Ebay Authentication - It Gets Personal

[sonnyu2]

The auction ended on October 16th, correct? If so, the card should have been in CSG's hands within a few days after payment and they would have made their "assessment" a couple weeks ago. Seems off that it's only going through the authentication process now.

And as others have said, if a card is rejected by the authentication program, refunds are automatic and implemented immediately at the time of rejection.

Does the tracking actually show that Greg Morris sent it? You would have gotten emails directly from eBay about the authentication process.

And as a seller, I am 100% in favor of the program for many reasons. As a buyer, I believe that you should have the option to opt out of the program, but if you do so, you lose any buyer protection - meaning no refunds for any reason and no support from eBay on the purchase.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by sonnyu2

As a buyer, I believe that you should have the option to opt out of the program, but if you do so, you lose any buyer protection - meaning no refunds for any reason and no support from eBay on the purchase.

That sounds reasonable, but I don't think there are good reasons for opting out, mostly it's just a lot of ranting, like Yoda is doing now.

And I suspect if the people that opted out did end up getting a bad card they would still squawk about it to everyone they could think of and blame ebay.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

That sounds reasonable, but I don't think there are good reasons for opting out, mostly it's just a lot of ranting, like Yoda is doing now.

And I suspect if the people that opted out did end up getting a bad card they would still squawk about it to everyone they could think of and blame ebay.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

I just don't get how Yoda is so mixed up about the details of something that happened to him.

I personally think it is a great program.

[Yoda]

Yoda must have lost the force. The refund was paid on 10/25 in full. I simply kept looking for it in the wrong account. So totally bad on my part. But I still hate Ebay's authentication program, wish I had my raw Spahny and am now hesitant to bid on any raw, high-value cards, even if I agree with Greg's grade, for fear it will be rejected by CSG.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Yoda must have lost the force. The refund was paid on 10/25 in full. I simply kept looking for it in the wrong account. So totally bad on my part. But I still hate Ebay's authentication program, wish I had my raw Spahny and am now hesitant to bid on any raw, high-value cards, even if I agree with Greg's grade, for fear it will be rejected by CSG.

I wouldn't worry too much. Unfortunately Greg highly over graded a card to cause this problem. That is very rare for them so as long as the card matches the description you should be fine. Best of luck having many smooth transactions in the future.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Yoda must have lost the force. The refund was paid on 10/25 in full. I simply kept looking for it in the wrong account. So totally bad on my part. But I still hate Ebay's authentication program, wish I had my raw Spahny and am now hesitant to bid on any raw, high-value cards, even if I agree with Greg's grade, for fear it will be rejected by CSG.

What's to fear? Worst case you get a full refund. And at that point if you still want the card you can probably arrange to buy it directly. This whole thread has me SMH honestly.

[Dead-Ball-Hitter]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Yoda must have lost the force. The refund was paid on 10/25 in full. I simply kept looking for it in the wrong account. So totally bad on my part. But I still hate Ebay's authentication program, wish I had my raw Spahny and am now hesitant to bid on any raw, high-value cards, even if I agree with Greg's grade, for fear it will be rejected by CSG.

Just ask Greg to relist it for $500 BIN using the word “authentic” in its description with no remark on the condition. It will then be re-evaluated for authenticity only by CSG and sent to you if its good. Problem solved, both parties happy.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by Dead-Ball-Hitter

Just ask Greg to relist it for $500 BIN using the word “authentic” in its description with no remark on the condition. It will then be re-evaluated for authenticity only by CSG and sent to you if its good. Problem solved, both parties happy.

Have him list it with a 1988 Donruss common for the BIN and it will avoid the authentication service.

[EddieP]

Originally Posted by Tabe

Have him list it with a 1988 Donruss common for the BIN and it will avoid the authentication service.

He could also list it by offering free local pickup or add “Pack” ( but not Pack Fresh) to the title.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Yoda must have lost the force. The refund was paid on 10/25 in full. I simply kept looking for it in the wrong account. So totally bad on my part. But I still hate Ebay's authentication program, wish I had my raw Spahny and am now hesitant to bid on any raw, high-value cards, even if I agree with Greg's grade, for fear it will be rejected by CSG.

