What Would You Do?

[Buythatcard]

I purchase cards from many of the Auction Houses. For the most part, most transactions go well. Recently, I bid on a small lot of 1951 Topps Blue Backs. I know these cards are just commons and they don't demand much in terms of cost but I was upset how this Auction house handled the transaction.

First of all they showed only a scan of the front of the cards in this lot. That should have stopped me right there. But I trusted their description of the card. It was simple: Condition of card was Good.

When I received the lot of cards, this particular card that they described as Good had severe paper loss on the back. In my opinion I believe that the condition was Poor.

I wrote an email to this Auction House stating how I felt about their description of the card and that they should show the back of the cards when running an auction. I was not looking for a refund or exchange but just an acknowledgment that maybe they screwed up.

Well, I sent 3 emails and received ZERO responses. I have been a customer for several years and believe that their lack of response sucked. I mentioned in the last email to them that I would like to be removed from their mailing list.

I have not mentioned their name but will consider doing it.

Just wondering what others out there think? I've included the scan of the 1 card I complained about.

[Ease]

They should at the least write you some kind of response Howard. That's just bad business.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

I purchase cards from many of the Auction Houses. For the most part, most transactions go well. Recently, I bid on a small lot of 1951 Topps Blue Backs. I know these cards are just commons and they don't demand much in terms of cost but I was upset how this Auction house handled the transaction.

First of all they showed only a scan of the front of the cards in this lot. That should have stopped me right there. But I trusted their description of the card. It was simple: Condition of card was Good.

When I received the lot of cards, this particular card that they described as Good had severe paper loss on the back. In my opinion I believe that the condition was Poor.

I wrote an email to this Auction House stating how I felt about their description of the card and that they should show the back of the cards when running an auction. I was not looking for a refund or exchange but just an acknowledgment that maybe they screwed up.

Well, I sent 3 emails and received ZERO responses. I have been a customer for several years and believe that their lack of response sucked. I mentioned in the last email to them that I would like to be removed from their mailing list.

I have not mentioned their name but will consider doing it.

Just wondering what others out there think? I've included the scan of the 1 card I complained about.

If that were me selling that card as good I would have apologized profusely and bent over backwards to make you happy. That card is poor at best. (I hope it wasn't in my auction )

[Shoele$$]

Oh man, that is very tough to look at and hear what happened to you. True you probably shouldn't have bid not seeing both front and back, but they definitely should at least be professional enough to answer your emails considering the description of "good" was very misleading. That particular card with that severe paper loss would never receive a "good" grade from any professional grader.

[auggiedoggy]

Yes, you shouldn't have bid on the card without seeing the back. Having said that, this auction house should at least acknowledge your emails. How long has it been since this auction lot closed? Sometimes companies won't act until forced to do so via bad press. If it's been a few weeks then I'd say that you've been patient enough, so post their name. They deserve it!

[Buythatcard]

Leon,

It was definitely not your Auction. Your auction happens to be one of my favorites.

To answer the question about when the auction ended. It was the end of February. I received cards about 2 1/2 weeks later. I started sending out the emails about 2 1/2 weeks ago.

[EvilKing00]

that card isn't good or poor its awful. And they should respond.

[bunst]

Let's hear who it is! We all like to know who treats the their customers good...and bad. No excuse for the bad description and lack of customer service.

[Exhibitman]

What we need to do is a poll on which AH it is then see what the answer is.

The AH is entirely wrong on that. A card like that should be flagged and NEVER listed as "good".

[oldcardboard]

No response = BS.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

I purchase cards from many of the Auction Houses. For the most part, most transactions go well. Recently, I bid on a small lot of 1951 Topps Blue Backs. I know these cards are just commons and they don't demand much in terms of cost but I was upset how this Auction house handled the transaction.

First of all they showed only a scan of the front of the cards in this lot. That should have stopped me right there. But I trusted their description of the card. It was simple: Condition of card was Good.

When I received the lot of cards, this particular card that they described as Good had severe paper loss on the back. In my opinion I believe that the condition was Poor.

I wrote an email to this Auction House stating how I felt about their description of the card and that they should show the back of the cards when running an auction. I was not looking for a refund or exchange but just an acknowledgment that maybe they screwed up.

Well, I sent 3 emails and received ZERO responses. I have been a customer for several years and believe that their lack of response sucked. I mentioned in the last email to them that I would like to be removed from their mailing list.

I have not mentioned their name but will consider doing it.

Just wondering what others out there think? I've included the scan of the 1 card I complained about.

I am not sure what is more of a concern: 1) the lack of response, or 2) not stating such significant back damage in the original auction description. Sorry Howard, but I would like to hear "publicly" what auction house it was. I probably should check my calendar...

[cyseymour]

Just let it go. It doesn't seem like a valuable card, anyways, and was part of a larger lot. You have to choose your battles - the best thing you can do is just forget it.

[scooter729]

It would depend to me on how large the lot was. If there were 50 cards in the lot and this was the only one in this condition, then I wouldn't be bothered. Each card is only 2% of the lot, so I'd figure there will be some at each end of the scale.

But if it was a 5 card lot, with each card being 20% of the whole lot, then I'd be upset and would want to know about the damage prior to purchase.

That would be my deciding factor on course of action.

The lack of response is inexcusable from a customer relations standpoint either way though....

[Runscott]

No excuses for either the description or their ignoring your emails.

Find out from Leon if they have a rep who is a member here, and if so, send them a PM.

If they still ignore you, but have been on the forum, post their name.

[Buythatcard]

My whole issue is the lack of communication. I don't care about a card that's only worth a few bucks. I also know that mistakes do happen.

But, what does it take to just respond to the customer? Without your customers, you are nothing.

[T206Collector]

Would like to know so I can steer clear of the AH.

