Autographed Card Sold As Is

[mr2686]

Jeff, here's the problem. When you find something that's hard to find to complete a project, you can (if you're not careful) want it to be real so badly that you'll find all kinds of excuses why the signer was "slightly off" that day. You always need to be dispassionate in these situations and look at the autograph critically. As has been said here multiple times, the Vance is garbage. I would try to get a refund, and if you can't, then chalk it up to a lesson learned. A real one may become available some day, so be ready with the funds and the research to allow you to confidently pull the trigger.

[carlsonjok]

Originally Posted by mr2686

Jeff, here's the problem. When you find something that's hard to find to complete a project, you can (if you're not careful) want it to be real so badly that you'll find all kinds of excuses why the signer was "slightly off" that day. You always need to be dispassionate in these situations and look at the autograph critically. As has been said here multiple times, the Vance is garbage. I would try to get a refund, and if you can't, then chalk it up to a lesson learned. A real one may become available some day, so be ready with the funds and the research to allow you to confidently pull the trigger.

Looks like you posted this as I was typing. You are absolutely right. I'll pursue a refund, though the listings are written such that he is maintaining plausible deniability and will likely fight it. I guess I can always drop negative feedback, though in 17 years on Ebay I've never done that.

[chaddurbin]

Should not be hard to get a refund, even without the quick opinion. eBay will side with you the buyer 100%, you are well within the refund window.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by mr2686

Jeff, here's the problem. When you find something that's hard to find to complete a project, you can (if you're not careful) want it to be real so badly that you'll find all kinds of excuses why the signer was "slightly off" that day.

Guilty as charged

[T206Collector]

Maybe I am in the minority here, but when you buy something that is specifically advertised as "no COA" and "sold as is" do you think it really is fair to try to return it? I mean, you knew what you were getting yourself into, right? He didn't sell it as "go on and have it authenticated at your cost, and if it comes back fake I will refund your money."

I mean, if more people try to return this stuff and open PayPal claims, etc., then maybe you discourage the bad guys from listing fake crap. But, I would not feel comfortable forcing a refund here if the guy won't give you one after you politely ask.

[btcarfagno]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Maybe I am in the minority here, but when you buy something that is specifically advertised as "no COA" and "sold as is" do you think it really is fair to try to return it? I mean, you knew what you were getting yourself into, right? He didn't sell it as "go on and have it authenticated at your cost, and if it comes back fake I will refund your money."

I mean, if more people try to return this stuff and open PayPal claims, etc., then maybe you discourage the bad guys from listing fake crap. But, I would not feel comfortable forcing a refund here if the guy won't give you one after you politely ask.

I would agree if this were a one-off from the seller. This particular seller, however, is only interested in selling garbage. My empathy would go out the window in cases such as this.

Of course, I wouldn't have gotten myself into such a situation in the first place, but that is beside the point.

Tom C

[carlsonjok]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Maybe I am in the minority here, but when you buy something that is specifically advertised as "no COA" and "sold as is" do you think it really is fair to try to return it? I mean, you knew what you were getting yourself into, right? He didn't sell it as "go on and have it authenticated at your cost, and if it comes back fake I will refund your money."

I mean, if more people try to return this stuff and open PayPal claims, etc., then maybe you discourage the bad guys from listing fake crap. But, I would not feel comfortable forcing a refund here if the guy won't give you one after you politely ask.

Well, that is why I asked. I've been on EBay since 2000 and never been in this situation. I am ready to take the loss even though this was nearly a full month of my hobby budget. Even if I end up eating my mistake, there is a follow on question regarding feedback. Does it follow the same logic, so no negative? Maybe neutral with text saying my purchases failed authentication? I am really curious how to proceed.

FWIW, I just got the quick opinion on the Lombardi. It is also "Likely Not Geniune."

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Maybe I am in the minority here, but when you buy something that is specifically advertised as "no COA" and "sold as is" do you think it really is fair to try to return it? I mean, you knew what you were getting yourself into, right? He didn't sell it as "go on and have it authenticated at your cost, and if it comes back fake I will refund your money."

I mean, if more people try to return this stuff and open PayPal claims, etc., then maybe you discourage the bad guys from listing fake crap. But, I would not feel comfortable forcing a refund here if the guy won't give you one after you politely ask.

No COA and sold as is are the scammers credo. Those words do not justify anything when a scammer is involved.
Get a refund, neg feedback this seller.

[Thecafewha]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

No COA and sold as is are the scammers credo. Those words do not justify anything when a scammer is involved.

Get a refund, neg feedback this seller.

Agreed. If selling these types of items is your business you need to stand behind what you sell. If you know something is fake and you sell it as possibly real but "as is" then you are scamming.

Regardless of your responsibility as a buyer, he should give a refund and I would probably leave negative feedback (I have only done so a few times since 1998).

Joshua Van Pelt


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[T206Collector]

Before I have ever bought a raw signature that I was unsure of on ebay, I have always asked the seller "Will you accept a refund if the item does not pass authentication with PSA, SGC, Beckett, or JSA?" If the answer is no, I decide whether it is worth the risk, and either move forward knowing I am stuck with the item, or walk away. Going ahead and bidding or buying without confirming all of the risks is not the best way to proceed at the outset IMHO.

[btcarfagno]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Before I have ever bought a raw signature that I was unsure of on ebay, I have always asked the seller "Will you accept a refund if the item does not pass authentication with PSA, SGC, Beckett, or JSA?" If the answer is no, I decide whether it is worth the risk, and either move forward knowing I am stuck with the item, or walk away. Going ahead and bidding or buying without confirming all of the risks is not the best way to proceed at the outset IMHO.

Agreed. In this instance however, since the seller is and has been selling nothing but forgeries, I wouldn't much care what proper etiquette might be. Anything that makes him squirm a little is fine by me.

Tom c

[carlsonjok]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Before I have ever bought a raw signature that I was unsure of on ebay, I have always asked the seller "Will you accept a refund if the item does not pass authentication with PSA, SGC, Beckett, or JSA?" If the answer is no, I decide whether it is worth the risk, and either move forward knowing I am stuck with the item, or walk away. Going ahead and bidding or buying without confirming all of the risks is not the best way to proceed at the outset IMHO.

I get where you are coming from. I should accept responsibility for my mistake. That's fair. I guess I would follow up and ask you what responsibility is there to throw out some additional level of caveat emptor warning to other buyers? Something along the line of "Hey, he means it when he says "as is." Mine failed authentication."