eBay Authenticity Guarantee limit now $500

[zworykin]

Originally Posted by jtq81

Where do the cards actually go? I have a BGS 10 going to AG, so is PSA authenticating a card in a BGS holder? If so, that's.....strange.

Yep. All graded cards regardless of company go to PSA. All raw cards go to CSG.

...for now.

[catalystcards]

Originally Posted by bear0555

I recently sold a 2000 Topps Derek Jeter Auto without the authenticity sticker. I disclosed that the sticker was not there. However, I guess I should say I'm not surprised that it didn't pass authentication and I could not understand why.

After receiving the card back, I immediately noticed a bend on the card. While I cannot confirm that the card wasn't damaged when I originally sent it out, it would have been practically impossible for me to have missed this. I don't think I have ever missed a flaw this significant and have been selling on Ebay for more years than I can remember.

While I can't be 100%, I feel it is possible that CSG damaged this card, possibly because they didn't want to authenticate a card missing the authenticity sticker.

I’ve bought two cards that have gone through authentication and both got to me with folds and a crease that do not show in the original listing images. The first I let go. I’m trying to do something about the second, which is much more significant than the first. I mean a crease that crosses the entire width of the card that was authenticated as near mint-mint.

[Blazed]

If anyone has twitter, read the AG feedback ebay is receiving. Some is hilarious, some is sad, and some is shocking. Overall it seems split 50/50 on if people like it or not.

[IronCladLou]

I bought a card and the seller started messaging me how to send it to AG!

I am in Australia and have no idea, but tried to get him through. Just pray the card actually makes it.

[Philthy]

I just had an item I sold fail authentication. The reason they provided was -

Raw - Surface does not match the listing: Fail ; Raw - Card does not match description (grade, etc): Fail

However, I did not state the card was graded anywhere in the listing (its a card from the brand new UFC Select 2022) and I did not make comments on the condition in the listing, but provided numerous pictures.

I guess I'm a little miffed at what they're looking at. Is the assumption that all raw cards are in mint condition unless specificied?

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Philthy

I just had an item I sold fail authentication. The reason they provided was -

Raw - Surface does not match the listing: Fail ; Raw - Card does not match description (grade, etc): Fail

However, I did not state the card was graded anywhere in the listing (its a card from the brand new UFC Select 2022) and I did not make comments on the condition in the listing, but provided numerous pictures.

I guess I'm a little miffed at what they're looking at. Is the assumption that all raw cards are in mint condition unless specificied?

They’ve never stated. The assumption is that if they find an issue that the images don’t show, it’s going to fail.

[Philthy]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

They’ve never stated. The assumption is that if they find an issue that the images don’t show, it’s going to fail.

Got it.

I'm a little frustrated by this situation. If I receive the card back and it has a significant surface blemish or dimple then I'll take ownership. Thats certainly something I should have listed.

If I get it back and its a print line thats on 80% of all raw chrome cards, I'm giong to be irritated. They're expecting me to pre-grade all the raw cards I list on eBay, now? (rhetorical, I don't expect anyone to know as it sounds like theres a lot of missing information at this time)

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Philthy

Got it.

I'm a little frustrated by this situation. If I receive the card back and it has a significant surface blemish or dimple then I'll take ownership. Thats certainly something I should have listed.

If I get it back and its a print line thats on 80% of all raw chrome cards, I'm giong to be irritated. They're expecting me to pre-grade all the raw cards I list on eBay, now? (rhetorical, I don't expect anyone to know as it sounds like theres a lot of missing information at this time)

Essentially, yes. Your interpretation of the condition must be no worse than CSG’s interpretation of the condition. While they’re not technically grading the card, they’re basically functioning how BCCG does.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Essentially, yes. Your interpretation of the condition must be no worse than CSG’s interpretation of the condition.

And how in heck are sellers supposed to figure that out???? Just gets more ridiculous by the day....

Is EBay trying to destroy its own high-end card sales segment???

It's getting to the point where many people won't SELL or BUY anything that has to go through the AG program.....

[clocsta2323]

Originally Posted by Philthy

Got it.

I'm a little frustrated by this situation. If I receive the card back and it has a significant surface blemish or dimple then I'll take ownership. Thats certainly something I should have listed.

If I get it back and its a print line thats on 80% of all raw chrome cards, I'm giong to be irritated. They're expecting me to pre-grade all the raw cards I list on eBay, now? (rhetorical, I don't expect anyone to know as it sounds like theres a lot of missing information at this time)

Just say in your listing that cards are in at least X condition. NM-MT is what I use.

[Philthy]

Originally Posted by clocsta2323

Just say in your listing that cards are in at least X condition. NM-MT is what I use.

I'll definitely start doing this going forward. Good advice, thanks.

[towerymt]

Originally Posted by Philthy

If I get it back and its a print line thats on 80% of all raw chrome cards, I'm giong to be irritated. They're expecting me to pre-grade all the raw cards I list on eBay, now? (rhetorical, I don't expect anyone to know as it sounds like theres a lot of missing information at this time)

If your photos/scans look like the 20% that don't have lines, but yours has lines, and you don't mention it, then the system worked as designed.

[Philthy]

Originally Posted by towerymt

If your photos/scans look like the 20% that don't have lines, but yours has lines, and you don't mention it, then the system worked as designed.

Do you consider a print line on a raw chrome card a significant flaw? That is what their authentication is supposed to catch.

