eBay messages about best offer and card condition

[dengbang]

Wondering how you guys respond to questions about "what's your best offer?" and specific questions about card condition (corners, edges, surface, scratches).

It seems like every time an "influencer" makes a video of a certain player, I get a boatload of low feedback eBay users sending me those questions.

I don't want to be rude and not reply, but I know most are just flipping and I don't want to deal with a return because they didn't get a certain grade or can't flip for more money.

This has been going on for a while now, but i'm starting to get annoyed by the same questions over and over again.

[letsgocapitals]

Being transparent... If I'm buying a $75+ (up to $1,000) card I have a standard question I ask. I think it's reasonable to ask questions when paying that much for a card. Here's the kicker though, I'm polite and respectful when asking and communicating. It's a kicker because there are plenty of characters in the hobby.

[cardrcomeback]

I always ask about condition on ungraded cards. Been burned too many times.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by dengbang

Wondering how you guys respond to questions about "what's your best offer?" and specific questions about card condition (corners, edges, surface, scratches).

It seems like every time an "influencer" makes a video of a certain player, I get a boatload of low feedback eBay users sending me those questions.

I don't want to be rude and not reply, but I know most are just flipping and don't want to deal with a situation of a return because they didn't get a certain grade or can't flip for more money.

This has been going on for a while now, but i'm starting to get annoyed by the same questions over and over again.

have never responded to a "what is my best price" question. i am not going to bid against myself. price is posted, either make an offer or pass completely. your choice, i am fine either way.

[Bruin7]

I guess that's the double edged sword for buying/selling graded cards.

[shrevecity]

Don't respond. I know several people who have actually been slapped including myself for soliciting outside offers before. Because of that slap I later took a 3 day suspension when I sent a buyer measurements. Got that overturned but better safe than sorry.

[steadned36]

I ask them what's the most they're willing to pay? You see, all of my listings are BIN/BO and most have a minimum. The ball is and was in their court. I get these messages almost daily.

Just like the buyer who doesn't want to pay for shipping - Move closer to me it, would cost less.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[shrevecity]

Originally Posted by letsgocapitals

Being transparent... If I'm buying a $75+ (up to $1,000) card I have a standard question I ask. I think it's reasonable to ask questions when paying that much for a card. Here's the kicker though, I'm polite and respectful when asking and communicating. It's a kicker because there are plenty of characters in the hobby.

Problem is most buyers are not like that. I sell hundred dollar items all day long and never get a single question or anything. Then on the flip side I will get sent through a game of 20 questions on a 5.00 items. Had one yesterday on a 4.00 part to a vintage GI Joe toy ask one question after another to a point I just blocked them. Generally if a buyer asks more than 2 or 3 questions about an item they are just looking for things to complain about and you are better off blocking.

[letsgocapitals]

Originally Posted by shrevecity

Problem is most buyers are not like that. I sell hundred dollar items all day long and never get a single question or anything. Then on the flip side I will get sent through a game of 20 questions on a 5.00 items. Had one yesterday on a 4.00 part to a vintage GI Joe toy ask one question after another to a point I just blocked them. Generally if a buyer asks more than 2 or 3 questions about an item they are just looking for things to complain about and you are better off blocking.

Can't disagree with that!

[Spacemanspif]

I ignore any and all versions of "what's your lowest?" I started replying with "what's your highest?" for a while, but someone called me a dick for it, without recognizing the irony. just easier to delete

I'll provide honest assessment or extra pics if the buyer seems serious enough. If I already noted "minor surface wear will not grade Mint or better" and they're still asking, ignore.

For buying anything of value I ask for any known scratches or indentations. the response generally gives me an idea of how forthcoming the seller is... "it's a sick card bro!" pass. extra pictures with angles where I can see the clean surface? yes please.

[Silentcommit]

if a buyer has a high BIN/ BO I will usually ask them what they are looking for to let it go. Recently a seller had a BO of 19.5k on a card I wanted. I asked him what he needed to sell. He gave me a number.

