Home U.S. Coin Forum
Options

eBay reporting of bad items and bad sellers (not working ?)

dcarrdcarr Posts: 9,063 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited June 7, 2025 1:24AM in U.S. Coin Forum

While looking for something unrelated, I happened to notice this item (an 1877 cent, bid up to almost $900):
https://ebay.com/itm/226795159254
It is no good. Then I looked at the seller's other items. Every single one is bad, including current items and items already sold.
So I clicked on "Report this item". But it was blocked. This message appeared:

I looked, but I can not find any "three-dot icon" or "question mark icon".
And why can't they just put a link to the "submit report" in this message ?

It looks like eBay doesn't even want to know about this sort of thing.
I suppose if they know about it and do nothing, they could be held liable.
But if they don't allow reporting, and don't know about bad listings, they can have some level of deniability of liability.

Comments

  • Russell12Russell12 Posts: 398 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe an easy solution is charging for listings and refund the charge if the item sells?

  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 9,063 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 7, 2025 3:30AM

    @Russell12 said:
    Maybe an easy solution is charging for listings and refund the charge if the item sells?

    .

    That might help a little.
    But look at the sold items from this particular seller. Every coin item (except a few of the Lincoln Cents and one NGC coin) is fake and they have sold thousands of dollars of it.
    I don't think they would care about a listing fee if they garner this much from knowingly selling these:

    https://ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=226795159254&rt=nc&_ssn=pricezright_0&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

    .

  • CommemDudeCommemDude Posts: 2,332 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It's my opinion that ebay is looking to maximize the bottom line right now in order to pretty itself up for a sale to Meta/Facebook, and it may not be surprising that they won't take any actions that hurt their balance sheet

    Dr Mikey
    Commems and Early Type
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,176 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Its a good thing people like us put the word out there (respectivly). Seem it help thru the years, it helps 🙂

  • BullsitterBullsitter Posts: 5,871 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @dcarr said:

    I looked, but I can not find any "three-dot icon" or "question mark icon".

    .
    I couldn't find the three-dot icon either but I found the question-mark icon.
    It is at the bottom right-hand corner on my pages.

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,767 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 7, 2025 9:39AM

    You know it’s a “great item” because it’s from “my father’s and grand dad’s collection.” This line of bull appears over and over on eBay. I guess it must be working.

    EBay’s standard response is, “This item is consistent with our policy,” That says it all.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,861 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Ebay has sunk to new lows in the past few years. Not only do they make the money on fake coin sales, they don't have to pay people to take down bad auctions or get rid of bad sellers. Unforunetly countless new collectors could be totally turned off to collecting coins if it is so easy to purchase a fake coin that the seller declares as genuine. A lot of them won't find out until it is too late. Very disheartening. My guess is that over 50 per cent or more of coin collectors do not visit forums like this one.

    image
  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 9,063 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Bullsitter said:

    @dcarr said:

    I looked, but I can not find any "three-dot icon" or "question mark icon".

    .
    I couldn't find the three-dot icon either but I found the question-mark icon.
    It is at the bottom right-hand corner on my pages.

    .

    Wow, WAY down at the bottom. I can guess why. To make you scroll through a whole bunch of listings to get to it.

    .

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 14,825 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 7, 2025 4:59AM

    @Bullsitter said:

    » show previous quotes
    .
    “I couldn't find the three-dot icon either but I found the question-mark icon.
    It is at the bottom right-hand corner on my pages.”

    Thank you - I’d never seen it until now.

    @dcarr said:

    @Bullsitter said:

    @dcarr said:

    I looked, but I can not find any "three-dot icon" or "question mark icon".

    .
    I couldn't find the three-dot icon either but I found the question-mark icon.
    It is at the bottom right-hand corner on my pages.

    .

    Wow, WAY down at the bottom. I can guess why. To make you scroll through a whole bunch of listings to get to it.

    .

    And they don’t bother to tell you where to find the question mark. Whether not having thought of that or (as I believe, far more likely) intentionally making it hard to locate, that’s pathetic and disgraceful.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 36,390 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Russell12 said:
    Maybe an easy solution is charging for listings and refund the charge if the item sells?

    No thank you

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 35,730 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @dcarr said:

    Wow, WAY down at the bottom. I can guess why. To make you scroll through a whole bunch of listings to get to it.

