Clean Front & Back?

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Posted By: brian parker

I have used "clean" before when referring to backs of cards I am selling when I don't provide a back scan. To me it indicates (on the back of the card) that there are no significant issues with the back (creases, staining, writing), and that the bidder can be assured that there won't be any unwelcome surprises when they receive the card.

Like Pete, I have a problem with sellers like the one he mentioned that is selling the trimmed and butchered D310 with a description of "tight cut". Here is another card that he has for sale:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2728614901&category=31719

To just describe this card as low grade is both deceitful and a real disservice to the bidder. Perhaps you are not overly familiar with this issue, since it is rarely seen and fairly scarce--you might believe the seller has called it low grade because of the creases in the scan. Like that E106 Mathewson with the whited-out eyes that I pointed out in a previous thread, it is the obligation of a seller to accurately relate any serious conditional problems to the buyer.

Sure, as a buyer you need to be knowledgeable about what you collect and use a certain amount of common sense, but even long-time collectors will get caught every once in awhile. I had been collecting vintage bb cards for over 15 years when I started buying on ebay, and one of the first wins was a card of a HOF player from a set that I did not recognize--I was excited about my pick-up. When I received it I realized that the card had been cut from a 4-1 Exhibit card. The seller had not mentioned this fact in his description (it is possible that he did not know), and actually had not even identified what set it was from. The seller, while not acknowledging that the card was indeed cut from an Exhibit, was at least willing to offer my money back.

Bottom line is, as a seller you need to provide as much information as reasonable about the card, whether you provide an awesome scan or not, because the buyer is entitled to know. A trim should be identified, writing on the card pointed out whether obvious or not on the scan, etc. To call a front or back clean is fine, as long as there are no significant defects. If so, then you note them. It is the golden rule of selling--treat the buyer as you would like to be treated yourself. Unfortunately, this quite often is not adhered to due to laziness or greed.

Brian