Seems easy. I thanked him, offered him the number he told me he needed and the deal was done.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by Silentcommit

if a buyer has a high BIN/ BO I will usually ask them what they are looking for to let it go. Recently a seller had a BO of 19.5k on a card I wanted. I asked him what he needed to sell. He gave me a number.

Seems easy. I thanked him, offered him the number he told me he needed and the deal was done.

would you have gone any higher than what he told you, or did he hit your absolute highest exactly?

[seabass97166]

I reply to “what’s your lowest” w/quick reply “what’s your highest?”

If nothing else, it spells out how dumb their question is.

[JZen01]

I don't respond with my lowest, but I'll say I can offer this card to you for X amount of dollars.

[Frankp2311]

I generally don't respond to "what's your best offer". I have in the past and it seems to trigger the Ebay system thinking I am trying to sell outside of their site.

[Frog]

On the flip side, I don't like when people just decline FAIR offers without a counter. Like if you have a card listed for $1000 and I offer $875, I feel like that's not so insane that it doesn't deserve a counter offer.

[RogerGodahell]

Just say you don't know because you aren't a grader and the cards are listed as raw. Don't try to guess grades and give people false hope. Better to be a little cautious.

[Spacemanspif]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

Just say you don't know because you aren't a grader and the cards are listed as raw. Don't try to guess grades and give people false hope. Better to be a little cautious.

*fire emoji* PSA BGS 10?!? SUPER CLEAN BRO *fire emoji*

[RogerGodahell]

Originally Posted by Spacemanspif

*fire emoji* PSA BGS 10?!? SUPER CLEAN BRO *fire emoji*

Yeah like that. That's just asking for trouble like a possible return imo. Personally i don't want to deal with that stuff.

[dengbang]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

Just say you don't know because you aren't a grader and the cards are listed as raw. Don't try to guess grades and give people false hope. Better to be a little cautious.

I've pretty much stated this in every single message I replied to. I agree about being transparent but it's that small chance that you get a buyer that sends everything back that's not in perfect condition.


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[Willikn]

When selling a $5 raw card, yeah who cares.

When selling a $100+ Prizm/Optic card I believe the question of condition is fair. The biggest issue, aside maybe to centering, are factory surface marks. These don't show up in photos.

If your listing says, "like new".."pack fresh".."excellent".. or some other term that doesn't explain anything, coming clean about the card's flaws is a terrific way to avoid returns.

sidebar: I've returned one card in my Ebay career. A trimmed card from the 60's and that was 15 years ago. I also never ask about condition. I just assume all "pack fresh" modern cards are NM at best. I do provide a grade estimate on any raw card I list.

[artiearens]

I’ve been on EBay since 2003 and I’ve noticed a huge uptick in these questions the last year. Especially when selling Jordan stuff. Most of them seem to be resellers who must spend all day fishing for crazy deals to flip as all the messages appear to be copy and paste. “What’s the best you can do for this beauty?” Etc.

[Dr kicker]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

Just say you don't know because you aren't a grader and the cards are listed as raw. Don't try to guess grades and give people false hope. Better to be a little cautious.

If i get the `I am not a pro grader` ill simply go onto the next card.

Not asking you to be a head grader at PSA , a seller with 7500 feedback should be able to tell you if a corner is knicked or not.

` Hi , is that a reflexion from scanner or bottom right corners looks knicked/ touch`

I am not a pro grader.

Me : Looks for another card.

[magmaster21]

My favorite is when buyers send you a clearly below market offer and try to point out all the things “wrong” with the card to justify it. It’s why I don’t even bother with OBO anymore. I set a very competitive asking price... take it or leave it.

[gomiamigo]

Originally Posted by glen87

have never responded to a "what is my best price" question. i am not going to bid against myself. price is posted, either make an offer or pass completely. your choice, i am fine either way.

This ftw. BO means make an offer.