eBay sellers, do you think this guy deserves to be blocked from bidding?

Russ · May 16, 2004 2:51AM

So, I get in this morning and do my usual routine of going through the 150 or so, (mostly SPAM), eMail that comes in over night. In my box is this:

<< Date: Sat, 15 May 2004 21:13:59 -0700
From: xxxx@xxxx.com
To: sales@compucheap.com
Subject: Question from eBay Member: 1966 PCGS MS67 CAMEO SMS Kennedy Half REGISTRY QUALITY! (3911447429)
X-eBay-MailTracker: 10023.347.0.1

Dear compucheap,

Hello: I'm a member of PCGS. I would like to look up the Graded Registry number on the slabbed coin to confirm that the coin I'm the high bidder on is in fact the coin your selling. I was wondering why a previous high bidder cancelled his bids so now I'm the high bidder. I hope it's not because the previous high bidder could'nt get the graded registry number from you. Please send me the Registry number for confirmation. Thanks very much. XXXX * KobeKing88888.

To view the item, go to: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3911447429

Thank you,
kobeking88888 >>

My first impulse was to cancel his bid, block him and tell him to piss off since he's basically accusing me of running a scam. But, lately I've been trying to do a little more thinking before swinging.

So, I figure he's just used to eBay being a nest of vipers and decide to respond nicely by sending this:

<< Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 08:47:24 -0700
To: xxxx@xxxx.com
From: Russ <russ@compucheap.com>
Subject: Re: Question from eBay Member: 1966 PCGS MS67 CAMEO SMS Kennedy Half REGISTRY QUALITY! (3911447429)
In-Reply-To: <2119445373.1084680839312.JavaMail.ebayapp@sj-v3conta03>

I have no idea why the previous bidder retracted, but it has nothing to do with certification numbers - since he never contacted me. The cert number for the coin is 5633875, which is also the file name for the image.

Russ >>

Then, a few minutes later I get this:

<< Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 08:52:10 -0700
From: xxxx@xxxx.com
To: sales@compucheap.com
Subject: Question from eBay Member: 1966 PCGS MS67 CAMEO SMS Kennedy Half REGISTRY QUALITY! (3911447429)
X-eBay-MailTracker: 10023.347.0.1

Dear compucheap,

Dear Compucheap: If I do not recieve the PCGS Registry number to confirm this graden I will not purchase the coin. We can both post negative feedback if this occurs. Please email me the PCGS Registry number for me to confirm. Thank you. XXXX * KobeKing88888.

To view the item, go to: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3911447429

Thank you,
kobeking88888 >>

Now, of course, his bid is cancelled and he's blocked from my auctions. Would you have done the same?

Russ, NCNE

kieferscoins · May 16, 2004 2:57AM

Crazy. He is ready to post negative feedback and the auction isn't even over!

Cameron Kiefer

goose3 · May 16, 2004 3:08AM

<< The cert number for the coin is 5633875, which is also the file name for the image. >>

I'm not sure what part of this is so hard to comprehend.

I'd gladly sell any coin I have for LESS to someone that doesn't act like that.

ealandg · May 16, 2004 3:09AM

Sounds like a newbie...

Russ · May 16, 2004 3:11AM

<< Sounds like a newbie... >>

That's the thing, he's not a newbie. He's an experienced eBayer, both as a buyer and a seller.

Russ, NCNE

ealandg · May 16, 2004 3:14AM

I guess you did the right thing, Russ. What a jackass!

jeffnpcb · May 16, 2004 3:24AM

I'd be leary of that auction too Russ!!!! $72.00 is a large chunk of change and without proving that the cert. # was used in a registry set, I'd be stuck on submitting that number and actually improve my position in the registry!

If he is a PCGS member, he would know the cert number is used in the registry with all information needed to be ranked there-in!!

MSD61 · May 16, 2004 3:30AM

I'd block him too. Sounds to me like he is trying to find a reason to get out of buying the coin if he is the winning bidder. What better way than to say "I asked for the cert number but the seller would not give me the info. I don't believe this coin is graded as the seller says so I am not paying for the item."

What a schmola

Russ · May 16, 2004 3:44AM

You know, I think I just figured this guy out. The coin is irrelevant. It is ONLY the label that counts!

Here he is selling a nice set of labels with no images of the coins.

I guess in the future I can dispense with the 600 pixel images of the coin and just take pics of label.

