Thank you Russ (and everyone else that had a hand in getting this guy off ebay)
I was watching a few of the auctions and planned on popping a few bids. Thanks to each of you, I and many others will not have to worry about the hassles that would have happened
This is really wonderful news. We all had our suspicions and the seller was really not helping his cause with his evasive emails.
Based on what Russ had to share, I had enough sense to just not bid and wait. I am glad I did. I really wanted those British gold sovereigns and the German 20 Marks gold coins, but I can get them on another occasion from another seller.
This is kind of nice from ebay that they took action based on some tips. I am sure Russ and others were taken seriously by ebay and the results proved favorable.
In the end, this situation kind of bridged sportscard collectors and coin collectors alike. We stuck together, shared notes and had the same goal. As collectors, we stand united. It was kind of the downfall of this seller for offering so much stuff and in such variety as to include coins and sportscards. It brought two factions of the collecting world against him. The speed in which we all stopped this scam artist had to have been due to the variety of people it attracted from these boards. You coin guys sure do know how to smoke out these scam artists. I can tell you that we do the same with ebay sellers of sportscards. We expose a lot of scam artists as well as share our thoughts on the hobby.
Vigilantism is a good thing. Thank you guys!!
"So many of our DREAMS at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we SUMMON THE WILL they soon become INEVITABLE "- Christopher Reeve
So what would have caused them to NARU the guy? There hadn't been enough time for any type of non-delivery, had there? Could it have been invalid contact information? If so, could the seller correct it and get reinstated?
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
[qDK.....I lost money last year on a few auctions for some beautiful looking "estate" rolls....Payment was sent, checks were cashed and...poof...The seller disappeared into thin air....This seller had built up a respectable feedback on small ticket items and then listed a bunch of valuable rolls all within the same week.....Very similar to what I noticed with the current seller....
Maybe being a bit too cautious, but as my father always preached....
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me"
. >>
I fully agree--having been burned by seller Javajune on a so-called "estate sell" (litigation pending).
I was tempted by these auctions, but as you say "Fool me twice, shame on me"
Could be contact info. More likely they asked for proof that the sales were legitimate and he was unable to provide it. He mentioned a contract in the auctions. If I were eBay, I'd have asked for a faxed copy. If this was a con, he of course would not be able to provide it or any other evidence.
Most likely E-Bay discovered am alternate I.D for this seller, BTW, kudos to the guy's on the sports card forum for contributing admirably to handling this problem--------------------BigE
That was a lot of work for a scam. Usually scammers are quite lazy and would rather use one stolen pic of a single high dollar item than actually take as many pics as this quy did. Also, doing something in that volume is a lot more likely to get attention.
Chalk one up for the good guys....Kudos on a investigative job well done....
I am quite surprised at how quickly E-Bay acted on this....This saved a bunch of folks their hard-earned bucks, and E-Bay a lot of "egg on their face"...
And on that note.....
Will E-Bay notify the 100 or so winners of auctions that ended October 3rd and 4th, before E-Bay suspended him??..... The link for the dime roll I won is still active, and unless I knew otherwise, I would not be able to tell that the seller was a fraud....I would be a shame to see this scammer receive the $100,000 from these two days of sales....
<< <i>That was a lot of work for a scam. Usually scammers are quite lazy and would rather use one stolen pic of a single high dollar item than actually take as many pics as this quy did. Also, doing something in that volume is a lot more likely to get attention.
WH >>
It also appears to have been an attempt to flood the market with hi-dollar coins and sports cards at one swoop, presumably with the intention of taking the money and running before the negative feedback could hit the boards! This appears to have been the "Mother of all Scams!".
Altghough one pious self-proclamed expert on all things numismatic declared "It's a legitimate estate sale", others were more astute and may have been instrumental in exposing a well planned scam. Kudos to the good guys & gals!
