Scanning cards for auction

[Archive]

Posted By: Jerry Spillman

Have you ever gone to a card show, ask a dealer to see a card that
interested you for possible purchase and only look at the front of the
card? Then actually purchase that card and still not turn the card over
to view the back. Even if the card has a blank back you must see what
the back looks like. Checking the corners of the card from the back of the card
is very revealing to the true condition. I have never witnessed
anyone that bought a card in person, worth more than $.10, that has not
examined it on both sides and usually rotated it in the light at all angles
before buying it.
Many online auctions sellers offer cards with only a scan of the front
of the card. The back of a card is a part of the grade of a card as it
should be. Why shouldn't the online buyer have the opportunity to see
exactly was he/she is buying? Spending your money and being denied
the opportunity to see the total card is outrageous. Even graded cards should
have scans of both sides. Most of us buy the card that is in the holder and use
the printed grade as a reference.
Personally I have never offered a card without showing both sides of it and
a scan of at least 100% of its' size. Leon recently won a couple of Allen &
Ginter tickets I offered. I showed both sides of each ticket at 200% of
their size. Buyers want to see as much of the item as they can - just
as if they were seeing it in person. This will reveal any defects and
avoid any misconceptions about the item. Happy collectors will preserve the
hobby and make it more fun.
Conversely, sellers reluctant to follow this common sense
practice are suspect. In a self-serving way, a seller that is
not a profession grader may overlook some defects that would
reveal the true condition of the item to the buyer. The seller would then
benefit and be unjustly rewarded with excessive enrichment.
It also could be a built-in excuse for refusing a refund for an unhappy buyer.

Many examples of the lack of back scans can be found on ebay. (edited to eliminate the reference to old auctions)