    .

    no need to scroll. it is always in the lower right as, when you do scroll, it moves up and down as you scroll such that it is always in the lower right

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • MetroDMetroD Posts: 2,373 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It appears that the 'icon' used for reporting depends upon how you access eBay.


    From the app, it is the '3-dot icon'.

    Image courtesy of @Aspie_Rocco.
    Post: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/13904103/#Comment_13904103


    From the website, it is the '? icon'.

    Image courtesy of @IkesT.
    Post: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/13904051/#Comment_13904051


    Source Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1113423/question-on-reporting-fakes-on-ebay

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,545 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That guy's listings are a joke!

    Carr is correct. Most of the listings are bogus, and people are falling for it.

    This, roomies, is a real shame.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • VanHalenVanHalen Posts: 4,330 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I noticed this last week and was able to report a listing on eBay's mobile app. The 3 dot "hamburger menu" is not available on my Windows pc.

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,550 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @dcarr said:

    @Russell12 said:
    Maybe an easy solution is charging for listings and refund the charge if the item sells?

    .

    That might help a little.
    But look at the sold items from this particular seller. Every coin item (except a few of the Lincoln Cents and one NGC coin) is fake and they have sold thousands of dollars of it.
    I don't think they would care about a listing fee if they garner this much from knowingly selling these:

    https://ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=226795159254&rt=nc&_ssn=pricezright_0&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

    .

    wow... that '56 Flyer is pretty obvious but someone spent $1k on it? I suppose PT Barnum was right, but I'm also a little skeptical too. Is it the same cadre of shill bidders "winning" these auctions? eBay has certainly been a platform for running scams in the past... I just wonder how someone with such obvious garbage is still getting positive feedbacks.

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 14,825 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lkenefic said:

    @dcarr said:

    @Russell12 said:
    Maybe an easy solution is charging for listings and refund the charge if the item sells?

    .

    That might help a little.
    But look at the sold items from this particular seller. Every coin item (except a few of the Lincoln Cents and one NGC coin) is fake and they have sold thousands of dollars of it.
    I don't think they would care about a listing fee if they garner this much from knowingly selling these:

    https://ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=226795159254&rt=nc&_ssn=pricezright_0&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

    .

    wow... that '56 Flyer is pretty obvious but someone spent $1k on it? I suppose PT Barnum was right, but I'm also a little skeptical too. Is it the same cadre of shill bidders "winning" these auctions? eBay has certainly been a platform for running scams in the past... I just wonder how someone with such obvious garbage is still getting positive feedbacks.

    I wonder why you “just wonder how such obvious garbage is still getting positive feedbacks”. 😉
    It’s easy to understand - it’s either from shills or clueless buyers who mistakenly think they’re getting good deals.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,767 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 7, 2025 1:45PM

    @MFeld said:

    @lkenefic said:

    @dcarr said:

    @Russell12 said:
    Maybe an easy solution is charging for listings and refund the charge if the item sells?

    .

    That might help a little.
    But look at the sold items from this particular seller. Every coin item (except a few of the Lincoln Cents and one NGC coin) is fake and they have sold thousands of dollars of it.
    I don't think they would care about a listing fee if they garner this much from knowingly selling these:

    https://ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=226795159254&rt=nc&_ssn=pricezright_0&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

    .

    wow... that '56 Flyer is pretty obvious but someone spent $1k on it? I suppose PT Barnum was right, but I'm also a little skeptical too. Is it the same cadre of shill bidders "winning" these auctions? eBay has certainly been a platform for running scams in the past... I just wonder how someone with such obvious garbage is still getting positive feedbacks.

    I wonder why you “just wonder how such obvious garbage is still getting positive feedbacks”. 😉
    It’s easy to understand - it’s either from shills or clueless buyers who mistakenly think they’re getting good deals.

    Yea, dealers sell $13,000 coins for $1,000 all the time. Such dealers are true philanthropists. >:)

    If you want more good advice, consult the fiction section at your local library.

    It’s amazing that eBay lets guys like this continue to use their site, but I guess as long as they are collecting the fees, they don’t care.

