Better change your eBay password

Oh eBay.

It was revealed yesterday that the company data was hacked. That means if you use eBay, you should change your password.

So, that pretty much means all of us.

I bet there are plenty of collectors out there who have dealt with similar issues when it comes to PayPal or eBay. I’ve heard plenty of stories over the years of people’s PayPal accounts being hacked. It happened to me several months ago. It was good thing I was sitting in front of my computer at the time because I received an email that I just spent $7 using my PayPal.

I didn’t.

I immediately called PP and there were two other attempts at charges for a gaming company based in Sweden. That was definitely not me. PayPal fixed it. I changed my passwords and we all moved on.

These kinds of things happen. It’s one of the pitfalls of the current world, but just make sure you head over to eBay and change that password as soon possible. 

I won a case on eBay as a SELLER...

Here's my story.  I got the new iPad mini for Christmas this year, so I decided to sell my iPad 2 because no one needs two iPads.  The item sold on December 31st, which was great because I had a plan for what I was putting those funds towards.

I mail the iPad January 2, since the post office is closed New Year's Day and I get a message from the buyer...  "You sent it to the wrong address, that is my sisters house."  So I told the buyer that since it was her confirmed address and the only way to protect myself, even if she told me this earlier it was still going to that address for my protection since eBay "never" rules in favor of the seller.  She says ok, my sister will mail it to me...

January 27:  Buyer has opened a case.  Really?  No e-mail nothing, just opens a case.  Suddenly my mint condition, perfectly working, barely used iPad "stop working after 3 use"... Yes, that was English.  I asked if it was charged, if it was plugged in during a power surge, etc.  I tried every which way to help despite not offering a return.  I also looked up her eBay ID to see any other purchases recently, and she purchased the Square Trade Warranty on items up to $500.  She bought it yet clearly didn't try to use it, if in fact there was a broken iPad sold to her.

January 30:  Naturally eBay said she can return it.  Wonderful.  It was well documented that this iPad had traveled the world once I mailed it so I decided to one up this con artist.  I called Apple and got the serial number confirmed for my iPad so that I would be certain it was mine coming back....

February 5:  iPad arrives.  I opened the box, it was well packed.  The iPad box was completely crushed in one corner and that was not at all what was sent.  I open the box, immediately notice a scratch that mine did not have.  I check the serial number.... NOT THE ONE I SOLD.  Nice try lady.  So now I call eBay, explain the item is not what I sent her and that I have proof that I never owned this serial number iPad nor was it ever registered to my Apple ID or name.  They put me on hold to contact the buyer and find out what is going on....  Guy gets back on the phone, says well third party shipping is not covered by eBay Buyer Protection so they are ruling in my favor and she gets nothing back.

While yes, it is great that I don't get screwed in the situation but what if it had gone directly to her, would I still have had a valid case with eBay?  Their ruling is based on the 'ring around the rosey' shipping they did with the item not that she tried to pull a fast one.  I'm happy to have won the case but I am annoyed that this person will likely do this to another person in the future with no repercussion unless the seller can prove with serial numbers what she did.

I know I shouldn't be annoyed about this anymore but it is still bugging me.

Moral of the story:  If you sell any items with serial numbers, list them in the auction as proof so they can't bother even trying to pull a fast one.  Luckily I had mine verified and both mine and the broken one sent to me were given to eBay for the case file.

Who had 6 RBI in an ALDS Game?

Ohhh Robbie Cano, Don't Ya Know?!!!

I know you all don't need to hear me go on and on and on about Cano and how great he is, but I was on the train home last night and was diddling on my eBay app and noticed something (aside from the addiction to eBay that is).

Prior to last night's game this card was at $61.00, and I know this for a fact because I got a notice on the train that I was outbid (yes, addict). While I was upset, it's really ok considering I don't have $60.00 to spend on that plus it would have never ended that low in my opinion. On the train ride home, more eBay monitoring showed that the card spiked to $80.80. This is what an RBI double (that probably should have been a homerun), a grand slam, and another RBI double will do to a cards value.

The other thing I realized while on the train and looking at cards was that Topps essentially made the same Cano Triple Threads card twice. Here is what I'm talking about, card #1 looks like this:

My 2009 Topps Triple Threads Robbie Cano "Robbie" card (one of my favorite cards ever.
(Click on the link for the 2009 card and look at what's available-- pretty sick that there's not ONE solo sig, huh?)

