Are the eBay "Coin Police" Still Active?

CoinRaritiesOnline · July 10, 2007 7:29AM

On eBay, I saw a listing that appears to be selling a $200,000 coin for a buy it now price of around $20,000. Interestingly, his photo has been "borrowed" from PCGS's Coinfacts.com site. The seller is US based (in Iowa), has a perfect (100%) feedback of over 200 comments, so it is a bit odd, and not the usual modus operandi, if indeed it is a scam.

I emailed the seller and asked if:

1. The coin was in some sort of a slab (as it appears to be from the photo)?

2. He would send me additional scans of it?

He responded:

"The coin you see is exactly the coin you will receive.
This is a satisfaction guaranted sale."

Who do I report this suspicious listing to?

FLBuffaloHunter · July 10, 2007 7:32AM

Click on the report this item link at the bottom of the listing page.

UtahCoin · July 10, 2007 7:41AM

Got a link??

CoinRaritiesOnline · July 10, 2007 7:41AM

Thanks. The choices they give you on their drop down menus don't seem to fit this situation. Is there an email address I can send this info to?

Doogy · July 10, 2007 7:44AM

<< Got a link?? >>

i think the Buffalo Hunter was talking about how to report to ebay, not the Coin Posse.

CoinRaritiesOnline · July 10, 2007 7:47AM

<< Got a link?? >>

I don't know how to place a link here. It is ebay item #180137652097.

Again, the feedback on this person makes it look legit.

It is just an unbelievably nice coin for $ 20,950 "or best offer".

I remember that coin, as our firm specializes in early gold. It came out of a Superior auction a few years ago.

Coincidently (!), the photo he is using is the same one that is shown on the coinfacts.com site for the 1795 $5 gold (again, I'd like to insert a link here).

SeaEagleCoins · July 10, 2007 7:52AM

Link

08HALA20 · July 10, 2007 7:57AM

Is it this one?

Rookie Joe

Doogy · July 10, 2007 7:59AM

<< 

<< Got a link?? >>

I don't know how to place a link here. It is ebay item #180137652097.

Again, the feedback on this person makes it look legit.

It is just an unbelievably nice coin for $ 20,950 "or best offer".

I remember that coin, as our firm specializes in early gold. It came out of a Superior auction a few years ago.

Coincidently (!), the photo he is using is the same one that is shown on the coinfacts.com site for the 1795 $5 gold (again, I'd like to insert a link here). >>

don't let feedback fool you. there are plenty of Ebay Power Screwers that are just screwing over the unaware, and doing it thousands of times. His other auctions look fishy too. hey, you need a scooter to go with that fake coin auction!?

Bruceswar · July 10, 2007 8:02AM

Here is another coin he does not own. I think LeeG used to own this coin if he still does not.

Isabella

Edited for typos

CoinRaritiesOnline · July 10, 2007 8:02AM

<< 

<< 

<< 
don't let feedback fool you. there are plenty of Ebay Power Screwers that are just screwing over the unaware, and doing it thousands of times. His other auctions look fishy too. hey, you need a scooter to go with that fake coin auction!? >>

Maybe, but if you look at the "auctions completed" he apparently has sold some scooters to people, as well as a $5000 deal of Morgan $1.

So, it is possible it is legit, I guess. It is just odd that he "borrowed" the image from coinfacts.com and evaded my questions.

CoinRaritiesOnline · July 10, 2007 8:04AM

<< Here is another coin he does not own. I think LeeG used to own this coin if he still does not. Isabella Edited for typos >>

Interesting...

ebaytrader · July 10, 2007 8:18AM

Likely a hijacked account or looking to make a big rip-off and go buh bye.

The 1795 $5 auction is listed with Selling Manager Pro and the Izzie is thru eBay on-line listing. None of the seller's previous auctions have been listed with SMP. Usually lists toys but has listed a number hi end coins.

sinin1 · July 10, 2007 8:19AM

picture is for display purposes.

does this mean you get the coin listed just not pictured?

ebaytrader · July 10, 2007 8:20AM

His last sale resulted in a + FB just 24 hrs after the auction closed.

Bruceswar · July 10, 2007 8:20AM

I have to agree. Looks like a high jacked account.

ebaytrader · July 10, 2007 8:32AM

<< I have to agree. Looks like a high jacked account. >>

I did some back checking and he sold what looks like a legit $5k BIN of some CC $ about 7 weeks ago. This seller is in IA and the buyer in MI. That buyer appears legit. Other than the ripped pix, the guy is setting up a great rip-off, if that's what it is.

TwoSides2aCoin · July 10, 2007 8:36AM

I know that eBay frowns on any ad that says :

PCGS and eBay team up to bring you a POWERSCREWER SPECIAL.
It was my "Second Annual Go Fish Special" ...
MYSTERY LOT.

It was misleading

but it was gooooood !

au58 · July 10, 2007 8:37AM

Could be hijacked, but they don't usually quote QDB and provide U.S. mint historical vignettes.

CoinRaritiesOnline · July 10, 2007 8:40AM

<< Could be hijacked, but they don't usually quote QDB and provide U.S. mint historical vignettes. >>

That's what has me a bit perplexed. It's not an obvious rip-off (at least to me). But the photos are stolen, and the "buy it now" prices seem pretty darn low.

Although, the prose isn't perfect. Here is how that beautiful choice unc. 1795 $5 is described:

<H1 class=itemTitle>1795 GOLD BUST.</H1>VERY FINE-AU DETAIL

morgansforever · July 10, 2007 8:47AM

The 1801 Capped Bust $10, is an NGC pic. Is it his? How could it be, the listing ends with, "The coin pictured is for example only.

Serious bids only. Let me know if additional info is needed".

Serious bidders only, are you kidding! Additional info, how about an original pic.

