How Important is an Auction Lot's Description

[oldjudge]

The following lot in last nights' Goodwin & Co auction was misdescribed (It is an 1887 card, the most common Kelly 1887 card, and Kelly was sold to Boston on Feb 14, 1887). How much do you think the description entered into the final price? Should the buyer, if he or she relied on the description, be allowed to return the card?

http://www.goodwinandco.com/LotDetai...-SGC-5.5-EX%2b

[barrysloate]

Good question Jay, and of course the catalog description is critical. Now as far as would the buyer have a right to return this item, I'm not sure. The label correctly states the card was issued in 1887 (although I don't believe any of the grading services pay attention to whether an OJ was actually issued in 1887-88-or 89).

The catalog description is wrong, of course, and in this case it could be critical because 1890 OJ's are scarce and Kelly did play in the Player's League. But would any bidder actually be confused here and think that card is something it's not? I doubt it, and asking for a return is sort of backing out over a technicality.

Now maybe you see it differently, and feel I'm leaving an important point out. But if I were the seller I'm not sure that error would warrant a return privilege.

[oldjudge]

Barry-If the fellow writing the auction description, supposedly someone who is knowledgeable about what he is describing, does not know the facts why should one assume that a buyer would necessarily know the facts?

[jcmtiger]

Jay, I agree with you. I have quite a few Detroit Old judge Players, but I definitely don't have the knowledge that you and Joe G. have on these cards.
But, I would certainly investigate and try to find out about the card to make sure it was described correctly. If it was not, I would try to return the card.

Joe

[barrysloate]

Another fair question. Some buyers are experts and know more than the auction house. I would say every time you buy an Old Judge you know more than the seller, and others probably do too. Admittedly, not every OJ collector is an advanced one, and some may be beginners. And no question it's a poor description- who calls an OJ an 1890 card when they are almost all late 1880's products.

But I think you want to know if a buyer should be entitled to a refund, and my answer is I'm not sure. Is someone bidding on that card solely because he thinks it might be the PL version? I suppose you could make that case if you wanted.

[barrysloate]

Joe- to respond to your point. If you won that card, and when you received it discovered it was not from 1890, would you really want to return it? It's still a nice example of a key OJ. Would that date throw you off?

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Joe- to respond to your point. If you won that card, and when you received it discovered it was not from 1890, would you really want to return it? It's still a nice example of a key OJ. Would that date throw you off?

Hi Barry, because I only collect Detroit players, I would only buy this card for trade, so I would want it to be the rarer 1890 version

Joe

[oldjudge]

Barry-Forget PL. The description doesn't say PL, it just says rare 1890 version. The buyer may not know the Player's League from a player piano.

[barrysloate]

It doesn't say "rare", it just says 1890. Nevertheless, if the buyer were that upset with the description, then I suppose he should make his case and request a refund. My guess is nearly everyone bidding on the card would look at the scan, read the SGC label, and if they then won it, would keep it.