Yet, this year we have this card that not only has his nickname misspelled, but looks horrible by comparison. (I tried to copy the image but I'm a spaz and couldn't figure it out.) Once I realized that I had the much nicer version of the card to begin with, it basically turned me off to chasing it right now. It has become one of those cards that when I get around to it or for the right price later I'll pick it up, not worth spending money on it as far as I'm concerned.

As a fan and a collector I am absolutely happy about Cano hitting and playing the way he has been even if it means possibly being out-priced on most autographs from here on out. I'll stick to the basic auto's and maybe try and snag some of the low serial numbered ones over the winter or beyond.

The return of the atomic refractor

I realize I may be a little late on this (and I am), but I have to talk about the return of the atomic refractor by Topps.

When I initially opened Bowman, I didn't care for the base cards and some of the inserts. My eyes immediately opened widely, however, when I saw a Bowman's Best insert. They are so pretty. 

Atomic refractors were widely popular in the 1990s. It was probably the best parallel you could pull from a pack - unlike now where I presume the superfractor reigns supreme (but I personally like the Gold and Blue). 

This morning - in one of my bouts of procrastination - I found pretty Derek Jeter cards.

Immediately, I noticed the price. $1,199!!!! Just for a Bowman's Best insert. That's when I saw the words though - Atomic. Refractor. Topps made atomic refractors 1/1 in this year's set. So, I won't ever own this card, but I'm OK with that. Really. I promise. 

There are other refractors also with Bowman's Best. According to Beckett's database, there are regular refractors /99 and x-fractors /25. That Jeter x-fractor is already going for $55 right now. 

Here are some other atomic refractors to make their way into circulation. 

Tim Lincecum

Ryan Howard

Michael Pineda

Zach Britton

I've become one of "them"

Last night and earlier today it dawned on me, I have become the type of collector that used to annoy me. It hasn't gotten that bad YET, but I could see where this is heading but it's probably not for the same reasons as most of the people that bug me.

What am I talking about? I'm talking about the collectors who rip open hobby boxes and/or cases, then throw away all the base cards and give away the inserts while only keeping the autographs or game used cards. Sure there are plenty of collectors who just chuck the base cards and keep the rest, but that still kind of bothers me.

Let me go back to my trip to the card show in White Plains...

I walked around looking first for autographs. However the first stop I always make didn't have any so I was forced to look for base and inserts. Note: that didn't really do it for me. Then I moped around some more just wanting to find one lil Robbie Cano auto so I could feel like the day wasn't a waste. Rather then be able to bunch a bunch of stuff, I settled for 3 cards and was giddy about it for around 3 days.

When I search for things on eBay, it always goes something like this "Year, Set, Robinson Cano auto", or "Year, Set, Adam Lind auto", I don't bother with Pujols because I already know I can't afford it. Then when I find a card on eBay that I need/must have, I just stare and say:



Yes, I do still buy the base and insert cards I need. I love pulling base and parallels of my guys, or trading for them. I still love to look at a page in my binder of the same card in 9 colors. Do I look at it sometimes and get mad that we as collectors get hosed into buy 9 of the same card? Yep, I sure do. But the bottom line is no one is putting a gun to our heads telling us we need 9 versions, we choose to get them all because we are player collectors.

Shiny mail day a few weeks ago was fun, and I like nothing more than getting a bubble mailer full of Cano and Pujols cards. But... there is just something about opening a bubble mailer that has an autograph in it, or better yet a dual gu/auto. Sigh.

Does this make me "one of them"? Please say no. I think there is a distinction (somewhere). Anyone else reach this point in their collecting habits, or something similar?

2011 Heritage stamp cards (and stuff)

You know I had to go back to eBay so look around some more. I'm trying to fuel the rage. Actually, I'm just bored but it's probably more entertaining to think I'm at my computer foaming at the mouth, and ready to rumble (ready to go to Target).

I did my usual search on eBay, and to my (not) surprise, look who is on the dual stamp card with Robinson Cano... Go figure.

Why stop there, Marie? OK, so I kept looking. I also found this Pujols relic cardwhich I have no interest in buying. I will try and trade for that if someone out there pulls it.

