Found this eBay Seller with some really nice and even rare coins!

yup i wa suneasy when i first saw it thank you brother leadfoot. if i am sucessfullinmy nect purchase ull get to see a beautiful coin in the right spirit :

 

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I'm just trying to help others from making a mistake.

I have been fooled in the past, and I'm sure I'll be fooled again in the future.

But not from the likes of this lowlife seller.

 

454 Feedback and 100% looks pretty legit. Granted people should be careful when buying off Ebay, but this seems a little to critical.

By the way I use two color large font when selling on Ebay and I'm not ripping people off.

 

Leadfoot,

I am sorry but I think you are too quick to condemn this Seller who has a 100% Feedback rating! I am also with Treas and think you are wrong about the 1878/7TF Morgan and probably wrong about many of the other coins. You know the Seller may be telling the truth that he/she inherited the coins from their Grandfather and that some the coins might have been cleaned or dipped well before his/her Grandfather obtained them. Just like Doug noted recently, that 80% of all coins have been cleaned or dipped at one time or another since being minted.

I copied and pasted the pics of the 1878/7TF Morgan to my PC, lightened them up a bit, cropped the photos and have included them below. I do not think that the coin has been dipped and artificially toned. I believe that the toning is natural toning and is probably due to being stored in a Leather Coin Album for many, many years.


Frank

 

My thought is he seems honestly legit. Probably no return policy because, one he has all these coins, and just wants to get rid of them, and he just doens't want the hassle of having to possibly return a bunch of coins, that can get pricey to have to refund the money and all. But I could be wrong, but that is how I see it. But we don't know the full story really, so atleast give him the benefit of the doubt. Noted, most sellers don't deserve it, but I think this guy does. And I know you are just trying to help Leadfoot, that is very commendable man. :thumb: But I wouldn't be so quick to really judge this guy, because we don't really know the full story. All we know is what he said in his auctions.

Phoenix

 

I'll have to stand with Leadfoot on his gut feeling. When I buy something from eBay, whether it's 10 bucks or 300, I go through the sellers feedback with a fine tooth comb. Take a look back at the feedback on this, yeah it's 100% positive but there is a few red flags. A few in particular were of one buyers follow-up after leaving positives stating the coins were sent to NGC and came back body bagged "modified surfaces". Another buyer laid down over $1,600 for a "Unc Barber" to get it in hand and see that it was cleaned complete with hairlines and signs of wear, this was a neutral feedback BTW.

Do your homework folks!

 

Frank:
Thanks for the lightening of the pictures.
Man, if that is AT, then all that I can say is: WOW!

 

For whatever it is worth! I posted this Thread so that the Forum members and visitors could view some really nice coins...the likes of may not be seen on eBay or elsewhere for sometime. I did not post the Thread for anyone to bid on the coins but if they did, that would be their choice and their choice alone. Coin Talk is about helping others, sharing information and pictures of and about coins, educating young and old Coin Collectors alike and just have a good time discussing coins. However, it seems that with almost every Thread, there are some here that quickly attack the subject or the Poster of the Thread. All too often, we see posts after posts by Naysayers doubting the authenticity of coins, doubting the story or other information about coins, doubting the true intentions of the Posters, condemning others without real hard proof or evidence and just downright slamming of the subject, the Poster of the Thread and anyone that agrees with them. At the same time, there are a lot of folks that follow the Naysayers in the attacks. There is an old saying" those that do not like to be given advice, should not offer it"!

As for me, I have better things to do than to attack the subject or Poster of a Thread! I do try to offer my honest opinion or knowledge on a subject but if I cannot help with a question, I generally let others do so. From this time on, I may offer advice or my opinion on a subject but will no longer post links to Auctions or links to anything associated with coins unless a Posters specifically asks for them. Also, I will only post information on questions where I can help and post to give praise and kudos to someone on their' find or purchase. If someone wants to specifically ask for my help, please do so in a PM or an email.


Frank

 

Frank:
Aw, come on.
I enjoy your postings.
Some people just like to criticize.
Take the opinions for what they cost.

 

Frank:

Don't let anyone get to you man. No matter how good a place is, there will always be the ones that are negative, complain, attack, etc. Just take them as that, and don't let them get to you man. I enjoy reading your posts and threads, and I thank you for this one, because I overall got to see some very nice coins. Take the good with the bad, because no matter how much good there is, there will always be a little bad. Who cares if that guy has some cleaned or whatever coins listed, I got to see some very nice coins you don't see everyday and that's what matters to me at the moment. If you don't like the coins, don't buy them! I enjoy your posts, and I hope you don't disappear to much man. :thumb: Like the Other Frank said: "Take the opinions for what they cost", don't let them get you upset man. I've fallen into that trap myself, but there will always be the negative, it is a thing of life that cannot be gotten rid of unfortunatly. Take care, and thank you for this thread and other posts of yours that help others out to come.

