3 Hidden Benefits from eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee
This article is sponsored by eBay. Shop Trading Cards, team fan apparel, autographs, and more. Inspected by independent authenticators.
While card authentication is of course the major draw for eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, there are some additional benefits cooked into the process that some collectors could find valuable. From better shipping and tracking to additional seller protections, there are hidden benefits to make the overall process as simple as possible.
Here’s three you may not have noticed:
1. Card evaluation
When people generally think of eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, they think of graded cards being inspected for tampering and fraud. While that is certainly a major benefit, the process looks after raw cards as well. Judging the condition of raw cards can be the trickiest aspect of buying through online marketplaces, and eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee actually helps here, too.
No, the authentication process won’t tell you if the raw card will grade a 9 or a 10, but it will check the card’s condition to make sure it matches the listing description. Using the chart below, you can see how card conditions are meant to be applied, and what issues could disqualify a card from being listed as Near Mint or Better.
Again, this isn’t meant to help you determine exact grades, but it could prevent you from grabbing a raw card for your personal collection that has massive printing issues that aren’t clear in the photos.
2. Adds additional seller protections on returns
While many believe buyers are the major beneficiaries of eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, sellers get some bonus protections from the authentication process too. Any seller that has made lots of transactions has likely had to deal with a return or two, and eBay’s AG offers additional support there.
When an item that has gone through the authentication process is requested to be returned, buyers must send the item back to the authentication facility. Here the card is re-verified to be authentic and matches all of the correct descriptions. The Authenticity Guarantee sticker must also still be attached with no signs of tampering.
If it appears the item may have been opened and switched for a different one, the return request will be denied.
3. Premium shipping for expensive cards
Few things are worse than receiving a nice card that is poorly packaged by its sender. The Authenticity Guarantee eliminates that concern. Once authenticated, cards are placed in premium eBay packaging and shipped to you with tracking.
Cards over $750 will also require signature at delivery.
With the Sports Card Investor app, you can profit from the hobby you love by keeping up with trending cards, tracking real-time prices with Market Movers and buying items on eBay. Download the industry-leading app here for Apple or Android
Note to readers: If you purchase something through one of our affiliates, we may earn a commission.
