i was just wondering how often you guys run into deals that seem too good to be true and hesitate on pulling the trigger on it over suspicions of it being “too good to be true”, only to find out it was a legit offer(or not)? Any stories?
Every day searching on ebay! 
But seriously, one example was when I “purchased” a pikachu illustrator card almost 10 years ago now. It was listed with a stock photo. Luckily paypal protected me, which is ultimately why I decided to pull the trigger. Otherwise I would have passed on the situation. Ironically the stock image from that auction is my actual personal card.
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Wow! What a story! I often see illustrators listed on eBay with photos taken from google images. Their was an illustrator listed last week like that and only for about $10,000. Didn’t buy it because I knew it was a scam!
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Yeah, I buy a lot of items that are almost too good to be true. $25 BIN for a sealed Base 1st edition pack was probably one of the best deals I came across and it was 100% legit. Just yesterday I bought a binder with terrible potato photos supposedly stocked with holos all “pack to sleeve”. But I noticed there was a Gyarados star in one of the 2 blurry flip phone photos and that in near mint shape is more than I paid for the lot.
On the flip side, I have claims opened now on a number of cards from a scummy seller that is either sending empty envelopes or nothing at all. Found him on at least 3 ebay IDs now. Keeps using stock photos and offering up Charizard star, Crystal Charizard and various shining cards.
I saw a slightly damaged 1st edition base set box going for $2500 today, I had the opportunity to buy it, but first of all I’m definitely not going that expensive yet but I’m not sure if it was legit… It was gone within five minutes though.
And I did buy a Crystal Charizard a few days ago that appeared fully Mint for $150, it was a seller that was holding the card front and back and he communicated with me, so I’m hoping it’s real but I’m a bit wary of it obviously.
Hate to break it to you but that Crystal Charizard is almost 100% the toolbag I’m dealing with now. Out of Chula Vista/ nearby areas in Cali. This listing? www.ebay.com/itm/charizard-146-144-/322400861403?
Also goes by user ID: jonathaeapinoz_0, jonaboy619-5
And that box you saw is a scam as well. Look for the last photo or the description to include an email address to contact to purchase the box “directly”.
Thank you, I’ll contact you privately.
And yes I did see the thing about the box, but I wasn’t quite sure what it exactly meant, what would you be buying with $2500 otherwise than the box itself?
Not really sure, never tried to contact him. But he lists the same thing multiple times a week/ day/ month for over a year now so needless to say it’s not legit whatever scam he’s trying to run.
Yesterday.
Bought a base set booster box for $400… SUPER SKETCHY, but couldn’t pass it up.
Literally right after I paid, He refunded me and said it was out of stock lol Should’ve known better.
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Usually when someone sends you a photo of more than one box worth of loose base booster packs and wants to sell them as a lot. That seems to be a favourable means of scamming people.
Right, I’ve seen that one too, too bad it’s above my budget, otherwise I may have tempted to do it, but with already one “Very good to be true” transaction pending I would be careful of course.
A few days ago I did see a Mew Gold Star together with another card, I’m not sure what it is was… Charizard Gold Star? listed up for auction, I believe it went for just above $300, I believe it was also Mint or at least Near Mint, I would have totally went for it except that I don’t want to drop in lots of money just yet.
Its so awesome when you win a deal to good to be true. Story ends 
This guy? Just listed it now…sold as soon as I saw it.
www.ebay.com/itm/Pokemon-base-set-booster-box-UNOPENED-/282340980586?rmvSB=true
The illustrator is definitely the highest risk card to buy ungraded. I actually receive emails on occasion from people trying to sell me fake copies. One recently was a massive message about how their dad owned a shop in 2001, and someone traded an illustrator. They showed me a picture, it was one of the recent fakes that started appearing a couple years ago. I always tell them I will buy the card instantly if it is PSA graded. That usually ends the conversation.
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