I say it's a scam.

1801 Capped Bust

CoinRaritiesOnline · July 10, 2007 9:01AM

<< The 1801 Capped Bust $10, is an NGC pic. Is it his? How could it be, the listing ends with, "The coin pictured is for example only. Serious bids only. Let me know if additional info is needed". Serious bidders only, are you kidding! Additional info, how about an original pic. I say it's a scam. 1801 Capped Bust >>

Boy, I hope it is a scam. He shows a "sample picture" of an 1800 $10, and he is selling an 1801 $10.

I guess people who buy $22,500 coins on ebay would only need to know what the general design of the coin looks like. They don't need a picture of the actual coin for sale, or even a sample picture of a coin with the correct date on it.

Where's my checkbook?

morgansforever · July 10, 2007 9:07AM

<<Boy, I hope it is a scam. He shows a "sample picture" of an 1800 $10, and he is selling an 1801 $10.>>

Did you report it? Feebay doesn't make it easy to report fake or misleading auctions, there in the businees of fee's.

I usually end up picking the wrong catagory, from the drop pown menu, but always get a response.

A coin of this nature and a pirated pic, doesn't add up, IMO.

Doogy · July 10, 2007 9:12AM

<< Could be hijacked, but they don't usually quote QDB and provide U.S. mint historical vignettes. >>

not all scammers are morons. With just an hour to spare, a person can become well versed enough to start an auction on a rare coin, just by doing research on the Internet. This looks like a blatant scam, and not one of the better ones either. This guy is not a full on moron, just a moron apprentice

UtahCoin · July 10, 2007 9:13AM

Somebody send him an email and say you live in the area and would like to see it in hand. See what the seller says....

mgoodm3 · July 10, 2007 9:17AM

The isabella images are mine. Don't know if LeeG owns the coin anymore.

morgansforever · July 10, 2007 9:23AM

<<The isabella images are mine. Don't know if LeeG owns the coin anymore.>>

So it's official, this guy pirated some pics, and is trying to fish for suckers?

Well I guess notifying Ebay is the only thing to do, right?

RichieURich · July 10, 2007 9:32AM

In eBay, to report a suspicious item, follow this chain: Help, Help Topics, A - Z index, S, Selling Coins: Restrictions, Report Listing Violations. Then you will need to provide the item number(s) and the details of why the listing is a violation. Please be very specific, as the person reading it might not be knowledgeable about coins. For example, for a counterfeit Seated dollar, say "The date style does not match that of known genuine coins of this date, this date is smaller and placed too high compared to the known genuine coins." Don't just say "The coin looks counterfeit."

Good luck and thanks for reporting bad items.

TwoSides2aCoin · July 10, 2007 9:35AM

buy now $10.95. Need to polish your rare coins ?

We'd best get the Keystone Cops on this one

CaptHenway · July 10, 2007 10:00AM

You forgot to mention that he sells the polishing cloth on his store site.......

TwoSides2aCoin · July 10, 2007 10:05AM

That, too , TD

Joe

Russ · July 10, 2007 10:28AM

Reported.

Russ, NCNE

CoinRaritiesOnline · July 10, 2007 11:12AM

<< Reported. Russ, NCNE >>

Thanks, Russ.

mgoodm3 · July 10, 2007 1:22PM

I emailed him telling him that the isabella images were mine. He sent back an email saying that he took them from coinvalues. And now the images have changed

By the way MikeinFL owns the isabella now.

LeeG · July 10, 2007 9:26PM

<< I emailed him telling him that the isabella images were mine. He sent back an email saying that he took them from coinvalues. And now the images have changed

By the way MikeinFL owns the isabella now. >>

Yup. Sellers remorse on that one

Writersblock · July 11, 2007 2:36AM

Ebay has a specific page for reporting fraud and other problems dealing wih coin auctions Reporting coin auction fraud follow the lik and then click on "Report" at the bottom of the page (I can't get a direct link to that page to work.) This is the same location that RichieURich was talking about. As he says be very specific about what the problem is.

CoinRaritiesOnline · July 12, 2007 10:53AM

Here is a message I received from the true owner of the Isabella 25c that this seller listed on ebay:

-----------------------
Dave,

First, I own the Isabella pictured. As he posted in the thread, Mark Goodman took the photos used.

Second, I asked the seller two questions on the auction of the Isabella:

1. Do you have this coin in-hand and ready to ship? Thanks...
2. And is the coin pictured the one I will receive? Thanks...

His answers:

1. I am brokering the coin, delivery can be at once. Thanks Dave

2. No. The one you will receive is better. Dave

I responded to the second response:

I'm glad to hear you say that, kind of.

Because the coin you pictured is a coin I both own and have in posession, and the images used in your sale were taken by an acquaintance, without his consent.

FYI, you have been reported to eBay for using images you have no right to use.

Have a nice day....Mike

----
Take care, and thank you for pointing out this auction.

-----------------------------

Shortgapbob · July 12, 2007 11:08AM

The Isabella is no longer available for sale.

foundinrolls · July 12, 2007 11:41AM

I reported a bunch of this guys stuff to Ebay. I also found another 1893 CC dollar scam going on so I reported that too.

The Ebay Fraud group is one of the groups and discussions that I take part in. Ebay is full of fraud and Ebay themselves tie us up. They delete any post that we make in that discussion board that actually locates and names a seller that has fraudulent listings.

The group has its heart in the right place and we have done some good works but eBay really seems to support the scammers while they make it almost impossible to warn people of obvious scams before they get stuck with a loss.

au58 · July 13, 2007 4:02AM

Is it likely this guy will get shut down?

Are the eBay "Coin Police" Still Active?

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Are the eBay &quot;Coin Police&quot; Still Active?

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Are the eBay "Coin Police" Still Active?