Buying a Redemption on ebay question

[iconms]

I just made payment on a redemption from 2013 TTT (seller charged free s&h) and the seller sent me a message asking if I just wanted the code messaged to me. Is there any downside/risk in doing that? How should I respond?

[NeedChapmans]

In theory ... no. Once you input the code into your Topps account, there's no tampering with it.

But I always like to hold the codes I've input, if for nothing else than peace of mind. If you do get the code via email, make sure the seller refunds the shipping costs.

[Super8er]

I agree with NeedsChapmans... get the physical card, especially if there's any significant value attached. It's physical proof the card is yours and not stolen.

[Keyser Soze]

He's the one that would be assuming the risk, not you.

[Tpm2780]

I would just get the physical card and input the code yourself just to be on the safe side!:)!

[85GoCards]

I get the physical card 100% of the time. There's nothing stopping the seller from scratching it, redeeming it, then sending you to the code. He could just say, "Oh, it's weird the code's not working. Maybe you should call Topps?" You'll then waste days of your time trying to get ahold of Topps and there would be nothing they could do anyway because you wouldn't actually have the card.

ALWAYS get the physical redemption card.

[Keyser Soze]

I get the physical card 100% of the time. There's nothing stopping the seller from scratching it, redeeming it, then sending you to the code. He could just say, "Oh, it's weird the code's not working. Maybe you should call Topps?" You'll then waste days of your time trying to get ahold of Topps and there would be nothing they could do anyway because you wouldn't actually have the card.

ALWAYS get the physical redemption card.

eBay would very quickly side with the buyer in a dispute and the buyer would get a refund, so there's no risk as the buyer.

[CardMonopoly]

Get the physical card. As 85GoCards said, if you get the code via email then there is nothing to stop the seller from using the code himself before he sends it to you. Plus, if for some reason the code doesn't work or the code is missing from the redemption (this apparently does happen in very rare cases) then you can send in the redemption yourself. The physical card is the only proof you actually have the redemption. Always get the physical redemption.

[Keyser Soze]

Get the physical card. As 85GoCards said, if you get the code via email then there is nothing to stop the seller from using the code himself before he sends it to you.


YES THERE IS something to stop the seller from using it himself! He knows that eBay will side with the buyer when the code doesn't work and he'll end up having to refund the purchase price. So in the end, he will have redeemed the card and refunded your money, if he wanted that to be the end result then he would just redeem it himself and not list it.

[iconms]

Get the physical card. As 85GoCards said, if you get the code via email then there is nothing to stop the seller from using the code himself before he sends it to you. Plus, if for some reason the code doesn't work or the code is missing from the redemption (this apparently does happen in very rare cases) then you can send in the redemption yourself. The physical card is the only proof you actually have the redemption. Always get the physical redemption.

Yeah this is what I was thinking. If he scratches too hard the code will be unreadable (you can't scratch them like a mad man).

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I requested for him to physically send it.

[CardMonopoly]

YES THERE IS something to stop the seller from using it himself! He knows that eBay will side with the buyer when the code doesn't work and he'll end up having to refund the purchase price. So in the end, he will have redeemed the card and refunded your money, if he wanted that to be the end result then he would just redeem it himself and not list it.

True, eBay will likely side with the buyer. But why not spare yourself the trouble of going through all that? You can avoid all that by just requesting the physical redemption in the mail and entering it yourself.

PLUS, like I said, if there is a problem with the code or the code is outright missing from the redemption (which apparently happens), then you can send in the physical redemption yourself. The physical redemption is the only proof you have to claim your card when it comes to dealing with the card companies.

Bottom line, get the physical card. Save yourself the hassle of dealing with eBay, getting a refund, etc.