Look at this listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3914187012&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1 Now, when in the listing, look at the seller's "other items for sale" Now, look at the seller's feedback. He has sold cheap stuff to only 22 buyers over the past 3 months, and now is selling about 15 expensive coins and is demanding payment within 3 days. It will be interesting to see the bidder's feedback in a few weeks. Any guesses what will happen?
Fairly typical pattern for a soon-to-be NARU He'll be working on the positive feedback for a new ID by the time the suckers who buy in his current auctions realize they've been scammed. The private auctions are another tipoff.
What about the coin? Is it legit? Or do you think the whole thing is a scam and the buyer will not get the goods?
Why does E-Bay allow this crap to happen? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what is going on. E-bay should police itself better, or they can wait until the FTC cracks down on them or they get buried by lawsuits.
Why ? They allow the same kind of stuff to happen on TV a thousand times a day. Buy this miracle product and all your troubles will be whisked away - instantly !! Yeah right. It doesn't take a genius to realize that something is wrong. But it's not illegal - for some people will believe in pie in the sky and buy it. I do agree though - it shouldn't be allowed. But who is to judge ? Who is to say this person can sell it but this person can't ? You - me ? Ebay certainly doesn't have anyone qualified to judge. Neither do the TV stations, the newspapers or the radios. If I placed such an item for sale on ebay - would anyone question it ? Well some would sure. But there's a whole lot of folks out there who would not. Some because they know me or know of me. But would ebay question it ? No - of course not. Because they can't. For it is illegal to to say to one person " we think you're a thief " and to another - " you can sell anything you like ". There's a big difference between thinking something and proving something. Once it is proved - they're gonzo. But until then - there's little anyone can do. Except practice a little common sense
GDJMSP, your right, you could find parallels in many other instances. That's why Clark Howard can make a living by telling consumers how to avoid getting ripped off. Stuff like this just bugs me, though. It appears one thing they could do is not allow bidder's userid's to be kept private. What is the purpose of that other than to mislead or have your buddies bid up the price for you?
The best reason there is for keeping a buyer's identity secret is simple - security. Say you want to bid on a coin that cost $1,000 - or $5,000 - do you want everybody in the free world to know that you are buying such coins ? For if they do - you might have a visitor at your home one day And since I've actually had that happen to me - a robbery of my collection - I can tell you it's no dang fun But I was one of the lucky ones. I know enough people and enough other people know me that I was actually able to recover the vast majority of what was stolen. Few are that lucky. So yeah - I can see a valid reason for keeping indentity secret. But that doesn't mean that's why this person is. But ya never know - it all goes back to that proof thing
Well I have looked at both coins this person has for sale. Of course, photos are hard to go by, but check out the rim on the Buffalo. Especially the reverse photo. Look at the scratch on the reverse of the Half dollar. Look how the scratch runs between the letters. Scare me!!!!!!
Yesterday the seller had about 15 coins for sale, may of which looked nice and realized some fairly high bids.
Follow - Up!!! Well, as I anticipated, the E Bay seller I started this thread with is "no longer a registered user". Too bad the feedback is private . . . we would see a lot of curse words from stiffed buyers. Hopefully the "winner" of this Bust Half wised up and did not pay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3914187012&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1
This also looked suspicious - "Check,bank wire,or money order payments only please.PAYMENT DUE RECEIVED 2-3 DAYS OR ITEMS LIQUIDATED."
Unfortunately, other buyers of this person were not so lucky. How many will never again join in on the hobby? I know that EBAY is not full of these kinds of sellers, but it is enough to really make you consider why anyone uses it.
It is up to the Buyers to turn people like this in. I do not hesitate to turn people into Ebay. I have managed to close several auctions. I will look into this one as well.
Well, this auction is over and this seller is, in fact, NARU'd. Wonder what their new ID will be. And I wonder if the same buyers who pumped up the feedback rating will do so again.
What does NARU stand for?? Well, you can say one thing . . . Ebay is one of the last bastions of unfettered capitalism. I just think if they continue to not self-regulate and ignore these problems, lawsuits and/or the FTC will regulate for them.
============ What does NARU stand for?? ============ "No longer a registered user" It really sucks when people try to take advantage of others on Ebay. I but many things from Ebay, and have found it to be a assest most of the time. I have be burned a couple times, not bad. So now, I really watch the coins I buy. On a positive side, I am a RX7 freak and Ebay has been great. Just two nights ago I "sniped" a pair of front Brake Calipers for $100.00 brand new in the box! These retail for over $500.00 for the set from Mazdatrix. So, sometimes it is really sool, but for the rookie, watch out!!!!!
Ebay is just a different marketplace. You have to watch your transactions closely just as you would when dealing with a stranger anywhere else. Remember...use common sense. READ the sellers feedback. There are several things that should start alarm bells ringing in your head. If caution is your credo you'll usually have a pleasant experience, regardless of the marketplace you're buying in.
