Auction Scans/Descriptions Expectation vs Reality

[zsk]

More of a newbie topic as I get back into collecting…

I found a past thread that detailed horror stories from prominent auction houses that did not display accurate scans which resulted in some surprised customers.

Feeling a little leery about a current auction I’m monitoring, I decided to contact the AH because they do not list a description for low graded cards. I was surprised to hear that “Unfortunately, we do not provide descriptions of wrinkles or creases for graded items, as these are typically assessed based on their overall grade and condition.”

Is this common practice and how do you navigate this when purchasing? I’m assuming there’s almost no recourse if your card doesn’t “match” the scan, so do you even bother bidding?

[parkplace33]

Poor form or laziness by that ah. I would steer clear of that card (unless you are fine with the grade/ perceived scans).

[BRoberts]

If that is the AH's policy/response, I'd avoid them, period. Because if they're that lazy and clueless to not provide a basic service like describing an item, then you can bet they cut corners and fall short in areas you're not even aware of at the moment.

[Snapolit1]

Funny thread ….. if this AH turned out to be one of the two or three chosen few that are worshipped, there would immediately be 5 follow up posts defending their response as eminently reasonable and suggesting to the OP that he really ought to better educate himself.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Funny thread ….. if this AH turned out to be one of the two or three chosen few that are worshipped, there would immediately be 5 follow up posts defending their response as eminently reasonable and suggesting to the OP that he really ought to better educate himself.

Of course.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Of course.

When people I like do it, it's probably because they have a good reason!

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Funny thread ….. if this AH turned out to be one of the two or three chosen few that are worshipped, there would immediately be 5 follow up posts defending their response as eminently reasonable and suggesting to the OP that he really ought to better educate himself.

Indeed. Some AH can do no wrong no matter how wrong they are. The defenders on this board will not tolerate the honest criticism.

[Balticfox]

I don't understand. Why would anyone, other than the owner(s), feel compelled to rush to the defence of any auction house?

[Kevlo17]

So…which one was it?


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[zsk]

Originally Posted by Kevlo17

So…which one was it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Haha I knew there might be feelings about AHs so I refrained but it was Goldin.
As a well know auction I thought a simple description or even a one line reply would be standard but I guess not.

Admittedly I’m probably a little more conservative as an amateur/low grade collector hunting for the best eye appeal.

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by zsk

Haha I knew there might be feelings about AHs so I refrained but it was Goldin.
As a well know auction I thought a simple description or even a one line reply would be standard but I guess not.

Admittedly I’m probably a little more conservative as an amateur/low grade collector hunting for the best eye appeal.

You have every right to ask the question.

[Johnny630]

The bottom line for many consigners and future consigners is how much money an auction house can make for them on said card. Scans they could care less they just want the biggest check possible so they kiss their ring turn a blind eye to certain behaviors, etc. because they think they’re gonna need them sometime down the road for their stuff when they sell. They are just playing the long game because it’s not about the cards it’s how much money they're gonna want the house to bring for them down the road utilizing their platform.
When there is money involved and big money involved, many things are tied in as part of the deal. Just keep your head down and keep moving. It’s just the way it is. It’s all about the most money possible.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

The bottom line for many consigners and future consigners is how much money an auction house can make for them on said card. Scans they could care less they just want the biggest check possible so they kiss their ring turn a blind eye to certain behaviors, etc. because they think they’re gonna need them sometime down the road for their stuff when they sell. They are just playing the long game because it’s not about the cards it’s how much money they're gonna want the house to bring for them down the road utilizing their platform.
When there is money involved and big money involved, many things are tied in as part of the deal. Just keep your head down and keep moving. It’s just the way it is. It’s all about the most money possible.

