Felt like this is a good time to repost this.
💡 How to purchase cards safely!
For those new to the hobby, new to buying/selling cards, slabs or wax or even the consummate professionals looking to add to the discussion 👇 , check out this guide on how purchase cards safely!
👉 Safest way to purchase?
In terms of safety you cannot beat purchasing your wax/singles on a trusted marketplace like eBay. Bad actors are quickly weeded out of these marketplaces because they must answer to eBay and eBay has buyer protection measures in place. You cannot beat this level of protection.
👉 Other safe ways to purchase:
- When paying on Paypal (or Venmo) you have the option to pay "Friends and Family (FF)" or the aforementioned "Goods and Services (GS)."
- When dealing online with sellers, whether on Twitter, Reddit, Instagram or Facebook, the best way to protect yourself is to pay using Paypal Goods and Services.
- With the Friends and Family option, you have little to zero protection if something goes wrong. Seller scam you? Sorry. Seller shipped the wrong card? Sorry. Card is damaged and the seller blocked you? Sorry. Once that money is sent, you are at the mercy of the seller.
- With goods and services, the seller is assessed a small fee (3%) for buyer protection. If something goes wrong, you can file a claim with Paypal and get your money back in most cases.
👉 Should I ever pay Paypal Friends and Family?
- Friends and Family option CAN be okay in some cases. If you are buying a smaller card PWE, some sellers will require FF since no tracking # is generated to protect them in the event you file a claim.
- Also, if you establish a good relationship with someone and have done multiple deals in the past, FF isn't a terrible option to save you both on fees. I would reserve this for those you trust the most and as always YMMV.
- Most people have vouch posts or threads, while this can help you feel better it means very little, I have seen people get burned by sellers with 50 vouches, don't put too much weight here.
👉 Seller wants me to send Cash App or Zelle, am I protected?
No, Cash App or Zelle, in my experience will not refund your money. Once you send it, consider that money gone!
👉 Seller is demanding Paypal FF:
Walk away unless you are okay losing that money. I have no problem personally covering the goods and services fee so the seller gets the same amount regardless, but if even after that they still want FF, walk away, it's probably to good to be true! I have seen multiple people get burned this way. In my hobby infancy, it even happened to me!
👉 Other ways to protect yourself:
Ask your friends if they know a seller, check out their profile: Have they sold cards in the past? Do you see any questionable behavior on their profile? Is there account brand new? These are all things I will check before conducting business with someone.
You work hard for your money, make sure you stay safe out there, probably the biggest takeaway is: If you feel like something is off, it probably is. Ask for coined photos, pay Paypal GS and do your homework on a seller before buying off of them!