Last but not least.... Topps took pity on this poor guy and included him in the set, however they went and made him a short print... Really? I expect that with Pujols because he's, uhh... good?

The one odd thing about milling around looking at these cards is that I didn't get a single card to come up when I searched for auto's. The only thing that came up were "hot packs" claiming to have an auto or relic inside. Over 1,000 items-no auto's... Yay, retail.

What is the point of a release date?

Before every new release the same thing happens. Either there is a mis-step with the retail version leaking, sometimes up to a week prior to the release, or there are hobby dealers selling on eBay before the date of release.

While I am aware that this is the way things go, it kind of puts a damper on the fun of getting to the shop on the release date to pick up some packs when you can just go on eBay and get ripped off by the people who got their cards early. By ripped off, I mean some of us lack patience and when we see a card of our player and it is relatively cheap we jump on it early.

There are over 900 items that come up on eBay when you search for 2011 Heritage. Take a look now, it may save you from opening packs and boxes.... or make you want to run to the hobby shop that much more on Wednesday.

P.S. No Hank Aaron on there as of now.

Who wants to go a box break ... on eBay?

While looking at Topps Five Stars Football auctions on eBay, I ran across this auction for a team box break. The seller is running the auction through eBay and then posts the videos of the breaks on YouTube.

For Five Stars, it was $26/team to get in on the break. With 32 teams in the NFL that would come out to $832 for one box of Five Star. On eBay, while there are many hobby boxes listed, seems the boxes go between $450-$500.

The seller does state that first several spots are taken, he will take offers on the remaining teams. This really seems like a rip off to me. I feel like most – just about all because there are only five cards in a box – are taking their money and putting a torch to it. This seems like the ultimate gamble, especially when the price is higher then what you would normally pay for a group break.

Doing a search for group breaks on eBay, apparently this is a very popular pastime. I didn’t realize this was going on auction style on eBay.

Would get in on one of these auctions?

There are some very nice card to come out of Five Star so far, but is it worth the gamble?
- LaDanian Tomlinson Inscription Auto 10
- Sam Bradford/Jahvid Best dual auto patch booklet /5
- Ndamukong Suh Triple Patch auto /20

2011 Topps Ernie Banks hits eBay

Here is a surprise: I haven't stopped searching on eBay all night. Since I now live in an igloo in the middle of the Arctic (NY), there is nothing else to do but play online.

While looking I noticed that the first Ernie Banks 60th Anniversary auto listed on eBay. However, it is a redemption card. When I mentioned this to Sooz she found it rather interesting that the card was a redemption. I'm guessing because there was a huge announcement about the inclusion of Banks' auto in the set, and then it turns out that you will have to wait for it if in fact you pull it. I'm sure she will explain what she thinks of it at some point.

There were a couple of other notable cards to hit eBay overnight and I thought you guys might like a few quick links to some of the nicer ones.


Felix Hernandez patch auto /50 Frankly, I love this card. It just looks awesome. (Update: seller raised the price by a whole lot.)

Robbie Cano auto This one is much better. Anyone want to buy it for me for Valentines Day?

Albert Pujols Leather name plate Umm... what? Great concept, poor execution.

Tim Lincecum World Series relic /100 Love it.

Brian Wilson World Series relic /100

Victor Martinez All Star Game relic 1/1 Very cool.

Damn you snow!

So as most of you are aware half the country is mid blizzard/ice/rain whatever storm right now. Our case of 2011 Topps Series 1 Jumbo baseball is currently trapped under almost 2 feet of snow in Chicago. Peachy.

Since I am obviously not opening that anytime soon, I decided to search eBay to see what's going on with the cards. I stumbled across one particular card that made me angry. I don't want to be annoyed with this product before I even see it with my own eyes and hold it in my hands, but really? Look at the ONE Robinson Cano auto that has hit eBay... It really "grinds my gears".

I certainly would not entertain even paying half that amount for the card the way it is.

Sometimes I feel like I am really too picky about the autographs I would be willing to buy, but honestly why should I spend $20 or more dollars on a card that looks half-assed? This is why cards should be signed on the cards, then there would be no reason to dislike it.

Please tell me someone else is this picky.