1.)what scammers do you know will not end auctions early? 2.)will not sell duplicate items offline? 3.)will not enter in transactions outside of ebay? 4.)sells junk cases along with good cases 5.)lists thousands of items in the same format with the same type of pictures and scanner? items that he had too have because the people would have seen the pictures before as the items are items that some collector would have seen if they were up for auction.
oh wait why didn't the estate take this to a major auction house, why do people sell to mr mint and other dealers at 20% , becasue they don't know any better.
just food for thought, as i am on the other side of the fence. I think the guy is a fool but probably wasn't a scammer . just because he got naru'd doesn't mean anything or prove anything. happy hunting
[q He mentioned a contract in the auctions. If I were eBay, I'd have asked for a faxed copy. If this was a con, he of course would not be able to provide it or any other evidence.
Russ, NCNE >>
What a stupid statement--it this was a con, of course he could fabricate the so called evidence, and would be expected to do so.
Aren't you the know-it-all who earlier proclaimed " It's a legitimate estate sale"? And you have the audacity to refer to me as a "self-proclaimed moron!" Is the pot calling the kettle black?
majorbigtime, you continue to bash Russ, the very person who did all the work to expose this scam?
You continue to be a majorbigashoel like this, and then whine and whine that you don't get taken seriously, or complain that you suffer unfair bashing yourself?.
Russ, your first post to this thread was based on the information you had at the time, and then you went and found more information, and when that information came in, you changed your mind.
MBT: At the beginning of the thread Russ made a statement to the effect that he thought the sale was legit. He then took it a step further and did a considerable amount of work in digging and in the end, saved many people a lot of money. (for which he should get a thanks) You, of course, did nothing to help yet you find it necessary to run your mouth off which you seem to do quite often. I don't make many posts here but notice that you seldom have anything constructive to say. Its always so easy to critisize and you appear to have mastered that in spades. Kindly get back in line and hold the 5 year olds hand in front of you so you don't get lost............................Try growing up and learn to acknowledge that there are people who actually help others, instead of simply trying to spread the s**t as thick as you can.
The scam was broken because Russ emailed the trust and safety department at EBAY. He is responsible for the investigation which resulted in them pulling the auctions. He is to be commended for his actions. This is the route folks should take when they have an issue with an auction on EBAY. Work within the system which the owner has in place(EBAY). Im glad that EBAY cancelled all transactions associated with this scam. Again, Russ was the single primary reason that EBAY cancelled the auctions. Way to go Russ!
In an insane society, a sane person will appear to be insane.
<< <i>majorbigtime, you continue to bash Russ, the very person who did all the work to expose this scam?
>>
yeah, Russ and I seem to have a thing for each other. I agree that he is to be commended for helping expose this large scale apparant scam. The facts are that was dead wrong at the inception, and his recent comment that a con man couldn't fabricate evidence borders on the insane IMO.
Russ has many supporters on this Board, and probably is an intelligent, nice person. He nevertheless has a vicious keyboard, and could benefit from some civility IMO. I'm prepared to bury the hatchet if he willl meet me half way. Same goes for the devil man and the girleyman.
MBT: I would change your statement that you and Russ seem to have a thing for each other to you and just about everyone has a thing for each other. You probably argue with yourself over whether to have a kids meal or go all the way and buy the toy for the extra .99c. I haven't seen one of your posts where you aren't complaining that the world is against you or that somehow you are merely misunderstood. Its hard for people to understand an idiot.
Russ, your first post to this thread was based on the information you had at the time, and then you went and found more information, and when that information came in, you changed your mind.
Comments
3933344101 - 1937 Mercury Dime Original Roll BU (50 coins)
was ended early by eBay. The auction was ended due to the account suspension of the seller.
All results for this auction are null and void.
Regards,
Customer Support (Trust and Safety Department)
eBay Inc
My Auctions
Please be advised that the following auction:
5128032197 - 32 1911 T-205 Baseball Cards w HOF’s EX-MT 3000.00 Cat.
was ended early by eBay. The auction was ended due to the account suspension of
the seller.
All results for this auction are null and void.
Regards,
Customer Support (Trust and Safety Department)
eBay Inc
scott
Well done Russ & everyone!
