eBay seller listing our coins without permission
nencoin
Posts: 1,320 ✭✭✭✭
We discovered the other day that someone is listing some of our coins for sale on eBay without our permission. I happened to notice they are listing other dealers' coins also, and most likely without their permission. So for one of the coins (ebay.com/itm/352297158953) I contacted them via my personal eBay account asking for an image of the slab. Here was their response:
Could u just please let me know why do u want to see the slab if for sure u know it’s graded by pcgs PR 63 for fact and especially u haven’t made any offer yet!! Sorry for my curiosity! U really don’t believe it’s pcgs graded or I might lying to u? Trust me it’s inside the slab of PCGS PR 63! However I try to do it! I always stated in each of my listings that Ir ur coin was not the same graded that we stated u keep the coin for free and we still full refund ur entire payment! U really need more than that?
I'm tempted to buy one of our coins from them and wait for them to contact us wanting to buy the coin from us. "Oh, I'm sorry, we don't have that coin available at this time." Then watch their excuses start hitting my eBay inbox. : )
Comments
Do it! Lets see where this goes, bring out the popcorn everyone!
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
Curious what his markup is from your price?
all around collector of many fine things
On the other hand, if you are happy with your selling price, why not let someone market your coin for you? It may spur sales on your site because you underprice him.
But your idea is quite funny if it bothers you that much.
Too many fools using this abbreviated language and it is tiring. (And stupid)
"U really don’t believe it’s pcgs graded or I might lying to u?"
"This item has an extended handling time and a delivery estimate greater than 9 business days"
I wonder why?
all around collector of many fine things
maybe the person didn't make it passed 7th grade?
Causes confusion as a potential buyer my think that the OP does not have the coins in his possession.
We have it listed for sale at $2475. I suppose all it takes is one sale to someone who doesn't do their research to make all his efforts worthwhile.
He has sold some stuff, but has about 1800 auctions. Most of it high priced.
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Looks like he sells about one coin a month. Interesting business model. (Has) nice coins listed and 100% positive feedback.
I vote mess 'with the guy'.
Successful transactions with: wondercoin, Tetromibi, PerryHall, PlatinumDuck, JohnMaben/Pegasus Coin & Jewelry, CoinFlip, coinlieutenant, bigjpst, and joebb21.
This is a business model that some have been successful at.
Market an Amazon item on eBay for a small markup. When someone buys that item from you on eBay, you purchase it on Amazon as a gift and have it delivered to the eBay buyer via FREE 2-day shipping and FREE, no-questions-asked returns. One doesn't ever even have to have to touch the product!
They are drop shipping with little or no inventory. It is plenty of work on their end and more exposure for you.
Instead of messing with them by buying (and tying money up a couple weeks), it would be easier to list the same item yourself for $2650.
If someone buys your coin for your asking price, that's good right?!
I just sent a request for the cert number then blocked from bidding on my stuff.
I can go either way on this. If it sells from their listing then your item is sold. It is not too much different than someone buying it and then turning around and selling it.
There is the issue of the market showing more coins available than is actually the case.
The people who should be most pissed are their buyers. The seller is listing an item they don't really own.
Many folks are hitting on the point that it is great if the coin gets purchased at your asking price, regardless of how it is purchased. However, there is the unseen potential for your business name and reputation to be harmed if folks see a third-party offering your coins and they are either offered at very high prices, have long delivery times, receive poor service and communication or deal with an abrasive seller. If my coins were listed by this seller I would get ebay onto them and, failing that, I would take further action.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I asked that seller if he would refund my money if the real owner refused to sell it to him.
I often wondered why I receive something in an Amazon box that I purchased on ebay.......guess I need to do some cross checking when buying, ya think?
bob
How can anyone possibly tie this back to someone who owned the coin before? If they know they coin is for sale from the current owner, they will buy it for half the price right now.
You don't need to buy the coin to tie it back to the original owner or to have your reputation harmed. I very often see the same coin listed by multiple, sometimes even three or four "different" dealers, when scrolling on the net or on using the PCGS registry search feature. All one has to do is interact with this third-party and be offended, turned-off or have red flags raise and they may assume that the third-party and the coin's actual owner are either working closely together or are the same entity.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Sounds like a business problem requiring fast, aggressive legal attack. Fraud, misrepresentation and much of the Consumer Protection Act. Other coin dealers who are being abused by the ebay person should also act.
Pull the listing for a day or two.
As a seller of expensive coins on eBay, I find what that person has done with your inventory terrifying.
I would immediately take any and all measures to stop him from continuing to do that.
PS: Nice 20c piece, by the way!
Wow, even the scratch on the slab [obv] is the same.
