Card Condition Communication,..Not again !!

[bombie1138]

I'm going to vent a bit,..
I've been trading here for three years and 95% of them have been great,but every once in awhile I get a card that has a condition problem that the trader FAILS to mention.
Some examples:

Smeared Autos: This has happened twice where the auto was smeared,..now tell me why wouldn't the person say something about it,..

Off centered cards:
This has been the most common problem for me so far,60/40 is ok and I can live with that but I have repeatly received cards worse,..I had one where it was 90/10+ and the person didn't mentioned it.

Faded Autos:
Can you say Sweet Spot ??,.

The point I am driving at is that how would you feel if I sent ya a piece of garbage without telling ya???

Here's the problem with me,..When I look at these cards,they give me a bad feeling and I don't like that at all.I've been very forgiving so far but those days are over with.If I get anymore I am going to hit the traders rating HARD !!,..and I will post scans and total documentation to back it up !!
If I have a card that has a condition problem,..I will tell you, and I will also offer to give you a scan,I do this out of respect,I expect the same please !!

I'm done,..

Clint

 

[dbarbos1]

Very understandable to be upset.
Usually before I trade for, or buy something, I ask for a scan on the card(s) so that I know what they look like before I try and get them.

 

[BiggioDiogu759]

I hate to agree with you but it has been happening alot to me

 

[chaddie84]

Yeah, it can be frustrating when that happens. I tend to just bite my lip and move on. You're probably doing the other trader a favor by contacting them to give them a heads up. I'm willing to bet a lot of the time, the other trader isn't aware the card is unsatisfactory.

 

[criollos]

I hear you. It happens more often than you would think. I would ask for a scan whenever possible. I even had a veteran trader here sent me a REDEMPTION card without ever mentioning it!

 

[bronxbombers14]

That is a fair statement..... but, i'm not sure if it is just me but i dont really notice if a card is off center..i just dont look at it.

 

[T-206]

With me being new here still, I agree but all I ask any trader to do is send me a PM and a scan. I will try to make it right and if I cannot I will send the cards I traded for back to you and I do expect to get the same cards I sent you.

Sometimes things happen in the mail ( not always the case) and since I am responsable for the cards untill you have them and are happy with them. I feel it is my resposibility to make it right.

 

[worldwideed]

Please don't be 'nice' when rating for condition or any other category for that matter. By doing this you are creating a false rating that can only lead to future bad deals. If userxx8483 sends smeared autographs I WANT TO KNOW.

 

[worldwideed]

With me being new here still, I agree but all I ask any trader to do is send me a PM and a scan. I will try to make it right and if I cannot I will send the cards I traded for back to you and I do expect to get the same cards I sent you.

Sometimes things happen in the mail ( not always the case) and since I am responsable for the cards untill you have them and are happy with them. I feel it is my resposibility to make it right.

Another good point. Take it up with the other party.

I recently had a deal where I sent someone a bubbled auto (like glossy card tend to produce) despite having a scan of the card prior to the deal he was not happy. I made it right, I probably would have been within my right to say too bad but I WANTED to make it better. Give the other guy a chance.

 

[JamesNevans]

You can't always tell from a scan either, so it's incumbent upon the trader to describe the condition up front.

There is a trader on board here that I initially posted an interest in a hall of fame football auto card he had. I checked his previous threads to see what he might be interested in only to find that card offer before with a crease, no mention in the current thread or subsequent threads he's offered up on the card.

 

[mrmopar]

Ask for scans, photos or discuss condition up front. You can't assume everyone will have the same eye for condition, grading standards or skills. I imagine that in each case, nothing was said up front. I am guilty of the same thinking myself though and have received things that were less than perfect for my taste. I could have even sent things that I didn't think we that bad, but others did. You never know unless something is said.

There is no substitute for hashing out all the details before a deal is consummated though. I am not afraid to wait or pass on something if the details don't seem right. The toughest part is asking for a scan and being told I don't have a scanner or camera. I'm willing to deal under those circumstances, but I might want to ask for a satisfaction guarantee too. I never have here, but I have on ebay before.

Unless you feel it's purposeful or the other party flat out refuses to work it out, those types of things can usually be resolved in the end as well. Being hard on someone in the grading category should, in my opinion, be reserved for after an opportunity to make it right with the purchaser is offered. Now nothing can be done to make up for slow shipping!!

I'm going to vent a bit,..
I've been trading here for three years and 95% of them have been great,but every once in awhile I get a card that has a condition problem that the trader FAILS to mention.
Some examples:

Smeared Autos: This has happened twice where the auto was smeared,..now tell me why wouldn't the person say something about it,..