Best,
Billy
<< <i>This seller is not currently offering any items for sale. >>
Frankly, I'm amazed that eBay jumped on this. They were looking at one HELL of a lot of fees.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>BUYER BEWARE...THIS IS A SCAM !!!!!!! PO BOX ONLY MONEY ORDER /CHECK ONLY >>
Russ, NCNE
Russ, NCNE
I was watching a few of the auctions and planned on popping a few bids. Thanks to each of you, I and many others will not have to worry about the hassles that would have happened
Steve
Based on what Russ had to share, I had enough sense to just not bid and wait. I am glad I did. I really wanted those British gold sovereigns and the German 20 Marks gold coins, but I can get them on another occasion from another seller.
This is kind of nice from ebay that they took action based on some tips. I am sure Russ and others were taken seriously by ebay and the results proved favorable.
In the end, this situation kind of bridged sportscard collectors and coin collectors alike. We stuck together, shared notes and had the same goal. As collectors, we stand united. It was kind of the downfall of this seller for offering so much stuff and in such variety as to include coins and sportscards. It brought two factions of the collecting world against him. The speed in which we all stopped this scam artist had to have been due to the variety of people it attracted from these boards. You coin guys sure do know how to smoke out these scam artists. I can tell you that we do the same with ebay sellers of sportscards. We expose a lot of scam artists as well as share our thoughts on the hobby.
Vigilantism is a good thing. Thank you guys!!
BST: Tennessebanker, Downtown1974, LarkinCollector, nendee
<< <i>Russ....
I have seen you post regularly on this board as a respected member....
>>
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
<< <i>Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! >>
And butt ugly can be seen above.
Russ, NCNE
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Maybe being a bit too cautious, but as my father always preached....
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me"
. >>
I fully agree--having been burned by seller Javajune on a so-called "estate sell" (litigation pending).
I was tempted by these auctions, but as you say "Fool me twice, shame on me"
Could be contact info. More likely they asked for proof that the sales were legitimate and he was unable to provide it. He mentioned a contract in the auctions. If I were eBay, I'd have asked for a faxed copy. If this was a con, he of course would not be able to provide it or any other evidence.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>It's a legitimate estate sale.
Russ, NCNE >>
Good call, self-proclaimed expert!
******
I'm pleased to see this apparent scam unwind. This proves the old addage "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is".
<< <i><< It's a legitimate estate sale.
Russ, NCNE >>
Good call, self-proclaimed expert! >>
Good paste, self-proclaimed moron!
Russ, NCNE
At first I thought the seller was OK, but I had my doubts.
But thanks for "ferreting" him out.
Sorry I couldn't resist.
<< <i>
<< <i>It's a legitimate estate sale.
Russ, NCNE >>
Good call, self-proclaimed expert!
******
I'm pleased to see this apparent scam unwind. This proves the old addage "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". >>
Time for you to go back down the hole you crawled out of.
<< <i>Edited: Tuesday October 05, 2004 at 11:16 PM by majorbigtime >>
WH
Chalk one up for the good guys....Kudos on a investigative job well done....
I am quite surprised at how quickly E-Bay acted on this....This saved a bunch of folks their hard-earned bucks, and E-Bay a lot of "egg on their face"...
And on that note.....
Will E-Bay notify the 100 or so winners of auctions that ended October 3rd and 4th, before E-Bay suspended him??..... The link for the dime roll I won is still active, and unless I knew otherwise, I would not be able to tell that the seller was a fraud....I would be a shame to see this scammer receive the $100,000 from these two days of sales....
<< <i>That was a lot of work for a scam. Usually scammers are quite lazy and would rather use one stolen pic of a single high dollar item than actually take as many pics as this quy did. Also, doing something in that volume is a lot more likely to get attention.
WH >>
It also appears to have been an attempt to flood the market with hi-dollar coins and sports cards at one swoop, presumably with the intention of taking the money and running before the negative feedback could hit the boards! This appears to have been the "Mother of all Scams!".
