What do you guys like/not like to see in a Vintage Seller?

[Exhibitman]

My eBay listing screed:

OK, I've decided to make everything clear to everyone right up front by answering the main questions I have gotten on other listings before you ask them again:

--I am not interested in any offers unless I put in a Best Offer option. Please do not PM me asking for my "best price" or asking for an early end to the auction: the answer is "no". If you like the card and think the price is fair then bid on it; if you don't, just move along to a different card.

--I am well aware of what the market is for most anything I sell; trying to "educate" me on pricing is not a negotiation tool, it is just being a tool. Don't be a tool.

--Please don't share your opinion on whether the card is overgraded, undergraded, or graded just right, Goldilocks; I just don't care. Opinions are like...you know the rest.

--The photos are part of the description. Learn them. Know them. Live them.

--I am not going to tell you my opinion of the card. If you are grown-up enough to buy an expensive card then look at the nice big photos (usually 400 dpi scans), put on the big boy pants, and make your own decision. If that does not appeal to you, just move along to the next card.

--I do not know what PSA, SGC, BVG, CSG or any other TPG might grade it. If you want a graded card, then BUY ONE.

--I will not ship internationally except through the eBay Global Shipping Program. Look, I know it costs more than direct shipment but that's for my protection. There are many great, honest, trustworthy people outside the USA who would never dream of lying about not receiving an item, but there are some thieving pigs who lie about delivery and cheat hardworking sellers like me, so the good folks get the short end of things because of the scoundrels. Sorry.

--When you do contact me, a little basic courtesy is always appreciated and politely reciprocated; stupid messages are ignored, and nasty messages are ignored and then mercilessly mocked on hobby chat boards. I am a big mocker (those of you who speak Yiddish will appreciate that one).

--No Partial Refunds! Stuff happens, so if your item is damaged or non-conforming, please contact me. If your plan is to renegotiate the sale after the fact, however, don't bid, because I don't play that.

--I don't do sales tax fraud or customs fraud so don't even ask. Taxes are the price we pay for civilization. Just pay your taxes.

--I combine shipping for purchases with an automatic discount rule. Good for you, sucks for me...

--If I don't receive payment within four days of the close of an auction, I will cancel the sale and block you from further bidding in my auctions, unless you contact me, and we make other arrangements. Sometimes you want to bid on stuff that closes a few days later and save some shipping costs, sometimes stuff happens, which is fine, just let me know. Otherwise, man up and pay for what you purchased, player.

So, now that we're clear on that...

[Mark17]

When I did shows in California during the 1988-1991 years, the main thing I did not like to see in a vintage seller was a huge gut protruding from a too-small t shirt.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Mark17

When I did shows in California during the 1988-1991 years, the main thing I did not like to see in a vintage seller was a huge gut protruding from a too-small t shirt.

There are still plenty of 'tm' (third trimester) guys in the hobby. These days it seems like most of them wear the XXXL jersey of an player who would top out 225 pounds max on a good day.

[ClementeFanOh]

Adam- No, we aren't "both right". The original post topic was someone
seeking information about what annoys buyers/customers most, NOT
sellers. You just turned in two rants about what you dislike as a seller, you
went far afield...

I used the phrase "the customer is always right" not as a personal
manifesto, but instead to emphasize that too many sellers have abandoned
basic notions of buyer/ seller dynamics in commerce. Just imagine a
scenario in which you were the customer- at a restaurant, buying a new
lawnmower, looking for a pet. Answer honestly (to yourself, not to me- I
don't care) how you'd react if the seller vomited forth a laundry list of what
they wouldn't do to make the sale. This is precisely what you have done.

Lots of commenters are making reference to ebay in this thread, and rightly
so. It's common knowledge that ebay is closer to being an outhouse than a
penthouse for card folks. If it twerks you off that someone may actually
"bother" you with a question before they buy something from a stranger
who lives 1500 miles away, maybe you are in the wrong place. In any
case, on this venue perhaps you can start a "customer hatred" thread and
bash the lifeblood of your card enterprise. Sounds about as much fun as
waiting at the DMV, but have at it. Geesh...

Trent King

[Exhibitman]

Wow, Trent, I guess someone has a case of The Mondays?

A customer walking into a store or restaurant would never engage in the shenanigans that we get with e-commerce. Would you pepper the clerks in a store with demands to reduce the price? Would you ever expect a store's management to accept your word that something was damaged and to give you a partial refund instead of insisting on bringing in the item for a full refund or replacement? Demand that the store not collect the sales tax? Bitch out a store manager because the store collected sales tax? Demand that the store fake customs paperwork? Buy an item with a stated shipping price, then insist that the seller reduce or waive it? Buy something at a place with an "all sales are final" stated policy, then demand that the seller accept a return NOT because there is something wrong with the item but because you just changed your mind a few days later? Insist that a seller honor a return after expiration of the return window? Nope. But these are the sorts of things that are typical behavior in e-commerce, especially eBay. The internet emboldens bad behavior, whether it is cards or politics.

