What Would You Do?

Buythatcard · #1 04-09-2013, 08:40 AM

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 · #2 04-09-2013, 08:48 AM

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

Leon · #3 04-09-2013, 08:49 AM

Quote:

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$$ · #4 04-09-2013, 08:49 AM

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 · #5 04-09-2013, 09:25 AM

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 · #6 04-09-2013, 09:28 AM

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 · #7 04-09-2013, 10:51 AM

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

bunst · #8 04-09-2013, 11:03 AM

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 · #9 04-09-2013, 11:05 AM

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".

Zach Wheat · #10 04-09-2013, 01:43 PM

Quote:

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 · #11 04-09-2013, 02:14 PM

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 · #12 04-09-2013, 02:27 PM

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....