So, I received a card in the mail today...

[Eric72]

The SGC holder might have been opened and resealed.

Here's a picture of the edge of the case. Obviously, the eBay listing didn't show the edge or disclose this damage.

What do you think?

(FWIW, the card is genuine. However, it does appear overgraded.)

[Vintagecatcher]

Hi Eric,

What type of package was the card shipped in?

Any sign of damage to the package?

Patrick

[bnorth]

Does the slab look bad in any other place than that small area? Every time I have cracked a card out of a SGC slab they was no way you could put it back together with out it being very obvious.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Vintagecatcher

Hi Eric,

What type of package was the card shipped in?

Any sign of damage to the package?

Patrick

Bubble mailer. Card was wrapped in cardboard before being placed in the mailer. No evidence of damage to the package.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Does the slab look bad in any other place than that small area? Every time I have cracked a card out of a SGC slab they was no way you could put it back together with out it being very obvious.

The slab looks bad in other spots, too. The seller wanted pictures, so they could "...show usps the damage caused during delivery..."

I gave the seller a close-up, a mid-range, and a full picture of the slab/card. If nothing else, it will be interesting to see what they write next.

[bobw]

Don't throw out the packaging it came in just in case he puts in a claim.

[Eric72]

Here's an image of a larger portion of the holder. I looks (to me, anyway) like the holder has been opened and resealed, particularly near the corner. There is similar, though somewhat less severe, damage near the other bottom corner.

Opinions?

[Tao_Moko]

I've busted a lot of slabs and I don't like what I see.

[ullmandds]

to me...it appears the slab has been compromised...no way that occurs during shipping...unless the old american tourister monkeys are working again?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Tao_Moko

I've busted a lot of slabs and I don't like what I see.

+1 that area looks bad. Could you post pics of the whole slab front and back instead of the 2 little sections of the slab?

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by bnorth

+1 that area looks bad. Could you post pics of the whole slab front and back instead of the 2 little sections of the slab?

I want to give the seller an opportunity to make this right first. Posting a picture of the whole card/slab would, in essence, be “outing” them. 1952-80 Topps cards (this one included) have unique characteristics that can be used like fingerprints.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I want to give the seller an opportunity to make this right first. Posting a picture of the whole card/slab would, in essence, be “outing” them. 1952-80 Topps cards (this one included) have unique characteristics that can be used like fingerprints.

Makes sense, good luck on it all working out for you.

[oldeboo]

Curious to hear if now, after the fact, you can see the cracks in the original photos assuming you bought it online. Certainly possible the seller didn't notice it either, especially if they buy/sell in volume. Looks like in Youtube videos on those SGC slabs all you need is an entry point, and those slabs split like a banana peel. Just hope you had buyer protection or the seller is willing to do the right thing.

[Edwolf1963]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Bubble mailer. Card was wrapped in cardboard before being placed in the mailer. No evidence of damage to the package.

With everything that you’ve noted - damage to the slab that would at least lead to reasonable suspicion of tampering. Packed well and no obvious damage/trauma to the outside of the package in shipping - I’d go with your gut instinct here and return it ( .. which sounds like you’re in-process of doing). The send pictures, seller possibly looking to take it up with Postal Service, etc. stuff sounds like a smoke-screen.

[Eric72]

I have worked things out with the seller. Thanks, everyone, for your comments.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by oldeboo

Curious to hear if now, after the fact, you can see the cracks in the original photos assuming you bought it online. Certainly possible the seller didn't notice it either, especially if they buy/sell in volume. Looks like in Youtube videos on those SGC slabs all you need is an entry point, and those slabs split like a banana peel. Just hope you had buyer protection or the seller is willing to do the right thing.

Not a volume seller. The photos in the original listing do not show the same damage. However, the card is unquestionably the same. Additionally, the slab was placed on a plain surface when the eBay listing photo was taken. It could have suffered the damage during transit. USPS deals with an unimaginable volume of mail each day. It is reasonable to believe a few of those parcels get jostled around along the way.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Edwolf1963

With everything that you’ve noted - damage to the slab that would at least lead to reasonable suspicion of tampering. Packed well and no obvious damage/trauma to the outside of the package in shipping - I’d go with your gut instinct here and return it ( .. which sounds like you’re in-process of doing). The send pictures, seller possibly looking to take it up with Postal Service, etc. stuff sounds like a smoke-screen.

The seller communicated exceptionally well. I also scrutinized the card through the slab. It's definitely real, and I could imagine a grader assigning the given grade (it's not graded mint) to this card.

The seller gave a partial refund to cover the cost of having SGC reholder it and ship it back to me. I'll cover the cost of sending it to SGC.

