Stock images should not be allowed for representation
oih82w8
Posts: 12,606 ✭✭✭✭✭
Being a visual collector, like most, my attention was drawn upon a "striking" 1921 Peace Dollar, graded PCGS MS6_2_ in the title, no slab image, just the obverse of the coin. My first thought was "WOW' that is a hammer strike!" Well defined hair, clean cheek, the fields were not "baggy" at all. I opened up the listing to find that there was a PCGS holder image, only to have the serial number blurred out and "stock photo" placed within the listing description. And "you will receive a similar coin in grade..." This type of deceptive listing really steams my beans!
oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's
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Comments
I use stock photos all the time for repeatable errors as excellent close up photography takes way too much time.
I always give a super nice BU example that is usually better than the stock photo.
As a buyer, I'm fine with that as long as it not a unique look being shown on the listing. Things that aren't worth slabbing or photographing multiple times, that seems fine. I do want to see real photos of $50+ items, especially if slabbed. Widgets, not an issue.
I hate it. I often look through uncirculated raw coins on ebay and I'll see a thumbnail that looks gemmy, click on it, see a nice 65ish looking coin only to be greeted by "More than 10 available". I understand for a listing like that you can't picture the exact coin, but there's no way all your "BU" coins are gems, at least use a representative picture.
Collector, occasional seller
We only use them for things like modern Proof and Mint sets, not for vintage collector coins.
For a large selection of U.S. Coins & Currency, visit The Reeded Edge's online webstore at the link below.
The Reeded Edge
I TOTALLY agree. As soon as I see this.........or the 10 available blaa blaa blaa.........I click out!
I want to see THE pic of THE coin I am going to get.......no matter what!
I can understand modern sets, those are cookie cutter.
What I am referring to is stuff like this. This is just one type and one seller but this bothers me probably more than it should.
First up: BU peace dollars
Those look nice, let me click on one of them...
Bah, multi-lot auction. Next
Oh look, here is that very same coin pictured in their BU lot but now in a PCGS 65 slab:
and a lot of five with the same coin copy-pasted five times
you know what, why not just go for the whole roll?
What makes this even more irritating is that this is a sponsored seller so their listings are on every search page..
If one doesn't know better or isn't paying attention this can be very misleading.
I should add in fairness that apmex pretty much does the same thing.
Collector, occasional seller
It is very annoying!! Especially, when I come across one that has an unattributed variety. I can see the use of stock photo's for stereos or bicycles, but coins which are unique, need to have a photo of the exact coin being sold.
On the plus side, I have come across a few seller's that are selling multiple coins of the same grade by the same grading company list photo's of all the coin, and giving the option of letting the seller know which one you want. You might not get the one you want if it already sold, but at least all the coins are viewable.
It may be useful to have a filter for stock vs. non-stock photos. As mentioned by Justin above, there are many items where stock photos make sense.
eBay rules state you must have a picture of both the obverse and reverse of the actual coin being sold.
But some sellers decide they don't want to bother - or in most cases like for proof sets, they choose to deceive instead.
I've bought plenty of deep cameo proof sets in the picture but when they arrive they are ordinary sets.
For some reason those sellers put a gem deep cameo set in the listing instead of an average set they will deliver.
Yes, while I understand some degree of justification, I still consider it deceptive... I buy coins on appearance, and expect to get the coin I view. Of course, in private deals, from known individuals, I will buy sight unseen. Cheers, RickO