eBay to ban unsearched rolls?

I saw this today on the eBay boards... not sure if it's a genuine policy change or not, but eliminating "unsearched" from roll descriptions probably isn't a bad thing (unless you're a seller of same).

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Coins-...list-mixed-Wheat-Rolls/m-p/19721156#U19721156

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

How long do you think it will take for someone to "coin" a new phrase to replace unsearched?

Un-researched?

Chris

 

Not long.

Never searched, mystery roll, ect.

 

"Surprise" roll;
"Not cherry picked" roll;

or simply

"Roll with 1909 VDB at one end"; no mention of unsearched or something like that.

Let the people sell what they want as long as they clearly say they don't guarantee anything. It's not the seller's fault buyers expect to find the holy grail in an ebay roll.

 

I agree... but past threads on CT seem to target these listings as "scams". There are already too many rules in place on eBay. There should only be one, and that's "buyer beware".

 

99.9% are scams. The eBay poster clearly stated they were searched rolls, so why include the word "unsearched" in the title?

It's blatantly misdirecting buyers. If they're searched by 7 people before the current eBay seller, do you think I care that HE hasn't searched them??

 

(That's like selling a car and saying, "It wasn't wrecked by me.")

 

Good. Get's rid of all the unethical sellers who seed a wheat roll with a seated dime or civil war token and get big bucks for it.

 

I do tend to agree with you. Buyer beware is something many eBayers forget.

 

as misleading as it is it's the people's faults for not reading the descriptions of the auctions in the first place

 

The simple fact of the matter is that Ebay can't protect every idiot buyer out there without allowing only TPG plastic to be listed(and even that doesn't guarantee absolute protection). That would be a disaster for sellers and collectors. Ebay has already implemented too many restrictions and if they continue, they'll see their revenues from numismatic sales diminish further and further. Ebay is the world's yard-sale and if you know what you are doing you can score some great deals. If you don't know what you are doing you can bid like a fool. Either way, as long as clear fraud isn't involved, it's on the buyer to educate themselves or at the least to simply use a little common sense.

 

I completely agree with what is said above!!

 

I think there's a clear difference between a raw coin listed as AU when its XF, and a roll that's loaded with 'S' mint Indians on each end and listed as "Unsearched".

These type of listings have skyrocketed in the last 2-3 years, and if they go unchecked, will probably ruin eBay's reputation for being able to sell legitimate rolls.

 

I think it's a great rule and it's about time.

Sure the buyers need to look out for themselves, but the unsearched roll listings are largely scams and the sellers (many of them) are liars.

It's easy to sell legitimate products on ebay and make a profit without trying to trick someone.

 

My God let's hope so..

 

Total agreement friend!

In the linked thread, I find it interesting that the user's listing was being removed for a "rule" that was not yet in place? Isn't that kinda like getting a ticket for an "upcoming law" which has not yet been written in the books? I could only imagine the outrage if someone back in 1974 were to get a ticket for "not wearing their seatbelt" since someday it will be against the law.

I also take exception with denying the term "unsearched". It is , after all, a free country and the ignorant are allowed to spend their money anyway they please. Tale away
"unsearched" and the buyers will simply move elsewhere thereby protecting those that already know.

 

While I agree that we can't protect people from their own stupidity...and they shouldn't be enforcing rules they haven't put into place yet, there is a grey area here. I'm OK with them banning "unsearched wheat rolls." Calling them unsearched is on the fringe of fraud since they are not unsearched. The fact that they are "wheat rolls" alone proves that. If the seller knows they only contain wheat cents...how can they call them unsearched. I'm OK with buyer beware and being responsible for one's own stupidity...but they do need to prevent fraudulent listings.

 

How often have you "looked" through your many rolls for something that was just recently found? I know I have. Many times.

You see, not everybody searches for the same thing and occasionally some pretty interesting things do show up.

What's next? Banning the use of "rare" for coins minted after 1964?

 

It does happen...things fall through the cracks. But, those coins have still been searched. I think it's wrong to flat out lie when listing an item. Is it OK to knowingly sell a harshly cleaned coin as problem free? If not...then why is it OK to knowingly sell searched rolls as unsearched?

 

Again, what's next? Banning the use of the term "rare" for coins minted after 1964?
They are banning something which they "cannot" prove. You may "believe" otherwise but the fact remains that it cannot be proven.