Posted By:
warshawlawI've dealt with Brian in the past without problems. I've also dealt with Dave in the past and also have had positive experiences. I've even had nice visits (separately) with them at various Nationals. It is a shame that two guys who I think are among the good guys had this dispute, but that's how it goes. As far as this dispute goes, I think Edacra hit the nail on the nose: "The biggest issue here is he refused the USPS return once he already authorized it." That's definitely not right and Brian has apparently set it right now. If there is no question that the card is the same card and was not altered by Dave, it is stupid business to let someone be angry over a small deal that will generate a thread like this one. Brian got torched way worse than it was worth over this card, and now is out the card, the money and the reputation among several potential customers. I was at a party recently with a retail "mogul" who told me that his policy in his stores is to refund the buyer's money, no questions asked, even if he knows they are wrong, because the damage to his chain's reputation isn't worth a couple of bucks.
As far as Brian's overall issues, policies, etc., go, I think some of the criticism of Brian's business is inappropriate. So what if he decides to use terse descriptions and less than stellar images, and doesn't give you the warm fuzzies with his customer service? It only hurts him in the long run since his cards sell for less than they might otherwise sell for. He's been around long enough and is well enough known by people who scour ebay for vintage stuff so that we know he sells decent material and often for less than market value.
I also don't think the criticisms of David's motives for buying a raw card are correct. It doesn't matter what he wanted to do with a card that anyone perusing ebay had a shot at buying. Once the card is sold, the buyer is free to do as he pleases with it. We ALL buy and flip cards.
Finally, and I know we've been down this road before, there is no good answer as to how long is too long to return an item. Like porn, I know it when I see it. For and among known people and friends, there is no limitations period. For a stranger in light of a clearly stated policy, any exception might be too long.