I've been lurking around for a long time and it's been some time since my last post regarding SGS. We all know about SGS and ABONCOM (Abon.com) (Stargrading.org) being one and the same. I've also done some posting on E-Bay's message board regarding SGS and have had my most recent post deleted by the moderators. Appearently, E-Bay doesn't want members informing other members about the pitfalls of SGS and ABONCOM slabbed and HIGHLY OVERGRADED coins. Here's the letter (below) I just got back today from E-Bay which includes the message I left on the E-Bay message board. I suppose that the truth really hurts E-Bay, but their profits are MORE important. I wanted to point out the pitfalls of any other reseller than ABONCOM making claims about the COA. The only problem I see with it was the listing of two auction item numbers to show the fraud within SGS and ABONCOM's Certificate of Authenticy. Hello, Recently we became aware that your eBay registered account was involved in the following activity: Posting item listing reports or member violations. To report suspected violations, please use our online forms at http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/programs-investigations.html which is not permitted at eBay. This is a copy of your post: SGS and their problem with their COA View Listings | Report Feb-17-06 01:52 PST Here's another problem which might just bite SGS slabs and their resellers. It is the accompanied "CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICY". Here's the exact wording. CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY # "YOUR INDIVIDUALLY REGISTERED SERIAL NUMBER HERE" FOR THIS SGS GRADED COIN DESCRIPTION OF YOUR SGS GUARANTEED COIN HERE STAR GRADING SERVICE (SGS) CERTIFIES THE AUTHENTICY OF THIS COIN AND GUARANTEES SUCH FOR THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE FOR THE LIFE OF THE COIN. WE WILL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE OR ALTERATIONS TO THIS COIN. ANY SUCH ALTERATIONS MAKES OUR GUARANTEE VOID. Now check out what other sellers are saying regarding this COA. Here's one. Guarantee: With your Graded Coins, you will receive the SGS Official Certificate of Authenticity certifying the authenticity of each piece and guarantees the authenticity and grade for the life of the coin. Guarantee is in effect so long as the coin holder and or seals do not show evidence of alteration, tampering, removal, or abuse, and any such alteration, tampering, removal, or abuse makes any guarantee void. Where in their COA guarantee do they guarantee the GRADE of the coin? NOWHERE! The major powerseller here on e-bay who we all know as being the owner of SGS has NEVER made the claim that the GRADE of the coin is guaranteed as the other sellers are doing here on e-bay. OK lets say one of these second hand sellers of the SGS slab sells one of these SGS high graded (but very over graded) coin for near book price. Does the new seller of this coin have to make good on their erroneous grade guarantee? Also, SGS serial numbers are garbage. If you buy the two identical coins with identical grades!!! GUESS what??? The serial numbers are identical. To show this check out these two auctions and their serial numbers listed in the description. 8385212150 8384657969 Under these circumstances how can SGS and their powerseller and owner make the claim "YOUR INDIVIDUALLY REGISTERED SERIAL NUMBER HERE"? Your number is not unique in any way and in no way REGISTERED anywhere except on the slab. Talk about false advertising here on e-bay!!! I really hate how the new collectors to the coin hobby are being manipulated to think that SGS slabs are in any way representative of TRUE GRADING in the coin hobby. We realize that you may not have been aware there was a rule against this activity. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to review our site policies, which can be found at: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/everyone-boards.html Please understand our goal is to help you understand our policies to ensure successful experiences at eBay. Therefore, we respectfully request that you refrain from this activity in the future to avoid the possibility of a suspension of your eBay registration. Thank you for your cooperation in this important matter. Regards, eBay Moderation Team
Just keep posting about SGS and Abon-BOMB. The more you keep this near the top of the boards, the more you will alert newbies of just who they are! Keep up the good work.
