Do you think we now have more scams on ebay than before?

ScarsdaleCoin · February 23, 2006 12:21AM

Is it me ... it appears that the scams, hijacked pics, second chance offer, etc....

has just been going way up over the past few months on ebay!

What do you think?

Numismanic · February 23, 2006 12:23AM

It's a regular circus now.

goose3 · February 23, 2006 12:25AM

it's all Bush's fault.

I usually watch the Flying Eagle section really close. Today's bogus listing of a 56 was the first I've seen in quite some time.

Now that I am selling BB cards (link below

) and asking questions on the PSA boards, There are some sleuths there as well with similar scams to the coin scams....only with expensive cards.

Barberman55 · February 23, 2006 12:28AM

I agree......sure seems like alot more shenanigans going on lately. On the rare occasion that I bid on a coin on Ebay, I really try to stick with reputable sellers on Ebay.

IrishMike · February 23, 2006 12:28AM

Nor sure the percentages are up, but the volume is, most likely due to Bush's economic policies.

There are more sellers than ever before and they have come to learn how lax Ebay is on fraud.

kiyote · February 23, 2006 1:30AM

<< <i>Nor sure the percentages are up, but the volume is, most likely due to Bush's economic policies.

There are more sellers than ever before and they have come to learn how lax Ebay is on fraud. >>

I used to agree with that notion, but if you scam long enough, you get caught! That first night you spend in jail is a long one.

Gemineye · February 23, 2006 2:06AM

<< <i>it's all Bush's fault.

>>

I thought it was Dan Quale's fault...........the ignorance sometimes is overwhelming....................

ziggy29 · February 23, 2006 2:09AM

As mentioned before, I'm not sure the percentage is up. But in terms of sheer numbers, no question about it.

Fairlaneman · February 23, 2006 2:09AM

Bush hell no !! It was Nixon.

Ken

koynekwest · February 23, 2006 6:03AM

Seems like it.

earlwbollinger · February 23, 2006 6:08AM

Yup it sure seems to be up.
I guess everyone and their uncle is jumping on the bandwagon.

kiyote · February 23, 2006 6:43AM

Defining "Scam" is not easy.. someone taking a $1300 payment for a gold coin then never delivering the coin-- is that a scam? Or is that just a flat out theft? How about people that imply a clad, platinum plated quarter would be a good buy at $79 because platinum is over $1000 an oz? When I sold .jpgs of Sony Playstation2s for a BIN of $399.99 with clear instructions on what the bidder was bidding on, was that a scam? I got hundreds of angry people telling me to drop dead, and 35 actual bidders.

bhartman35 · February 23, 2006 7:27AM

kiyote: If you clearly describe to people what they're going to get, and they bid anyway, that's not a scam. An item's value, after all, is determined by what people will pay for it.

However, if you bid on a Playstation, and receive a box with a brick in it for your trouble, then that is a scam, by any definition. I think taking someone's $1300 for a gold coin and then not delivering it definitely qualifies. No question.

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the percentage of scammers has gone up recently. One of the phenomena you're dealing with is the "get rich quick" marketers selling "Make It Big On Ebay" kits. It doesn't take a geniust to figure out that if people pay you for gold coins, and you take their money without giving them gold coins (or anything) you stand to gain a lot of money, if you get away with it. And unfortunately, Ebay is getting a lot of media attention lately for its lax policies on fraud.

I think another problem is there is a greater overall willingness among sellers to absorb negs, because of the volume you're dealing with. It's not so hard to start scammnig when you've got 600 positve transactions under your belt (say, from low-cost items that are easy to ship). All you need is one or two high-price items to scam and you can be on your way -- even setting yourself up with a different user id.

Frankly, this problem was inevitable, because the auction system has become so easy. That's both a blessing and a curse.

Barry · February 23, 2006 7:33AM

Yes, definitely.

GoYankees · February 23, 2006 11:35PM

<< <i>

<< <i>it's all Bush's fault.

>>

I thought it was Dan Quale's fault...........the ignorance sometimes is overwhelming....................

>>

Dick Chaney taught Quayle a lesson!!!

Do you think we now have more scams on ebay than before?

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