General Forum

Alright, I was looking through people's collections of 2010 Topps Attax the other day hoping I could find some I need off of my list.  Lo and behold there was one user, dhartway, who had lots of cards I needed off of my list.  He had the last three gold foil cards I need, the last Update code card, the last series 2 code card, and, most curiously, all 10 of the legends.  

I immediately found it odd that he had all 10 legends because they could only be found in retail starter packs.  But, not only that, he had multiples of all of them.  I didn't know if that was a mis-entry into his collection or not.  I have a feeling baseball is not his highest priority because he has mostly basketball cards listed and most of the baseball he has is 2010 Topps, and he has multiples of many of the stars of 2010 Topps Attax.  Anyway, I figured it couldn't hurt to throw a hail mary and see if he'd be willing to trade/sell the cards I needed.

It took a few days for him to respond, but he did last night and said he wasn't really looking for a trade, but he'd be open to selling them.  I just responded to him that that would be ok, and for him to name a starting price.  

Here's my question: Something about this just doesn't seem right.  I already mentioned the odd way his collection is configured.  What really makes me wonder whether this guy is genuine or not is that he mas multiples of the legends.  I mean, its possible, but highly unlikely.  Next, he seems to be a mystery man.  He has been a member since 2014, and has yet to have any feedback, transactions, forum posts, or anything.  Presumably, he just uses this site to keep an inventory for his cards.  That's fine, but its a bit odd that he visits the site so often if he's not doing anything except for updating his collection.  When I sent him a message he had just been on the site that day.  It could have just been a coincidence, or maybe he does visit the site fairly often.  

However, his message back did seem very nice, and, if someone did have malicious intent, it would be pretty odd to be a member of a website for three years without trying to swindle anyone.  

On the other hand, for the reasons I listed above, it makes me a bit suspicious.  That's not to mention I am a fairly new user myself and have only completed two transactions on this site (soon to be 3 -- thanks 49ants!).  So, I have little ground to stand on if I were to ask him to send his cards first.  I am a member of sportscardfun.com under the same user name and have 42 good trader points there, so I am a fairly experienced trader.  But, dhartway may disagree with that argument.

So, what do y'all think would be a good course of action?  Right now, my plan is to first agree on a price for the cards in question, then to ask him to send first and to list the reasons why I am a reliable trader, then see how he responds.  I think if he is very reluctant to do that and is offended, saying something to the effect of "Why don't you trust me?" then I will pull the plug and not do the deal.  If he agrees, then obviously we're good to go.  Any other reaction I get would be a read and react type deal.  Any thoughts?

I have the Jeter update card you need.  Message me your address and I will be glad to send it your way.

Jeff

I visit the site daily but I do not do trades.   Also, I do not update my collection here.   But I used the site daily to get info and if I add cards to the DB, I do that too.    The good thing is you said he seems to be on the site daily.  You just have to be careful with everyone you deal with until you get comfortable with that member.

I've never communicated one-on-one with any member on this site that hasn't been willing to communicate.  In fact, even on the forums I can only think of once or twice a member not talking things out (anyone else remember that fake Michael Jordan card a few months back?).  In this situation, if you explain your concerns much as you did here in this forum, I would think that any rational user would understand your thought process and be willing to talk with you about it to make sure you're on the same page.  I'm a firm believer that communication in anything is the key, and I truly believe that this is another example of that.  

It also can't hurt to keep an eye out to see if any other site users have dealt with him in any capacity, or maybe see if he has an eBay store? For example, I've never dealt with NJDevils up there, but I know he sells quite a bit on eBay so I'm sure he's reputable.  Other users, especially ones as friendly as the bunch on this site, are sometimes the best resource out there.

Are you concerned that if you buy the cards they might not be the ones listed due to him improperly adding them to his collection?  If that's the case, you could ask him to take a picture of the cards so you know it's the right ones you want to buy.

If you're concerned about paying for the cards then not receiving them, you could propose a small sale to test the waters.  You could even say to him, "hey I have no reason not to trust you but since you have no feedback on the site I want to do a small transaction first just to make sure everything goes smoothly, for my peace of mind"

Thanks for the great advice everyone! I appreciate it. I can tell you I already like the community on this site. As someone said above, everyone seems very friendly. 

As one who does a LOT of trading on this site, I offer the following;

1) ALWAYS check for feedback

2) If they have positive feedback from people I have traded with, I go with the trade - no questions. I trust those who I traded with before to be honest. I can say I have NEVER had an issue this way.

3) No feedback at all, its simple.....I insist that the person ship 1st. My experience is most people understand and are very willing to work with you.  

4) Lastly , if it does not feel right dont do it.......There are PLENTY of super cool traders on this site and finding a " match" will be easier then you think.

Just my 2 cents :)

Did you ask him the questions you have? Since 2012 almost all of my new additions are from retail, so it's not outside the realm of possibility that he bought some retail back when it was new. I can't be the only one buying retail, right?

No feedback is not nessicarily a deal breaker to me. Everyone has to start somewhere. I think I've been the first trade with at least three people who are now "regulars" on the Database, and some of my rarest promos came from a person with one post, no feedback, on a NASCAR forum before the Database even existed. I took a chance and it paid off.

Personally, I'd be a little peeved if someone questioned my integrity and knowledge of the hobby on a public forum, and that alone would probably make me not deal with that person. But I can only speak for myself, there.

Also, if somebody was going to start scamming somebody, they are usually the one who initiates the deal...scammers have a few certain "tells" and I don't see any of these in this scenario. Even if you were to pay and not get anything back, Paypal ALWAYS sides with the buyer and would refund your money so you wouldn't be out anything...I have seen countless threads on multiple forums about people complaining about scammers saying they never received and then sending back newspaper and getting the money and the item.

Another option is to offer half (or some portion) of the money up front and the rest when you receive the cards. I've done this several times and I usually send the second half as Paypal Friends and Family so they don't lose money for the fees. Making that offer helps keep their mind at ease too. I've never had a problem with a forum purchase like that on any site. I have made over 600 trades/purchases/sells across a few sites and have never had a problem with any transaction. GL and I hope it works out for both of you.

Didn't you forget make fun of people ?!?!?!

=D

Sorry to dump on your serious thread, I apologize.