ah-collectibles (eBay member) I was involved in an auction tonight on an 1881 CC Morgan NCG MS65 ah-collectibles auction that had just over 1 hour left. This seller, ah-collectibles, convieniently cancelled the auction due to an "error in listing". Please, this was clearly reserve fee avoidance because the high bid at the time (mine) was only $435, and the seller did not want to sell at that price. The title, description, and picture all matched so there was no error. Well other than they did not wish to pay the reserve fee, and have little respect for fellow eBayers. In the future, remember the name, and don't support someone who reneges on their auctions! I HATE that!!!! Little do they know, I was prepared to go much higher than that!
Maybe that was the reason...or maybe there was something else. I'd try to give him the benefit of the doubt. If you really want the coin send him a message and find out if he still has the coin and how much he needs. If you two can get together on price, he can list it with a buyitnow figure, then email you the item number. Just a thought EDIT: Hmmm this name rings vague bells...ah-collectibles. And he's in FL like me. Can't place him, though.
You may want to have a look at this, somewhat related, post. http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=891
Maybe I should sue them for using deception to violate a contract. LMAO. After all, posting on eBay is a contract, and there was no error in the ad as claimed. The pic matched the descript and the descript matched the title. I did at the very least turn them in to eBay, not that they ever do anything. I know better. Their suits will get laughed out of court. There is still Freedom of Speech, and slander or defimation has to be proven to be untrue. Since they grade in MS format, they are being deceptive. The common person would not be expected to know that they have created there own definition to like grading symbols, unless of course they decide to put disclaimers on their slabs. So people have a right to speak their mind in my opinion, and that is all I am doing is expressing an opinion. If someone states they prefer Oscar-Meyer to some other frank company, or Ford to GM, that is acceptable, so why would they be any different? I don't even know for sure who they are, just their ebay name, and what I speak of is fact, not fiction. I did email them and received no response. Funny they were online to delete the auction, but not to answer me. I dislike being duped, and would not buy a coin from them now if they paid me. I don't deal with people like that, whomever they are.
Well sir, It sounds as if you got lucky in the end. Too many individuals on ebay are looking to take advantage of the uniformed. It sounds like this group may be looking for such an activity.
You sound angry and perhaps rightfully so. We do say that is better to regret the purchase you did not make than to regret the one you did. I will not address the areas where I share your sentiments or agree with your facts. Allow me to suggest "another side of the coin" on some of the other statements you made above -- and this is for everyone. "There is still Freedom of Speech, and slander or defimation has to be proven to be untrue." My experience as journalist is guided by the Associated Press Style Guide and Libel Manual. People have been sued for stating the truth, succcessfully sued, and in my opinion, rightfully so. Not everything true about a person is publishable. "Since they grade in MS format, they are being deceptive. The common person would not be expected to know that they have created there own definition to like grading symbols, unless of course they decide to put disclaimers on their slabs." I think you would be hardpressed to construct a "reasonable person" argument about this. Coin collecting is not something "the common person" does. Anyone who spends any effort to learn about coin collecting soon learns that grading is a subjective art. We tend to have consensus about the easy stuff and disagreements about the fine points. As far as I know, no grading service claims to adhere to any standards except their none. None declares that it follows ANA standards. "So people have a right to speak their mind in my opinion, and that is all I am doing is expressing an opinion. If someone states they prefer Oscar-Meyer to some other frank company, or Ford to GM, that is acceptable,..." That is fine as far as it goes. Impuning motives is another matter, entirely, and is entirely actionable. "I don't deal with people like that, whomever they are." That is well, good, and fine. It is what the market is all about. You find a seller you like. They find a buyer who likes them. We all get our choices. You don't have to like them to like their products or services. You don't have to like the products or services. Personally, when I buy anything, I prefer to deal with someone I can meet face to face. I shop at stores. I go to conventions. I find that it is helpful to build relationships in business. The anonymous bidding and buying and pressing the Magic Gimme Button never appealed to me. But that' me and not you. Michael "self-involved"
mmarotta is quite correct. Look at the ACG lawsuits. Many a person is being sued over what most collectors agree upon. Be careful out there. Why I believe each person has a right and a duty to share their thoughts and opinions, sometimes it is better to share them quietly. Now that is advice I don't always follow, but it is still good advice.
I agree with some of what you said. But I still stand my ground. I will never purchase a coin from them, ah-collectibles, and I will never buy an Accugrade coin. Other's may, I will not under any circumstances. If they don't like that, they can add me to their list. They are on my list already. I don't like them. Angry? Not really. Things happen, and life does not always go your way, in any faucet. But a lesson was learned. Had they had the decency to email me and other bidders with a legit reason for cancelling, I may have felt differently, but that is not the case. And at this point, my mind is made up. Others are free to make their own choices. I just wished to make the event known, and everyone can draw their own conclusions and make their own decisions. I think most have already, from what I understand. I sure have.
This is something that all too many sellers do on ebay. Placing a Reserve on an auction often times has the effect of keeping bidders from bidding - so some sellers prefer not to have one. But if it looks as if the ending price will be less than they want to sell for - they just end the auction. As for a reason - all they have to say is - I forgot to place a Reserve. Whether it is true or not - no one but them will ever know. I think it's a lousy thing to do too - but it's gonna happen from time to time.
Just a couple of additions to Michael's comments, from the perspective of a journalism school graduate who left the profession after 14 years and is now retired after almost 40 years practicing law - 1. Successful defense of a lawsuit can be very expensive, and under our legal system you can't recover those expenses without bringing another lawsuit in which you have to prove that the other side maliciously prosecuted their case knowing that it was unfounded; and even if you win that one there's no guarantee that you'll find unprotected assets to pay your judgment. 2. The "right" side doesn't always win before a jury!
