Thoughts on how to handle this eBay purchase...

[Topnotchsy]

I purchased a Ruth A Piece of History Bat on eBay recently that was graded "authentic." When I contacted the seller about what it was not graded with a number grade he mentioned that the owner had wanted a 9.5 or slabbed authentic, and it slabbed authentic. He mentioned that if I was not happy I could return the card for a full refund.

I got the card and after making sure that it was not trimmed, went about cracking it out of the slab. When I cracked it out I noticed that there was a little brown on one of the edges. It's nothing too significant, but something I'd feel I had to disclose should I list the card, and it might hurt the resale value.

My question is twofold.
1. How much do you think such damage would affect pricing (I know there's no scan up so it's hard to tell, I will try to get one, but picture out a quarter of an inch that is a drop brown starting from the corner.)

2. If I do ask for a refund, should a seller be required to give one in this case? Obviously I cracked the card out, but there was undisclosed damage.

Thanks

 

[Casey2884]

Could you see the damage through a BGS case with their thick opaque edges? If not, then is it possible the seller had no idea, if he got this card second-hand?

 

[Fandruw25]

You cracked it, your stuck with it. He said if you weren't happy with it you could return it, but I would assume that he meant in the slab that you cracked.

 

[Jesusmontero]

You cracked it, your stuck with it. He said if you weren't happy with it you could return it, but I would assume that he meant in the slab that you cracked.

Yea, if you cracked it out of the slab then the card its yours now.

 

[coltsnsox07]

In my opinion, condition grades mean nothing for memorabilia cards, just vintage and rookies. A little edge dent or barely noticeable crease by the patch window is okay..

 

[mmier118]

In my opinion the seller shouldn't have to refund your money in this case but i would try to contact him and see if he would, I would also see if he would either give a partial or maybe if you re-slabbed it Authentic then he would refund. Might just be a case where you just have to eat it as a loss. Definately shaddy by the seller but it seems like I run into a lot of shady sellers on ebay.

 

[SilverandBlack]

In my opinion the seller shouldn't have to refund your money in this case but i would try to contact him and see if he would, I would also see if he would either give a partial or maybe if you re-slabbed it Authentic then he would refund. Might just be a case where you just have to eat it as a loss. Definately shaddy by the seller but it seems like I run into a lot of shady sellers on ebay.

Why is everything always shady on the sellers part. maybe he didnt notice it got the card already slabbed. Seems to me there are as many if not more shady buyers on ebay.

As for the topic of the thread i would say unless you resubmit it and get it slabbed again i would say the card is yours since you cracked it open.

 

[RiceLynnEvans75]

In my opinion the seller shouldn't have to refund your money in this case but i would try to contact him and see if he would, I would also see if he would either give a partial or maybe if you re-slabbed it Authentic then he would refund. Might just be a case where you just have to eat it as a loss. Definately shaddy by the seller but it seems like I run into a lot of shady sellers on ebay.

Why is everything always shady on the sellers part. maybe he didnt notice it got the card already slabbed. Seems to me there are as many if not more shady buyers on ebay.

As for the topic of the thread i would say unless you resubmit it and get it slabbed again i would say the card is yours since you cracked it open.

+1. I've noticed that whoever is the one not posting on the board, whether it be seller/buyer, they are always the shady one trying to rip someone off.

Back to the topic, if you were able to see the damage prior to cracking, a refund would/should be no problem but now that you've technically altered the item by cracking, it's yours.

I know of a few people who submit cards and only look for the authentic grade just to ensure it's a legit card and want the protection. They let the card speak for itself and not a number up top.

 

[Sly]

1. For a card like this, I highly doubt a little brown on the edge is going to affect pricing.

2. It's actually probably very common for cards like these to be slabbed just for protection (and authentication).

3. Sorry to reiterate what others have said, but now that you've cracked it, you've altered what you've purchased and would not be entitled to any type of refund. I wouldn't even ask.

 

[mudflap02]

There is no way on earth I would ever even attempt to crack that slab myself. I would assume that BGS can do this sort of thing. Too much margin for error using the Dremel method or the pliers/hammer/screwdriver/caveman rock method.