Phoenix

 

Yeah, what Phoenix said!
(Actually, this time I mostly understood him!).

 

Frank,

I am truly sorry if you took my posts as an attack on you. That was not my intent at all. I should point out your own words, however, as they state very well why I posted what I did to this thread:

"I do try to offer my honest opinion or knowledge on a subject"

and

"Coin Talk is about helping others, sharing information and pictures of and about coins, educating young and old Coin Collectors alike and just have a good time discussing coins."

To me, avoiding the pitfalls of numismatics is part of helping others. To me, it is important to be honest regardless if the message is good or bad -- as long as it is done respectfully. Frankly, when I was a beginner I wish people were more honest with me, as we learn nothing from "happy talk". You are free to disagree.

Again, I apologize if you took my comments as insulting to you or your taste, that was not my intent. My only intent was to warn others from a seller I believe is trying to take advantage of them.

Respectfully submitted...Mike

 

Leadfoot
i'm with you they look almost all cleaned or could they be ?(some fake) even with a great feedback I would stay away. Something about the coins that seem to look all alike (cleaned)he has location of Midwest why no city

 

Aberlight,

You are entitled to your opinion, just as I am entitled to mine. In hopes that I might sway/convince you....

Take a look at the number of feedbacks from the buyers in this seller's auctions. Look at the number of feedbacks of the high bidders in this seller's auctions. I think you will find that the vast majority are from low-feedback inexperienced eBay bidders. Who else would buy high-dollar coins on eBay that are uncertified and with no return policy? I know I would not, and I know I would want someone to warn me of the potential problems in doing so.

Also, take a look at the withdrawn feedback, and take a look at the lack of a payment method that allows recourse. Take all these together and reconsider if I'm being overly critical or if I have valid concerns...

And nowhere did I suggest that people with large font two color auctions, absent of other indicators, are ripping people off. However, I would respectfully suggest that a large number of scam artists on eBay use exactly this tactic. Taken with the other characteristics I listed in an earlier post, it leads me to believe that this seller is trying to take advantage of others, or at a minimum has structured the auctions such that those with little experience are likely to bid and get stuck with coins that are not worth what they are paying.

Perhaps some can sit idly by while others get taken advantage of. I cannot, and I apologize if you read my posts as overly critical. My only intent was to warn others from making what I believe to be a mistake.

Respectfully...Mike

 

Thanks (I think?) I've been working on trying to get out what I'm trying to say and have it come out what I am trying to say and understandable at the same time. Also trying to learn to cut to the chase, so I'm done.

Phoenix

 

Phoenix,

You may be right. But if you are, why didn't he just say he "doesn't want the hassle of haivng to possibly return a bunch of coins" rather than say the "items sold as is and all sales final as estate settlement does not allow for returns". And if he lies about this, why not lie/deceive elsewhere?

Also, and this is a point I didn't raise earlier, but is another warning sign of a scammer: Why does he only take checks and money orders, but doesn't take PayPal where the buyer has the ability to dispute?

Again, all indications are that this seller is trying to take advantage of the inexperienced, or at a minimum has structured his sales such that the inexperienced are likely to get sucked in and without recourse should they make the mistake of winning one of these "estate sale" auctions.

Respectfully...Mike

 

Philly Dog,

I see nothing to suggest any of the coins are counterfeit (although some may be).

However, I see lots of evidence that the coins are cleaned and/or recolored. Here are three examples of large cents (a series that I am quite familiar with) I will bet $1000 each are dipped and/or recolored:

Current high bid: $162.49 from a bidder with 3 feedback --> A dipped/recolored coin.


Current high bid: $215.50 from a bidder with 34 feedback --> A recolored coin.


Current high bid: $0.99 from a bidder with 126 feedback (just listed) --> A dipped and artifically toned coin.


Respectfully...Mike

 

Don't believe me? Think I'm being overly critical? Take a look at these threads and decide for yourself:

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=618672&highlight_key=y&keyword1=FDC
http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=613808&highlight_key=y&keyword1=FDC
http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=616410&highlight_key=y&keyword1=FDC
http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=610354&highlight_key=y&keyword1=FDC

Look at some of the feedback comments from people who have actually seen the coins and had them graded:

SCANS MISLEADING. NGC REFUSED TO SLAB THE COIIN. ENHANCED SURFACES
ERRIR!! ERROR!! CAME BACK FROM NGC AS HAVING MODIFIED SURFACES. SCANS MISLEADING
SCANS MISLEADING. NGC REFUSED TO SLAB THE COIIN. ENHANCED SURFACES
FEEDBACK MISTAKE. COIN CAME BACK FROM NGC AS IMPROPERLY CLEANED. MISLEADING SCAN
FEEDBACK MISTAKE. SELLERS SCANS ARE DESIGNED TO HIDE PROBLEMS/IMPERFECTIONS

It seems that I am not the only one to believe this seller is not entirely above-board, and I stick by my comments and assessments.