Russ, NCNE

toothpuller · May 16, 2004 3:49AM

Russ, Kobecollector has over 3200 CU posts.

Cherwood · May 16, 2004 3:50AM

Just to play devil's advocate (and I'm not saying this is the case), but since your answer to his first e-mail and his second e-mail are only a few minutes apart, is it possible that he hadn't gotten your e-mail yet?

ksteelheader · May 16, 2004 3:53AM

You did good!!..Ken

Russ · May 16, 2004 4:04AM

<< Russ, Kobecollector has over 3200 CU posts. >>

So what? That doesn't make him any less of an idiot.

<< but since your answer to his first e-mail and his second e-mail are only a few minutes apart, is it possible that he hadn't gotten your e-mail yet? >>

Possible, but it doesn't change the fact that he comes on threatening negatives. Besides, even if that's the case, it doesn't explain the one I got a few minutes ago:

<< Dear compucheap,

Thank you for cancelling my bid. You make no sense not letting bidders have the PCGS registry number so they can confirm. Your selling methods need a lot of help. Please your custommers and you'll get a lot more business in the future. If you feel a threat is posting negative feedback then let it be. Have a wonderful day. All my love. XXXX.

Thank you,
kobeking88888 >>

And, he gets even stupider with this one:

<< Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 10:46:34 -0700 (PDT)
From: xxxx xxx <xxxx@xxxx.com>
Subject: e-bay 1966 Kennedy
To: russ@compucheap.com

Dear Russ:
Why are you so reluctant to give potential buyers the actual photograph of a coin your selling? My high bid was $306.44 on the piece you were selling that books for $650.00. Could have resolved the issue by emailing me the Registry number. Now ya had upset me and report me to ebay. We know where your business is Russ. I got Italian cousins that would love to see you. Better resolve the ebay issue quickly Russ. If I get an email from ebay we will resolve this problem ourselves RUSS!. Kisses. Of course all they'de wanna do is chat with you in person. No threats on this email RUSS!. Just to say you could have handled a lot better RUSS!!!!!!!!!!

Anthony Rigotta
Joey Milanno >>

Good for a laugh, anyway!

Russ, NCNE

boz · May 16, 2004 4:06AM

<< We can both post negative feedback if this occurs >>

I don't think requesting the cert # is all that unreasonable. You stated yourself what ebay "can" be. I used to get the same thing quite often and it didn't concern me. I now just snap a pic of the label and eliminate this entirely.
Concerning the negs. It sounds to me he is expecting a neg from you for backing out on his bid. You can't perceive the "tone" or total meaning by reading a message, unless you're a woman

. It could be that he is just one of those grumpy people that we are all familiar with.
Block him if you must, but I wouldn't. Why lose a customer over something this trivial?

Cherwood · May 16, 2004 4:11AM

Well, his nasty e-mails certainly give reason to cancel his bids. Just wondered, does your e-mail account allow you to check and see your e-mails have been read? Cause his last e-mail, he acts like you never sent it, when you did.

Russ · May 16, 2004 4:11AM

<< I don't think requesting the cert # is all that unreasonable. >>

Boz,

I gave him the cert number.

<< You can't perceive the "tone" or total meaning by reading a message >>

I really think you need to re-read his eMail. The tone and meaning are very clear.

toothpuller,

I just checked Kobecollector's profile. It's not the same guy. Different name, different eMail address.

Russ, NCNE

puff · May 16, 2004 4:23AM

[q/]Dear Russ:
Why are you so reluctant to give potential buyers the actual photograph of a coin your selling? My high bid was $306.44 on the piece you were selling that books for $650.00. Could have resolved the issue by emailing me the Registry number. Now ya had upset me and report me to ebay. We know where your business is Russ. I got Italian cousins that would love to see you. Better resolve the ebay issue quickly Russ. If I get an email from ebay we will resolve this problem ourselves RUSS!. Kisses. Of course all they'de wanna do is chat with you in person. No threats on this email RUSS!. Just to say you could have handled a lot better RUSS!!!!!!!!!!

Anthony Rigotta
Joey Milanno >>

Good for a laugh, anyway!

Russ..... I think those two are members of the Sopranos cast!

boz · May 16, 2004 4:25AM

Russ,
I agree he is a smart/jack a$$. But I'd still take his money in the end.

tgilliams · May 16, 2004 4:44AM

you were too nice!!!!!!

Bikingnut · May 16, 2004 4:50AM

Threatning emails too. I'd report him to more than just ebay.