I am genuinely curious and do not mean this as a slight or a challenge, so please take it as my trying to understand your perspective, because that is what it is: as negatively as you seem to view most of the card collecting world and its participants, why do you continue to participate? I ask because my way of looking at my card collecting is that when it becomes more negative than positive for me, I will stop and find something else to do for fun. I am pretty cynical and snarky by nature but overall I enjoy this thing of ours a lot, and when I read your posts I wonder if you enjoy it at all.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by zsk

Haha I knew there might be feelings about AHs so I refrained but it was Goldin.
As a well know auction I thought a simple description or even a one line reply would be standard but I guess not.

Admittedly I’m probably a little more conservative as an amateur/low grade collector hunting for the best eye appeal.

Hi Zach
It's always ok to talk about a company or person but did you happen to read this near the the top of every page, in bold print?

If you write anything concerning a person or company your full name needs to be in your post or obtainable from it.

.

[Rhotchkiss]

I dont mind Goldin's scans -- In fact, I think they are very good. I have seen the operation in person and its very high-tech and impressive. That said, I do dislike -- on Goldin and other AHs -- that you can only zoom so much within the platform. Heritage lets you zoom in super close. Goldin (and other AHs) stops the ability to zoom any further at a certain point; that said, you can zoom much further on your own device and/or take a screen shot and zoom that further, and the images are really clear so the extra zoom does not distort things.

[Fred]

Great content in this thread, great candor. So far, no AH names mentioned, so no apologist posts.

[cubman1941]

Originally Posted by zsk

More of a newbie topic as I get back into collecting…

I found a past thread that detailed horror stories from prominent auction houses that did not display accurate scans which resulted in some surprised customers.

Feeling a little leery about a current auction I’m monitoring, I decided to contact the AH because they do not list a description for low graded cards. I was surprised to hear that “Unfortunately, we do not provide descriptions of wrinkles or creases for graded items, as these are typically assessed based on their overall grade and condition.”

Is this common practice and how do you navigate this when purchasing? I’m assuming there’s almost no recourse if your card doesn’t “match” the scan, so do you even bother bidding?

I do not disagree with anything said but, if it is a low-graded card, maybe a 2 or 3, wouldn't one expect to have maybe a wrinkle or crease? For example, I sent a 57 Topps Campy to be graded and got a PSA 1.5 FR - I was really surprised and still am, but when I looked closely it has a surface wrinkle and I guess this is why. Anyway, one should not expect a low-graded card not to have problems.

[tjisonline]

If AHs started to include side angled pics of the front and back, we would see far less realized prices of most PSA & SGC 1s to 4s.

[GeoPoto]

Since this thread seems to be struggling to find a horse to beat to death all over again, I'll jump in to say I think the AH's response is completely reasonable for a card that is expected to close under $100. If the card expected to sell for five figures, I would expect a more nuanced response from the AH. In between those extremes, past history with the AH would probably play a roll.

As the AH response implies, they can't afford to get between the bidder and the grading, which has already weighed the strengths and weaknesses of the card to arrive at the assigned grade. Whether you wind up agreeing with the grader or not is not something the AH can spend a lot of time discussing with you over an inexpensive card.

[timn1]

I am just an occasional ebay seller, not an auction house, but if I list a low-graded (slabbed) card that's going to sell for a relative pittance, and I supply a decent scan of it, I don't feel I should have to deal with a bunch of questions about specific problems it has. It got the grade it did because it has some fairly serious problem. If you don't want creases or wrinkles, then maybe consider going for a higher-grade card?

As others have said, with a big-money card that's a different story.

Originally Posted by GeoPoto

Since this thread seems to be struggling to find a horse to beat to death all over again, I'll jump in to say I think the AH's response is completely reasonable for a card that is expected to close under $100. If the card expected to sell for five figures, I would expect a more nuanced response from the AH. In between those extremes, past history with the AH would probably play a roll.

As the AH response implies, they can't afford to get between the bidder and the grading, which has already weighed the strengths and weaknesses of the card to arrive at the assigned grade. Whether you wind up agreeing with the grader or not is not something the AH can spend a lot of time discussing with you over an inexpensive card.