Hey Mister, sign my ball?!

It’s not often that we get to hear from the ballplayers about autographs. We all know that players sign items and when they don’t, we are quick to write these people off and think of them as jerks.

A colleague of mine stumbled upon this blog post written by Phillies prospect Michael Schwimer. He currently pitches for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Schwimer writes about reasons he may not sign autographs.

The four reasons he gives are valid reasons.

Do I agree with everything he says? No.

Schwimer says he will not sign items in perfect condition because of the fear they may end up on eBay or something of the sort. He talks about ‘sharks’ the people who seek autographs to turn a profit on eBay or in similar ways.

What's funny is that there isn't much of his stuff on eBay (auctions).

I pose this question. Why shouldn’t people be allowed to go online to do this? Maybe they are providing a service for someone who can’t get to a ballpark where the minor league player competes. To me, that attitude is much like our government. If they aren’t seeing a piece of the money, they don’t want anyone else to reap the benefits.

I know many players are like this and if I get an autograph will ask to get items personalized just to show that I am not going to sell. But why do I want an item signed by a player that isn’t going to be in the place I want it so I can display it with the rest of my memorabilia.

I hope Strasburg throws a no-hitter tonight

I'm completely greedy in this situation. I want to see Stephen Strasburg throw an absolute gem tonight against the Florida Marlins. The other games he pitched, I watched just for the curiosity. Now, I want him to do well for money.

Strasburg is making his first start since July 21. He was on he DL with right shoulder stiffness.

He is limited by his pitches tonight though.

While at the National, I picked up a 2010 Topps Heritage Stephen Strasburg. I had it graded and that sucker came back a 9.5 Gem.

Now, it's on eBay.

- Speaking of Strasburg, the autographed Topps Million Card Giveaway rookie cards have shipped. If you remember, those who unlocked the card could pay $350 to get it signed by Strasburg.

There were some who certainly took Topps up on their offer. The cards are numbered to /299 and this specific card, which shows his first MLB pitch, can only be found on the MCG site.

I love bubble mailer days

It's the best kind of mail, you know the one with the eBay winnings... Yay! I'll keep it short and sweet.

2007 UD Exquisite /25 Adam Lind


2010 Topps Allen & Ginter N43 Albert Pujols


I'm please with my eBay bargains, and it's nice to pick up a new Pujols card since I haven't really bought any new Pujols cards recently. I've been working on filling in the Lind collection while he's on a slide.

The card that took 26 days to get here

Last season before Lind got hot, his cards were fairly easy to come by and could have been had for cheap in auctions. Once he started tearing the cover off the ball, naturally his cards skyrocketed. Now it seems as though his cards are in limbo and in the hands of some in denial of his current stats.

There are still crazy people listing cards of Lind that think they will get big money. One of my favorites is this guy who is selling this clearly damaged card, a card you can see white borders on for more money than he is worth right now. This bozo here is my favorite, selling a Lind Icons auto for more than what you can get a Cano auto /99 for these days... I miss the old days when people undervalued him.

Once in a blue moon I pick up a card at auction of Lind for a reasonable price/steal, but they are far and few in between. It is usually through a best offer or BIN that I end up with cards. I waited... and waited... and waited some more for one card to come in the mail. I won and paid on June 3rd, and it arrived in my mailbox on June 29th. It cost $5.24 and to me that was a stretch with Curtis Thigpen on it to lower the value. (My value of a card is based more so on how much I like it, I don't buy cards if I don't like them even if they are of a player I collect.... i.e. printing plates)

I love this card more so for the fact that I have been chasing it and making offers on them for quite some time, and it is finally here to hang out with the boys. Despite the sticker autos, they are stealth stickers which is way better than silver foil stickers. These are the kinds of bubble mailers that make me miss Upper Deck.

Great eBay seller

Most of us look for cards to buy on eBay and there are many times where you look at peoples feedback, shipping charges, prices, etc. to make a decision on who to buy your cards from. Sometimes the shipping cost is a little more but the cards are less or vice versa. There is one particular seller that I have purchased cards from a couple of times, and just got my third order from them today.

