Ebay Question regarding refund?

[greenmonster66]

Well I am at a dilemma. I sold an Autographed Muhamed Ali photo with a COA a few weeks back for a client of mine. Well today i was contact by the buyer that they sent it in to PSA. PSA told them that the auto was no legit. So now not only does the buyer want his full refund on what they paid for item auto but also what they paid at PSA at $220.

Do you feel i just need to refund the cost of photo or all of it? Your thoughts are very much appreciated!

[jbsports33]

the price you pay for selling autos without a cert, been there before selling for others that may not have funds for a cert or do not want to get it - can be tough with these high dollar items as the PSA fee is not cheap. If the buyer sends back the item as sold and includes the letter from PSA at least you and the original owner has something to back you up - Maybe some money could be returned to you. Another thought is if you have something of equal value to send, that may have been purchase for less could be sent in place of the bad auto. Good luck, there is always something you can try - but some kind of refund would need to be given - just depends how flexible the buyer will be

Jimmy

[bravos4evr]

IMO, you owe only the price of the item and shipping as you sold the item in good faith. They made a choice, outside of the ebay terms of sale, and must bear the financial burden of said choice. If they tried to complain to ebay or paypal, they would have no case as their PSA investment lies outside of your transaction.

[D. Bergin]

Obviously you refund on the piece when he sends it back to you, but no, you are not on the hook for the PSA fee. That was the buyer taking a risk when he thought he could pick up an Ali autograph on the cheap.

He must have thought it was good when he bought it. I don't know what's worse. That the buyer wants you to pick up his bill, or that PSA charges $220 bucks to authenticate an Ali autograph.......a particular autograph they are known to screw up on, over and over and over again.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Um, guys, he said it came WITH a COA. Of course who that cert was from is very germane to the discussion, but if it was from someone reputable I think it's your discretion whether or not to refund the purchase price, though I would, but certainly not the PSA fee. So same advice really, but wanted you to know that someone read your OP!

[bravos4evr]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Um, guys, he said it came WITH a COA. Of course who that cert was from is very germane to the discussion, but if it was from someone reputable I think it's your discretion whether or not to refund the purchase price, though I would, but certainly not the PSA fee. So same advice really, but wanted you to know that someone read your OP!

yeah, I get that, but IMO, that is between he and the company that issued the COA. (heck I wouldn't be surprised if PSA botched it honestly and it's a real Ali sig)

[jbsports33]

Wow! the 220.00 was just the PSA fee, try and work something out - should not have to pay all!

Jimmy

[thecatspajamas]

In a situation like this, you work your way back up the chain in terms of responsibility for refunds. The OP should not be responsible for the PSA fees here towards the end of the chain unless he just wants to be out of the goodness of his heart or to maintain a good relationship with a regular buyer. Had the buyer arranged for a $2000 séance in order to communicate with Ali himself and verify that the signature was bogus, the OP would not be on the hook for that expense either. At each step back up the chain, the refunding party is not responsible for everything that was done with the piece after it left his hands.

Assuming the signature is bogus, here's how I see it should go:
1) Ebay buyer gets a refund for the cost of the item itself (not including subsequent PSA fees) from the OP.
2) The OP gets a refund from his consignor
3) The OP's consignor gets a refund from whoever he bought the piece from. This may or may not have been whoever issued the original COA.
4) and so on back up the chain, until the chain of custody inevitably breaks and someone is left holding the bag

Bottom line is, everyone winds up losing a little along the way, but only the originator of the bogus item should wind up losing the bulk of the money. As I said though, the chain usually breaks somewhere before reaching back to the top. There is no "good" outcome to a situation like this, which is why anyone collecting autographs should do their due diligence and try to avoid becoming a link in this chain of woes.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

In future listings, place verbiage to the effect of "All autographs offered are guaranteed to pass PSA/DNA (and/or whichever TPA you wish to include), or a full refund for final sale price of item will be issued. Refund does not include S&H from initial transaction, TPA fees, S&H to and from TPA or return S&H to me.". There--your bases are covered.

In cases of consignment, make sure all consignors are comfortable with this arrangement before selling on their behalf. Have them sign appropriate paperwork agreeing to these terms prior to any sales.