Questions about a listing - 1st ed base mint Charizard

General
1

Hi guys

I was scammed earlier today and in hindsight I think there were a few red flags that should have alerted me. Unfortunately, I missed the signs and now I’m hoping I get my money back.

My experience today got me thinking about the following listing: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pokemon-Base-Set-Charizard-1st-Edition-Shadowless-Extremely-Rare-Mint-First/274377202420

Firstly, the seller is an ‘eBay trusted seller’ and may well be part of this wonderful community given his seemingly large and expensive collection. If you are on here, and you stumble across this thread, please feel free to answer my queries.

Also, I’m not accusing this seller of being a scammer, it’s just that there have been a few red flags in my opinion and I’d like to see what others think as I wouldn’t want it to happen again, especially on such an expensive listing.

If this listing has been discussed elsewhere, please accept my apologies.

So, I’ve had quite a lot of communication with this seller about this listing. He’s told me this is a pack fresh, flawless card (No print lines or scratches) that he genuinely believes will grade PSA 10. I asked why he doesn’t grade it himself and if it gets a 10 he can make a much better profit. He said he already has two other 1st ed base Zards in PSA 10 and he wants to share this gem with the community. I feel this is a little strange.

I’ve asked for additional photos on more than one occasion and each time he said he’d be happy to provide these but never has.

We also discussed me coming to his place of business to view the card in person. He was happy with this. Yesterday, he said I could come today in the afternoon and asked if I would be driving or taking public transport. I answered his questions but he didn’t respond so I didn’t go to view the card today.

Like I say, I feel these are red flags. The fact that he was willing to allow me to view the card in person gave me peace of mind but that didn’t materialise.

I’d be grateful for your thoughts on this and again, if this has been discussed before as clearly this is a listing that will attract a lot of interest, please direct me to the thread.

Many thanks.

2

Personally, I would be wary of someone trying to sell something for that high of a cost and not grading it themselves. I am sure you can beat the price down, but you’re a risky member with that gamble.

I am not nearly seasoned as some members here, but I believe if something seems too good to be true, 99% of the time it is.

Bets of luck on finding a Charizard! I am searching as well :blush:

3

I wouldn’t ever consider paying substantially more than PSA 9 price for a raw card. Just buy a PSA 9 and pocket the extra $10k.

2 Likes
4

I hate that kind of listing with all these emojis in the title. Looking through their listings gives me cancer.
Because of that I don’t trust them.

They also have lots of psa graded items themselves so I am even more suspicious.

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5

I agree with what you say.

He’s told me he’d be willing to sell for around 20k. I’d be willing to pay that for a 1st ed ungraded zard If I could see it in person first and I felt there was a strong chance of PSA 10.

The fact that he seemed happy for me to view in person made me feel this is legit.

6

I tend to agree but on this particular card, I don’t think I’ll ever have an opportunity to purchase a potential 10 for around 20k. I’d be willing to take the risk if I could see the card in person and I believe there’s a strong chance at PSA 10.

I wouldn’t be willing to pay more than the value of a PSA 9 for a raw card most of the time.

7

Ask yourself why someone would give up possibly $30,000 in profit willingly and you know the answer to your question. This will grade a 9

6 Likes
8

Exactly, and with current prices it may be closer to $50k in money left on the table if graded a 10. He also has other BGS and PSA 10 cards listed, so he’s clearly familiar with grading. I can’t see someone owning this card and not having it graded…

3 Likes
9

Maybe it’s just me, but that card doesn’t look like a 10. It looks like a strong 9 with a chance at a 10.

So In that sense, I’d pay like it’s a 9. He probably feels the same way, and that’s why he’s selling it that way. If it were to grade a 9, after he pays PSA, he’s making less than just selling it you as a potential 10.

Just looked again, this card could even be an 8. Lower left corner. Scratches on the holo

1 Like
10

“He said he already has two other 1st ed base Zards in PSA 10 and he wants to share this gem with the community”

Hahaha what

3 Likes
11

Lol my response would be, sweet. I’ll take the graded 10 for 20k

2 Likes
12

I had a guy who had a mint 1st ed base Hitmonchan that just didn’t want to go through the grading process. Bought it and it got a 10. Does happen, but in my experience rare.

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13

Yeah, but it’s a literal $50,000 difference between his asking price and the PSA 10 price. The guy is clearly not that confident that it would grade a 10 lol.

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14

The graded and ungraded difference on a mint Hitmonchan is nothing compared to the zard though

15

I could definitely see this if it was cash flow and or someone trying to time the market a bit and get current market rate versus when it comes back. But in this scenario, with the other cards the owner has. It would make more since to fire sale one of his 10s for 5k less and then just do an expedited grading on the raw “10”. My guess is he knows this isn’t a 10. I think the pics show it’s not a 10. But I’d love some input from other people on what they think that card grades.