Guys, I want your opinion on accepting a return on an autograph item.

[bobbyw8469]

I recently had a buyer want to return an item because it didn't come with a COA. Nowhere in the auction did I state that it came with one. Anyone who is familiar with autographs can see it is an authentic autograph. Should I accept the return and move on? Pay the $30 + return shipping to get it authenticated?



https://www.ebay.com/itm/402188262987

[bnorth]

Is there really a choice with eBay? I would just be glad they didn't harm it in any way and ask for a refund because it was damaged.

[bobbyw8469]

Anyone had any luck selling items without COA's?

[Hxcmilkshake]

Yeah I have. Sold some baseballs in that range no COA. Just put that in the listing that may help. Or it may not. Love Ebay.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[drcy]

I've sold autographs without COAs fine. Show a big image of the sig. Show's you're confident in the authenticity and allows for expert buyers to judge for themselves.

I bought from reliable sources and would mention the provenance. If you're a reputable seller, the buyer can save the auction listing as provenance/record.

Do they still do PSA quick opinions? I did that once for a significant autograph I was selling.

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Should I accept the return and move on?

I've been a very infrequent eBay buyer these days, and an even less frequent seller, but since you're asking for opinions, take mine with however many grains of salt as you wish.

From what I'm hearing of late from others here at Net 54 about how eBay sides with the buyer, I'd say accept the return, block the buyer, and be done with it.

[ibuysportsephemera]

In fairness to the buyer you do have grading language in your description. I understand that it is for cards but your buyer might not realize that. Take the return and offer it to the under bidder when you get it back.

Jeff

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by ibuysportsephemera

In fairness to the buyer you do have grading language in your description. I understand that it is for cards but your buyer might not realize that. Take the return and offer it to the under bidder when you get it back.

Jeff

Yea...that's what he made mention of. I told him exactly that Jeff....the grading thing is for cards. And even that I have strayed from, as some cards just aren't worth the cost to get them graded. I just assumed people would look at the autograph and see it was real.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Yea...that's what he made mention of. I told him exactly that Jeff....the grading thing is for cards. And even that I have strayed from, as some cards just aren't worth the cost to get them graded. I just assumed people would look at the autograph and see it was real.

I wouldn't assume most collectors or bidders have the ability to look at an autograph and see if it's real. I know I don't.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

I wouldn't assume most collectors or bidders have the ability to look at an autograph and see if it's real. I know I don't.

At the bare minimum, someone can look at a PSA graded example and look at a non graded one and spot if they are the same or not....I would think....maybe not?

[Fred]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

I recently had a buyer want to return an item because it didn't come with a COA. Nowhere in the auction did I state that it came with one. Anyone who is familiar with autographs can see it is an authentic autograph. Should I accept the return and move on? Pay the $30 + return shipping to get it authenticated?


https://www.ebay.com/itm/402188262987

Why not just create your own COA. Why would it be any different from anyone else's COA? It would be YOUR opinion that the signature is authentic. Just make it look really cool and add official sounding terms like "this item has been fully examined by...." and "The certification number...". Also, don't use terms like "guarantee" or "absolute certainty". I guess you wouldn't have to because then it wouldn't be like a COA.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

At the bare minimum, someone can look at a PSA graded example and look at a non graded one and spot if they are the same or not....I would think....maybe not?

That just shows you the complete morons on e-bay. That's a gorgeous Jim Brown.

Just take it back as easy as possible and hope to get it back in one piece.

When I used to buy signed photos, I would WANT them WITHOUT a COA, unless from your boys at PSA or JSA. Even then I wouldn't bid hard on those with the legitimate COA's.

All the fakes have COA's, the real ones like this one, a true autograph collector can look at it at judge with his own eyes. 99 times out of 100, the signed photos with COA's are FAKE on Fake-bay.

He's a blithering idiot and there is nothing you can do about it but get it back and move on. Good luck

[ibuysportsephemera]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Yea...that's what he made mention of. I told him exactly that Jeff....the grading thing is for cards. And even that I have strayed from, as some cards just aren't worth the cost to get them graded. I just assumed people would look at the autograph and see it was real.

When I sell autographs on eBay they almost always are not authenticated. I add language to my eBay items that says that I have done my best to confirm that the autograph is authentic but the buyer has to make that determination for themselves. I also make sure that I include a close up photograph of the signature. I have never had an autograph sale questioned or returned. Good luck...hope it works out ok for you.

Jeff