ElectricEye · May 16, 2004 4:50AM

<< Why lose a customer over something this trivial? >>

He's not a customer, he's a non-customer. Any bidder that insinuates the seller is trying to perpetrate a fraud without any evidence is a PITA. Just as bad, he is reading impaired.

<< My first impulse was to cancel his bid, block him and tell him to piss off since he's basically accusing me of running a scam. >>

First impulses are usually correct.

Boom · May 16, 2004 4:52AM

Well Russ, you know me. I could've bought one posters point that perhaps your emails crossed

but with that much time left to your auction and The Godfather's tone, I would have had to fight the

temptation to come back at him and say, "Well at least I show the friggin coin...ALL YOU SHOW are the

damn numbers fool. If you bother to check your inbox you will see that, indeed, I've sent the numbers

as requested. Here YOU are, the pot calling the kettle black accusing ME of scamming when I happen

to think the same of you. Where are your coins? I have a reason for not showing numbers as I've

had jack asses just like you steal my items' descriptions, photos and all. By the way, have a nice day

as you will no longer bid here and as for your email...it is being sent to ebay. Capiche?"

Aethelred · May 16, 2004 4:53AM

This guy does not sound like a happy person Russ!

I think you did the right thing by blocking him! It might not be a bad idea to add a small pic of the label in your auctions just to put more reasonable bidders at ease.

RNCHSN · May 16, 2004 4:54AM

Forward a copy of his threatening emails to safeharbor. I understand they frown on feedback abuses.

100proof1957 · May 16, 2004 4:54AM

nobody is getting a negative,there was no transaction !
and the Italian e-mail thing,the FBI takes a very dim view of that sort of thing nowadays !
thats actually a terrorist threat.

Proof

Neptune · May 16, 2004 5:03AM

I really don't totally understand this whole thing - it seems very confusing, and have come to conclusion that it is very possible that the guy did not receive your email giving him the number at all. To avoid a neg, I would resend the email to him (with headers showing date and time) - preceded by the statement:

There must be some confusion - or possible there is some reason that the email was not received on your end. Please see previous email sent below with date and time. I am not sure if the problem has arisen on my end, your end - or someplace in between. I have absoutely NO problem ever giving out the information requested.

Note: As far as the pic is concerned - not sure why he said that, since I see a photo plain and clear on the website. I would also state so in the email to him.

Also, I would not post neg on him first - in order to not get the retaliatory. BUT I would notify eBay, SafeHarbor, and anyone else you can think of --- of the "threat". That's a bunch of nonsense .... NOT!
There ARE a bunch of crazies out there - then again, maybe it would be best to IG him? hmmmmmm

Regarding blocking him - very good idea.

edited to add: it's true tho, if there was no transaction, then I don't think feedback can be left. You can check by going to 'your' feedback to see if it allows you to leave feedback for him. His will be the same.

Russ · May 16, 2004 5:10AM

<< To avoid a neg, I would resend the email to him (with headers showing date and time) >>

Did that as soon as I received the eMail threatening the negs. Not an issue now, anyway, since I cancelled his bid and blocked him.

Russ, NCNE

Boom · May 16, 2004 5:23AM

Get a load of this. Let's see if it came out. If not-Oh Well!

Dear kobeking88888,

Excuse me,
I would really appreciate it if you could arrange for me to see the actual coins in the holders, not just the labels. Do you suppose you can make this happen while I check out the rest of your items?
Thanks,
Warren Capone Segura
**********************************************************************************
I'll let you know if he replies

Russ · May 16, 2004 5:29AM

<< It might not be a bad idea to add a small pic of the label >>

You have a point, but I've always figured it's really the coin that matters and labels just take up more space. I think what I may do is add the certification number to all auctions. Now I just do that on the more expensive coins. Of course, anybody who buys from me regularly knows that all they have to do is click properties and check the image file name.

Russ, NCNE

wjd283 · May 16, 2004 5:37AM

Sounds like it was just a misunderstanding at first,then the guy became a total arse.His prevous ebay ID was backgammon777.I'm not sure why people change their ebay ID,but it probably was'nt because he had excellent feedback.

TayTay · May 16, 2004 1:57PM

One of his negs came from a "kobeking8". Nothing to it I'm sure, but pretty ironic.

Dave99B · May 16, 2004 3:22PM

Russ -

He sounds like a total "whack-job".

