People who take pictures in the dark or with their feet in the photo can just quit while they’re behind haha
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Agree fully. Lots of people actually value communication. Asking the seller a question and getting no response is highly off-putting. It’s like using a company you can’t get through to.
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I bought a card that the scanner had changed into an error card. It fooled me.
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@jac2357 It has turned me off lots of times! I hate when sellers don’t respond. I know they have to see the messages
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It’s quite funny being ignored by some and welcomed by others. Pretty obvious where I buy from. First impressions go a long way.
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Yeah, and they may think someone is trying to lowball them or something, but usually I’m asking them questions because I’m a buyer. But oh well I guess.
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After reading this thread, I’m quite surprised and disappointed that sellers/buyers lack clear communication and negotiation skills between one another. I’m not pointing fingers at anyone here, more of a general point to which both parties go through.
I would like to share a recent interaction I had regarding a transaction which I instigated on Instagram. I, by no means think that I am a perfect buyer however, I do have a fair bit of experience and with a lot of new collectors starting out on this forum, who may read threads like this, I hope this can provide a little insight into how things could be done better going forward.
For reference, I found a card for sale on eBay from a seller that I didn’t recognise. The card photos used were both front and back scans from the PSA website, to which I find adequate for assessing condition. I looked at their feedback, location and then searched on forums and social media to see if they had another line of communication.
Note; I did not contact the seller through eBay to deal outside of eBay. Sellers will probably not like this. I don’t recommend you do this for your own buyer protection.
This is how reaching out to a seller as a buyer could be done, to some degree. Be clear, precise and polite. Once the offer is accepted, I kindly asked for a confirmation photo. This is not a photo for condition purposes, it is proof that the seller does indeed still have possession of the card and is who their social media profile says they are.
As a buyer you know that you want the card, you wouldn’t message otherwise. You also know what the seller had the card listed for on eBay, so use this information to help gauge your offer. You know what you would like to pay for the card, so don’t be shy in telling them your offer. There’s little reason to beat around the bush in this scenario.
If you make a fair offer straight away, you’re far more likely to be taken seriously than if you low ball and ask for more photos.
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That is a great example! The buyers who simply message “lowest price?” or “what’s your bottom dollar?” literally put in zero effort or any tactfulness, and somehow expect a seller to play ball…
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You cant request a refund if it went through ebay auth, so of course noone is going to do that
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Fantastic example. Even covered the bases of having a domestic middleman. If only every person that dm’d me on ig trying to get something for below my ebay listing were like this.
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Why would you block the buyer though?
My understanding is that it will disable the Buy button for them on this card (in the chance somehow they change their mind and then willing to buy straight away) as well as all your future listings.
Because of exactly this.
From the tone and request of that particular buyer, I was more then happy to take the opportunity cost of missing out forever on that particular buyer’s business then wanting to deal with more requests of similar nature on my other listings. I’m already pretty busy as is at work/family. Plus I’m not a high volume/low margin seller nor is eBay my primary source of income and so for my listed cards I’m willing to wait months if not years to find a right buyer.
Also given that eBay is very much a “connected platform” economy model - and not your traditional business model - losing out on one potential buyer is very much mitigated here by virtue of the platform’s ability to “connect” me to other buyers/ network of buyers with similar interests.
I’ll also like to put it out there that this is definitely not my usual response/action to buyers when they ask a question. In fact I was even questioning if this was a bit too harsh and also mentioned on one of my earlier posts that I would have been willing to accommodate if it was a raw card and if there was good justification given.
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Took more of a stagecoach approach for this one. I think in general, as long as your respectful and considerate of others, youll be fine. I wasnt too happy about the black dot, but then i realized who cares about a black dot when this shadowless ninetales psa 8 is like $80USD.
Just be nice! Its not that deep!
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This is a glimpse into my world.
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I agree in general
Though I would also say additionally
Be wise with who you are nice with
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Because I didn’t had much time last months (and next months) I only post the picture of the front (slabs). If anybody asks for additional pictures I send a picture of the back (which I made when taking the front one).
For now it looks like buyers only want “more” pictures to verify the card is still available and not a scam.
I always send additional pictures for raw cards when they are requested. It’s easy enough and I can understand why they’re being asked for.
It has never resulted in a sale. Even for the most mint cards.
The main reason I play ball is in the hope that when the day comes I request photos it gets a response 
Requesting corner/detailed photos of graded cards is out of pocket imo
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@rainbowgym When people only post the front pictures of the slab it irks me haha! I did buy a holo bleed Porygon2 from Kantoshark and he only scans the front too. It was a PSA 9 so I didn’t really care much. The only reason I would care is if I planned to crack and regrade with a company I liked.
Nah, this is a reasonable question
If people don’t wish to supply more pictures maybe add it in the description and those that will provide additional pictures can say they will. Maybe there should be a box on ebay added saying whether additional pictures are ok or not ok. This would stop it from being much of an issue.