I feel it's my duty.
 

I usually don't like out people but I don't want anyone else to buy these cards. Ebay seller "Mackmen" is selling a lot of beautiful but trimmed cards. A few weeks ago I paid over $1200 for 6 raw cards and they where all trimmed. Even after I asked if any of her cards might be trimmed. She said no. Luckily she let me return all them. Just saying watch out.

Current one http://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-1911-T2...item3f26b59d96

One i returned http://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-1911-T2...vip=true&rt=nc

how did you know it was trimmed?

Thanks for being vigilant Doug.....It is appreciated.

I knew they were trimmed as soon as i opened the box. I've handled thousands of t206's and these were not good. I think the way she uses the camara does make them look legit though. She may have some not trimmed but I'm not risking it again.

thanks for pointing out. cards otherwise look fantastic.

I generally avoid paying any high-price (eg >$100) for raw cards, espcially on ebay. one of the reasons I'm grateful for the security of the TPG companies.

--S

Camera tilt
 

Appears to me a tilted camera shot is a dead giveaway, re: a seller disguising card damage or condition. My first experiences on ebay with cards displayed this way were trimmed cards, holes, etc. not that I have been around for long, I am just saying.

Keith temple

I've bought a lot of slabbed cards that were trimmed, but had numeric grades. One of the reasons I'm grateful for the security of having sellers of raw cards who will represent their cards accurately.

How about some standards?
 

eBay should have certain standards that prevent sellers from disguising damage to items by using creative angle shots such as these tilted camera shots. My eBay pics are all scans so you always get a straight-on top view of the card and on a black background to allow potential buyers to see the condition of the corners and edges. I do this for all raw cards I sell.

EDITED: It just may be that eBay does have standards but enforcing them would be a nightmare without buyers reporting the problem listings.

It's too bad that Ebay doesn't put more energy into raising their standards, and less time screwing with their website. The 'bay is like a sinking ship, and instead of plugging the holes causing the ship to take on water, they're busy painting the bow.

For what it's worth, Rob, when I am looking for a card, I almost always go with the seller that has scanned the card in the way you described (or has provided a similar photo). There are still some of us out there that appreciate the effort you make to provide accurate information, and easy to see pictures.

Here's an example of a card I was looking for about a month ago (I know it's a modern card, but please bear with me). I looked at about 20 raw examples, and some of them had fairly nice pictures. But this one wowed me, and I couldn't buy it now fast enough:

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/6179/iwvo.jpg

It turns out the seller is a professional photographer, but he was nice enough to tell me exactly how he took the picture (what settings on his SLR, how he staged the lighting, etc). Since this sale, I've bought a few more cards from him. These Chrome prospect cards are highly condition sensitive, and the little bit of extra effort he put in got him a sale, and gave me peace of mind. This one is going to go in to Beckett for grading, and it will get a 9.5 easily.

And you can be sure when I start looking for my vintage cards, I'll be checking your auctions, Rob, here and on Ebay. I do my best to reward the good sellers on Ebay with my repeat business. :)

Also, thank you, Doug, for your vigilance.

I look at it in a similar way. If someone doesn't make the effort to PRESENT the item effectively, what do you think the chances are that they will make the effort to DELIVER the item effectively?

+ 1

Thank you! I came close to bidding on a couple of those listings.

Agreed 100%, Taylor. The presentation of a card = my first impression of that seller. If a card is shoved in some dirty, scratched up top loader, I usually just move on.

Funny.. I agree with everything you both say about 1st impressions, but I often have a different reaction (especially if the seller accepts returns). Crappy picture + auction format= discount!:D