It's been a while, so I decided to poke around eBay tonight, and what do I find? Three of my coins offered by a fraudulent seller who appears to have hijacked someone else's account. I have the following listed on USACoinBook, and he has them listed on eBay for less: 1869 Dime . . . https://www.usacoinbook.com/item/rare-1869-seated-dime-pcgs-vf20-toughcoins-805568/ https://www.ebay.com/itm/3563333014...6681HH&hash=item52f71eaea7:g:siAAAOSw3e9nTfY0 1926-S Nickel . . . https://www.usacoinbook.com/item/1926-s-buffalo-nickel-5c-anacs-vf20-toughcoins-493523/ https://www.ebay.com/itm/3563334443...Y88SD4&hash=item52f720dcf7:g:WJYAAOSwYA9nTgdM 1882-S Gold $10 . . . https://www.usacoinbook.com/item/scarce-10-00-1882-s-gold-eagle-bu-toughcoins-805574/ https://www.ebay.com/itm/3563339227...C4ERRK&hash=item52f72829ba:g:URUAAOSwjjVnTjEd The worst part about this? eBay's Artie Intel ain't intelligent enough to figure out how to interpret my reports, and remove the listings. There aren't even enough characters in the report form for me to be able to lead eBay by the nose to the evidence. I informed them that the pictured coins are mine, and not the seller's. I even indicated that they are listed on USACoinBook. So, what do I get for responses? They all read the same, except for the report-specific details: "Hello toughcoins, Thanks again for reporting the listing(s) you found. What happened: We looked into your report and didn’t find the listing to be in violation of our policy. This determination was made using automation or artificial intelligence. If you reported content that isn’t listed below, we’ll send a separate email once we’ve made a decision. Your reference ID: 2-188310661660 Here are the listings you reported that are included in this decision: Item: 356333444343 1926-S Buffalo Nickel 5c ANACS VF20 Thank you for being part of the eBay community. Thanks, eBay Please don't reply to this message. It was sent from an address that doesn't accept incoming email." When we complain to eBay, I think all they hear is that same sound Peppermint Pattie heard from her schoolteacher . . . Wah, wah, wah wah wah. Serves me right for choosing to visit their site again . . . stupid me .
It's unfortunate and frustrating that one can't get past the AI and mindless folks at eBay. It should be easier to clear up things like this.
I'm having similar problems with eBay and their "real-time" buyer protection services, where they support Sellers who with flagrancy flaunt their impunity to "Buyer Protection" efforts on eBay. I just allow them to do as they may, establishing a basis for an earned "Class Action" by disregard for State Statutes, known throughout the Numismatic Industry! I give them the "boiler-plate" time/efforts allowed by their published "terms-of-service"! There are multiple firms who've learned that their efforts can be applied through-out the world with net profits, and buyers' incapability to receive recompense. JMHO
I've quit selling there. I won't go so far as to say I'll never sell there again, but it is no longer a pleasurable experience, for sure. I'd like to dial eBay back to 2008 or so, I reckon... *sigh* I'm the kinda guy who'd still be using Windows XP if Microsoft would allow it. Change is not my cuppa tea.
Having dealt with stolen images in another hobby I learned how to put watermarks on all my pics. You can put more than one with one being nearly impossible to see and the other conspicuously visible in a corner near the subject. If someone lifts your image you can then not only get them with putting up a fraudulent auction but really set fire to their seat with a copyright infringement claim which can be very onerous and expensive to the offending party.
Many pic editing programs provide watermarking. For certain file types (jpg, png, tif), it’s possible to add plain text via a feature called EXIF. For that matter, it’s not that hard to slap some plain text on the end of an image file. Both these latter methods require the pic file to be downloaded and examined with an editor to read the plain text. The main advantage of watermarking is that specialized software can surf the net looking for pictures on sites where they shouldn’t be. This procedure is most useful to large media companies with valuable pics and videos to protect … and they have a legal department to enforce their copyrights. Individuals and small businesses pretty much have to rely on website owners to delete images that shouldn’t be there … legal action is too expensive. Cal
Just to clarify. You can submit any image(s) for copyright. I used to submit several images together as a 'years greatest' file and only had to do one filing, one fee that covers all images in that submission. In order to file a violation notice you have to first submit the pic for copyright otherwise this whole thing is moot. Go here to register an image or collection: https://www.copyright.gov/engage/photographers/ To file all you have to do is go to www.IPRCenter.gov and fill out a form. It's really not that expensive and you don't necessarily need a lawyer. If your image is copyright protected and someone uses it without permission you have full legal standing.
Yup, everything you say is true. It’s easy and cheap to copyright a work. Defending it is a different ballgame. Can still be worthwhile to copyright because some folks or companies may be very responsive if you inform them that they have your copyrighted pictures on their website. Other individuals or companies couldn’t care less because they know enforcement would be very expensive or impossible. For example, just getting the real name and address of a seller on eBay can be difficult. Even if you order something from them, the return name and address on the parcel label may not be the real seller because some sellers have merchandise drop-shipped. Going after eBay legally because a seller is using your copyrighted pictures without permission … good luck unless you have deep pockets or can convince a law firm that class-action might work. Best course is to plead your case to eBay and hope for the best outcome. Cal
I am wondering about any guarantee with USACoinBook. If you buy a fake or you don't get a coin on Ebay you are covered buy their guarantee. What about USACoinBook do they have a guarantee?
I'd suggest that you order on eBay, and see what their "real time guarantee" does for you if the Seller doesn't respond within their real time allocated. I believe you'll find your best success is to contact the Seller to determine their response ability, and if they don't properly respond, try to open an eBay "Case"! I've had terrible success with the eBay "guarantee"! JMHO
I don’t have any eBay problems. Never did and I never will. I just don’t buy anything on that web site. There are a number of other places I can buy what I want or need.
I'm glad your needs are met by suppliers, as my "advanced" scarce date MS69-70 Gold coins! I need delivery to a differing state Post Office location, as just ordered 0145 hours Gold NGC MS70 scarce Eagle. Thanks for your information!
I noticed some shops check EBAY for current pricing of coins and you can find them allot cheaper sometimes elsewhere. BUT if you're selling it's a different process.
a lot of ghost bidding does happen on the bay and i dont try to play their game in out bidding someone that is trying to bid their item higher than its worth often they use the bay at time s as a reference ( and more than half the time , they dont even know at how to properly get the sold price listing s ) everyone is expecting the price s that they found or have there they dont understand , what they see , is the asking price i can ask for whatever price they want , doesnt mean i ll get it its not even the sold price s at the end of it all you have to see the sold price it on it and the over all sell s ( like dividing the overall listing and price . and you ll be getting an average overall price for the item , roughly ) you ll also have to consider the fee s and whatever else is associated with it ( which i heard has gone up ) so when they tell me this , this is what it goes for on it i tell them to sell there and i walk away its pointless to waste your time energy to explain the difference s and concept on something that more than half the time they dont understand in using but if your willing to be in reality in parting way s with the item and both individual s come to an agreeable price for it than that s another story , imo
