Hi all,
I recently purchased a Pokemon card on eBay that was covered under their Authentication Guarantee program. The card was authenticated by PSA and arrived sealed in the tamper proof packaging. However, upon inspection, it's clear that the card is a fake, (Static holo pattern, holo matches with TCGPlayer, 1st Edition stamp is not lined up properly) despite PSA marking it as authentic. I did not do my due diligence prior to purchasing due to it being through the Authentication Guarantee, now I wish I should have.
I contacted eBay immediately. They redirected me to another department, ([email protected]) but unfortunately, they refused to offer a return or refund. Their reasoning was that they trust PSA’s authentication process and won’t override it, even in the case of a clear mistake.
Here’s where I currently stand:
-I’ve contacted PSA directly and am awaiting their response as they review the case.
-The card remains sealed in its tamper proof packaging - I haven’t opened it to ensure the chain of custody is intact.
-I'm considering a chargeback as a last resort, but I'd prefer to explore all possible avenues before going down that road.
It’s frustrating that eBay’s authentication program which is supposed to protect buyers seems to leave no room for recourse when the authenticator gets it wrong. And ironically, PSA’s involvement has limited my ability to open a standard claim under eBay’s Money Back Guarantee.
Any advice on next steps, other contacts, or how to escalate this situation?
Thanks in advance.
