Scams - Let's hear 'em

[glchen]

These are pretty common scams on ebay that I assume everyone already knows about.

(1) Ungraded reprints sold as authentics where the card is made to look old and any words for reprint are wiped out. Card is often sold by buyers with low feedback and with the description that the seller isn't sure if it's authentic or not, but believes it is. (This way if the card comes back as counterfeit from TPG, seller may still win the case.) Sometimes, in the description, there is wording that the local card dealer said the card was original and that the card has been owned for a long time and/or was found in grandpa's attic. Picture of card is often fuzzy or taken at weird angles so it difficult to properly examine.

(2) Card is sold in a holder, but not by PSA/SGC/BVG/GAI, but something like PRO, CSA, etc. This tricks buyers into thinking the card is legit and/or is not altered, trimmed, etc.

(3) Card is sold in a compromised/frosted holder. Seller takes original card out of legitimate holder/flip, and replaces it with a card of lower quality (or counterfeit).

(4) Empty box trick. Can go both ways. Buyer receives package, but there is nothing in it. Or seller sends card in package, but buyer claims that the package contained nothing.

(5) Damaged card trick. Buyer receives card and claims it was damaged in the mail. In reality, they themselves cracked out card out of the slab.

(6) Lost package hoax. This usually happens when sellers send card internationally, including Canada where there is not proper tracking. Without proper tracking, buyers can claim that they never received the card.

(7) Deception description scam. Modern card that is made to look old is sold as vintage/prewar. Decription in listing or on card does not clearly point out that the card is modern, so things are grayish. (e.g., Helmar (at least in the past), others)

(8) This is a grayish level "scam," so it's not really a scam, but just unethical. First, seller cracks out card out of Authentic or Altered holder, and sells card as raw, and never stating that the card came out of Authentic/Altered holder. Similarly, seller cracks card out of low grade holder and advertises card at higher grade. Pictures of card are often small or unclear.

Another thing similar are dealers who create their own grading system, when they know that their cards would grader at a lower level if sent to a reputable TPG. This way they can sell their Poor cards as VG or above since it has "EX eye appeal." Again, not a true scam, but somewhat unethical.

[glchen]

BTW, the above are only for cards. Don't even get me started on scams for autos or memorabilia.

[novakjr]

"stolen scan scam". The good ol' selling an item that they don't have in the first place...Basically, take your money and run.

[ctownboy]

There is the scam where a seller sprinkles in some worthless modern reproduction or outright fake items among some genuine older items and lists the fake items as "vintage" so as to throw people off who don't know any better.

David

[sycks22]

There was a guy on craiglist in Raleigh by me last week who said he had to sell a bunch of high end cards before his divorce next week. Of course he had two '52 Topps Mantle's in a PSA 4.5 and 6 and E90-1 Jackson among others. The second I saw the scans it took me exactly 52 seconds to locate the scans of the real cards. He stole the cert #'s and put them in his own PSA cases. I told him that if he tries selling them anywhere ever again I'd call the feds, he got pretty quiet. I laughed when I saw the scans as they were that bad.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by glchen

(5) Damaged card trick. Buyer receives card and claims it was damaged in the mail. In reality, they themselves cracked out card out of the slab.

Otherwise known as the Joey Farino scam. However, he never cracked the card out of the case. He just told the seller that it was damaged and asked for a partial refund.

[rjackson44]

Coaches corner auctions