Could I find out, from SGC, the it had been cracked out? Sure, i guess that's a possibility. However, I tend to believe this seller was not engaging in shady business. And, at this dollar value, I am willing to take the risk.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Eric72

The seller communicated exceptionally well. I also scrutinized the card through the slab. It's definitely real, and I could imagine a grader assigning the given grade (it's not graded mint) to this card.

The seller gave a partial refund to cover the cost of having SGC reholder it and ship it back to me. I'll cover the cost of sending it to SGC.

Could I find out, from SGC, the it had been cracked out? Sure, i guess that's a possibility. However, I tend to believe this seller was not engaging in shady business. And, at this dollar value, I am willing to take the risk.

If SGC thinks it has been cracked out they will not just reholder it, you will have to pay to have it graded.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by bnorth

If SGC thinks it has been cracked out they will not just reholder it, you will have to pay to have it graded.

I completely understand. It could also come back in a lower grade or altered, etc.

[Jcosta19]

Have you looked on previous sales on VCP under this grade to see if you can find the card or holder number with a different card?

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[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Jcosta19

Have you looked on previous sales on VCP under this grade to see if you can find the card or holder number with a different card?

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I don't have a VCP subscription. That type of sleuthing is a good idea, though. If it were a higher dollar card, I would have done some BODA-style detective work before making the purchase.

[Jcosta19]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I don't have a VCP subscription. That type of sleuthing is a good idea, though. If it were a higher dollar card, I would have done some BODA-style detective work before making the purchase.

Feel free to PM me the card details if you'd like me to do some sleuthing.

I'm obviously not busy! Haha and curious myself.

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[todeen]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

to me...it appears the slab has been compromised...no way that occurs during shipping...unless the old american tourister monkeys are working again?

This is my package from REI delivered about 4 weeks ago that contained trekking poles (poles are still in that box in the picture). My locals also bend envelopes specifically written with "do not bend - pictures". REI associates were having a good laugh when I returned them to the store.

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[oldeboo]

At least they taped it up after they ran it over, so nothing would fall out. "Drop it on the porch and run!"

[todeen]

Originally Posted by oldeboo

At least they taped it up after they ran it over, so nothing would fall out. "Drop it on the porch and run!"

Ha! It reminds me of Seinfeld.

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[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

Originally Posted by todeen

This is my package from REI delivered about 4 weeks ago that contained trekking poles (poles are still in that box in the picture). My locals also bend envelopes specifically written with "do not bend - pictures". REI associates were having a good laugh when I returned them to the store.

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They bend my Do not bend also envelopes. How about writing Please Bend on them. They would probably leave those alone.

[ValKehl]

When I sell an inexpensive card (generally $20 or less) on eBay, I ship it in a PWE with cardboard stiffeners in order to keep the shipping charge low. I print "Non-Machinable" in red ink on both sides of the PWE, and I add the required 15 cents additional postage for this "service." You guessed it - every now and then, the PWE reaches the buyer in tattered condition, usually with the card missing. I am 99% sure this is due to a USPS clerk putting the PWE through a sorting machine. C'est la vie!

[sb1]

If you go to the window and request the envelope be sent non-machinable the clerk will meter it and you will never have that problem again.

Just putting additional postage and a handwritten note won't guarantee the service.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

When I sell an inexpensive card (generally $20 or less) on eBay, I ship it in a PWE with cardboard stiffeners in order to keep the shipping charge low. I print "Non-Machinable" in red ink on both sides of the PWE, and I add the required 15 cents additional postage for this "service." You guessed it - every now and then, the PWE reaches the buyer in tattered condition, usually with the card missing. I am 99% sure this is due to a USPS clerk putting the PWE through a sorting machine. C'est la vie!

Hey I got your letter, it was the one that had $3.55 postage due. (If your pwe is 1/4" or more thick it gets charged as a package.) Just put the card in a top loader, without the cardboard, it will be fine.

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[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

Hey I got your letter, it was the one that had $3.55 postage due. (If your pwe is 1/4" or more thick it gets charged as a package.) Just put the card in a top loader, without the cardboard, it will be fine.

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Al, are you making a general statement, or are you saying that you specifically received a card from me in a PWE with postage due? I always ensure that my PWEs are less than 1/4" thick.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Al, are you making a general statement, or are you saying that you specifically received a card from me in a PWE with postage due? I always ensure that my PWEs are less than 1/4" thick.

You must use really thin cardboard to stay under 1/4 inch. Good for you that you know how it works.

I did not get any cards from you but I have received several cards "postage due" recently. I don't mind saving the $$ on postage, just wish other sellers paid attention to the rules.

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[ValKehl]

Thanks, Al, for the clarification - you had me worried!

I usually eat dry cereal for breakfast, and I use the thin carboard the cereal boxes are made of for my stiffeners. And, I put the card in a Card Saver.