Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Brett_in_Sacto, post: 2256590, member: 71510&quot;]I think everyone in this thread has said the same thing.&nbsp; I&#039;ve used Ebay a LONG long time.&nbsp; In fact one of my earlier purchases was a handgun.&nbsp; (Yes, legally - through an FFL.&nbsp; Ebay used to allow firearm purchases back in &quot;the day&quot;)</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;ve used them to buy, sell, set prices, etc...</p><p><br /></p><p>-Ebay is a factor to be reckoned with - like it or not, it&#039;s a huge AND accessible marketplace</p><p><br /></p><p>-Buyers have too much power and influence without responsibility or consequences</p><p><br /></p><p>-Sellers take on the responsibility and burden of fraud, scams, and unrealistic expectations</p><p><br /></p><p>I have been scammed a few times.&nbsp; Two are &quot;shame on me&quot; (tried to help a school administrator in China get a rare stamp by saving him shipping - got screwed and he said he never received - out $100, shipped a rare knife, dude returned a different/broken one and I never inspected and reported it - out $150).</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;ve received negative feedback over a $3 item that was lost in the mail.&nbsp; Jerk got a refund and was out nothing - I on the other hand got negative feedback.&nbsp; Happened 2 times (albeit the second was a much larger item that eventually got returned because the idiot didn&#039;t sign for it and it was returned) and I lost my &quot;Top Rated&quot; discount seller status.&nbsp; I just stopped auctions and raised prices to ride it out.</p><p><br /></p><p>I think the single biggest issue is the buyers having no responsibility in the transaction.&nbsp; Ability to say or do as they wish with no consequences - and everything to gain from the scam.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>That has been the one change &quot;for the worse&quot; that has affected most sellers and I believe collectively (contact other collector boards - stamps, beanie babies, etc) we could do something about it.</p><p><br /></p><p>The other possibility in this great country is the ability to compete.&nbsp; And many are trying to compete with Ebay.&nbsp; If we did this as a group and said &quot;Cointalk Officially Endorses _______ auctions&quot; and got other groups to do it - there is the possibility of a cultural win - AND the fact that Ebay would have to take a look at the consequences of their decisions (and probably try a hostile buy-out of the endorsed auction site).&nbsp; But it would have to be VERY PUBLIC AND OUTSPOKEN to get attention.</p><p><br /></p><p>If we could get buyers to put skin in the game, we would all be better off.&nbsp; Large groups would have to convince Ebay that their business will go away if we don&#039;t get better protection as sellers.&nbsp; There will always be fraud in every walk of life, especially since we coddle criminals and allow them to roam free (until I&#039;m elected President anyhow - in which case I&#039;d be recommending the death penalty for all repeat offenses!)</p><p><br /></p><p>This all comes down to identity fraud and identity theft.&nbsp; If you had to use one account for life - things would be different.&nbsp; The ability to fire up a new &quot;identity&quot; and get back to scamming is the root source of this issue.&nbsp; I think if Ebay could resolve that - it would do a lot to mitigate the problem.</p><p><br /></p><p>All of this is predicated on an organized effort.&nbsp; One - or even several dozen people would have no affect.&nbsp; It would have to be &quot;hundreds&quot; to start the movement - and &quot;thousands&quot; to make it happen.&nbsp; Must be able to affect Ebay&#039;s bottom line.&nbsp; With PayPal out of the mix - it might be a bit easier to do.</p><p><br /></p><p>Tawk amongst yehselvez....&nbsp; I&#039;m getting verklempt!&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie46" alt=":facepalm:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in