Help with another possible scammer

[Throttlesteer]

I recently sold a card worth around $500 to an international buyer. I used Ebay's international shipping program and sent via USPS Priority Mail. The card sold on Sept 11 and was delivered Sept. 22. The buyer messaged me today that the Beckett holder was damaged on the corner and would now like to return. It's nearly a month later and the auction clearly states no returns. However, Paypal has now frozen the amount of the auction and I'm stuck.

If the corner of the Beckett holder (the most durable of all TPG companies) was truly damaged, this donkey would have let me know back in September. It screams of a scam or the guy is upset the value of the card may have dropped. What am I up against here?

[ullmandds]

What was the card? Sounds like you may be screwed as Ebay/Paypal always favor the buyer. I just hope you get the actual card you sent?

[Throttlesteer]

In this case, it was a 1986 Jerry Rice BGS 8.5. He claims the corner of the case was damaged. Even though the auction states no returns and I DID insure with USPS, I'm expecting to get a swapped card.

Sounds like I just need to be done with selling anything on Ebay. There's nothing to protect fraud anymore. What would it take to break a corner on a Beckett holder? The buyer lives in Canada and I have his address. But it's probably not worth pursuing.

[Directly]

No returns in the listing doesn't mean they can't return any item, for any reason, maybe they found one cheaper, the item went down in value, changed their mind, etc.

The last time I shipped a item out of the country was a Samurai sword the buyer took the wrapping off the handle and didn't find any marking on the tang so changed his mind and returned the item in pieces--he did pay the return shipping!

[Throttlesteer]

So even buying insurance and shipping through Ebay's international program does squat for protecting you. My best guess is the "damaged corner" will actually be the guy swapping the card and there won't be a darn thing I can do about it. I guess your cards aren't worth anything if scammers will be allowed to scam.

Is there a way to see the actual shipping address, even though they list the reference number and Erlanger, KY address?

[philliesfan]

Just another reason I will not sell expensive cards on ebay. I only sell what I am willing to lose. I would rather sell to members of this board at a lower price than deal with the thieves on ebay. Plus I usually never sell anything other than stamps overseas.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

So even buying insurance and shipping through Ebay's international program does squat for protecting you. My best guess is the "damaged corner" will actually be the guy swapping the card and there won't be a darn thing I can do about it. I guess your cards aren't worth anything if scammers will be allowed to scam.

Is there a way to see the actual shipping address, even though they list the reference number and Erlanger, KY address?

If it went through global shipping, they have to refund you. That's part of the agreement. Call eBay and keep calling until you get the right rep on the phone. The subcontractor in Kentucky opened the package, confirmed you sent the right thing, repackaged it and mailed it to Canada. Your liability is over once they confirm it. You just have to get the right rep on the phone.

[Ben Yourg]

I keep seeing "Lou Gehrig" cards and "Babe Ruth" cards,for $3000.
---$5000.And in auctions,for 20% additional.And these are Mid-Grade.
What the heck is a whole set worth? And I mean minus "Lajoie"?

[jbbama]

Not to pile on, because that sux...but NEVER EVER leave funds in paypal when you are a seller, i learned my lesson years ago.

[Throttlesteer]

They just pull it from your bank if you don't have PayPal

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

They just pull it from your bank if you don't have PayPal

Yes, if you also drained your bank account then you get that awesome overdraft charge. I am lucky and have never had a problem with eBay/PayPal. Others have told me PayPal doesn't have a problem quickly turning it over to a collection agency.

[jchcollins]

Sorry to hear of your situation. I've been in similar ones with eBay, and they can be agonizing.

Besides the main point perhaps, but I would disagree that Beckett slabs are the "most durable." They are the thickest, yes. But once you compromise the corners and/or the seal, they start to chip quite easily. The plastic they are made of is not bulletproof by a long shot. If not protected properly, the corners on a Beckett slab could chip quickly during shipment, I would think.

On the overall here, this is why I really shy away from selling on eBay anymore. You can mark "no returns" all you like all over your listing, but their notoriety for favoring the buyer at this point is well established. I sell in FB groups or places like the B/S/T here, and perhaps it's still not great, but if you only have to deal with Paypal G&S terms in a dispute - it's at least easier. I would also agree with what has already been said - don't leave cash from a sale like that just sitting in your PP account - although you have to have a credit card on file and if they decide to resolve something not in your favor - I suppose per the fine print they have the right to ding you that way as well.