I buy my Topps NOW cards from various sellers on eBay when
they come out.
I know that most of us have found it’s a little easier to
stomach $5-$6 for a single card versus $9.99. The sellers order the cards in
bulk at discount, and offer them at cheaper rates back to the buyer. They also receive reward points, so it’s
worth it for both of us. I get the cards for cheaper, they make a small profit plus
accumulate points from Topps.
However, being a cheapskate can have its drawbacks.
For starters, if you bought one of the HR Derby participant
cards (above) from Topps and that player won, you got a bonus card depicting the
winning feat (below).
I bought the Aaron Judge participant card from an eBay
seller. And guess what? No bonus card.
Truth be told, I knew going in that this would be
the case. However, I still played dumb and reached out to the seller, saying
that when the card arrived, I was surprised (I wasn’t) to see that the Judge
bonus card wasn’t included.
I was thinking he might feel guilty and say, “Yep, you caught
me. I’ll send you one.” He actually responded, “I didn’t see and don’t know of
any eBay seller listings that included the bonus card.”
I responded and said it he was unfairly profiting off of me,
and to an extent, he is. With the buyers dictating how many cards he orders
from Topps, for each card he sells he replaces it with an equally valuable card
that he can also sell. So if he ordered 40 Judge cards, he got a stack of 40
additional cards that he was free to sell individually. I honestly didn’t
expect to get it and was hoping to be surprised with a good deed. Anyhow, I then used some macho
words and told him I didn’t think he was an honest seller, and I wouldn’t be
buying from him again. He didn’t respond, and I’m sure he’ll very much miss my $5.25
every few weeks. Sucker.
Here are a few more cards I bought from him that were shipped
with the Judge.
One last thing. He tapes his toploaders, so clearly he’s an uninformed
weenie.
That is tough. It would have been cool to sell them as a cheap package, but the allure of Aaron Judge money is too much for these sellers.
ReplyDeleteThe sellers see the bonus cards as a separate inventory item they can make more money off of. For me I recently purchased the Topps Now Trea Turner hitting for the cycle card for $7.90 (I purchased 3 other Topps Now cards from other sellers for $5.99 (2) and $7.75). I have seen an image of the "bonus" Turner Cycle card and there was even an auction for one but they are asking a very outrageous $99 (or best offer) for it. I wonder if he will go under $50 for it?
ReplyDeleteThat's annoying. It's definitely an instance where paying full price pays off.
Deleteyou bought several cards from him and he holds out on the bonus card? that stinks. you should share his id so none of us buy from him.
ReplyDeleteEh, you'd think he might have thrown it in as a thank you. I don't think he's a bad guy so won't post his name, but I won't buy from him again.
DeleteIt's small consolation, but you could give appropriate feedback.
ReplyDeleteDid the auction say you were bidding on only the participant card? If so, you don't have much of a case as the seller has the right to sell the bonus cards.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually how the 3 main sellers of these Topps Now guys make their money. They make very little margin when selling the cards at $5.75 even at the bulk lot pricing. Most of their profit is the rewards program for buying so much from Topps. They get exclusive cards that they flip for big dollars.
You can't fault the business mindset of the sellers.
I can see things from both sides. At least you gave it a shot. Can't say you didn't try.
ReplyDelete