Consignor Frustrations - Probstein

[KC Doughboy]

Leon, hopefully this is the appropriate forum for this topic. I'm sorry if it's not.

Today is the end of 6 weeks since Probstein received my cards and they still don't have them all listed!

I watched the number of consignors begin to explode on eBay and was pleased with the success a few of them were having. I researched a couple of them; talked to some members here on Net54, and exchanged messages with folks from PWCC and Probstein.

I decided to give Probstein a try so I loaded up a box. I wanted to see how successful they were with different types of cards, so I included graded cards, both high-end and middle of the road slabs. I sent an assortment of raw from 1951 - 1968. Included were 30-50 card lots of '52, '53, '55 Topps. I sent 10-12 mid-grade raw Mickey Mantle cards. I sent very high grade lots of '59 & '60 Topps, etc. Overall I packaged a couple thousand dollars worth of cards.

One of the reasons I chose Probstein was because Wes told me he usually has the cards listed within 2-3 business days. He explained that graded cards they receive get higher priority, but that the 2-3 business days was typical. (In fairness to Wes/Probstein, I didn't mail box to Wes' attention, just to main address. This caused a couple day delay)

Probstein received my cards the morning of Oct. 21st. Forty-One higher grade slabs were listed on Oct. 22nd. Then fifteen raw cards (mostly Mantle cards) were listed on Oct. 29th (most worth $40 - $150 each).

Since then... NADA... NOTHING... ZERO...
Only thing I've had since the beginning of November are responses to my emails explaining that they've been getting tons of graded cards to list, so mine aren't as high priority... that they are getting ready to list my other cards... that they have to group some of them... and a bunch of other excuses.

My experience with Probstein has been terrible. I wonder if they just got too big to give customer service or to honor their word? I packaged a larger lot of cards to send to Probstein, assuming the trial run went well... HAHA... not happening now.

The name "Probstein" now means "empty promises" to me. I'll update this thread as my experience continues.

Please let me know if you know of any consignors who actually do what they say. I look forward to finding a quality consignor. I hope you choose better than I did!



-This thread is not intended to discuss the risk/frequency with consignors of shilling, fake bids, fraud, etc. That is discussed in great depth on this message board. It is rather to share my experience and ask others for guidance in selecting another consignor- Er.ic Matt.hews