Today's subject is buying, or winning auctions on eBay, and some advice on how not to get taken by dishonest dealers or eBay Sellers. Let me say first that the vast majority of eBay Sellers are pretty honest, but there are more than a few really slick bunco artists out there. To some of you that have been disappointed with your sportscard auction "win", then this should help. How many times have you seen a title somewhat like this: TOPPS 1964 MICKEY MANTLE *sharp!* BV $500!!! - along with a low starting bid, such as .99cents? Well, as you can see, especially if you are a Yankee fan, Mantle collector, or want to complete your Hall of Fame collection, you would be drawn to this auction. If you're a novice at collecting and are just looking for a gift for your spouse or friend that loves baseball cards, this might look good, too. If the Seller has provided a scanned picture of the card, take a close look. Because when the title or description says "BV $500" they are referring to the "Book Value" or Beckett Price Guide value of that particular card. What they don't tell you is that the Book Value refers to the value of the card in Near Mint condition. So if you can see some wear on the corners, or a crease, or ink blotches on the card, or even a miscut (badly off-center), then the card is nowhere near Near Mint.
Another way some eBay Sellers rip you off is by giving a skimpy or vague description of the card, or worse, outright lies. In the description they might say something like this: "Wow! This card looks fantastic! I'm not a professional grader, I'm just selling some cards from my uncle's estate, but this card is of Mickey Mantle. I think he's in the Hall of Fame. Not sure what to start the bidding at but let's make it .99cents! There are even statistics on the back." Buyer beware.
Still another way that eBay Sellers rip people off (not just cards) is with "Shipping & Handling. With baseball cards, overcharging for S/H is easy to do. I speak from experience because I've sold cards since 1989, after collecting them for 45 years+. I offer cards up for auction, and what do I charge for shipping? Nothing! Because putting a card in a top-loader and sticking it in an envelope costs me .58 cents postage. I'm sure most of you out there have seen eBay Sellers charging something like $2.50 per card for shipping, and a "bargain rate" of something like .50 cents for each additional card. It spells R-I-P-O-F-F.
It's too bad that there are people like that out in eBayland, but there are. However, with the right advice and some help from people like me, you too can enjoy "America's Hobby" of collecting sportscards.
Another way some eBay Sellers rip you off is by giving a skimpy or vague description of the card, or worse, outright lies. In the description they might say something like this: "Wow! This card looks fantastic! I'm not a professional grader, I'm just selling some cards from my uncle's estate, but this card is of Mickey Mantle. I think he's in the Hall of Fame. Not sure what to start the bidding at but let's make it .99cents! There are even statistics on the back." Buyer beware.
Still another way that eBay Sellers rip people off (not just cards) is with "Shipping & Handling. With baseball cards, overcharging for S/H is easy to do. I speak from experience because I've sold cards since 1989, after collecting them for 45 years+. I offer cards up for auction, and what do I charge for shipping? Nothing! Because putting a card in a top-loader and sticking it in an envelope costs me .58 cents postage. I'm sure most of you out there have seen eBay Sellers charging something like $2.50 per card for shipping, and a "bargain rate" of something like .50 cents for each additional card. It spells R-I-P-O-F-F.
It's too bad that there are people like that out in eBayland, but there are. However, with the right advice and some help from people like me, you too can enjoy "America's Hobby" of collecting sportscards.
Have fun out there!
