Have you ever been ripped off when buying cards?

[V117collector]

Have you ever been ripped off when buying cards if so lets here the details!

I believe most of the collectors in our community are honest and trust worthy people. Now that being said we as community of collectors should fell some obligation to inform other collectors regarding fraud attempts.

As for me No I’ve never been ripped off or accused of fraud.

[packs]

When I was a kid, maybe 10 or 11, I went to my local card shop and bought a 1970 Topps Thurman Munson rookie card. Years later, after the grading boom, I went back into my old shoebox to look for it. Low and behold, on the back of the card, in tiny letters, was the word REPRINT.

[HRBAKER]

I've certainly never been ripped off by a member of our community, but as I have a few high grade slabbed cards I have probably been ripped a time or two unknowingly.

[GRock]

As a youngster(10-12yrs old) a few guys tried to make some swarmy card deals with me, but since I've reentered the hobby (20yrs. later) I haven't encountered any bad transactions. I've had super luck on ebay and several message boards. Thankfully here and elsewhere board members are very diligent in weeding out the bad seeds.

Bought a T201 Cobb/Crawford from a very reputable guy on Ebay and it was fake. Got us both. When I tried to return it he blocked me as a buyer and refuse a return. I tried everything I could and of course Ebay sided with him even with proof from GAI and SGC.

Went out on a limb and bought a T206 Cobb Green Background and made him and offer which he took. I talked to the guy on the phone about payment and all that Jazz. I mentioned what I'd like to get for my collection and he sold me a 51 Mantle and a 33 Goudey Ruth bat swinging yellow background. Got them for a few hundred less than Ebay and all the scans were high res so I could verify the cards as real right off. Sent him the money via Paypal and the cards came 2 days later. He had sent reprinted cards and the Mantle was still wet from where he smudged it to look like the real one. The Cobb was obvious and the Ruth even said reprint on it where the other didn't. It took 8 weeks of Paypal, and then had my lawyer involved. The only thing that saved me was the guy at the Post Office signed a letter stating that I opened the cards in the PO and realized they were fake and mailed back same day service insured immediatly. Still took 3 weeks after that to get my $1200 back.

Had $8k worth of vintage ungraded cards Stolen by a guy named Ryan Randles in Des Moines Iowa. Sold a large chunk of my collection to fund the new baby 2 yrs ago and he wrote me a check from his business for them. Check bounced. Tried to prossicute and his cousin turned out to be part of the DPD and inlaws in the law system and a father with some serious connections. I was pretty much screwed because I went up and took back what was left like I was told by the PD and that is what got me. NEVER RECOVER ANYTHING TILL HE IS PROSICUTED!!!! I got set up and he was set.

Anyone wonder why I am so thourough with my transactions. Just want to know I am getting what I paid for and where it is from you to me.

[GrayGhost]

Ive been gypped a few times over the years, especially w the old "screwdown" flattens out a crease deal. Remember those holders? The HUGE lucites w four screws?

Plus. Ive had cards stolen from me when I used to set up, and my car burglarized and my stuff stolen, which is why I dont do shows anymore. It wasnt much, but was all I had.

[Mark]

Back when most vintage cards at shows were not slabbed, I bought myself a trimmed Matty t206 and a trimmed McGrraw M116. I lost a few hundred dollars in each of those deals, but I have learned to be careful and to be grateful for the good cards that I bought back then, too.

[sox1903wschamp]

I am not sure if I would classify this as being "ripped off" but I took this with a grain of salt. Not pre-war but I purchased a fairly high grade 72 topps set a few years back from an auction house and the Clemente was described as "NMT". Well, when I checked the back, below is what it looked like . Looks like someone was keeping thier player profiles up to date in a morbid fashion.

A little upset at first but I gave the auction house a pass. The rest of the set was fine. And I might add, all of my deals have been fantastic in this community.

[Taxman]

The guy is currently a Realtor in New York should be a used car sales man.

Brookdodger55 aka Mike Wrenn sold me resealed wax packs and sold other board members trimmed cards on the old board. He has returned so I am giving everyone fair warning not to buy from him.

http://www.concentric.net/~Pkoster/F-BAD.HTM
http://www.network54.com/Forum/58070...aled+wax+packs

Thanks
Kirk

[deadballera]

A few years back, I bought about 10 T206's from a seller in Louisiana.

Sent the payment and never received the cards. I had some friends that were in the Collection Agency business. He was kind enough to send a couple of strongly written letters to either get the cards or a refund.

Never received either.....

[Doug]

I got ripped off for $1600 about 11 years ago buying a "gem mint" raw 1986 Fleer Jordan rookie on ebay from a seller in Phoenix that had about a dozen of them listed using the exact same scan. It had red flags all over it, but I was new to cards and ebay so I didn't think anything of it. I filed complaints with the FBI, ebay and postal inspectors and didn't get anywhere. Apparently the seller ripped off as many people as possible, filed bankruptcy and got off without a hitch. I only knew of one person that bought one of the Jordan rookies actually receiving a card.