So I purchased the card on eBay in March 2018 for $4400 while it was on a decline, with the intention of flipping it within a few weeks. Needless to say, the card wouldn’t sell for higher. I ended up listing it on eBay in a no reserve auction, which ended at $4350 surprisingly. The winner of the auction did not wish to pay, and I was contacted by an eBay/Instagram user who had reached out prior showing interest in the card. The user offered 4k through PayPal, and after receiving $3800 after PayPal fees and shipping/ insurance costs, I sent the card off. The user received the item today saying that he’s unhappy because of what appears to be a think print line between the wing and leg of the Charizard. I offered to fully refund the purchase to which he stated he would think about it. I couldn’t be any more frustrated…any advice? I never protest a PSA 10 but what can I do.
Refund. Block the buyer. List the buyer username here. And just keep the 10 for your collection
A small print line doesn’t automatically mean lower grade. The buyer is rediculous
My opinions
Depends on the print line I’d say.
Dragon Frontiers has some of the gnarliest print lines I’ve ever seen. I’d be a bit bummed if I paid $4000 for a 10 with a thick line. Half the time PSA knocks cards down a grade because of it.
That’s true. But if it’s a small print line it shouldn’t have an impact on grade.
OP. Is it visible in pictures? Was it visible in the listing?
It’s incredibly miniscule in my opinion. It wasn’t visible in the listing but I hadn’t caught it myself until he pointed it out. I’m trying to figure out how to upload the photos to this thread.
That’s an unfortunate situation but I seriously don’t understand why you bought a $4400 card when it was clearly on the decline from an unsustainable price with the intention to flip it for more, within weeks? Then you accept a $600 loss on the card? What made you think you could get more within weeks? How much did you expect to flip it for? Why are you taking such a huge loss, can you not afford to hold it long term?
I’m genuinely interested in your thought process and reasoning because I do not understand at all, I’m literally scratching my head with a confused face.
In regards to your question though, you did the right thing offering the refund, if the buyer doesn’t take it that’s fine you hav nothing to worry about. If he wants the refund get the card back and hold it long term if you can, it will go above what you paid for it again but don’t expect weeks.
All I can say to that is it was a rookie mistake. I saw that it was relatively low at the time, a few listings had ended at $5400 the month prior and so I took an unnecessary risk. I was willing to take a loss on it because of the volatility of this card in particular. It seems like there’s always another copy that surfaces and prices are on a huge downswing as of now. I would rather get what I can out of it and put that money into a booster box of some sort to hold long term. Thanks for the feedback, my poor judgement cost me this time…lesson learned. Is there a way to upload photos directly from an iPhone’s library?
I believe you can via the Tapatalk app this forum uses
Downswing has settled, price is pretty stable at around $4k now
pokemonprice.com/CardDetails/461b4169-8f1a-4d59-ba10-65a51a6853ac/charizard-holo-gold-star
Just like @pierce said, if your not in a rush to flip it, I would hold on to it. Market fluctuation, the right person, the right time, so many factors but you can get your $$ back. We all make mistakes, just try to make $5 or less mistakes lol. But in all seriousness, sorry to hear.
A print line is a scratch. A minor one won’t necessarily drop a grade. For high end cards, especially one in the thousands, I’d recommend looking closely and describing even the finest defects,
My best advice is always…DONT GIVE PARTIAL REFUNDS. No matter what.
Sorry for the delay with the photos, just figured out how to upload. Here are the images of the card- the last image was sent by the buyer, showing the thin print line between Charizard’s left wing.
That print line is pretty substantial IMO especially because it’s right in the middle of the holo which takes away from its appeal. For a card of its value I don’t blame the seller. It’s a shame cause the card looks amazing other then that print line.
One of those 10’s that most buyers won’t want to touch and PSA will definitely not knock down to a 9 on review. Those ones suck. Looks like a cheap lesson. Not as cheap as you’d like I’d imagine though.
Good luck.
In my experience print lines are a factory defect allowable by PSA 10 standards. That’s how a lot of delta species cards came out. It’s not damage and other minor factory defects are allowed on PSA 10 cards.
I get what you’re saying and I would personally not buy this(I’m a PSA 9 colllector like you), but it’s still a 10. I’ve seen LC reverse holos with a line running across the entire card getting a 10 and there’s several people saying it’s no big deal at all… I don’t really agree with it, but I find PSA knocks down like half a point per print line or such. It doesn’t really make sense to me when a single tiny white dot on the back is insta -1.
OP, this situation obviously sucks but if you’re not in too much of a hurry I think you can at the very least get your money back from this purchase. You’ll obviously want to show that flaw so you don’t have any more problems with potential buyers.
Flipping
Lesson
A costly flipping lesson we can all learn from. I’ve since refunded the buyer and received the card back…taking everyone’s advice and holding on to it.
I agree. The print line on this card is almost impossible to see until you tilt it at the perfect angle.
Hey Scott. Did you notice a print line on the one I sent in?