Furthermore, to put my own money where my mouth is, if any forum member purchases a coin from this seller, I will pay for the coin to be graded by ANACS, PCGS, or NGC including shipping if the buyer agrees to post the results. Just PM me.

Respectfully submitted...Mike

 

Mike, I do believe this is an honest seller that is only trying to take the best pictures that he capable of and list them in a manner so that people are attracted to his auctions. Every seller wants people attracted to the auctions and to look at their auction closely either it be type font or paying extra for the preview image. The way I read this was a list of criteria to seperate the good sellers from the bad and I only wanted to point out that his format was not a way of deceiving people. I use large font letters centered at the top for the description and a different color for the details and terms of the auction so that it captures peoples attention and that they will read the details. As far as taking a picture at an angle, I am an experienced amature photographer with an nice $600 Nikon SLR and without a $300 macro flash unit mounted on the end of my lens, it is impossible to take a picture directly above the coin in any light because of the size of the camera casts a shadow on the coin, thus requiring the photo to be taken at an angle. Even with natural light as clouds gather and move the white balance can change causing different surface colors to stand out and when taking pictures indoors as this seller has the incandescent light casts a yellow tint on the image which will change as my body blocks the light while trying to stand over the coin.

I am not suggesting the coins are underbid or that someone will get a good deal, but with close up images that are sharp and opening bids at 99c along with his repeating the details that he reads on the the paper holders I view this as an attempt to do the best that he can. As far as the no return policy can you imagine the number of people that would buy something with the hopes of a quick flip or high grade only to return the coins because it wasn't profitable as people do with the mint because they weren't shipped a MS70 coin. If I were in his shoes trying to liquidate a collection not knowing what I had I would have to take a similar approach.

Like I said, people need to be critical when buying coins raw or even graded on Ebay, but I read the list of disqualifications as being critical and possibly capable of eliminating a lot of good sellers and good items.

Another example I will bring not yet mentioned is Paypal. Many people will automatically say no to an auction if the seller will not accept Paypal. As a seller the fees on a $50 item aren't bad, but they do add up. I generally wont accept Paypal on items over $100 because of the chargeback risk. I flipped 12 gold spouse coins and accepted Paypal after paying $200 in fees because I wanted the payment quickly, but feared a chageback that would cost me $550 like a friend of mine that sold something for $1200 and despite following the rules and shipping to a confirmed address he had $1200 taken from his bank account since the credit card was stolen with no help from Paypal. It happens.

There are good sellers who will not accept Paypal. I fully respect them for not doing so, but the marketing geniuses at Ebay have convinced everyone that they are protected if they only pay by Paypal which earns them an extra 3%. 4 years ago some poor guy offered a 1835 PNG graded AU58 with gorgeous colors and surfaces on Ebay who didn't accept Paypal or checks, only money orders. I bid $400 and picked it up for $225 likely only because people were afraid to send a money order. I did my research on his feedback and it paid off.

On a side note people dont realize how Paypal works. They accept no financial responsibility, but claim to try to recover fees after 30 days if you are not able to. If they cant get you the money from the seller then to bad. They dont guarantee it. If you are paid by a stolen credit card they will turn it over to authorities, but depending on quick the scam artist are they will likely have your money and vanished before tracked down. Where Paypal makes money is by charging 30 cents processing + 3%. If paid by credit card the 3% goes to the credit card company and they keep 30 cents. However to try only offer their effort of protection to the seller requires a confirmed address linked to your bank account. Now that they have your bank account they want to draft the money from the bank account which doesn't cost them anything while keeping the 3% +30 cents. This is why the draft from a bank account is the default method of paying and if you switch to a credit card they will then prompt you for the "Are you sure confirmation" along with the "benefits and standard protection" of using your bank account which the protection is the same with a credit card. I always pay by credit card so that I can rake up reward points while letting my CC have the 3%. And if I return a item then the money is automatically credited back to my card rather than waiting 7 days for it to post my Paypal account and 4 more days to be delivered to my bank account only after I authorize the transfer which gives them 11 days to float my money in a money market account that they keep interest earned on.

Have fun collecting,

Chris