Do you use stock photos?

sinin1

Was looking at an auction of a proof set - looked good with what could be a CAM half and DCAM quarter -


Then I looked at what else the seller had listed - a couple hundred items with almost a complete run of proof sets and mint sets from the last 45 years - got me thinking

I asked the seller a question "Do you use stock photos, or is the mint set or proof set pictured the ine delivered?"


the answer "I use stock photos but this set up for auction is actually better than the photo."

ya, right - I hope I do not offend anyone on the board, but is this deceptive advertising? or lazy selling? or just a requirement when selling hundreds of items per week? What are your thoughts?

tjkillian

Every coin is unique so each picture has to be unique as well (I don't do post 1950 coins). Always give an actual picture of the actual coin.

Tom

MadMarty

I post a pic of what the seller is getting also.

Steve27

I believe that if you use a stock photo and do not identify it as such you are breaking the law.

Barry

I don't see anything wrong with stock photos for a generic-type item such as unopened mint sets, unless it's a very old set. For any modern sets, for the prices they go for, isn't closeup pics of each coin asking a bit much? That's what shows are for - you can examine and ogle the coins as long as you want :.)

mdwoods

I think Barry summed it up nicely. mdwoods

CarlWohlforth

The only time I've used a stock photo was for an unopened set. It takes more time but is more accurate.

Russ

I used a stock photo in an auction for a pointed 9 dime once, than accidentally sent a good one to the buyer.

Russ, NCNE

Russ

<< <i>I believe that if you use a stock photo and do not identify it as such you are breaking the law. >>



And, which law would that be?

Russ, NCNE

MacCoin

mint and proof set are all pretty much the same. but it would make me trust the seller a little more if it were labal stock poto.

epruyne

<< <i>

<< <i>I believe that if you use a stock photo and do not identify it as such you are breaking the law. >>



And, which law would that be?

Russ, NCNE >>




I would think that would fall under false advertising

Russ

<< <i>I would think that would fall under false advertising >>



Unlikely. If that were the case, than it would be illegal for any company to use an image in an ad and not send exactly the item pictured. For example, you see an ad on TV for a greatest hits CD. Do you get the actual CD pictured in the ad? Of course not.

It's the same thing with generic low-priced coins and proof/mint sets. A reasonable argument can be made that they are no different than any other commodity product offered for sale.

Russ, NCNE

eagle7

I would think that if someone posted a picture of a 1964 proof set with an ah kennedy which was obviously dcam both obverse and reverse and you duked it out with someone and paid seventy dollars for it, then it came in a plain 64 worth 10.00 you would be kinda put out about it wouldnt you Russ?

epruyne

<< <i>

<< <i>I would think that would fall under false advertising >>



Unlikely. If that were the case, than it would be illegal for any company to use an image in an ad and not send exactly the item pictured. For example, you see an ad on TV for a greatest hits CD. Do you get the actual CD pictured in the ad? Of course not.

It's the same thing with generic low-priced coins and proof/mint sets. A reasonable argument can be made that they are no different than any other commodity product offered for sale. >>



I kind of thought of that but figured that these are considered 'collectables' they would fit under a different umbrella than mass-produced items like cd's...coins are bought for there appeal and look and if you are looking at a set which you didn't know you aren't getting I think that is a little more decieving than not getting the exact copy of a CD with the same material on it as every other cd.
Just opinion

eric

Russ

eagle7,

That scenario would not occur because I always eMail the seller in advance to verify if the set pictured is the one being offered for sale. If I get no answer, or the answer is no, I don't bid. If the answer is yes, and the set that arrives is not the one pictured, than the seller has stepped over the line. But, he has not done so simply by posting a stock photo.

Russ, NCNE

DCAMFranklin

David Hall Rare Coins uses stock photos in their auctions all the time. Shall we complain??

sinin1

DHRC - when they sell from a stock photo it is something like a 1982-S Washington commemorative half in PR69 DCAM, and they say in the description that the "coin pictured is a sample of one of the coins that we have and may not be the actual coin you are buying".

How about deepcameocoin and ultimatecameo - when they sell something that is 1 of 27 and they have 5 of them would you get the coin pictured or a similar coin? It doesn't really matter on top end coins to me unless there was a toning issue or major difference in cameo.

Russ

sinin1,

In the case of those two eBay IDs, (which are both R&I), you get the coin pictured.

Russ, NCNE

CarlWohlforth

I used a stock photo in an auction for a pointed 9 dime once, than accidentally sent a good one to the buyer.

I bought a pointed 9 dime once. Sure was a nice photo! The dime worked out OK too

RGL

The No. 1 question I have to ask sellers: Is this a stock shot or a picture of actual coin/proof set/etc.? I appreciate sellers who tell you up front that is an image of actual item or a stock shot -- a particularly relevant question on raw coins.

Pardon me: I be . Just picked up a PR-68 1952 Jeff (21/0) for what I consider to be a song!

coindaughter

I've used stock photos on unopened rolls, except for photos of the end coins. Otherwise, I've felt that it is worth the extra effort even in low-end coins to show the real deal.

But I *always* disclose if it is a stock photo in the description.

(Current auctions are what you see is what you get)

itsnotjustme

The only time I use a stock photo is when it is a generic item. For example, I own many dozen 2000 silver proof sets. I have no intent to scan each set. I state in the listing "like the one below". Other coins are actual coin, and I provide the cert number.