    If you read this guy’s sales pitch, which is based on the commentary in “Coin Facts,” it says these coins sell of thousands even in low grade. So why is he selling one in better than low grade for $1,000? Maybe you deserve what happens to you if you can’t come to a reasonable conclusion.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • CregCreg Posts: 831 ✭✭✭✭✭

    How would one report this seller? The photo shows the genuine—

  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 9,063 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MsMorrisine said:

    @dcarr said:

    Wow, WAY down at the bottom. I can guess why. To make you scroll through a whole bunch of listings to get to it.

    .

    no need to scroll. it is always in the lower right as, when you do scroll, it moves up and down as you scroll such that it is always in the lower right

    .

    Ok, yes, I see it floats there, regardless of scrolling.

    I reported the fake 1877 cent and received the typical "nothing wrong" reply.

    .

  • MetroDMetroD Posts: 2,373 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Creg said:
    How would one report this seller? The photo shows the genuine—

    On the website, it looks like it is possible to report this item via the '? icon', even though it is currently "out of stock".

    Appears that you are using the app. Have you tried the '3-dot icon'?

    Video

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,550 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Reported this '56 FE and got the obligatory AI generated A OK... nothing to see here...

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/205518395323

    Seller also has several fake LC's for sale. One looks like a real 1855 knob on ear, five have already been purchased, so I rather doubt the pictures coin is the one you'll receive...

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • CregCreg Posts: 831 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MetroD said:

    @Creg said:
    How would one report this seller? The photo shows the genuine—

    On the website, it looks like it is possible to report this item via the '? icon', even though it is currently "out of stock".

    Appears that you are using the app. Have you tried the '3-dot icon'?

    Video

    I mean that the photo does not show a counterfeit coin. You gotta buy it to prove it. Or report “He’s gonna sell me a fake if I win.”

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 36,390 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Creg said:

    @MetroD said:

    @Creg said:
    How would one report this seller? The photo shows the genuine—

    On the website, it looks like it is possible to report this item via the '? icon', even though it is currently "out of stock".

    Appears that you are using the app. Have you tried the '3-dot icon'?

    Video

    I mean that the photo does not show a counterfeit coin. You gotta buy it to prove it. Or report “He’s gonna sell me a fake if I win.”

    That's the problem with everyone who thinks that this is a problem that can easily be fixed. Anyone running a scam can easily just post a picture of a real coin.

  • MetroDMetroD Posts: 2,373 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Creg said:

    @MetroD said:

    @Creg said:
    How would one report this seller? The photo shows the genuine—

    On the website, it looks like it is possible to report this item via the '? icon', even though it is currently "out of stock".

    Appears that you are using the app. Have you tried the '3-dot icon'?

    Video

    I mean that the photo does not show a counterfeit coin. You gotta buy it to prove it. Or report “He’s gonna sell me a fake if I win.”

    Oops. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,570 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thank you for identifying another unwanted for my “basket of deplorables”. The most and best I can do is add them to “blocked bidder” list. We cannot stop liars , cheaters, thieves, or the like from vending in the marketplace (wherever that may be).

  • renomedphysrenomedphys Posts: 3,813 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Aside from the obvious “know your series, know your coin” advice there is probably nothing that can be done. “Caveat emptor” is real and alive today. As far as stifling the crooks and thieves goes, it’s just pissing into the wind.

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,550 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Creg said:

    @MetroD said:

    @Creg said:
    How would one report this seller? The photo shows the genuine—

    On the website, it looks like it is possible to report this item via the '? icon', even though it is currently "out of stock".

    Appears that you are using the app. Have you tried the '3-dot icon'?

    Video

    I mean that the photo does not show a counterfeit coin. You gotta buy it to prove it. Or report “He’s gonna sell me a fake if I win.”

    Gotta wonder how the same seller manages to sell five 1855 Knob on Ear LCs on the same listing if they weren't selling "Copies"... that aren't stamped as such... and they're just using a stock photo. Or they stole that too...

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 4,536 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 9, 2025 4:36AM

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Russell12 said:
    Maybe an easy solution is charging for listings and refund the charge if the item sells?

    No thank you

    Seriously? You're that cheap? Imagine a $1 up front listing charge per item, good for multiple re-listings, gets applied to the FVF when the item does sell.

    This would dramatically reduce the number of dubious listings in general, cut out almost 100% of counterfeit listings and pocket change errors, and presumably it would give Every legitimate seller a major boost it both sales and visibility.

    Founder- Peak Rarities
    Website
    Instagram
    Facebook

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file