What I want from an e-commerce seller is simple: good images and accurate identification of the item, prompt shipping in a secure package, stepping up and making good when something is wrong. We aren't dating, we aren't making friends, we aren't saving the manatees; we are engaging in a business deal, which I want executed in a businesslike manner on both sides. Period.

Buying and selling is a mutual exchange, not a one-way dictatorship. I publish my terms and conditions so that everyone has a clear understanding of the manner in which I conduct myself. If someone takes offense, they can buy somewhere else. If I offend enough people, my business will fail and the market will teach me a lesson. Guess what? It isn't. I've got lots of happy buyers because I use good images, accurately identify the item, promptly shipping in a secure package, and step up and make good when something is wrong.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I publish my terms and conditions so that everyone has a clear understanding of the manner in which I conduct myself. If someone takes offense, they can buy somewhere else. If I offend enough people, my business will fail and the market will teach me a lesson. Guess what? It isn't. I've got lots of happy buyers because I use good images, accurately identify the item, promptly shipping in a secure package, and step up and make good when something is wrong.

Completely agree. IMO, there are two types collectors in this market. 1) collectors who only collect and 2) collectors who both collect and re-sell.

Clearly some different prerogatives between these two groups can be seen here in this thread.

[homerunhitter]

I like combined shipping costs!

[Snowman]

I want to see high-quality scans, not some photo taken at some random angle, and I want to see creases and wrinkles called out. I also wish sellers would put "CENTERED" in the listing title for well-centered cards (and NOT put it in there for off-centered cards).

There is no such thing as free shipping.

[Yoda]

For me, it is the transparency of the listing with the integrity of the seller, as evidenced by his feedback.

[LEHR]

I guess I'm simple. All I want is:

1. Clear front and back photos.
2. Well packed BOXED shipping.
3. Realistic pricing for the current market.

[HercDriver]

My #1 pet peeve is the seller that says "I have $XX into the card can't let it go below that." That's irrelevant, I don't pay for your mistakes.

Cheers,
Geno

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by HercDriver

My #1 pet peeve is the seller that says "I have $XX into the card can't let it go below that." That's irrelevant, I don't pay for your mistakes.

Cheers,
Geno

Me too it's like they want to use it as a guilt/leverage in their negotiation.

We are talking about the price now not what you paid for it. No bearing.

Next lol

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by HercDriver

My #1 pet peeve is the seller that says "I have $XX into the card can't let it go below that." That's irrelevant, I don't pay for your mistakes.

Cheers,
Geno

Another side of that one is I really paid that much and won't sell it for less. If you really want it pay the price or move on. After all I was nice enough to say why I wanted the price I did.

[BobbyStrawberry]

I do not like when I make a reasonable offer and it is countered by something like 0.5% off. Just don't list it as "or best offer" then!

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

I do not like when I make a reasonable offer and it is countered by something like 0.5% off. Just don't list it as "or best offer" then!

One of many reasons I don't list with OBO. But then, buyers still message trying to get a lower price. It's a little annoying. If I wanted to entertain offers...

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Another side of that one is I really paid that much and won't sell it for less. If you really want it pay the price or move on. After all I was nice enough to say why I wanted the price I did.

True, there's a clear message there.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

My eBay listing screed:

OK, I've decided to make everything clear to everyone right up front by answering the main questions I have gotten on other listings before you ask them again:

--I am not interested in any offers unless I put in a Best Offer option. Please do not PM me asking for my "best price" or asking for an early end to the auction: the answer is "no". If you like the card and think the price is fair then bid on it; if you don't, just move along to a different card.

--I am well aware of what the market is for most anything I sell; trying to "educate" me on pricing is not a negotiation tool, it is just being a tool. Don't be a tool.

--Please don't share your opinion on whether the card is overgraded, undergraded, or graded just right, Goldilocks; I just don't care. Opinions are like...you know the rest.

--The photos are part of the description. Learn them. Know them. Live them.

--I am not going to tell you my opinion of the card. If you are grown-up enough to buy an expensive card then look at the nice big photos (usually 400 dpi scans), put on the big boy pants, and make your own decision. If that does not appeal to you, just move along to the next card.

--I do not know what PSA, SGC, BVG, CSG or any other TPG might grade it. If you want a graded card, then BUY ONE.