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
I believe eBay has a policy (or should) that the seller has to have the item in possession to list it. This one obviously does not, so I would think if this was brought to Ebay's attention they would nuke the auctions and possibly suspend the seller.
BTW reported it for listing practices calling it a PCGS graded coin with no image of the slab.
If nothing else...he's using your photos (cropped I presume).
One side of me says mess with him...make an offer/purchase then watch him tap dance when he can't produce the coin.
Another side says make a listing with the exact same title and with your 'real' price, and add a giant watermarked photo of the full slab.
Another side says file a complaint with eBay--though I'm not sure that this is agains their policy...unless drop shipping is disallowed.
Assuming eBay won't give a rat's patootie about the drop shipping business model, then go after them for the photo violation. That is one I think eBay will act on.
Oh, and my last side (apparently I have 5 of them) is to let it happen and make sure there are nice super sticky stickers on the label on the slab so the buyer might think to check your site first the next time.
Seriously, though, I'd be beyond irked. Someone is being pretty dirty and slimy. Not sure if it's technically illegal if they can pull off the buying/shipping, and produce the coins as advertised. But slimy.
I ran into a similar fishy operation a while back where they "bought" something but didn't pay for it as their "research" showed it was worth more than my listed price. Ebay is about the only auction venue where you get these crazy lowball offers or attempts to scam sellers. And the pig latin language is strange and should be a dead giveaway of imbeciles at work.
all of the pictures are cropped pictures of other peoples listings. Pretty scary
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
Call ebay and inform them that seller is using your pics to sell coins that you possess.
If members here can find the actual ebay seller of coins the perp has listed, message the owner that another ebayer is trying to sell his coins.
Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else. - Bastiat
I had a seller buy an 89-CC dollar from me awhile back. After 4 or 5 days without payment I got curious and searched ebay for 89-CC dollars. Yeap! There it was for several hundred dollars more than I sold it for using my pictures! I called ebay and they nuked it for using my pictures. LOL...Got paid within 12 hours!
Reminds me more of how millennials communicate.
One other option is to file a DMCA takedown notice with eBay, claiming unauthorized use of your copyrighted images.
I've done this a couple times. eBay acted very quickly to remove items which infringed my copyright. Google for the eBay VERO program.
http://www.shieldnickels.net
Looks like I got the cut & paste from nencoin's reply"
My reply was:
"I'm a little baffled about why you typed such a long message instead of just the short certification number. It's standard practice for collectors to verify the certification number. Please send me the certification number or I'll have to pass on the coin. Thank you!"
Then I added:
"I didn't make an offer because I will just use the "buy it now". Send me the certification number or no sale. Sorry."
I have always wondered who this is. I had a person in mind but doubt he would use someone else pic.
I thought per eBay policy you had to show a slab shot?
Anyone that lists a "zinc coated still" Cent is messable.
Pete
Wats ur prob?
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
I vaguely remember that being a requirement but can't find it at the moment.
Actually, as long as they aren't using your name and only your coins, it can only increase your reputation as you will be seen as the reasonably priced alternative.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Change your listing to "No Return" and let him flip it for profit.
He sends me an offer for $200 off and this message:
My reply: "I just don't want to wait, I just want to snatch it quickly. I'll be watching for the cert number. Thanks for the offer!!!!!!"
LOL..... I'm done with him.. You guys can take over.
How deep will this go?
The user can't read the forums, or at least read them often
Does NEN get a slab shot request?
If yes, perhaps it can be in for a cam designation review.
Here's a fun couple of questions to ask him (but it would interfere with NEN playing with him) ...
"If I buy the coin from you, would you send it to me or would Northeastern Numismatics just drop-ship it to me? Or, would it just be easier if I bought it directly from Northeastern Numismatics for $2475 and just sent you the difference?"
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Looks like you got someone trying to help sell coins for you???? I wouldn't be too concerned, in fact you may want to go thank them for the assist. lol
The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.
BOOMIN!™
Wooooha! Did someone just say it's officially "TACO™" Tuesday????
Retiring at 55, what day is today?
Wow! I immediately recognized that 20 cent piece because I’ve viewed it on the northeast Coin website a few times while hunting for seated toners. Curious to see what eBay does
I think your a Russian Spy.
Sad that people are ok with how this is being done.
An ebay seller is selling something that they don't own, don't have possession of, and don't have permission to sell. Plain and simple.
It would be different if you had a business relationship with this other person, but that doesn't exist.
It is outright dishonest and could very easily lead to issues for whoever may purchase it. I prefer all my dealings to be 100% legit and upfront. Obviously, from this thread, there are many who don't....
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Lol who? Me?
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The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.
BOOMIN!™
Wooooha! Did someone just say it's officially "TACO™" Tuesday????
Retiring at 55, what day is today?