"significant" is their descriptor, not mine. I personally would not consider it a significant defect and I would not return a raw chrome card that had a print line.

EDIT - This is all theoretical. I dont have the card back in hand. It could be something like a faint print line or could be something more significant that I missed. I took pictures of the card from multiple angles in a light box. I wasn't trying to "hide" anything. I thought the card was NM-MT condition when I listed it.

I guess my opinion has always been if you want to buy a raw card and ensure its condition then you should just buy a graded copy of the card. Maybe I'm in the minority

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by Philthy

I guess my opinion has always been if you want to buy a raw card and ensure its condition then you should just buy a graded copy of the card. Maybe I'm in the minority

No, you're not.

I feel exactly the same way.

The best way to describe this mess is that it's a solution in search of a problem.

I've literally bought thousands of raw cards on EBay over the past 23 years.....I think I've returned one card due to condition problems in all those years.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by mfw13

No, you're not.

I feel exactly the same way.

The best way to describe this mess is that it's a solution in search of a problem.

I've literally bought thousands of raw cards on EBay over the past 23 years.....I think I've returned one card due to condition problems in all those years.

It's because eBay wants to reduce returns. They want sellers to examine their cards closely and diligently disclose noticeable flaws. eBay is trying to force sellers to conform to high standards.

As a buyer, I appreciate the higher standards. As a possible seller, I appreciate the protection the authentication provides.

This service only covers cards valued in the hundreds. Cheap cards don't get this treatment.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by towerymt

If your photos/scans look like the 20% that don't have lines, but yours has lines, and you don't mention it, then the system worked as designed.

I hate print lines -- noticeable ones are an eyesore.

[UCCF]

Anyone have an oversized card go to get Authenticity checked?

I paid over $250 for an autographed boxtopper. I did not get a fancy eBay frame (even though I had the insert in the box telling me to enjoy my new fancy eBay frame). I did get an enormous FedEx box, with another box inside of that, and inside that box was my oversized boxtopper in a basic toploader. It wasn't even taped shut.

[hammertime]

Originally Posted by UCCF

Anyone have an oversized card go to get Authenticity checked?

I paid over $250 for an autographed boxtopper. I did not get a fancy eBay frame (even though I had the insert in the box telling me to enjoy my new fancy eBay frame). I did get an enormous FedEx box, with another box inside of that, and inside that box was my oversized boxtopper in a basic toploader. It wasn't even taped shut.

I had a graded 1969 basketball tallboy go through the program and they just put the slab in a plastic sleeve with their stickers on it.

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by mfw13

And how in heck are sellers supposed to figure that out???? Just gets more ridiculous by the day....

Is EBay trying to destroy its own high-end card sales segment???

It's getting to the point where many people won't SELL or BUY anything that has to go through the AG program.....

And yet people wonder why I don’t sell anything that needs the guarantee going as far as to say the sellers are up to something shady. Sorry I will just sell my high priced items at card shows or card stores where it is a face to face deal. Not worth having them fail a card and getting it back with more damages than when you first sent it.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

It's because eBay wants to reduce returns.

This service only covers cards valued in the hundreds. Cheap cards don't get this treatment.

- Are returns actually an issue? Or is this a case where the cure is going to end up being worse than the disease? As I noted in my last post, I've returned one card out of the thousands I've bought on EBay over the past 23 years. I'm guessing that the ratio is similar for most people.

- As of now, there service is covering lots of cards that people don't necessarily want covered (i.e. already slabbed cards, cards fresh out of the pack, autos, etc.)

It needs to be a service that the buyer can request if desired.

Right now EBay is forcing it on people who do not like it or want it.....that's NEVER a good customer service strategy.....

[KhalDrogo]

I would think eBay loses more having to pay sellers who have an unjust chargeback filed on them by a scamming buyer. The program doesn’t protect against that.

[RandyB]

I sold a redemption recently. They had me mail it to the AG. I had no idea they did this with redemptions too. Is this normal?

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

I would think eBay loses more having to pay sellers who have an unjust chargeback filed on them by a scamming buyer. The program doesn’t protect against that.

Yep.....problem buyers are a lot bigger issue than problem sellers.....and they're still a tiny problem....

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by RandyB

I sold a redemption recently. They had me mail it to the AG. I had no idea they did this with redemptions too. Is this normal?

Obviously not....

It's just EBay being idiotic.....just like applying this program to already slabbed cards is.....

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by mfw13

- Are returns actually an issue? Or is this a case where the cure is going to end up being worse than the disease? As I noted in my last post, I've returned one card out of the thousands I've bought on EBay over the past 23 years. I'm guessing that the ratio is similar for most people.

- As of now, there service is covering lots of cards that people don't necessarily want covered (i.e. already slabbed cards, cards fresh out of the pack, autos, etc.)

It needs to be a service that the buyer can request if desired.

Right now EBay is forcing it on people who do not like it or want it.....that's NEVER a good customer service strategy.....

I think eBay is trying to modernize their marketplace for high-end collectables and get ahead of the curve on fraud activity. They want to be a trusted marketplace for high end cards and justify their seller fees and sales tax in the age of social media buying and selling.

As others have pointed out, eventually they'll charge a fee for the authentication service when it has become firmly established. I think offering a grading service would be the next logical step. Buyers could pay to have a card graded while going through the authentication service.