How long to tell its a scam?

slipgate · February 27, 2006 9:28AM

I thought this was real for a few minutes, the winner is sure to be pissed off! The auction clearly states that it is a repro, if you read long enough. I gotta believe the high bidder did not read long enough since these sell for about $20!

ebay auction

BECOKA · February 27, 2006 9:33AM

Wow, I had to read that twice to see the word reproduction.

At least 2 bidders got fooled to get it well over $20.

DorkGirl · February 27, 2006 9:46AM

That picture in that auction is clearly NOT a "Gallery Proof". It has to be a stolen pic......

Bochiman · February 27, 2006 9:49AM

The title itself would keep me from bidding or accepting it is anything else but a repro.

Edited to add....."reproduction" and "100 Mil Pure Silver Proof " also jumped out at me.....I agree there will be some upset bidders and the seller likely did try to hide it, but, people should learn to be a bit careful on these....

Outhaul · February 27, 2006 10:18AM

Isn't there an eBay rule that says you must state "COPY" or "REPRODUCTION" in the auction title?

Link to the rule anyone?

ER · February 27, 2006 10:22AM

<< That picture in that auction is clearly NOT a "Gallery Proof". It has to be a stolen pic......

>>

flashbang · February 27, 2006 10:25AM

I've seen others doing the same thing, seems to be the new trend

slipgate · February 27, 2006 9:30PM

I sent him an email yesterday explaining that the coin was a repro - this is his response.

"thanks! bid retraction doesn't work within 12 hours of auction close, so I emailed seller and reported item as a fraud to ebay as a backup. thanks again."

So that's good!

100proof1957 · February 27, 2006 9:36PM

Scum !

That pix looks like the real Mccoy

Steve27 · February 27, 2006 9:41PM

I agree the pic is a real MS example.

carl · February 27, 2006 10:53PM

Amazing. I read that thing over and over looking for the reproduction statement and if it wasn't for this thread mentioning it, I would have never noticed. Appears like my brain just went right over that notation.

McDonis · February 27, 2006 11:00PM

Since the auction does state its a repo (even though it a little buried) I doubt ebay will let the bidder off the hook. At least the buyer didnt pay the guy already......

OKbustchaser · February 27, 2006 11:22PM

<< How long to tell its a scam? >>

Quite a while since it isn't a scam. He is selling EXACTLY what he says he is. If a prospective buyer cannot be bothered to read the title and description then "tough nougies"!!!!

13PacesEast · February 27, 2006 11:38PM

slipgate · February 27, 2006 11:44PM

that's a little harsh - obviously the ad was written to deceive. Do you think its fair that he's found a way to word and ad to sell a $20 item for over $100? Then chalk it up to "buyer beware, you were warned!"? Maybe you and I read carefully but even I had to read this twice as it seemed like a really good deal for a rare Morgan. Plus the picture is of an actual Morgan dollar, not the "tribute" Morgan dollar that is for sale!

I thought about this but I can't see any scenario where your answer is the right one, either legally, technically and certainly not morally.

OKbustchaser · February 27, 2006 11:55PM

Absolutely I think it is fair that he sold a 20.00 item for over 100.00. It states very clearly that it is a "gallery proof". It is not a case of "buyer beware" in this situation. It is a case of at least two different people trying to get something for nothing.

I have no sympathy for buyers like this. Zero, nada, none. If a person cannot be bothered to find out what he is buying before he buys it then THAT IS HIS FAULT! Not the seller's for providing the opportunity.

slipgate · February 28, 2006 12:06AM

Your attitude represents everything that is wrong with this hobby. I may be wrong, but I doubt many board members would agree with you on this. The auction is obviously designed to deceive.

You didn't comment on the picture that is not the item being auctioned - I'd call that bait and switch. Is that ok too?

edit: - > I also noticed that even you were fooled - it does NOT say "gallery proof" it says "Proof Gallery Condition"

PerryHall · February 28, 2006 12:15AM

<< 

<< How long to tell its a scam? >>

Quite a while since it isn't a scam. He is selling EXACTLY what he says he is. If a prospective buyer cannot be bothered to read the title and description then "tough nougies"!!!! >>

Do you think he will ship the coin pictured in his auction? If not, its a scam.

OKbustchaser · February 28, 2006 12:24AM

I have no idea whether he will ship the pictured item or not. I have never seen an example of what he is selling and therefore have no comment as to whether it is a real branch mint proof or not. Even if it isn't a picture of what he is selling the bottom line is that the purchaser would perhaps be better served by spending his 100.00 on a reading comprehension course rather than trying to buy something for nothing.

Regardless of how "deceptive" his description is if he delivers what he said he would then there is no scam involved. Had he promised one thing and delivered another that would be different. In this case, he didn't.

Heywood · February 28, 2006 1:03AM

His Gold sales all Say REPRODUCTION either in the title or in Bold heading of the description.

Previous 1894-s sales have all been in the range of $11.56- $67.00 with a bunch in the 30-40 range, so he has fooled abunch of people.

PerryHall · February 28, 2006 1:05AM

He pictured a real coin. He's describing a replica. Therefore, unless he sends both coins, its a scam.

Conder101 · February 28, 2006 1:47AM

<< Regardless of how "deceptive" his description is if he delivers what he said he would then there is no scam involved. Had he promised one thing and delivered another that would be different. In this case, he didn't. >>

If it wasn't for the fact that he included a picture of a real MS Morgan dollar I would agree with you completely. By including that picture, and not stating that it was not the coin you would be receiving it becomes questionable. I see it as a definite implication that that is the coin you are bidding on. (Even though it doesn't really match the description.).

<< that's a little harsh - obviously the ad was written to deceive. >>

Aren't all ads written to deceive? At least to a small extent? The whole idea behind many ads is to convince you that you will be happier if you part with some of your money for what they have.

How long did it take me to know it was a scam? Well as soon as I saw 1894 S Morgan and the word PROOF and not Prooflike major red flags, warning bells and whistles started to wave and go off. So I knew it was almost certainly a scam as soon as I read the title. If I had been browsing eBay and seen that title I would not have even bothered to open it.

How long to tell its a scam?

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