--I will not ship internationally except through the eBay Global Shipping Program. Look, I know it costs more than direct shipment but that's for my protection. There are many great, honest, trustworthy people outside the USA who would never dream of lying about not receiving an item, but there are some thieving pigs who lie about delivery and cheat hardworking sellers like me, so the good folks get the short end of things because of the scoundrels. Sorry.

--When you do contact me, a little basic courtesy is always appreciated and politely reciprocated; stupid messages are ignored, and nasty messages are ignored and then mercilessly mocked on hobby chat boards. I am a big mocker (those of you who speak Yiddish will appreciate that one).

--No Partial Refunds! Stuff happens, so if your item is damaged or non-conforming, please contact me. If your plan is to renegotiate the sale after the fact, however, don't bid, because I don't play that.

--I don't do sales tax fraud or customs fraud so don't even ask. Taxes are the price we pay for civilization. Just pay your taxes.

--I combine shipping for purchases with an automatic discount rule. Good for you, sucks for me...

--If I don't receive payment within four days of the close of an auction, I will cancel the sale and block you from further bidding in my auctions, unless you contact me, and we make other arrangements. Sometimes you want to bid on stuff that closes a few days later and save some shipping costs, sometimes stuff happens, which is fine, just let me know. Otherwise, man up and pay for what you purchased, player.

So, now that we're clear on that...

I agree with this 1,000%. I have had some guys recently on one of the unnamed facebook groups trying to educate me on what my raw cards are worth. Player, I know what my cards are worth better than you.

[bobbyw8469]

On an added note, I DO base my prices on what I think it will grade at, and what I think it will bring. If that bothers people, then move along.

[Exhibitman]

One more thing I would like to see from sellers and buyers both: honor the auction format. Sellers, finish the auction. Let it run. Buyers: don't complain on boards like this one that there are no auctions on eBay only to pitch a fit when a seller running an auction refuses to end it early because you offer him three bucks above the listing price.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

One more thing I would like to see from sellers and buyers both: honor the auction format. Sellers, finish the auction. Let it run. Buyers: don't complain on boards like this one that there are no auctions on eBay only to pitch a fit when a seller running an auction refuses to end it early because you offer him three bucks above the listing price.

This as well.....I have had cards go for peanuts on the dollar, and the buyers pay within seconds of the ending. For cards that have done quite well lately, it is like crickets from the buyer. I end up having to get the fees back and blocking the buyer, all because it might have set a new high.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

For cards that have done quite well lately, it is like crickets from the buyer. I end up having to get the fees back and blocking the buyer, all because it might have set a new high.

I've had several of those too. One guy bid, reneged, NARU'd, then made up a new ID and won the card and reneged again. I ended up selling to the underbidder instead of relisting because I was afraid this twit would screw up my sale a third time if I relisted.

[Johnny630]

Geez it sounds like a complete nightmare to be a card seller on Ebay.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

One more thing I would like to see from sellers and buyers both: honor the auction format. Sellers, finish the auction. Let it run. Buyers: don't complain on boards like this one that there are no auctions on eBay only to pitch a fit when a seller running an auction refuses to end it early because you offer him three bucks above the listing price.

This is the way.

I've offered a seller to end an auction once. I won it for 10% of my offer.

A number of sellers have claimed to have "lost or misplaced" a card I got a good price on at auction, then magically found it again to relist an hour later. Others have honored auction results that I would have a hard time blaming them for reneging on.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by G1911

This is the way.

I've offered a seller to end an auction once. I won it for 10% of my offer.

A number of sellers have claimed to have "lost or misplaced" a card I got a good price on at auction, then magically found it again to relist an hour later. Others have honored auction results that I would have a hard time blaming them for reneging on.

I'll never forget my worst....a 1954 Bowman Ted Williams SGC 6....sold for $500. Ebay was crashing left and right back then......I still honored the sale....the guy got it and flipped it for $1,200 a week later.....lol

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

I agree with this 1,000%. I have had some guys recently on one of the unnamed facebook groups trying to educate me on what my raw cards are worth. Player, I know what my cards are worth better than you.

Thanks. When you boil it down, all I am really saying is I won't cheat, won't lie, won't negotiate over an auction, and won't give one buyer an advantage over others by ending an auction early (unless the buyer is a friend and there are no bids yet; that exception I make). I may, on occasion, add a BIN to the mix, or list an item with a BIN/BO.

I'd say 90% of my listings are auctions with a $10 minimum bid, and the rest are auctions with higher minimums instead of a reserve. I like to let things play out. Sometimes I am disappointed in the outcome, most times the last three years, I am not.