Why isn't eBay on the carpet for breaking the law?

topstuf · July 3, 2003 12:45AM

They're so wonderfully adept at prohibiting perfectly LEGAL collectibles and they allow THIS crap.

This POS violates every precept of the Hobby Protection Act and yet is allowed on eBay.

I often wonder if they would take cocaine auctions if "Dad collected it?"

I report these to ebay. Do you?

Jeez, have to edit to provide the link.....SERENITY NOW!!! SERENITY NOW !!

illegal item....against the law......aiding and abetting.....grr

dorkkarl · July 3, 2003 12:59AM

these items are not illegal

K S

JJacks · July 3, 2003 1:01AM

I thought a copy like this is supposed to say "COPY" or something to that effect on it?

JJacks

mbbiker · July 3, 2003 1:03AM

i kinda like it, i know i'll never be able to buy a real one so this would fill the hole. I'm not going to buy it but as long as he is selling it as a copy i see nothing wrong with it.

RNCHSN · July 3, 2003 1:06AM

It's NOT an exact replica and probably doesn't need to be marked as such.

The weight is off, not to mention that there IS NO SUCH COIN as an 1896 Draped Bust dollar with Heraldic Eagle reverse.

I believe there was a thread last week sometime that was relavent to this topic. How old is this piece? If it predates the Hobby Protection Act, it may not even apply.

cherrypickincoin · July 3, 2003 1:10AM

While I agree with you 100% about eBay, this auction is legal. The Hobby Protection Act only states that any coin you wish to introduce into commerce that is a replica must indeed be stamped with the word Copy on it and these items must only be stamped with this after the Hobby Protection Act was made law. Any replicas made prior to this time may simply be sold as Replicas or Copies, so long as they are described as such and there is no fraudulent intent.

Dog97 · July 3, 2003 1:20AM

Having eBay on the carpet for breaking the law would be hard to do when eBay isn't breaking any laws.
That would be akin to having David Hall & CarolJ on the carpet for breaking the law if I were selling replicas on the BS&T Board.

LAWMAN · July 3, 2003 1:20AM

I think it is sufficiently misleading as to be able to fool the novice, hence, it violates the Hobby Protection Act without a prominent labeling of "COPY" on the coin itself. Putting it on E-Bay is putting it into interstate commerce.

RNCHSN · July 3, 2003 1:22AM

Again, it goes back to when it was produced. The Hobby Protection Act only applies to the coins produced AFTER it went into effect.

dorkkarl · July 3, 2003 1:43AM

many of these were replicated long before the law requiring "copy" to be enscribed was enacted. the 1 in question is a very common, old fake

K S

thadd · July 3, 2003 1:56AM

Why don't spend little to own a 200 years-ago nice example for fun & collection?

The seller obviously isn’t the sharpest pencil in the box.

Russ · July 3, 2003 1:59AM

Normally, I'd say that a listing like this is deliberately designed to deceive. It says nothing about relica in the title, and mentions it only a couple times in the description. Anybody who's done business on eBay knows that there are plenty of reading impaired bidders who would never notice where he uses the word "replica".

However, in this case it's a fixed price listing for only $8.99. I don't think this seller is trying to screw anybody.

Russ, NCNE

Oldtrader3 · July 3, 2003 2:04AM

It is noted on the posting that this guy is registered in Hong Kong. He probably doesn't care if it violates US Law or whatever.

Barry · July 3, 2003 2:08AM

OK everybody, repeat after me:

Ebay is just a venue...

Ebay is just a venue...

Ebay is just a venue...

topstuf · July 3, 2003 2:23AM

A venue is a terrible thing to waste.

Change of venue your honor.

OK.....it's legal. It will never be used for fraudulent purposes. It was made in the old days.

Still pisses me off.

Can't sell a Nazi flag, but can sell a phony coin that would be against the law if it was made today.
Oh hell, I'm gonna set off a firework. And drink beer.

And cheer on Shrub's brave and valiant "Bring em on" taunt.

Maybe whiz a coin. Or send some washers to ACG.

sinin1 · July 3, 2003 8:56AM

can't sell a Nazi flag? how about a "German Banner from early 40's Rare Collectible"?

Why isn't eBay on the carpet for breaking the law?

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