eBay shenanigans?
TxCollector
Posts: 441 ✭✭✭✭
Am I right in having my radar go off on the seller erasing out part of the pic of the front of this slab along with showing cut off pics?
I asked for pics that showed the complete slab (both front and back) and this is what I got back...
After asking again for head on pics of the front and back I received no response.
Is this possibly a fake slab? Other than the slab being damaged I'm not sure why the seller would do this and I would have to assume that a reasonable buyer would price in whatever discount they needed to buy a damaged holder.
If I'm being completely off base I'd be interested in learning.
Thanks!
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Comments
Depending upon how long ago you asked for additional pictures, the lack of a response might give me more pause than the current images, themselves. Regardless, if I were in your position and didn’t receive a reply in a reasonable period of time, I’d simply move on.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Did you verify the slab number with PCGS? Same coin? Interestingly the picture of the reverse seems to show the whole slab. If it doesn't pass the "smell test" better to avoid it.
i think he was just erasing another coin behind the one he is selling.
Have you considered asking why the image was edited so that the entire slab isn't visible?
It's not a bad indicator for sellers to make that mistake, he was probably a little lazy or careless. I'd hit the "buy" button until it goes to a price you are comfortable with. As Cramer says "mega booyah!"
I did check the slab number but there wasn’t an associated pic. If there had been a pic on pcgs then at least I could feel comfortable showing a bid on the value of the coin itself.
I’m still waiting for the seller to get back to me on my request for unedited and head on pics. If he doesn’t provide those then I doubt he’ll respond to a query about why they were edited in the first place.
Sounds like the trending thought is to just stay away if it doesn’t smell right.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to post the ideas and opinions.
Since you asked for extra pictures, he provided them and you're asking for more, it's possible he doesn't consider you a serious buyer.
FWIW, I've been selling on eBay for about 25 years and in all that time, I have not made a single sale to someone who asked for and received more pictures.
I have no problem with the photos and why they are cropped the way they are. The seller has positive feedback from buyers with similar edited pictures.
My complaint, so to speak- is why he charges such exuberant postage.
peacockcoins
Doubled posted.
peacockcoins
I'm pretty sure eBay's image editing software will do this if improperly used.
Retail for a small flat rate priority box is around $9.50, through eBay it's about $8. The seller is charging $10.15, which doesn't seem all that excessive.
Definitely possible and I probably should have been more specific in my initial request. There have definitely been times that I’ve asked for more pictures like with the seller of a raw note last month where the pictures were so low res you couldn’t see any detail.
Speaking of shenanigans, how come this thread has only one view and 12 (now 13 comments)? And this is the second time I viewed thus thread?
Throw a coin enough times, and suppose one day it lands on its edge.
And it's not alone.
Throw a coin enough times, and suppose one day it lands on its edge.
I wouldn't be too worried about the poor photoshop job or necessarily the bad slab angles. English may not be their first language. Also check their feedback for any red flags such as item not as described etc.
I will parrot many here. Buy the coin not the holder. If you like the coin, buy it at a price you feel is fair and reasonable for your pocketbook. I have bought coins from sellers that gave me additional pics but usually they try to be more accurate than a side angle shot (unless that's what I asked for - which I do from time to time).
https://www.the4thcoin.com
https://www.ebay.com/str/thefourthcoin
@jeffas1974
It is this. When creating a listing Ebay automatically tries to do this with the main photo at random sometimes. If you don’t catch it, it will show up like that, to remove all background and focus on the item. It is a silly feature in my opinion.
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Interesting that the holder is a gold shield. Wonder if the image is pending.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
This is it; eBay has suggested this edit for me several times and I have to make sure to decline their "helpful" suggestion.
I've asked for an additional pic or better ones before on Ebay and then bought afterwards on a number of occasions. Surprisingly the additional pics made the difference and the coins/holders in those transactions were so much nicer in the later pics. I have come across some shady sellers but then also others are honest and just post poor initial photos and maybe don't realize it or not concerned because of the volume they list.
Pocket Change Inspector
I had one 2 weeks ago who did buy after additional pics. But I can't remember when or if there was one before that.
I'm sure there are some people who have asked for extra pictures and then made a purchase. It hasn't happened to me. The pictures I include in my listings are better than most. I have sold 25-30,000 items on eBay and had maybe 50 or so requests for additional pictures. Since providing them has not resulted in any sales, I no longer do so.
FWIW, the listing has been removed for whatever reason but I think that what you all are saying about the eBay editing makes sense. I’ll now know to not be concerned if I see something like that on any future listings that I come across.
Thanks again to the forum members for educating me.
relisted without the editing.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/115496966362?hash=item1ae427d8da:g:cSoAAOSw6c5i-9dM
BHNC #203
When it comes to ebay, if there is anything flaky about the pictures or the seller, I just move on. Sure, I may miss some deals that way, and it may only be a new seller. However, I have been buying on ebay since the mid nineties, had many great deals and only a couple of bad events. My perspective is, it is just not worth the time and hassle to pursue questionable posted items - for whatever reason. JMO and experiences. Cheers, RickO
Old gold shield slabs didn't have TV included free/by default. I can't comment on this coin specifically because I don't know anything about it, but because the treatment of gold shield coins has changed over time, it's not a guarantee a TV will be/become available.