#3897 - 09/05/02 08:46 PM
The ebay advice thread
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Architecht
We apologise again for the fault in the moderation. Those responsible for sacking the people who have just been sacked have been sacked.
It's POSSIBLE that your competitive spirit has displaced your sense of courtesy.
Pedigreed
Registered: 01/25/02
Posts: 5847
Loc: Chicago area
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This is a thread to provide GENERAL information about how to tell a good seller from a potentially fraudulent one on ebay. Tips and tricks to know who's working the system and who's honest.
I will lock this thread to the top for easy reference.
Please, no references to SPECIFIC SELLERS. If you want to talk about that on your own threads, go ahead, but since this will be a preserved reference thread, I would like to keep it general.
Thanks,
Arch
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Hour by hour resolve firmly, like a Roman and a man, to do what comes to hand with correct and natural dignity, and with humanity, independence, and justice. Allow your mind freedom from all other considerations.- Marcus Aurelius -Roman Emperor A.D. 121-180
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#3898 - 09/05/02 09:24 PM
Re: The ebay advice thread
[Re: Architecht]
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Hoot
TOTAL NEWBIE
Registered: 02/07/02
Posts: 7451
Loc: Big Sky Country
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Nice idea Arch! 
In general, if they cannot provide a picture or some sort of specific reference to certification or detail that makes an item unique, then don't bid.
Don't bid with people who do not offer returns. Period. No matter what! UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!!
Don't bid with people who have excessive negative feedback. This one is subjective, but I usually look for negative feedback that is recent. Also, I would consider excessive anything above 0.5 to 1% of transactions. Many would consider this too high. I also pay attention to what is being said in the negative comments: never received item... not as described... fraudulent... tried to substitute another item... etc.
With coins, especially, look for signs of a preposterous claim - MS69 1938-D buffalo nickel comes to mind! Anything of that nature.
Don't buy raw gold.
Don't buy other raw coins without a seller having a stellar reputation and a solid return policy.
Others please!
Hoot
_________________________
I beg you to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without ever noticing it, live your way into the answer. ~Rainer M. Rilke Signature set: Transitional Pieces of 1836-40
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#3899 - 09/05/02 09:33 PM
Re: The eBay Advice Thread for Comics
[Re: Architecht]
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NativeNewYorker
Collectosaurus Rex
Registered: 07/02/02
Posts: 383
Loc: New York City
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The Golden Rule to observe on eBay, or anywhere for that matter, is "If it too good to be true, it probably is". As always, "Caveat Emptor" or "Buyer Beware" .
Read the descriptions carefully, before placing a bid. Some sellers list items with titles that are only half truths.
Examples
Title says NM and description says VF/NM
Title says NM and description says NM but ... 3 inch tear
Title says CGC NM and description says reprint or foreign edition
Title says NM and description says restored (beware of sellers who alter the color of their scans to make a purple CGC label look blue)
Watch out for the sellers that say that they are cleaning out Grandma's attic and they know absolutely nothing about comics, yet are peddling books worth thousands. 99% of those auctions are fraudulent.
Realize that there are many sellers out there who cannot grade accurately. Note sellers who do not normally sell comics (look at seller's other auctions and check feedback) and be skeptical of books that are truly rare / scarce, but presented unslabbed as NM or high grade.
Read the sellers feedback, especially if bidding on an expensive item. It is amazing how many bidders will bid on an item from someone who has an absurd ratio of negs to positives. Beware of those with hidden feedback. What are they trying to hide?
Carefully read the terms of sale. The typical scamster will often say bank check or money order only, so that there is no recourse for the buyer when they find out they've been ripped off. They will also tend to offer things like free shipping, if you overnight them the money before someone catches onto their scam. Realize that some auctions say "All sales are final."
If in doubt, refer to the Golden Rule. Good luck!!
Ted
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#3901 - 09/10/02 11:05 PM
Re: The eBay Advice Thread for Comics
[Re: davefperry]
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Oldtrader3
The Unknown Engineer
Pedigreed
Registered: 01/28/02
Posts: 5681
Loc: Western Washington
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This is a hobby that is comprised of good and bad. E'Bay is a place where you can buy quality coins at a reasonable price. I and many others do it regularly. But, there also are a lot of, shall we say, less than ethical operators on Ebay. It is very difficult to sometimes to be able to separate them, particularly just starting out.
I think that people need to approach E'Bay very cautiously. Over a period of time you will build a cadre of dealers and individuals that you have dealt with several times. Some of my basic rules are:
-Don't buy from dealers that do not have pictures, make that clear pictures, of the merchandize they are selling. A fuzzy picture is worse than no picture.
-Don't ever buy raw coins on E'Bay, particularly gold and more expensive silver coins.
-Don't buy from dealers that write more about themselves (sometimes with their pictures included) than the mechandize they are selling.
-Read Feedback carefully, especially negative feedback. Don't consider it a waste of time to read all their negative feedback. Patterns will emerge on bad dealers. Don't you be their next victim?
-There is no such thing as "Old Estate" (raw) Coins. If the coins were worth anything, they should have been certified.
-Buy only Certified coins. If they are worth it, they would be certified, unless they are really inexpensive coins (Mint Sets, Proof Sets).
- I only buy NGC or PCGS coins on E'Bay. The other services still have a lot of trash out there.
- Above all, never buy ACG certified coins. They are a rip-off.
-If you are not sure about a deal, don't. Sometimes your unconcious is smarter than you are.
- Build relationships. They will really work for you in the future.
-Let the Good Guys know that you appreciate their honesty. It never hurts to say: Hey, thanks for the terrific deal. They will remember you the next time that you buy something from them.
- "Caveat Emptor" always be careful, be cautious.
Edited by Oldtrader3 (09/19/02 12:19 PM)
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#3902 - 09/11/02 09:31 AM
Re: The eBay Advice Thread for Comics
[Re: Oldtrader3]
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Hoot
TOTAL NEWBIE
Registered: 02/07/02
Posts: 7451
Loc: Big Sky Country
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"Sometimes your unconcious is smarter than you are."
Nice Charlie, and true!
Hoot
_________________________
I beg you to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without ever noticing it, live your way into the answer. ~Rainer M. Rilke Signature set: Transitional Pieces of 1836-40
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#3903 - 09/11/02 02:29 PM
Re: The eBay Advice Thread for Comics
[Re: Hoot]
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paigow_johnny
The Collectinator
Registered: 08/30/02
Posts: 369
Loc: Beautiful San Diego, CA
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1. If it seems too good to be true...it most certainly is...
2. Read the negative feedback...and zero in on any comments about selling overgraded or misrepresented merchandise. Read the neutrals as well.
3. Don't bid at or above accepted market price...unless you can't get to an honest dealer and really put hands on merchandise. Patience...a better deal will eventually come along.
4. Pictures and return policy required.
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