[E93]

Amazing that they would risk ruining their reputation over a few bucks! Out them!
JimB

[dstudeba]

Very surprised that an auction house of that size would not respond. Their bread and butter is these types of lots. This isn't REA. Looking at the other cards in the lot, they didn't give a good indication of the real condition of the cards. It was almost impossible to see the crease which is clearly visible in your scan. Most scans on eBay are better than theirs. Plus they put all the cards in one scan so it is pretty easy to just flip the cards over.

Worst of all the description clearly said that this particular card was in good condition. At more than 10% of the lot, you have a situation that should have been addressed.

[margoaepi]

Cut em loose. I had a similar experience last year with Memory Lane where I bought an auto card that turned out to have a PSA sticker on the back. I called them, they refunded my money immediately and couldn't have been nicer. I'll be a customer of theirs without reservation.

Customer service in this business is really feast or famine.

[snookerhall]

Please state the AH name. Non-response is a pet peeve of mine.

[dstudeba]

There is plenty of information in this thread to figure it out even if he doesn't out them.

[Wite3]

I hope they contact you about this collectible classic that you own...

btw, did you try to call them?

Joshua

[Exhibitman]

Is this the lot?

Lot 52. 9 Different 1951 Topps Blue Backs. #8 g, 15 vg, 24 g, 29 g, 34 g, 35vg, 40 g, 43 vg and 51 vg.
Winning Bid $75

If so, I completely agree with your gripe. Very misleading listing and no back scan shown.

Don't be surprised if you never hear from them; it isn't personal, they just have zero organizational skill there. I had items on consignment with them literally for two years that never got auctioned. I finally go so frustrated that I had them send back my items because it was getting ridiculous. I now send everything to Sterling and LOTG.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Wite3

I hope they contact you about this collectible classic that you own...

btw, did you try to call them?

Joshua

understood...

[honus94566]

Why are we all so worried about naming the auction house? When there is a problem it's definitely best to contact the auction house and give them time to respond, but if they do not then it's well worth posting about.

http://www.auctionscc.com/?showpage=...s/52/&i=45&p=4

If they refuse to even reply to your inquiry, they deserve to be discussed on a public forum so others know to steer clear.

[Rickyy]

Only time I will forgive is if it's explicity stated in the decription that due to the size of the lot they may not have looked at conditions of each item (or example of a huge autographed lot...guarantee each and every one). This gives you an opportunity to ask questions before bidding...

Ricky Y

[Jewish-collector]

I know them real well, too. I've consigned with them a few years ago and they took a year to finally list all my items.

They are the nicest people on earth if you meet them at a show. However, the problem is they do this part time, so you don't get the attention of detail that you get from the other auction houses.

[Buythatcard]

I was giving them one more chance as I sent out another email the other day. Maybe there was a good reason for not getting back to me. But I needed to know that before I posted their name.

I really don't think it was right for someone to out them here on the public forum unless it was their issue.

No need for me to post the AH at this point since someone already spilled the beans.

[Republicaninmass]

A similar situation happened with me on ebay, a card not as described with a crease. The seller's response was "you should have looked at the scans better". Instead of arguing I just left negative feedback and got blocked from bidding on any of their future auctions. For the record, it was ebay seller Buythatcard.

[Buythatcard]

Republicaninmass. What are you talking about? I have no negs, so you could not have left it for me. I would never have responded in that way.

Get your facts right.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

Republicaninmass. What are you talking about? I have no negs, so you could not have left it for me. I would never have responded in that way.

Get your facts right.

EEK!! BIG oops there!

[Republicaninmass]

IMO Seems to be Buythatcard on ebay has the disclaimer "Please look at the scan carefully. Scan does not always pick up the flaws" for a reason. Raw cards with creases and generic statements such as VG, EX-Mt etc and the rest are graded


Leaves negative feedback even after I offered refund 3 x. Doesn't read emails. Seller:
Member id buythatcard Sep-29-04 16:14


Reply by teddytouch (Sep-29-04 20:43):
said that 2 others, 2$ rip off shipping check toolhaus.org left neg cause I did

For the record, I was never offered a refund

Then asked for his contact info, since he left a retaliatory neg

This message is an automated reply to a contact information request made by teddytouch.
This request is related to item # 5121528945 .

Important Usage Guidelines
1. This contact information should only be used for resolving matters related to eBay. Any other use is strictly prohibited.

2. Use of this information to complete a transaction outside of eBay is not permitted. Items purchased outside of eBay are not eligible for eBay services.

Contact Information for buythatcard :

User ID: buythatcard
Name: Howard XXXXX
Company: Buythatcard
City: East Brunswick
State: NJ
Country: United States
Phone: XXXXXX
Registered Since: Friday, Nov 12, 1999 19:39:49 PST


Sorry Howard, and I almost feel for you, but karma's a bitch. Check your facts next time you call someone out. Also, thanks for the PM's they are very telling

[Buythatcard]

This is my last response to RpublicaninMass because I have better things to do than deal with a customer who tries to bring up an issue from 9 years ago which has absolutely nothing to do with this thread.

Nine years ago you bought a card from me. You found a crease that I missed. You left negative feedback as soon as you got the card before you even contacted me.

I offered you a refund. We went back and forth. Finally, the negative was removed because I sent you the refund.

So put this to rest and go focus on something more important. If you have an issue with something that happened 9 years ago, then speak to me directly instead of crying here on the board.

[Republicaninmass]

Refund never offered, and never received. Why would I bring it up from 9 years ago...worst ebay transaction I ever had. Negative was removed by me, because of your retaliatory negative was removed. Keep digging yourself deeper Howard.

I guess the moral is sometime you take it on the chin, as did I in your auction. That is certainly pertinent to your "crying" in this thread