Comments on: Insider: Pro Tour Financial Effects

By: David Schumann

David Schumann — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 21:26:20 +0000

In reply to yuka. I definitely agree with the fact that sellers can "pad" their ratings with small inconsequential sales is a problem. I haven't purchased on TCG player much since they opened it up to a lot of individuals (which as much as we like to use it here on QS may be part of the problem). Individuals will have a much smaller problem cancelling orders to maximize profit if they can make new accounts. Like I mentioned, I really hope that the TCG player staff implements new punitive measures for cancelling orders like this.

By: yuka

yuka — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 16:56:57 +0000

My experience with TCGplayer has been mostly good. In a marketplace where a less than 99% rating could make your store seem pretty bad, most sellers are honest. Some of the big names like Ideal808, Pack Fresh Magic, Empire Cards, OldSchoolGaming, and ChannelFireball (and countless others) are always honest from my experience, and these stores I feel comfortable making $300+ orders from. Ebay is a whole another story, as is evident from the fact that the average seller has like a 90% rating. A 98% rating means one could ship commons to 49 buyers, and “fail to” ship that one $50+ order every fifthiest. On Ebay, I would advise only buying from the absolutely biggest names (unless your order is cheap, like below $20), and even then exercise caution.

By: Tyson Jennett

Tyson Jennett — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:05:37 +0000

In reply to Sigmund Ausfresser. I struggle constantly with the decision to look into MTGO as a way to start amassing profits when cards spike in popularity and price. However, the main problem I have with MTGO is that it would be my second collection, and I wouldn't intend to use MTGO to play a lot (still prefer physical copies to digital in most facets of my life). Do you have any suggestions on how to extract your new-found wealth from MTGO if you were to experience a windfall like this past weekend (i.e. set redemption)? I'd hate to make lots of tickets in profit and just have them rot away in the system.

By: David Schumann

David Schumann — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 12:51:52 +0000

In reply to aregand. I will try that if I have an order cancelled due to "lacking the card", however, a lot of what I was reading was stores just cancelling the order because they "could", not that they should, but because they believe there is currently very little punitive damage that can occur from doing so. I'm hoping that QSers can prove them wrong.

By: David Schumann

David Schumann — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 12:50:12 +0000

In reply to Sigmund Ausfresser. True. There isn't anything you can do about the time gap between ordering and when they arrive. However, I would honestly feel safe "pre-selling" my cards if I'd picked them up off of SCG as I've never heard of them cancelling an order, though I wouldn't do it for any other order site. I am also far less likely to invest in a card that is spiking if I don't believe in it myself.

By: aregand

aregand — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 11:41:28 +0000

Here was a response by WeQu in the forums that might help in some cases.

‘Do what I do in such cases: ask for cards that are worth total of the one you bought taking into account current price. If he really no longer has the card, he’ll accept. If he does have the card, he’ll “find it back”.’

Also any chance this article could be moved to free side might gather some extra support.

By: Sigmund Ausfresser

Sigmund Ausfresser — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 11:03:08 +0000

Buying into these spikes tends to pay off for me, but even when sellers do ship my orders there’s still the wild card of shipping time. I’d hate to receive cards a few days too late and miss out on the largest portion of profits. But to date I don’t know of any solutions to this challenge. The reality is we still deal with products that are physical and not digital, so there’s shipping time and response time.

Maybe I should be looking at MTGO these days…