Altghough one pious self-proclamed expert on all things numismatic declared "It's a legitimate estate sale", others were more astute and may have been instrumental in exposing a well planned scam. Kudos to the good guys & gals!
1.)what scammers do you know will not end auctions early?
2.)will not sell duplicate items offline?
3.)will not enter in transactions outside of ebay?
4.)sells junk cases along with good cases
5.)lists thousands of items in the same format with the same type of pictures and scanner? items that he had too have because the people would have seen the pictures before as the items are items that some collector would have seen if they were up for auction.
oh wait why didn't the estate take this to a major auction house, why do people sell to mr mint and other dealers at 20% , becasue they don't know any better.
just food for thought, as i am on the other side of the fence. I think the guy is a fool but probably wasn't a scammer . just because he got naru'd doesn't mean anything or prove anything. happy hunting
give it up
be grateful
ps
you definitely know your packs!
Gonna be some pain involved.
He mentioned a contract in the auctions. If I were eBay, I'd have asked for a faxed copy. If this was a con, he of course would not be able to provide it or any other evidence.
Russ, NCNE >>
What a stupid statement--it this was a con, of course he could fabricate the so called evidence, and would be expected to do so.
Aren't you the know-it-all who earlier proclaimed " It's a legitimate estate sale"? And you have the audacity to refer to me as a "self-proclaimed moron!" Is the pot calling the kettle black?
You continue to be a majorbigashoel like this, and then whine and whine that you don't get taken seriously, or complain that you suffer unfair bashing yourself?.
Russ, your first post to this thread was based on the information you had at the time, and then you went and found more information, and when that information came in, you changed your mind.
I commend you, and am glad the scam was broken.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
You, of course, did nothing to help yet you find it necessary to run your mouth off which you seem to do quite often. I don't make many posts here but notice that you seldom have anything constructive to say. Its always so easy to critisize and you appear to have mastered that in spades.
Kindly get back in line and hold the 5 year olds hand in front of you so you don't get lost............................Try growing up and learn to acknowledge that there are people who actually help others, instead of simply trying to spread the s**t as thick as you can.
Have a nice day
I'm a skeptic and smelled scam from the start.
Seller went to a lot of trouble to put together a very elaborate scam,and very likely fooled some very savvy people !
Kudo's to "Russ" and the rest of the Coin Cops !
Proof
<< <i>majorbigtime, you continue to bash Russ, the very person who did all the work to expose this scam?
>>
yeah, Russ and I seem to have a thing for each other. I agree that he is to be commended for helping expose this large scale apparant scam. The facts are that was dead wrong at the inception, and his recent comment that a con man couldn't fabricate evidence borders on the insane IMO.
Russ has many supporters on this Board, and probably is an intelligent, nice person. He nevertheless has a vicious keyboard, and could benefit from some civility IMO. I'm prepared to bury the hatchet if he willl meet me half way. Same goes for the devil man and the girleyman.
I haven't seen one of your posts where you aren't complaining that the world is against you or that somehow you are merely misunderstood. Its hard for people to understand an idiot.
Flip flopper, flip flopper, flip flopper!
Russ, NCNE
Russ was duped initially,upon further review he realized that !
You guys really do not know when you are getting played, do you?
"It's a legitimate estate sale."
I cracked up as soon as I saw Russ's first post.
Only after he wrote the seller "just to make sure" and got a response from sketchville, did he start to get suspicious.
Russ, were you pulling our legs from the beginning?
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Was Russ playing us ?
The seller did not fool me.
Edited to add: A lot of Monday morning quarterbacks here...
We really need a jerk now and then to keep things fun.
No biggie because he himself straightened it all out.
Russ iz da man and MBT can't cope with it.
BTW MBT,I still have your ugly mug on my hard drive,should I PM it to Russ and let him have smoe fun????
<< <i>should I PM it to Russ and let him have smoe fun???? >>
I already have his real pic. He runs and cries to Carol anytime anybody posts it, though.
That's okay, it looks very much like the one I posted above.
Russ, NCNE
Just for the record,look at my replies to this post.
I was not the "Monday morning Q back" here