USED to be REA's big fan ---not any more

[M's_Fan]

I think the main problem here is that the buyer didn't want to return the lot for a full refund, instead he wanted top dollar for the individual card.

When you buy a complete set you usually get a discount versus buying the cards individually. This buyer wanted it both ways, to buy the complete set at a discount, and then demand REA pay for the missing card as if it was purchased individually for top dollar.

The set was sold at 85% of SMR, but the buyer was demanding the $1600-$2300 that the missing card would fetch if sold individually. Even though REA was in the right, they gave in and gave him what he wanted.

[HRBAKER]

The auction house clearly made a mistake and when notified they fixed it. I can completely understand the need for a public flogging, can't you?

[glchen]

I sympathize with Bill here. First the use of SMR for pricing is crazy. I think almost everyone agrees that SMR pricing is way off, and VCP is much better. So to say that Bill got a great deal off SMR is like all of those ebay sellers with high BINs at SMR thinking that they will sell for that amount. The other part is REA should have checked the lots and the items in the lots. Isn't that what the buyer's premium is for, besides printing that nice catalog? This lot sold for a lot of money. No reason why REA couldn't check the lot before shipping. I mean I recently sold an 80 card lot of 33 goudey's in poor condition on ebay that sold for $100. I checked each card in the lot when I listed it, and before I shipped it to the buyer to make sure it matched. REA made huge $$$ here, and they should have checked to make sure that it matched the auction description. I bought a partial Goudey set from REA in this last auction, and other than the big name cards (Ruth/Gehrig), I never even bothered to check the rest even though I spent a mere 9K on it. I figured REA had the quality control to to do that. So now I'll have to start checking in the future. In the end, I think REA tried to make it right even though Bill had to jump through hoops, and in the end, I think REA is probably still one of the better auction houses.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by M's_Fan

When you buy a complete set you usually get a discount versus buying the cards individually. This buyer wanted it both ways, to buy the complete set at a discount, and then demand REA pay for the missing card as if it was purchased individually for top dollar.

I'm guessing the buyer would counter that if he were to try now to buy the missing card, he'd have to pay the "individual price" and get no "complete set" discount. So why shouldn't he be compensated that higher amount? After all, he thought he was getting that card in the first place.

I'm not saying who's right, just that I can understand that argument.

[Peter_Spaeth]

That is a muted response.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

That is a muted response.

And my point is probably moot.

[Peter_Spaeth]

You don't say.