Ok EBay this is getting out of hand...

Dah!! It seems no matter what way it's put it seems like an uphill battle.

 

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I really don't like any type of coin to be sold without being marked in such a way as to prevent any subsequent owner from breaking the law...size, material, design, markings, etc. I began investigating the law and the definition of terms used in each. I wasn't keeping notes and would have to reinvest the time to document what I found.

Bottomline...this type of listing comes more under the purview of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) than the Secret Service. I went to the FTC site and downloaded the form required to register a complaint. In the process of filling out the form, there was certain information required outlining the nature of the violation being reported.

As I went about reading the "Hobby Protection Act of 1973", Title 15, etc...and cross referenced terms such as "Numismatic Item", I just couldn't (unambiguously) put together the information required to make a case of "wrong-doing" by either the Seller or eBay.

It's clear that if anyone sells these items without clearly and accurately describing them, then "fraud" has occurred and action can be taken. However, the listings on eBay seems to have checked all the necessary "boxes" needed to remain within the letter of the law.

I may revisit this and put together a complaint to (at least) document the issue with the FTC...but I'm not sure what (if anything) they can do. It would be interesting to have a formal review of the matter by the FTC so we'll have a better idea of the next step that needs to be taken to give the FTC the power to better regulate this type of activity.

 

I don't even like the coins that are stamped being made and sold. I assume there are those who can remove the stamp by wear or other manipulation and still resell the coin as original. It isn't likely that a knowledgable collector would fall for such an item, but a beginner or future loyal follower may.

Also surely these coins are being spread w/out the stamp thru some channel other than ebay. It will only help to hurt the hobby in the long run.

Lack

 

I've seen it happen on ebay more than once.

 

what i dont get is that if ebay taste so bad in the mouths of so manyt coins guys.. why dont they go to other auctions like heritage.. teletrade.. or coinshop?