General Forum

I haven't made very many trades on this site, but I have to say I have been generally disappointed with the condition of cards I receive.  I always make it pretty clear what my expectations are during trade communications.  I also state on my profile page how I feel about card conditions.  Regardless, I still receive cards with condition issues.  Not every trade has been this way, but this has been an issue more often than not in trades I have completed.  I only put cards on my For Sale/Trade list that I feel are pretty darn nice.  Am I doing this wrong?  If I have 6 dupes of a card should I offer them all for trade and not worry about what I'm sending out?  I hate to complain, but after several of these trades I just had to wonder if I'm missing something about how this all works.

I just read your profile page, "condition issues" is not "pretty clear" nor does it explicitly state or define what you consider is unacceptable.

I've gotten poor condition cards in trade a few times. Also had a few that were probably not damaged until they were sent PWE but arrived to me with damaged corners. 

Personally speaking, I only list cards that are in excellent shape. Any flaw at all and it goes into my "untradeble" box. Being human, I can't guarantee I won't miss something, but I try my best to make sure the card whoever recieves it gets will never have to be upgraded. 

What really ticks me off is when major flaws are hidden on COMC. They've rejected some of my cards, yet they send me cards with scratches and dents and dinged corners that are hidden by their low quality scans. I don't mind getting low grade cards if I know it going in and pay accordingly. But to hide it? Not cool.

C2C...That's a fair assessment.  I may want to reword that.  In more direct trade communications I do get more specific.  Here's what I put in my last one which is pretty representative of the language I typically use:  "....I really don't want any with obvious condition issues such as creases, wrinkles or surface scratches/issues."  

Creases/wrinkles/scratches have been part of multiple of these trades and it isn't due to shipping damage.  I also received some cards that were obviously either trimmed or badly miscut (quite shorter than they should be) which I would imagine just about anyone would consider a general condition issue.  I appreciate your feedback though and will definitely adjust my profile message accordingly.

I've noticed that if the person trading with me notices a significant issue with the card when they pull it, they will let me know and usually add a few extra cards to the package for the inconvenience. Most of the newer cards I've received in trades have been in great shape. The 80s/90s stuff has been mixed but it's not a huge deal. A lot of the stuff I've been trading for recently is for my Cubs team sets that I'm putting in binders. I don't expect older cards to be in mint condition though I also don't expect creases on them unless they're really old.

As I told one of the folks I traded with recently, if I want a gem mint card I will buy a PSA 10!

Condition grades is in the eye of the holder of the card and what he is wanting to do with it.  Most people selling or trading a card tend to "grade" it higher than it probably is.  Having said that, I always ask the other person what his tolerance is for the condition of the cards he wishes to receive.  If 1981 or newer, I automatically assume he wants Ex or better, NrMt as it enters into the late 80s and 90s to today.  Years before 1981, I go by what he asks for and if there are any serious issues that may not be satisfactory, I advise him of the fact to get his ok before sending it out.

I have had only 2 members here that always wanted better than what I sent them.  I don't think they could have ever been satisfied and therefore do not trade with them anymore, mutual agreement between us.  If your tolerances are so high, you are best to shop at a card shop or at card shows whre you can physically see the cards you contemplate buying.

I would suggest that you try to trade with members with higher number of positive feedback for next couple trades to see if it goes better for you

I like lower condition vintage, but I expect 80-present to be nm with only 1 minor flaw

mark

I have run into a few cases where I was disppointed in the condition of a few cards I received but overall that has been pretty infrequent for me. It does make sense to ask about condition prior to agreeing on a trade. 

I haven't done many trades but I will send scans of the cards to ensure the receiver is happy with the cards prior to sending 

Just a thought.

Mark

I've received some cards that I wouldn't have traded. If I deem a card not good enough to trade, I throw out any card I wouldn't take myself. I feel like maybe I should I expect cards from the 80's and early 90's to be imperfect, but it is disappointing. But, I tell myself they're 5-cent cards, just let it go. I only traded duplicates for it, so it's not a big loss.