I'm surprised he didn't try to associate the JFK assassination with the mysterious bid retraction.

You did exactly what I would have done. Good Lord!

Dave

raycyca · May 16, 2004 3:34PM

Don't worry about the loss of this jerk Russ. He was totally in the wrong. Guess who I'll not bid on in the future, even if I need the coin? You're a very knowledgeable individual and have shared many nice photos and have given non-Kennedy collectors plenty of information and I'm sure a few started collecting "our set" after reading/looking at your posts. Maybe, I should be mad. Now, I have others competing for the coins I need! Thanks a lot Russ! PS: YOU SUCK!!! For that damage you MUST send me ALL your AH's tommorrow. Ray

wildjag · May 16, 2004 5:35PM

Thanks for letting us know about these bidders... I just blocked both of them

spy88 · May 16, 2004 6:35PM

Russ,

There is one other possible explanation for his not having received your email in the first place. No one else has mentioned it, so I thought I would.

I get lots of email that is not sent to my in box, but instead, goes to my spam folder. Even when I don't list a key word contained in the email, it sometimes ends up there. Example: all my outbid notices and high bidder notices automatically sent by eBay go to my spam folder.

Maybe, just maybe, that is what happened to yours with the cert #. And he still hasn't found it, or did find it after the fact, and is too embarrassed to admit it.

The only other possibility I can think of, is that he didn't really want to win the auction anyway, so when high bidder withdrew leaving him with the high bid, he got bent out of shape.

Just some thoughts---

David

Justhavingfun · May 16, 2004 10:42PM

Gosh, if there was any doubt that you did the right thing at first, after reading those last two letters, there surely isn't. They really come across as people I wouldn't want to do business with.

Much better to get them out of your life once and for all.

Still shaking my head in disbelief -- apparently threatening your life over a $300 (or was it $650) coin. Same thing.

Just Having Fun

sinin1 · May 16, 2004 11:01PM

he probably thought you were 'shilling him'

I wouldn't have cancelled or blocked his bid

sometimes takes a couple days for me to get email with my cheap service

coincollector1989 · May 17, 2004 12:25AM

Yep I've would have done the same thing.

poptopsRus · May 17, 2004 1:43AM

Added to my blocked list

Boom · May 17, 2004 2:23AM

E P I P H A N Y
I'M HOLLERING TO GET EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION

I have no idea why this person went off on you the way he did Russ, but remember my post from yesterday? Scroll back just a little and find it. Maybe like Spy 88 says, there is a communication breakdown or maybe he just doesn't like you but if you'll look at the ebay email I sent him....here
is his first of two replies to me. I PURPOSELY KEPT HIS REAL NAME OFF OUT OF RESPECT AS I WOULD FOR ANY ONE but suffuce to say ...I believe it was toothpuller...this guy is a poster her, a PCGS / ANACS member/dealer and as I said, there must be an underlying reason that Brother Russ might not be sharing . The guy posts here and I knew it immediately when I saw his name which happened to be on his email address . Here is his initial reply to me:

Dear Warren:

I just can't get the proof quarters to come out right on the digital camera I have. The shots show no deep cameo fields. And when the cameo fields do show their so bright that theres no way you can view in good detail. Tell you what I'll do Warren. I'll offer you a 100% money back guarentee if your not pleased. I don't ever do that on graded slabbed coins but, in this case I figure it's good business for the reason the digital photo's are not clear. Let me know if that sounds like a good deal. Thanks for your interest.

KobeKing88888 *

Boom · May 17, 2004 2:34AM

Now before everybody jumps to conclusions as to why he ended his auction early...here is his
subsequent email, again signed by him which I left off when I copied.........

Hello Warren:

I just emailed the only bidder. I asked if I could end the auction & put the scans I do have. I'll start a new auction thursday early evenning the 20th. Keep an eye out for the auction to end. Be ready to bid when it starts again on thursday if the high bidder says ok. I never just end an auction without letting the high bidder know. It's good business & respect. Thanks warren. keep my user name handy. KobeKing88888. Have a great night

Russ · May 17, 2004 2:43AM

<< ...I believe it was toothpuller...this guy is a poster her >>

The member that toothpooler mentioned is not the same person.

<< there must be an underlying reason that Brother Russ might not be sharing . >>

There is no "underlying" anything that I'm not sharing. It has been posted exactly as it occured. You're a sucker falling for an act from somebody trying to make a sale.

