I sometimes get bored and look at the other purchases that bidders have made on eBay. I noticed that someone that is bidding on one of my items recently purchased a 1916 d merc dime, that to me does not look real. Should I advise this eBayer of my concerns, or let it go since it looks like their return period has expired any way. Thank you in advance.
I think that sometimes people don't want to hear things like that. No matter what you do, people will always be buying fakes. I say let it be, and don't lose sleep over it
I would usually advise sharing any information you believe to be accurate when dealing in coins. I would not advise it in this case you mentioned, because you are currently doing business with the person. If that person should feel you insulted his intelligence, even if he is wrong, might cause him to not repeat bid on your item if someone else bids, or maybe things could go completely wrong in the argument leaving you in a position to receive neg or neut feedback. "People are stupid. They will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true." "The greatest harm can result from the best intentions." Terry Goodkind Quotes
As dumb as this may sound, that is one way eBay can remove you - permanently. One of their rules prohibits you from interfering with any other transaction in any way, shape, or form.
I'm with the others wanting to see the photo's. I don't think e-bay would allow you to contact the buyer. You could contact e-bay and let them know and if they see it as an issue they can contact the buyer.
Why not have someone else you know that's on ebay contact them? They could have been using the advanced search function to look at what 1916-D's have been going for and "ran across it." Just an idea. Think of it this way. He may go back to the guy that sold him the fake and buy another fake instead of buying from you. I know there are some idiots out there but I would think most people would appreciate the advice from a knowledgeable person. Whether they take it or not.
I'll go along with that. You may feel it's your duty or something like that to help others but in many instances, they really don't appreciate your interfering in their buisness. It always seams like the right thing to do but way to many just think your jealous of their purchase, just a meddler in other people's affairs, just pretending to be an expert at something, etc. It might be different if you knew the purchaser but just to stick your nose into something and someone that you know nothing about is really not the smart thing. And for all you know the purchaser may know the dealer and you don't. Way to many unknowns on the internet.
I'm going to take a guess. Besides the fact that the back of the "D" mint mark looks pointed, the bottom of it is in the worn section but appears to still be razor sharp. Just a guess.
As pointed out earlier, the mintmark stands out sharply in an extremely worn part of the coin. The lower right quadrant of the mm looks chopped off. Very suspicious, imo. Since the buyer has already left +fb (note that it doesn't mention the coin!! hmmm...), there would be nothing wrong with sending the buyer a message suggesting that they have the coin properly authenticated. (eBAy doesn't consider that "auction interference.") I have done that many times when I have seen auctions for fake Trade dollars, and people have been able to recover their funds.
If the seller finds out you are doing it and complains to eBay, yes they do consider it auction interference.