IS this at all confusing?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by bsuttonosu

I've had many good dealings with Burbank. If you are looking for modern 1980+ commons to finish sets, they have everything. Too many items to scan, literally millions of commons. I've ordered from them many times. Two times I wasn't happy with a card's condition and I emailed them and they had replacements in the mail next day. No questions asked. They also ship quick and for free if you spend $50.

Would I buy an expensive vintage card from them sight unseen? Probably not, but that goes for any seller. But they fill a nice niche for many collectors, especially modern set builders. I have a good friend that's into in person autos and he loves them because they have an enormous collection of singles he can use for autos.

So they aren't lazy and their auctions aren't confusing is what you are saying?

[Matthew H]

I don't think the "stock photo" part included graded vintage. They have millions of 80s commons. Every listing has that general description. I'm sure they lose customers like that, but it's the commons that are their bread and butter anyway so I don't think they care.

I use to go to their shop all the time. It's probably one of the last shops where you could ask to see some '65 topps and get handed a 5000 count box of raw cards, not even penny sleeved, mostly NM.

They had a display case, probably 50 ft long, with vintage star cards. All Becket graded. (old Beckett, before bvg) They were in stacks by player/year. If you saw a stack of 5 cards with a 58 mantle on top, they were all the same card underneath. They also always had a case dedicated to pre-war. I've always found their prices fair.

That guy wakes up sorting cards and probably does it in his sleep too. That kind of thing doesn't happen overnight, so IMO, they're not lazy. Are they a-holes?... Yeah kinda.

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by Matthew H

I don't think the "stock photo" part included graded vintage. They have millions of 80s commons. Every listing has that general description. I'm sure they lose customers like that, but it's the commons that are their bread and butter anyway so I don't think they care.

I use to go to their shop all the time. It's probably one of the last shops where you could ask to see some '65 topps and get handed a 5000 count box of raw cards, not even penny sleeved, mostly NM.

They had a display case, probably 50 ft long, with vintage star cards. All Becket graded. (old Beckett, before bvg) They were in stacks by player/year. If you saw a stack of 5 cards with a 58 mantle on top, they were all the same card underneath. They also always had a case dedicated to pre-war. I've always found their prices fair.

That guy wakes up sorting cards and probably does it in his sleep too. That kind of thing doesn't happen overnight, so IMO, they're not lazy. Are they a-holes?... Yeah kinda.

There were cards made after 1969?

[zljones]

I got my purchases this weekend from them, and I am satisfied, I got what was pictured and they shipped fast. Here are the pics after I got them and here are the listings for comparison.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310419928331

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140820297961

[iwantitiwinit]

They don't use actual scans but seem to have a "stock photo" of the exact card they are selling, exact grade by the correct TPG, doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Personally, I would never buy a card from someone that was posting something you wouldn't receive. Ordinarily, I'd say the sellers motivation would have to be to deceive but too many other posters here have had good/decent experiences with the seller to counter that argument.

[doug.goodman]

Speaking as a guy who has been in hundreds of different card store all over the country back in the days when they were everywhere, Burbank used to be in my top three or four. There was a great place in Denver, another in Grand Rapids and my other favorite was in St Louis. There were dozens of cool stores scattered all over, but Burbank was very near, if not at, the top of the heap, back when they were at their previous location, and it was possible to look thru cards by hand. Then they moved, threw everything on the computer and asked the customer to use a computer to "search" for cards, and they would bring them out to you. As a variation collector, they made it clear to me that my business was not worth their time.

Oh well.

They were the place that I bought all of my supplies, and a good amount of cards, but no more.

I'm confident that many cards I need are sitting in their "Raiders Of The Lost Arc" warehouse, and I'm sure some day they will sell them. But, it won't be to me. I'm happy to continue my searching and occasional purchases with people and businesses who want me money.

Doug

[bsuttonosu]

Originally Posted by Leon

So they aren't lazy and their auctions aren't confusing is what you are saying?

I haven't found them to be lazy in the past and I've had good service from them. Just wanted to offer that perspective. That said, clearly that auction is confusing. I've never bought a card via auction with them, only through their Beckett marketplace website. Their business model may not translate well to single card auctions. I would never bid on an auction like the one in question.

[celoknob]

Bought 70s commons from them about 5 years ago. Great service and communication. Out of dozens of cards they sent one wrong one and immediately (and kindly) corrected.

True, it was stock photos but the cards were in conditions stated. I think it would be cost prohibitive to scan all these cheap cards. I can certainly appreciate not being able to view the card you are buying but that is just their business model (not lazy imo) and doubt they will change. It works best for more recent commons--wouldn't take a chance with a high priced item.

I would add that the above listing is confusing--if they are using stock photos for slabbed/prewar then I would see that as a problem.