Russ, NCNE

Boom · May 17, 2004 3:00AM

I don't care about his item at all. You drew everyone's attention to this and yesterday I was just as

guilty as everyone else, rushing to judgement. I will know the truth in a couple hours when I get

back as I asked him point blank if he is one and the same person and what the "real deal" is

between you and him. I asked if he posts to these boards and if he is one and the same to come out

and defend himself. We'll see...... we shall see

Russ · May 17, 2004 3:07AM

<< I will know the truth in a couple hours when I get

back as I asked him point blank if he is one and the same person >>

You already know his name and eMail address. Simply check the profile for KOBEcollector at these forums. Both the name and the eMail address are different. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out.

<< and what the "real deal" is

between you and him. >>

The "real deal" is exactly as I have posted it. If you believe anything different coming from him, again, you're a sucker.

Russ, NCNE

ElectricEye · May 17, 2004 3:09AM

<< you're a sucker >>

that's sucka...

Rampage · May 17, 2004 3:12AM

I know who this bidder is. He does allot of error coin transactions, or at least use to. His email strikes me as funny because he has always been a fine person. I have not had communication with this person for quite some time so maybe things have changed.

Rampage · May 17, 2004 3:14AM

Of course I could be wrong and this is someone different.

Russ · May 17, 2004 3:14AM

Oh, and Boom, while you're chatting with your new buddy, you might mention that this one has been forwarded to his ISP:

<< Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 10:46:34 -0700 (PDT)
From: xxxx xxx <xxxx@xxxx.com>
Subject: e-bay 1966 Kennedy
To: russ@compucheap.com

Dear Russ:
Why are you so reluctant to give potential buyers the actual photograph of a coin your selling? My high bid was $306.44 on the piece you were selling that books for $650.00. Could have resolved the issue by emailing me the Registry number. Now ya had upset me and report me to ebay. We know where your business is Russ. I got Italian cousins that would love to see you. Better resolve the ebay issue quickly Russ. If I get an email from ebay we will resolve this problem ourselves RUSS!. Kisses. Of course all they'de wanna do is chat with you in person. No threats on this email RUSS!. Just to say you could have handled a lot better RUSS!!!!!!!!!!

Anthony Rigotta
Joey Milanno >>

I guess he thought he could hide behind his Yahoo eMail address and I couldn't figure out he uses Cox.

Russ, NCNE

Numismanic · May 17, 2004 3:22AM

Russ,

You did the right thing. The buyer should have requested the cert. # before he bid on the coin. Once he bid on the coin he entered into a contract with you, and then to threaten you with a neg before the auction even ended should be enough reason to block this person. The theats he e-mailed you later just reinforces that position.

Boom · May 17, 2004 3:25AM

Hey Russ....
You were right. I'm wrong. It's not the same person at all. He has never posted here. But as I walk out the door, this is what he last had to say and is about to try to make his way here.
Later everybody... I'm a sucka

But here's the other side of the coin!

Dear Warren:

I emailed Russ & requested the PCGS certification number. He replied and said he will not supply me with that imformation due to fraud from buyers or possible listings that other sellers could very well due. I'm a member of PCGS & ANACS and would have liked to check the site to see for myself the grade and if in fact the certification number or coin does really exsist. I've been burned by other sellers before. That's all I wanted to do Warren. I have no clue why he said that. I've been buying coins for over 35 years and was upset when he denied me the PCGS number. Then strangly after 36 hours an email popped up with the certification number only after he blocked me from bidding on any of his auctions. Maybe his original email got lost in Computer space but I really doubt it. Thanks so much for defending me in this case! . I've never read the forum or have no clue how to post there. If you could tell me where to click I'll be happy to post there. I've got a super reputation here on e-bay and a great following with clients.

So you see everyone...Russ was right! I'll be back. Oh and although I never took a swipe at you as you did at me, Russ...wiyh your Name calling, I'm big enough to apologize but at least I sought the truth!

Russ · May 17, 2004 3:40AM

<< I emailed Russ & requested the PCGS certification number. He replied and said he will not supply me with that imformation due to fraud from buyers or possible listings that other sellers could very well due. >>

Not only is he an idiot, he's a liar. Let's see him produce the eMail with headers. My first response to his first inquiry was the one I posted in this thread - the one that provided him with the certification number. Tell your little buddy to grow some balls, register here and try to prove his bullsh!t.

Russ, NCNE

eBay sellers, do you think this guy deserves to be blocked from bidding?

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