| The Coin Troll
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas
Posts: 2,506
| another eBay alert
Was browsing the fleaBay a couple of days ago and I saw an auction that looked very similar to one I'd seen a few days earlier, so I looked at the seller's closed listings and I noticed that it was the exact same set as was listed earlier, so I contacted the seller to see if it had been returned or if it was a new set with stock photos.
The seller's responses were unacceptable so I am posting here for all to see and be warned.
The following is the text that I sent to eBay when I reported auctions 8375857692 and 8379402623: Quote: |
Originally Posted by The_Cave_Troll to Ebay Customer Support Re: bad coin listings The seller of these two items (8375857692 and 8379402623) is using private auctions to hide the identity of his shill bidder.
I noticed that both auctions had identical photos, (which is impossible with coins unless it is a relisted auction) so I questioned the seller about why he was relisting the set. (Mostly I was checking to see if it had been returned for some reason, since I don't want to buy problem coins). He responded saying that the set was a completely different set and that if I looked closely the photos are different. This was a lie and I told him that his response was unacceptable and that I'd report his auctions as fraud to eBay if he didn't fix it or explain the pictures more satisfactorily. Then he responded that he was sick and had made a mistake. He claimed that what had really happened was that the first listing sold for far less than he had invested in it. He said the winning bidder was a member who understood that he needed to get more for it than he did so he (the winning bidder) is letting him (the seller) resell the coins. He said that this member had extended this courtesy to him in the past and that he'd returned the favor on a number of occasions. He said that he doesn't believe in using a reserve price because that makes the auctions less interesting. The translation is that he has a shill bidder (who he is a shill for as well) and they work together to cheat eBay out of reserve fees and to cheat bidders out of money by artificially inflating the prices of their auctions. All this is covered up through the use of private auctions.
Here is the list of my emails to the seller and his responses verbatim:
My initial email: Quote: |
Originally Posted by The_Cave_Troll This auction uses the same pictures that you used in auction #8375857692. Did that buyer back out or are you using generic photos? |
His first response: Quote: |
Originally Posted by seriouscoins Hi dykstrac,
This is in response to your email inquiry concerning eBay #8379402623 (Mercury Dime set). It is an entirely different set than the one auctioned under #8375857692. If you really examine the coins, you'll see that they are not the same. I NEVER USE GENERIC PHOTOS. As stated, winning bidders recieve actual items shown. I did use much of the description format to save myself time, as the sets were quite similar. And, the photos I took are typical shots I use for this type of set. But, as I said, look the coins over good, and you'll see that none are the same. Sorry, for the confusion.
Thank you for your inquiry,
Mike/seriouscoins | My second email: Quote: |
Originally Posted by The_Cave_Troll Mike,
Your response is a complete lie, why do you insult my intelligence? I compared the pictures (all 12 of them) side-by-side and they are not only the same coins in the pictures, but they are the same pictures, just being reused. In fact, they have identical file names! Why did you lie about this? All you had to do was ignore my first email and I would have lumped you in with all the other ebay scam artists and moved on with my life, but by responding with a lie you've ****ed me off. If you don't give me a satisfactory response to this email and either remove listing #8379402623 or change the photos I will be forced to spread the word of your dishonesty. I am a member of numerous coin message boards and clubs and I will post a link on each of them to your fraudulent auctions and warn as many people as possible of your scam. I will also be reporting your attempted fraud to eBay pending your response.
Sincerely,
Chris |
His second response (now emailing me directly to avoid eBay viewing his messages): Quote: |
Originally Posted by seriouscoins Chris,
I'm checking this out now. If what you say is true, I really screwed up! I know I took new photos of everything. I just hope the new photos were used, but apparently they weren't?
Sincerely,
Mike |
His third response (still direct email): Quote: |
Originally Posted by seriouscoins Sorry Chris,
I surely wasn't testing your intelligence. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that all of the coins pictured on both auctions ARE exactly alike. I'm "sincerely" all screwed up. I have one helluva cold, and I've been as sick as a dog. Needless to say, I'm not thinking all that clearly. I did recently auction off a very similar set under eBay auction #8365309765. That set did sell, was piad for, and shipped to the Buyer. I listed this set being auctioned now (8379402623), originally under eBay #8375857692, which is a nicer set than the one that sold the first time. The winning bidder of the second set happened to be a member that I deal frequently with. I told them that I had a lot more invested in the set than what it went for, and they were nice enough to let me relist it. I've done the same for them before. So, you are absolutely right. It is the same exact set. I did add in the description this time though about 3 of the keys being taken out of slabs to be put into the set, so that there would be a much better chance of the set bringing what it should, or close to it, hopefully. I rarely use "Reserve" auctions, because I think putting reserves makes the auctions less interesting. It will sell this time around for whatever it brings. I have over $2,000.00 in it, and it's worth a lot more. If you wnat to call me up about it, feel free. 434-983-4961.
Again, sorry for the confusion.
Mike/seriouscoins |
My final response: Quote: |
Originally Posted by The_Cave_Troll Mike, Thank you for your explanation.
Chris |
At this point I realized what was going on and I decided to contact you instead of continuing with the seller. Thanks for taking care of this cheat. He is ruining eBay for bidders and sellers alike.
Sincerely,
Chris | there are a couple of warning signs that this seller is no good (low feedback, and private listings) so I was wary enough to avoid being cheated, hopefully this will be an appropriate warning to others.
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