What to do - Ebay Authentication Process/Possible Reprint

[Harliduck]

This issue involves a post-war card, but relevant to any card or ebay purchase.

So the facts...

* Always looking for Mickey Mantle cards like a great percentage of collectors

*Found a raw 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle - Looks like a 2, 2.5ish for $650

*I put it on my Watch List as it's clearly a good deal

*Seller throws an Offer at me - $575

*I looked hard at it...I usually don't like to spend more than $300 on something raw...BUT considering it had the Blue Ribbon Guaranteed Authentication I felt like there was little risk. To be fair, this is the first time I had considered buying a raw card under this new process

*I sent a quick PM to the seller, it looked like it had a pinhole in it? He immediately responds back that it's a print mark.

*I bought it

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325567433425

*Seller immediately sends me a "thank you" and a nice note and ships next day

*Here is the kicker...the CARD WENT DIRECTLY TO ME. It does NOT go to the Authentication process

*The card shows up yesterday, I am a little alarmed it went directly to me?

*Open the package...I'm now suspect if it's real. If it's a reprint, it's a good one. Just doesn't feel right...and don't laugh, it doesn't smell right.

*Seller has a clear "NO RETURNS". I submit for one anyhow...seller immediately send me several messages. First, he did not know why it wasn't sent to the Authenticator, he says he didn't even know really about that, just shipped to the address given. (Can that even happen?) He then automatically accepts the return, apologizes profusely I feel this way...he says he is 100% sure it's not a reprint (maybe he just believes that?) and wants to make it right...I wasn't expecting that for sure.








So...what to do. Why didn't it go to the Authenticators? Did I do something wrong? I have until 3/27 to send in the return...do I expedite to SGC (my preferred grader) and throw another $125 at it to verify? Or do I just return it and call it good. (I assume Ebay would have my back on their guarantee if I ship it back with their label.)


Finding myself in some uncharted waters...

[icurnmedic]

No chance I’m keeping that without the guarantee. I mean dangit man, they have been sending all my stuff even graded to the authentication. I actually don’t mind that but should have happened for you.

[Harliduck]

Yes, that's not an option. No way I am just going to keep this and stand down.

I've read you can't opt out of the authentication...did I miss something where I needed to sign up for it? Or should this be automatic? Still no idea why it went directly to me.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

Yes, that's not an option. No way I am just going to keep this and stand down.

I've read you can't opt out of the authentication...did I miss something where I needed to sign up for it? Or should this be automatic? Still no idea why it went directly to me.

It should be automatic.

The original listing certainly has the authenticity guarantee seal, so it sure seems like it should have gone to the authenticator. The usual process is when the seller prints the mailing label, the address line has your name, a code, and the authenticator's actual mailing address. So under the standard process, the seller couldn't send it directly to you even if they wanted to.

I'm not seeing anything in the listing that would eliminate the AG process, so the only thing I can surmise is that the eBay algorithms somehow failed when they gave your seller the mailing address for shipping.

[MINES_MINT]

Have you contacted ebay? Perhaps they would send you a shipping label so that your card can go through the Authentication process as promised.

[Pat R]

If your mailing address is a PO box it doesn't go through the authentication process.

[gonefishin]

Back in February I sold a raw Tom Brady card for $400. I was expecting it to ship to the Guarantee program, but didn't. I don't know why. Normally, the default address when you ship a card that meets the monetary limit it requires you to send the card to the Guarantee address. It didn't in my case with the Brady.

Maybe the process has changed. At some point the guarantee service is going to revert to "Pay for Guarantee" program. Maybe they are just starting. It sounds like the seller has been straight up with you so far.

I'm assuming that now you have the card you have done your due diligence for authenticity, i.e. check the transparency, check the size, check the print dots. If the print dots are a match, in MOST cases it is real.

[chaddurbin]

Sad the joy of buying raw cards is lost nowadays, and people refer to cards as 2-2.5 instead of G/VG. Everything is just a number!

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[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by chaddurbin

Sad the joy of buying raw cards is lost nowadays, and people refer to cards as 2-2.5 instead of G/VG. Everything is just a number!

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Again...not me at all, and putting me in the graded card club is laughable. I mentioned 2-2.5 to put it into perspective of the value. A graded 2 is worth about $1200...more than twice what I paid. Which is meaningless as I rarely if ever sell anything, and wouldn't have here. I love buying raw as much as anyone else...99.9999% of my purchases are just that. I also don't rip on those who love graded...this hobby is great because everyone has their own way of making it their own. To me it's sad there are people like you that only point out that not everyone shares your one way of looking at things "nowadays". You do you man...

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

This is NOT directed at John at all, just a general statement. Know what you are buying and from whom you are buying.

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[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

This is NOT directed at John at all, just a general statement. Know what you are buying and from whom you are buying.

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You can direct that at me...I'm usually the one saying that. Had it not had the AG, I wouldn't have bought it...deal just seemed to good. His feedback is 136, low but not out of the realm...he has only a couple of new cards listed...graded by a company I have never heard of before. All red flags, even if legit, that I normally would never spend that kind of money on. So AG, or not, my bad. I know better.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

You can direct that at me...I'm usually the one saying that. Had it not had the AG, I wouldn't have bought it...deal just seemed to good. His feedback is 136, low but not out of the realm...he has only a couple of new cards listed...graded by a company I have never heard of before. All red flags, even if legit, that I normally would never spend that kind of money on. So AG, or not, my bad. I know better.

Oh well. You took a shot. You're returning it. No real harm done frustrating though it must be. Sorry, man. I'm a lot like you in that most of what I buy is ungraded with some graded mixed in.

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[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

Oh well. You took a shot. You're returning it. No real harm done frustrating though it must be. Sorry, man. I'm a lot like you in that most of what I buy is ungraded with some graded mixed in.

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I did take a shot...no harm done is right. I did learn a few things, which is good. Don't use my PO when I need their services, and service or not, keep my normal "red flag" eyes open

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

I did take a shot...no harm done is right. I did learn a few things, which is good. Don't use my PO when I need their services, and service or not, keep my normal "red flag" eyes open

I totally get it. The hobby sometimes isn't cheap, and I know it can get tempting to take a chance sometimes, especially with a card like a '56 Mick. I learn from these threads as well, so thanks for sharing all of this. I also had NO idea about the whole PO Box thing (even though I don't have one). Good luck as you resume your search. I'm glad you're getting money back on this fake. You know your stuff and can't be fooled.

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