Cardmarket's staff Silvia Parravano and Christian Tobehn blackmail users

Author: A former Cardmarket seller with 400+ positive reviews

For years, I sold trading cards through Cardmarket, dedicating time and care to maintain a 100% positive seller rating. I upheld professionalism, accurate listings, and prompt shipments, building a trustworthy reputation in a competitive market. However, a recent experience involving a dispute with a buyer and customer support representative Silvia Parravano has left me shocked and disappointed. This article aims to present a detailed, factual account of what happened, and why other sellers should be wary.

Background: A Trusted Seller with a Clean Track Record

Before the incident, I had a spotless seller profile: over 400 verified positive reviews and zero negative feedback. I listed cards accurately, always shipped on time, and handled all buyer inquiries transparently. In short, I was everything an online marketplace should want from a third-party seller.

The Incident: Buyer Orders Wrong Card, Then Demands More

The problem began when a buyer placed an order for a specific card. According to my listing, the card was exactly as described — correctly labeled, pictured, and priced. The buyer, however, mistakenly believed they were purchasing a different (and significantly more expensive) version.

When the card arrived and didn’t match the buyer’s incorrect expectations, they immediately contacted me, demanding I send them the expensive version instead. I pointed out that my listing was accurate and that they had simply made a mistake. To reinforce my position, I provided a screenshot of my original listing and referenced the official card version and condition I had sold.

Dispute Resolution: Enter Silvia Parravano

The buyer escalated the issue to Cardmarket support. That’s when Silvia Parravano stepped in. She handled the dispute — or rather, mishandled it.

Despite my clear evidence that I had fulfilled the order exactly as listed, Silvia immediately sided with the buyer. There was no fair investigation, no request for further clarification, and no attempt to understand my side beyond a cursory glance. I was shocked when I received a message stating that my account had been blocked.

No Warning, No Explanation, No Appeal

To make matters worse, the account suspension came without a formal warning, and without any path for appeal. My messages asking for a deeper look into the matter were met with silence or automated responses. Silvia made a unilateral decision that effectively ended my ability to continue selling on the platform.

The consequences were severe: years of reputation-building, positive reviews, and customer trust — gone overnight. The account that once stood as a mark of integrity was shut down over a buyer’s error and a customer service agent’s poor judgment.

Pattern of Bias and Seller Neglect?

What’s especially troubling is that my case may not be isolated. Through various forums and community discussions, I’ve discovered other sellers reporting similar experiences with Cardmarket disputes, including those involving Silvia Parravano. A pattern seems to be emerging: support agents automatically siding with buyers, even in the face of factual evidence from sellers.

While protecting buyers from dishonest sellers is important, a platform that abandons its legitimate sellers in the name of customer satisfaction creates a toxic, one-sided ecosystem. Trust needs to go both ways.

Lack of Transparency and Accountability

One of the most frustrating aspects of this situation is the lack of transparency in Cardmarket’s dispute resolution system. There is no formal appeal process, no oversight, and no accountability for support staff. Silvia Parravano’s decision to block my account was final, without an option to escalate or seek internal review.

In my opinion, this creates the perfect environment for bias, error, and even abuse of power. Sellers who dedicate themselves to the platform can be discarded with the click of a button — no matter how clean their history is.

Emotional and Financial Consequences

Beyond the professional loss, this experience has taken a personal toll. I spent years building up my Cardmarket presence, and with a single dispute, it was erased. I’ve lost access to my history, records, customer base, and potential revenue — all due to a buyer’s misunderstanding and a staff member's overreach.

The emotional distress of being unfairly penalized, especially after doing everything right, is something I wouldn’t wish on any seller. It's not just a matter of business — it’s a matter of dignity and fairness.

A Call to Cardmarket: Reform Your Dispute System

To Cardmarket, I say this: if you value your seller base — especially honest, high-performing ones — you need to reform your dispute resolution process. Implement the following:

• Introduce an appeal or escalation path for blocked accounts
• Enforce neutral, fact-based dispute handling with multiple staff reviewing key cases
• Hold staff accountable for poor or biased decisions
• Protect sellers who provide clear evidence of correct listings and honest service

If nothing changes, more honest sellers will continue to be punished for doing the right thing — and buyers will abuse the system knowing they’ll always be favored.

Conclusion: Proceed with Caution

My experience with Silvia Parravano and Cardmarket’s dispute system has shown me how fragile your position can be as a seller. Even with a perfect track record, you are one mistake (not even yours!) away from being removed — no questions asked.

If you’re a seller on Cardmarket, take this as a warning. Document everything. Screenshot all listings. Be wary of disputes. And most of all, don’t assume the platform will have your back — even when you're clearly in the right.

I hope this review sheds light on the flaws of Cardmarket's dispute system, and the need for greater accountability from support staff. Sellers deserve to be heard, not silenced.

Sincerely,
A seller who believed in the platform — until it turned its back on me.