get 3 days if you want a item not as described return. So you better go to the po and check the item asap!

Maybe that should put more effort into not letting auctions like this run to conclusion.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/19500141474...p2047675.l2557

They’ve expanded it to cover already graded non-sports over $2,000 as well now.

eBay has expanded to Graded cards over $2,000
 

eBay has expanded the authenticity process to Graded cards over $2,000

So they will give a seal of approval about the seal worthiness of a $2000+ graded card?

Brian

In the email I got today announcing this "service" is expanding, I found this line to be telling:

"No cost to you...eBay covers all the costs for a limited time"

Prepare to bend over.

Yes. That is what we have been chatting about. I posted the link above.

"eBay covers all the costs for a limited time."

Translation: get ready for a major new selling cost to be rammed up our oubliettes.

For you yes, for the major sellers on EBay not so much. It won’t apply to them.

First experience....where is the card? Going to authenticator?

Almost 10 days already




May 4, 2022
5:36am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENT, 35222
May 3, 2022
4:26pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENT, 35222
May 3, 2022
11:45am
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENT, 35222
Apr 26, 2022
3:38pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
LITTLE ROCK AR PACKAGE SORTING, 72115
Apr 25, 2022
7:42pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
LITTLE ROCK AR PACKAGE SORTING, 72115
Apr 25, 2022
5:48pm
DEPART POST OFFICE
SHERWOOD, AR 72120
Apr 25, 2022
3:34pm
USPS in possession of item
SHERWOOD, AR 72120
Apr 25, 2022
1:36pm
SHIPPING LBL CREATED USPS AWAITS ITEM
SHERWOOD, AR 72120
Apr 25, 2022
11:36am
Tracking number provided

e bay authentication
 

we will no longer sell cards through e bay that require this amateur and unqualified service forced down our throats, unfortunately, the idea was good but without explanation clarity, its a crap shoot and they lost one of my expensive cards or usps lost it but we are out!

This is absurd. I just bought a freshly graded PSA card, and now before I can get it it has to be sent to PSA to be "authenticated"? WTF.

eBay is ok with counterfeits and altered cards in holders as long as they are sealed properly! The suits who make policy decisions over there are so incredibly removed from the real world.

Maybe I am missing something but is the hobby having an issue with resealed holders and fake labels? If so then between that and the volume of altered cards in holders, seems pointless to try to collect. It would be a full time job to buy a single card.

Worst shipping ever. Coincidence? Still says in route to authenticator.



May 5, 2022
11:15am
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
YBOR CITY FL DISTRIBUTION CENTE, 33605
May 5, 2022
11:12am
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
YBOR CITY FL DISTRIBUTION CENTE, 33605
May 5, 2022
12:01am
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
YBOR CITY FL DISTRIBUTION CENTE, 33605
May 4, 2022
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DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
SEMINOLE-ORLANDO FL DISTRIBUTIO, 32824
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SEMINOLE-ORLANDO FL DISTRIBUTIO, 32824
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ARRIVE USPS FACILITY
SEMINOLE-ORLANDO FL DISTRIBUTIO, 32824
May 4, 2022
7:46pm
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
SEMINOLE-ORLANDO FL DISTRIBUTIO, 32824
May 4, 2022
8:06am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
MONTGOMERY AL DISTRIBUTION CENT, 36119
May 4, 2022
8:01am
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
MONTGOMERY AL DISTRIBUTION CENT, 36119
May 4, 2022
6:16am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENT, 35203
May 4, 2022
6:09am
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENT, 35203
May 4, 2022
5:55am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENT, 35222
May 4, 2022
5:36am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENT, 35222
May 3, 2022
4:26pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENT, 35222
May 3, 2022
11:45am
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENT, 35222
Apr 26, 2022
3:38pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
LITTLE ROCK AR PACKAGE SORTING, 72115
Apr 25, 2022
7:42pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
LITTLE ROCK AR PACKAGE SORTING, 72115
Apr 25, 2022
5:48pm
DEPART POST OFFICE
SHERWOOD, AR 72120
Apr 25, 2022
3:34pm
USPS in possession of item
SHERWOOD, AR 72120
Apr 25, 2022
1:36pm
SHIPPING LBL CREATED USPS AWAITS ITEM
SHERWOOD, AR 72120
Apr 25, 2022
11:36am
Tracking number provided
--
T

At least it's in the right state now. Hopefully it should be at the authenticator soon.

Hopefully it doesn't go the same route from there to you.

I clench my cheeks a little harder any time I have to rely on somebody else shipping out a product I had to ship to them first, before THEY ship it on to where I originally intended for it to go.

On a lot of International packages I'm now forced to ship to a clearinghouse for them to put the final label and paperwork on before it goes on it's way. Whether it's through Ebay...or even Stamps.com.

My 1st experience purchasing with the authentication service... a 4-day USPS transit, delivered in Sarasota this morning, and 4 hours later got a notice the card failed inspection and that I was refunded.