Redemption Cards on eBay

[Dnose18]

Hi guys, got a question/concern about redemption card codes and selling them on eBay.

I was lucky enough to pull an Artifacts 16-17 Rookie Redemption II, Gold Spectrum from a local card shop break. I was really on the fence about selling it to make a quick buck or hold on to it and redeem it. I am not a huge Jets fan, but I have been building up a nice Ehlers collection and had really been looking forward to adding some Laine cards to my PC. So I figured, "what the hell, I'll throw it up for $1200CDN and see what bites I get". I have gotten a few decent offers, but nothing that made me want to go through with the sale.

Fast Forward to today, a "Crazy Laine fan from Finland" messages me saying that import charges for him to buy this card would be +200euros and he wants me to email the code to him to save on charges. He said he would be willing to my full asking price if this could be arranged.

I have seen on other ebay listings that sellers will not email codes privately. I tried searching on here about it but couldn't find anything specific. Is this a practice that is done commonly? I thought he might find a way to scam me, but I figured if I had the money in my account before I send him the code, Id be covered. The only other thing I could see is that he puts in an ebay complaint that he never received the item promised on the lisiting, and I end up having to refund his money after he has submitted the code.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[RGM81]

It's very common. Guy pays, you send him the code. Boom, done. Saves everybody a ton of time and energy. As long as the dude has a decent reputation you're safe--if he's a new guy on there or has under 10 feedback I'd be leery.

[the_chief]

Well, i think there is a risk; you can send him the code via email and he will redeem it. After that he can claim that the card has never been shipped/received and you will probably lose your money and your card.

am I right?

Shipping with tracking is still the best way.

[sparty07]

What is that guy's feedback score on Ebay?

[edler4114]

I always go the route of emailing codes and have never had an issue with buyers as well as sellers. Payment first then code. Especially in your case I would wait till you get payment.

[CasualCollector28]

Worst case, have them sign up for an SCF account here and walah... Stay off ebay altogether with the transaction ;) I've emailed codes though to people both on trading forums and Fleabay and never once had a problem.

[Cunnuc]

Usually I try to judge the character of the eBayer. High Feedback and 100% is usually a great indication. Otherwise I would only ship with tracking/insurance. If he has to pay $200 import charges that's on him. If you can sell for $950-$1000 it would be the same $1200 to him. Also the amount stated on the customs declaration doesn't necessarily have to say $1200.

[Caniac]

I've never sold redemption codes online, I've only bought. Everytime that I have, I messaged the seller beforehand and asked this exact question. Most of the time, the seller wants to take the safe route and ship the card, but I only ever buy when they email me the code online. It's just easier that way, than to have to pay an extra 3-5$ to ship a code. But with that being said, I usually buy redemptions of low end cards, where the shipping costs more than the actual card.

[sjw241]

You are safe if they send you a Paypal gift, or friends and family payment they call it now. They can't make any claims if they do that. But they have to trust you I guess.

[sjw241]

Worst case, have them sign up for an SCF account here and walah... Stay off ebay altogether with the transaction ;) I've emailed codes though to people both on trading forums and Fleabay and never once had a problem.

Only flaw with this scenario is they can still do a Paypal claim stating they didn't get the card. Doesn't have to be sold through eBay to make a claim.