We kick off Part 1 with collector Zach Tarhini sharing a cautionary tale about a high-end Lionel Messi card deal that went sideways after paying by PayPal Goods & Services. Zach explains how the seller linked to Metaverse Cards refused to refund, PayPal twice ruled against him, and why their “for resale” carve-out left him exposed. We talk practical safeguards for private transactions, alternatives to consider, and how this kind of outcome could affect hobby confidence. Dan Bliss of Front Row Card Show joins at the end and reacts from a show-runner’s point of view.

Highlights

The deal: targeting a 2022 World Cup Messi Impeccable/Imminence auto and why Zach felt safe using Goods & Services

What went wrong: refund refusal, dispute timeline, and PayPal closing in the seller’s favor

The fine print: how a “for resale” interpretation can negate buyer protection

Risk management: reputational checks, marketplace layers, notes in payment, and when to prefer in-person deals

Broader impact: how fear around payments could ripple into bidding and liquidity

Dan Bliss on best practices for show transactions

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