I honestly don't understand why you're angry. The service stopped you from receiving an inaccurately described item and gave you an instant refund.

Sure, YOU might be OK with getting a card that was overgraded and described incorrectly but the vast majority of people would not. AND you knew this was the process before your purchase.

This whole thing worked exactly as it's supposed to with exactly the right outcome.

[RCMcKenzie]

It's security theatre, and the buyer should have the option to waive the review service. "Yoda" was the original message board operator for baseball cards related to eBay. It would be like security at Minute Maid Park detaining Dusty Baker from entering the Astros clubhouse before a game.

I went through it once, and it was very, very nice. They sent my card in a presentation box with a note saying the card I bought from Dean's was "not only authentic, but very authentic, and congratulations on a fine choice."

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Yoda must have lost the force. The refund was paid on 10/25 in full. I simply kept looking for it in the wrong account. So totally bad on my part. But I still hate Ebay's authentication program, wish I had my raw Spahny and am now hesitant to bid on any raw, high-value cards, even if I agree with Greg's grade, for fear it will be rejected by CSG.

Not sure why you're so unhappy that you ended up not paying more than you probably would have had the card been correctly graded initially. Also, there are currently several other 49 Bowman Spahns available on eBay (both raw and graded) that look like they are in comparable condition to the one you "won" and cost less than you bid so if you can't working something out with GM, there are other options available.

[Yoda]

I was angry at myself mainly because I failed to grasp the mechanics of the program and became confused. And then stupidly failed to reconcile the refund by checking the wrong bank statement. Ebay's program just seems so ponderous and not collector friendly. I will continue to use Greg, he has built a great company, but will check his grading far more closely so I don't have to go through all this another time.
Peter, I don't know what the the abbreviation SHM means. Perhaps you can enlighten me.
And, Joe, will try your approach. Makes sense, but I am not sure I even want the card anymore after all this.
Thanks to all Board members who offered constructive help.
Last post from me on this which should relieve everybody.

[Peter_Spaeth]

John -- SMH is shaking my head. Since the nonrefund was a false alarm, I still don't get why you would be upset that someone caught a problem with a card you bought, but that's just me. In any event, we'll move on.

[Pat R]

Originally Posted by Fuddjcal

Yeah, that would put the brakes on buying for me. I'd take about 6 months to a year off buying anything....Or maybe NEVER. E-bay should have refunded you immediately, but they don't know the meaning of the word. You'll get your money back after a little more aggravation.

AND the only reason to buy from Greg Morris in the past has been their fairly consistent grading. They don't miss many, but the other sellers are batting .056 with 500 strikeouts.

John did get the refund he said that he was looking in the wrong account.

Originally Posted by Yoda

Yoda must have lost the force. The refund was paid on 10/25 in full. I simply kept looking for it in the wrong account. So totally bad on my part. But I still hate Ebay's authentication program, wish I had my raw Spahny and am now hesitant to bid on any raw, high-value cards, even if I agree with Greg's grade, for fear it will be rejected by CSG.

[jchcollins]

I guess I didn't realize that if a raw card goes to CSG, they are both authenticating it AND matching up what the seller said it would grade? That must get interesting fast, since descriptions of raw cards on eBay many times don't conform to a TPG's 10 point scale. What if they said a card was EX, but in the opposite direction - CSG said no, this is NM! Would that be rejected for being the "wrong" grade even if it were higher? I once bought a '61 Willie Mays AS that was described as "EX" by an eBay outfit that was more of an antique mall than a pure card dealer. When I sent it off to SGC, it came back an 8. Would that have "failed" authentication?

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

I guess I didn't realize that if a raw card goes to CSG, they are both authenticating it AND matching up what the seller said it would grade? That must get interesting fast, since descriptions of raw cards on eBay many times don't conform to a TPG's 10 point scale. What if they said a card was EX, but in the opposite direction - CSG said no, this is NM! Would that be rejected for being the "wrong" grade even if it were higher? I once bought a '61 Willie Mays AS that was described as "EX" by an eBay outfit that was more of an antique mall than a pure card dealer. When I sent it off to SGC, it came back an 8. Would that have "failed" authentication?

They aren't grading the card or making judgements on sellers grading, they make sure its not counterfeit and they match it to photos in the auction to make sure its the same card.