http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-US-HALF-DOL...355529330QQcategoryZ11969QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Look at the bidding on this auction. This fellow has some buddies who are looking out for him, LOL Bone
Don't be so sure, as >> this << certainly explains the zero feedback seller. Since shill bidding is a violation of EBay's rules, and illegal in most jurisdictions, I'd like to give an elected state official such as Timothy the benefit of the doubt and assume that the zero feedback buyers are just people who have newly discovered EBay by reading about this program :secret: . Someone may get one heck of a bargain on >> this lot <<. It's currently at $50 an ounce.
The auction has only been up and running for 4 hours. 1st bid only 48 minutes after the auction was listed. It NORMALLY takes 1 hour for the auction to become visable. Bone
I don't think that is necessarily so in "celebrity" auctions, with lots of general media publicity. Can any forum members in Massachusetts confirm whether this program has been all over TV and newspapers, as I suspect?
There is no question about who the seller is. When I Googled the State of Massachusetts official website, and went to the Treasury Department there, I found the link I already posted. As a bank lawyer for many years I am familiar with escheat laws, and they work exactly as stated on that website. I think what has really happened is that the publicity given this program in its home state brought a lot of new folks to EBay, and they are the very kind of bidders who are susceptible to "auction fever". People who have no idea of the true value of things, convinced that auctions are always bargains, make ridiculous bids. Many years ago at a US customs auction I saw a used black & white portable TV set that was set up for the European system, and wouldn't receive US broadcasts, go for over $100. At the time Sears was giving away the same size sets free with every color TV console purchase. Actually there are some very experienced EBayers, including a few I recognize, among the many bidders on his auctions.
I don't think it's a scam. The state of Massachusetts has been making a big deal about starting Ebay auctions for abandoned property. Just seems that they're doing their first coin auction now. On the other hand, I would assume that they know nothing about coins and anyone bidding should understand that they're taking the risk of buying a "pig in a poke" to a certain extent. I would anticipate that the buyer will receive exactly what's in the photograph though.
