Need some help regarding a "damaged" card I received.

[thefasterblade]

Got a 2010 Bowman Color Refractor Auto in the mail that I spent some good coin on, but the back of the card has a blue sharpie mark on the back and edges of the card that was not specified in the auction. The mark was likely placed there by the player himself when he signed the card.

Is this grounds to ask for a refund from the buyer? The card would have been good to grade, but obviously is not anymore. The Sellers auction also specified "no refunds", so this would need to go to a PayPal claim. Would I be able to win a PayPal case in this situation?

Please help me out.

Thanks,

 

[hofmichael]

I would politely inquire about it?Don't be a dick but ask him.It might be something he didn't even notice.If that doesn't work then explore other avenues.Topps might even offer a replacement because of the ink.
Mike

 

[thefasterblade]

Thanks for the advice. Didn't even consider asking Topps. I guess that could be a possibility...I'd probably have to call their C/S.

Anyone else willing to help?

 

[Fandruw25]

I'd ask the seller first about it and see what he says. Even though it says no refunds he may take it back.

Of course if he's a dick about it you can just file a item not described through paypal, but I'd give him a chance to make it right before going this route.

 

[matchpenalty]

Any pictures, couldn't the ink be taken off the back without it affecting the card? I know their is some product out that people use to take graphs off glossy pictures.

 

[vwnut13]

Any pictures, couldn't the ink be taken off the back without it affecting the card? I know their is some product out that people use to take graphs off glossy pictures.

Yeah, the product is called RUBBING ALCOHOL.

 

[hofmichael]

Also if he stated the card was at least NM then he is off the hook for the corners.And yes the ink can be removed qith a q-tip and rubbing alcohal.
Mike

 

[BunchOBull]

Ink won't come off of the edges of the cardboard ply backing though, it's too fiberous and sets in.

 

[hofmichael]

Ink won't come off of the edges of the cardboard ply backing though, it's too fiberous and sets in.

Good call.I overlooked the part about the edges.
Mike

 

[thefasterblade]

Ink won't come off of the edges of the cardboard ply backing though, it's too fiberous and sets in.

Yes, this is what I was thinking. That's why rubbing alcohol didn' t seem like an option for me.

I'll post some pics.

 

[thefasterblade]

I emailed the seller today:

Hello,

I received the item in the mail and I appreciate your timely shipping and excellent packing job however, after looking at the card, I noticed that the back/edges of this card has sharpie marker on the card. I was excited to get the card and was looking forward to it's arrival, but sadly, this ink mark greatly affects the value of the card and also its desirability.

Attached is a picture that I took of the card:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm32 ... 1274209158

I'm sorry to do this to you, but I would like to organize a refund of this card as had I known about this blemish, I would not have placed a bid on this card.

Thank you for your time,

Anthony

 

[PeteD]

white out?

 

[matchpenalty]

I don't know if I'd call it damaged. Seen a few auto cards where ink gets on side. I don't even think it would affect any grading?

 

[phillyfan0417]

I emailed the seller today:

Hello,

I received the item in the mail and I appreciate your timely shipping and excellent packing job however, after looking at the card, I noticed that the back/edges of this card has sharpie marker on the card. I was excited to get the card and was looking forward to it's arrival, but sadly, this ink mark greatly affects the value of the card and also its desirability.

Attached is a picture that I took of the card:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm32 ... 1274209158

I'm sorry to do this to you, but I would like to organize a refund of this card as had I known about this blemish, I would not have placed a bid on this card.

Thank you for your time,

Anthony

These are the type of issues that make me sympathize with sellers on ebay. There is a great solution to wanting gem cards, buy them that way.

 

[ccouch (Chad)]

I emailed the seller today:

Hello,

I received the item in the mail and I appreciate your timely shipping and excellent packing job however, after looking at the card, I noticed that the back/edges of this card has sharpie marker on the card. I was excited to get the card and was looking forward to it's arrival, but sadly, this ink mark greatly affects the value of the card and also its desirability.

Attached is a picture that I took of the card:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm32 ... 1274209158

I'm sorry to do this to you, but I would like to organize a refund of this card as had I known about this blemish, I would not have placed a bid on this card.

Thank you for your time,

Anthony

These are the type of issues that make me sympathize with sellers on ebay. There is a great solution to wanting gem cards, buy them that way.

I suspect we'll be in the minority on the issue, but I wholeheartedly agree with you.

 

[Topnotchsy]

I emailed the seller today:

Hello,

I received the item in the mail and I appreciate your timely shipping and excellent packing job however, after looking at the card, I noticed that the back/edges of this card has sharpie marker on the card. I was excited to get the card and was looking forward to it's arrival, but sadly, this ink mark greatly affects the value of the card and also its desirability.

Attached is a picture that I took of the card:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm32 ... 1274209158

I'm sorry to do this to you, but I would like to organize a refund of this card as had I known about this blemish, I would not have placed a bid on this card.

Thank you for your time,

Anthony

I think that the mark is a reasonable reason to request a refund, but in the future I would really think twice before including the bolded statement. It just gives him a reason to think consider not wanting to give a refund. It's probably safer to leave something like that out, and simply mention that the item is not as described and you would not have bid otherwise (which you wrote in the rest of your letter.) Good luck with it.

 

[thefasterblade]

I guess maybe I should not have included that statement, but I just felt that I no longer got what I paid for. The value of it was greatly changed as the price of the card would have gone no where near where it went, had it been known that there was this spot on the card and I think anybody would agree with me.

 

[Topnotchsy]

I guess maybe I should not have included that statement, but I just felt that I no longer got what I paid for. The value of it was greatly changed as the price of the card would have gone no where near where it went, had it been known that there was this spot on the card and I think anybody would agree with me.

Not disagreeing. All I am saying is that there are some people out there who may hesitate to give a refund if they think it will cost them.

 

[jcmint]

The expectations of buying flawless is getting to be a bit much. The would be tough for mostly any seller to find. I think your beef is with Topps not the seller unless the seller stated he was selling a gem mint card.

 

[brouthercard]

The seller probably should have mentioned the pen mark had he noticed it.

You probably shouldn't be expecting gem mint cards any time you bid on an ungraded card.

Anyone who won that card that didn't plan on grading it would probably consider it a very minor flaw not detracting from the overall beauty of the card.

To someone who buys raw cards on ebay to try to get high grades to flip for even more money gets even less sympathy, though, an understandable frustration with the deal. Had it been a small surface scratch not seen/mentioned that may give you a surface 9 instead of 9.5, would you still be upset? If there was a small speck of white on the back rear right corner that may lead to a corner 9 instead of 9.5 would you still be upset?

Exactly how much would that pen mark reduce the edge grade, or would it at all? Wouldn't it affect the autograph grade instead?

Just email the seller, and if he says sorry, don't buy from him again, and just take it as a lesson learned - I have never seen an accurate description for a raw card on ebay - EVER. You buy raw and you pay the price accordingly. If you insist on gem mint, buy it graded.