Bleacher Seats Sports Cards & Collectibles has been a seller with a stellar record of feedback, and consistently reasonable prices for cards and shipping. Shipping charges are a flat rate of $2.15 for unlimited cards, and if that wasn't a good enough deal they put every card in a penny sleeve and toploader. I know to some of us that seems obvious, but most sellers on eBay when you buy a bunch of cards they sandwich them between 2 toploaders or jam them into a superthick toploader.

The turnaround on my last order was 5 days, which I think is good especially considering the care they take in packaging each order.

If you are looking for some singles, definitely try Bleacher Seats Sports Cards & Collectibles before going elsewhere.

Everyone likes pie

In Topps Series 1, there was a series of short-printed cardsshort-printed cards that featured the Yankees and their pie. After walk-off wins, A.J. Burnett led the pie onslaught and it happened a number of times last year.

Topps Series 2 didn't want to be left out of the pie fun.

Jason Heyward has his own pie-version SP and the card is bringing some series bucks (ebay links). Through Friday, Heyward has nine homers, 35 RBIs and a .295 average through 44 games.

This card is interesting because its something that has happened in 2010, which is a novel idea. So many times we see cards with guys who have been traded. Topps has to do some photoshopping or we have seen them just change the team name on the card while they are pictured in a different uniform.

Here, we have a card pictured with something relevant from the year that it came out. I like that idea.

Anyway, if you have this card, sell now!!!!

We're talking at least $100 for this.

eBay's new look

I know there have been some changes to eBay over the last couple of weeks. I'm just getting used to all of them.

The biggest thing I've noticed is the sheer amount of listings now. I did a search for Kouzmanoff
like I do daily and now there number of card to get through is overwhelming. The inclusion of the store items with the auctions is a nice concept, but is there a way I can turn this off?

For the most part, the store auctions have base cards, which I don't want to sift through. I have all those cards and am now looking for rarer cards.

I could just ask to show auction-style formats, but that's take away from the BIN that are listed with the main group.

How do you guys feel about the changes with eBay?

Who wants to see a crazy eBay card?

The other night Sooz sent me a link to this 2010 Pro Debut Jesus Montero 1/1 card on eBay, which happens to be listed by everyone's buddy tntnorthnj.

Does anyone think this is a crazy amount for a game used patch like this? I find it a little ridiculous to be honest. I get that it's 1/1, but I just can't see spending that much money on a player that isn't even in the big leagues yet despite all the hype that he comes with. For that much money I could get an Albert Pujols auto card.

We are the worst right now

Well, as you have read from some of Sooz's more recent posts she has kind of lost her card mojo and I am very close to joining her unfortunately. I'm not sure why but I really haven't been looking at many cards on eBay like I normally would, and Adam Lind has gone through the roof and the season hasn't even started up yet.

Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that I picked someone who actually panned out and that I had a good feeling about but damn! I figured when I started collecting him that he projects well, and he's pretty cheap so I'm going to follow him. I just hadn't planned on following him to bankruptcy, and I still don't. A few weeks ago I posted a 2007 Topps Chrome card of Lind, autographed and serial numbered to 25 which ended around $42 bucks. A few days after that, a second one of that same card popped up and ended at $61.

I think that is helping aid my slump, how can I justify spending (even if I wanted to) $61 on an Adam Lind auto when most Cano cards don't go for that much, and this is going to sound even crazier, but at that point I might as well pony up for a Pujols auto. I have had to streamline my collection just to hold onto these 3 for my PC because it's ridiculous now. I have picked up a couple of Hughes auto's during this past year, but nothing crazy- I traded for one and got the other for like $6 on a weird bargain.

I have a pile, rephrase, PILES of cards on my desk that need to be scanned, logged in, and put away. They have been sitting here, some for over a month, waiting patiently to go into their new homes here. With that being said, I have some pretty sweet cards to show off, and I think once I get to scanning and posting I will be better. Actually, once I find something fun at the shop or at Target I will be fine, we all know that.

Anyone else in a buying/collecting funk?

I have to scan a bunch of GU and chrome/chrome refractors I am looking to trade from Heritage and some other stuff. I am still in need of Pujols chrome/chrome refractor, and Lind black refractor if anyone has those I would like to talk business. If you collect Chipper Jones, Dan Uggla, Bo Jackson, and a variety of others you want me to do some work and scan...

Now tell me you want to see my new cards and motivate me!