eBay's Authenticity Guarantee Rejection - Am I missing something here?

[Buythatcard]

Let me know if I am missing something here.

This is my latest experience with eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee program. According to eBay, this is how it works for graded trading cards.

If a graded card sells for more than $250, the card will be shipped to an authenticator for inspection. The PSA authenticator will check the sealed plastic holder for signs of tampering before verifying that the holder and label are authentic to the grader. The label is also checked against the listing details.

The item that I sold was a baseball program that was autographed by Vin Scully. It was graded as Authentic by PSA. It sold for over $250, so off to the authenticator it went.

Today I received an eMail saying that they can’t provide their Authenticity Guarantee. The reason was because the item was miscategorized. I had it under Sporting Goods/Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop/Sports Trading Cards/Trading Card Singles. They did not say which category it actually belongs under.

Under the Authenticity Guarantee program, it says that the label is checked against the listing details. It does not mention category. I do not see what category has to do with whether an item is Authentic or not.

The actual label says “Program, Vin Scully, PSA/DNA Certified Authentic Auto”. My listing says “Program is Autographed by Sporstcaster Vin Scully. Scully’s autograph is graded by PSA/DNA as Authentic” .

Their decision is final and I cannot appeal their decision. Am I missing something here?

[CardPadre]

It's just that it's not a trading card, which is all that the guarantee process covers. I guess you'd just need to list it under an autograph category or they even have a vintage sports publications/programs category.

[bnorth]

So what are they doing with the item? Returning it to you or sending it to the buyer?

I just had my first item(graded card) as a seller go to the authenticator and it arrived there yesterday and was mailed to the buyer today.

[Buythatcard]

Originally Posted by bnorth

So what are they doing with the item? Returning it to you or sending it to the buyer?

I just had my first item(graded card) as a seller go to the authenticator and it arrived there yesterday and was mailed to the buyer today.

They are sending it to the buyer with a note saying that the card did not meet eBay's Authenticity Guarantee.
I am hoping that buyer sees beyond that because he now has the option to return it.

[Buythatcard]

Originally Posted by CardPadre

It's just that it's not a trading card, which is all that the guarantee process covers. I guess you'd just need to list it under an autograph category or they even have a vintage sports publications/programs category.

My listing description and heading never mentioned trading card. I had no choice but to ship it to their authenticators.

I guess the Category is what triggers whether a card goes to an authenticator or not. Since I accidentally listed it under Trading cards, it might have triggered it.

It would have been nice for eBay to actually point that out beforehand, so people would know that Category is the controlling force.

[notfast]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

It would have been nice for eBay to actually point that out beforehand, so people would know that Category is the controlling force.

They’ve been promoting this program for close to a year now for trading cards.

How are they supposed to know when someone lists an item in the wrong category?

[Exhibitman]

just put "set break" in the title and you'll never have to deal with this stupidity again. Or, offer the item plus a common card, same result.

[EddieP]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

just put "set break" in the title and you'll never have to deal with this stupidity again. .

That loophole doesn’t work anymore.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

just put "set break" in the title and you'll never have to deal with this stupidity again. Or, offer the item plus a common card, same result.

They seem to have caught on to "Set Break" in the title--try it for yourself by listing a card above the price threshold. Somehow, "Set" and "Set Br" still work for me, though.

[Gorditadogg]

Am I missing something?

Why did you list your program as a trading card when it's not?

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

[Buythatcard]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

Am I missing something?

Why did you list your program as a trading card when it's not?

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

Because accidents happen.

[JollyElm]

Send the buyer a message explaining what is happening/has happened. Head off any potential problems.

[Buythatcard]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Send the buyer a message explaining what is happening/has happened. Head off any potential problems.

Already did.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

Because accidents happen.

You're right, but you're mad at EBay because they didn't catch your mistake? Its not EBay's job to double -check your listing, its your job.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

Am I missing something?

Why did you list your program as a trading card when it's not?

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

This. The answer is really, really obvious. Of course the trading card program covers… trading cards.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

Let me know if I am missing something here.

This is my latest experience with eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee program. According to eBay, this is how it works for graded trading cards.

If a graded card sells for more than $250, the card will be shipped to an authenticator for inspection. The PSA authenticator will check the sealed plastic holder for signs of tampering before verifying that the holder and label are authentic to the grader. The label is also checked against the listing details.

The item that I sold was a baseball program that was autographed by Vin Scully. It was graded as Authentic by PSA. It sold for over $250, so off to the authenticator it went.

Today I received an eMail saying that they can’t provide their Authenticity Guarantee. The reason was because the item was miscategorized. I had it under Sporting Goods/Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop/Sports Trading Cards/Trading Card Singles. They did not say which category it actually belongs under.

Under the Authenticity Guarantee program, it says that the label is checked against the listing details. It does not mention category. I do not see what category has to do with whether an item is Authentic or not.

The actual label says “Program, Vin Scully, PSA/DNA Certified Authentic Auto”. My listing says “Program is Autographed by Sporstcaster Vin Scully. Scully’s autograph is graded by PSA/DNA as Authentic” .

Their decision is final and I cannot appeal their decision. Am I missing something here?

For clarification - the program was encapsulated by PSA as an authentic autograph? Is that correct?

If so, this is just another incident to add to the list of ridiculous actions that occurs in this hobby. If it's in a PSA holder then I'd be scratching my head wondering WTF?

When it comes to fleabay and TPGs, there's probably not much that should surprise anyone.

[Buythatcard]

Originally Posted by Fred

For clarification - the program was encapsulated by PSA as an authentic autograph? Is that correct?

If so, this is just another incident to add to the list of ridiculous actions that occurs in this hobby. If it's in a PSA holder then I'd be scratching my head wondering WTF?

When it comes to fleabay and TPGs, there's probably not much that should surprise anyone.

Yes, it was already slabbed and authenticated by PSA. I understand that they want to make sure that the slab hasn't been tampered with.
It's all leading up to another way where eBay can start charging us another fee.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

Yes, it was already slabbed and authenticated by PSA. I understand that they want to make sure that the slab hasn't been tampered with.
It's all leading up to another way where eBay can start charging us another fee.

[Flintboy]

I’m waiting for the next step by eBay to charge for this great and glorious service. eBay isn’t doing this for the good of the collecting community, it eventually will be a revenue driver for them. It’s coming trust me!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Flintboy

I’m waiting for the next step by eBay to charge for this great and glorious service. eBay isn’t doing this for the good of the collecting community, it eventually will be a revenue driver for them. It’s coming trust me!

It is new to cards but eBay has been authenticating other items for over 2 years without any fee for the service. I see it as staying a free thing for buyers.