Off centered cards:
This has been the most common problem for me so far,60/40 is ok and I can live with that but I have repeatly received cards worse,..I had one where it was 90/10+ and the person didn't mentioned it.

Faded Autos:
Can you say Sweet Spot ??,.

The point I am driving at is that how would you feel if I sent ya a piece of garbage without telling ya???

Here's the problem with me,..When I look at these cards,they give me a bad feeling and I don't like that at all.I've been very forgiving so far but those days are over with.If I get anymore I am going to hit the traders rating HARD !!,..and I will post scans and total documentation to back it up !!
If I have a card that has a condition problem,..I will tell you, and I will also offer to give you a scan,I do this out of respect,I expect the same please !!

I'm done,..

Clint

 

[oldschool]

I have had things like this happen a lot also in the past..I now all ways ask for a scan and if there is nicks,dings or boarder wear front and back!

 

[dan5]

I quit trading for 2010 Chrome cards just for this reason. No one would tell me they were off center, scratched, or dented. I made sure I hit them hard on condition & communication on their rating.

I have recently started trading for random gu and cannot believe some of the conditions people are sending me. This includes HOF traders on this site who are doing this. Creases and chipping around the edges is not acceptable!

 

[loftheb]

This is a good subject. Personally, with autographs, I haven't thought to note a smudge or if the auto may run off of the sticker. To me, a pack-pulled auto is a pack pulled auto, and the way it is on the card is the way it is always going to be. I appreciate this thread and the realization that there is more that goes in to card condition than just centering, corners and creases.
That being said, if anyone receives a card from me that they consider sub-par condition, I would think that the trader would contact me and give me a chance to make it right before I get dinged on communication and condition.
Thanks,
Casey

 

[turkeyred]

I hate to agree with you but it has been happening alot to me

I've been Lucky.....I guess. But I have to say that I have had not one bad Trade on THE BENCH.....

Hey! Ya have to mention the Good with the Bad.

Ebay......well, yes I have had problems.

That said, bombie1138, your points are well taken. I agree we all have to be very careful in reviling the condition of the card/cards we are about to Trade.

Paul

 

[mrmopar]

Cards are "used". Unless something is sealed, it's been opened and pre-owned. Buyer Beware...assume nothing is perfect, not even newer issues. The trader needs to accept responsibility for what they are getting, more so than the person trading it away because it is used. If you didn't ask, you can blame nobody but yourself.

 

[dp33]

Clint - I'm in complete agreement with you. Nobody would trade a vintage card that's off-center 90/10 without disclosing it, so why people think it is ok to do the same for a 2010 Topps Chrome card is beyond me. Seems like trader ratings is the best tool we have to combat this, so that's the good news.

 

[dan5]

Cards are "used". Unless something is sealed, it's been opened and pre-owned. Buyer Beware...assume nothing is perfect, not even newer issues. The trader needs to accept responsibility for what they are getting, more so than the person trading it away because it is used. If you didn't ask, you can blame nobody but yourself.

If I'm not mistaken aren't card values based on condition? ie mint, near mint and so on.

With that being the case if you trade full book value for it the person trading the card is basically saying his card is Mint.

If I have a card with a defect I don't trade them at full book value and neither should anyone else.

 

[daniml292]

I have to admit this is one of my biggest fears since coming back from a 5 year hiatus and probably why I haven't delved right back into trading. I just worry that my judgement on a condition of a card isn't up to ***** with the hobby expectations now-a-days. So to avoid any confrontation now, I've decided to hold off on a majority of my trading until I can get a scanner and make sure the potential trader/buyer has all the chance to see the card. And of course, utilize myself to answer any questions prior to making a deal. Maybe it's overboard/overreacting, but for my own sanity, it only makes sense.

Dan

 

[jaderock]

If you didn't ask, you can blame nobody but yourself.

I totally agree.

--

To me, you as the trader NEED to ask and find out what you are getting condition wise. What concerns YOU NEEDS to be communicated to the other party. In addition, what maybe "Mint" to me, may even be "just excellent" to you UNLESS we discuss the issues you are concern with.

It's like used cars (if you don't ask, you won't know until it's too late).

Scans help alot, but asking other pertinent concerns is YOUR responsibility (in my opinion).

To me, as a trader, I'm trading one need for another, I'm NOT GRADING (nor can I) a card for the other party. As long as it "falls in the context of near mint" or above, I will list the card for sale/trade.

Have you EVER seen a trade list that mentioned: 2008 Joe Blow card is 70/30 centering?!? 2009 refractor card has ONE minor surface scratch (which most do in some aspects).

Anyway, the way I see it is JUST ASK before you buy -- that'll alleviate most problems.