How STUPID are bidders?

jmbkb4 · August 13, 2007 6:15AM

So there's this eBayer jackass seller who lists 4 separate 1993 Refractors, all stars, each with VASTLY different pictures. I only care because I sell these cards too and he stole the Sandberg photo from me.

Check this out:

Sandberg (my photo)

Ripken (from someone else)

Gonzalez (from person #3)

Bonds (from person #4)

Basically, he will either send regular 1993 Finest cards OR nothing at all. In any case, it's obviously fraud. I started contacting bidders, but it just got out of control.

In the end, he just robbed people for well over $400.

So, here's my point: OF COURSE there are fraudulent auctions all over eBay. People should know this. Doesn't it make sense to review at least one other auction that the person is selling, etc.?

Of course, I blame the seller, but people can really save themselves 95% of the eBay headaches/fraud by using an ounce of common sense.

CDsNuts · August 13, 2007 6:21AM

People are stupid, no doubt.

This brings up a question I've had for a while: I've always wondered how hard it would be to produce the extra plastic sheet that refracts light and stick it to a card. Seems like that would be an obvious way to scam people.

jmbkb4 · August 13, 2007 6:25AM

Yea, it's actually not quite that simple. I remember asking Phil Gold about that. If you look at a refractor, the player's "skin" is actually not refractive. I don't know how it's done, but I do know that it is much more difficult than putting a layer over a card.

CDsNuts · August 13, 2007 6:28AM

I think it's just a matter of finding the right forumla for the plastic that refracts a specific color light. I'm fairly certain it is just an extra layer of plastic on top of the card. Then again, I really don't know what I'm talking about and have nothing to base this information on.

lawnmowerman · August 13, 2007 6:36AM

<< <i>An optical refractor comprises a plate made of transparent material and having a first surface and a second surface. Segment lens elements of the same size are arranged on the first and second surface of the plate and formed integrally with the plate. The segment lens elements on the first surface are positioned in face-to-face relation with the segment lens elements arranged on the second surface, thus forming pairs of segment lens element. The segment lens elements have a common optical axis and convex surfaces, respectively. The focal lengths defined by these convex surfaces are equal. The focal point of one of the segment lens elements lies on the convex surface of the other segment lens element, and that of the other segment lens element lies on the convex surface of the first segment lens element. >>

Uhhh, words and stuff

The technology cant be too different from the refractor lens the astronomy geeks use

jmbkb4 · August 13, 2007 6:41AM

<< <i>I think it's just a matter of finding the right forumla for the plastic that refracts a specific color light. I'm fairly certain it is just an extra layer of plastic on top of the card. Then again, I really don't know what I'm talking about and have nothing to base this information on. >>

Hmmmmm. When I get that kevin brown you sent me, I'll be sure to take an EXTRA good look at it.

RipublicaninMass · August 13, 2007 6:52AM

How STUPID are bidders?
In a word....VERY...

just not the ones who bid on my auctions

rube26105 · August 13, 2007 9:39AM

you can put a id mark on the pic of your cards so people cant do that,kinda lke the little watermark thing ebay puts there,except your own,ive seen other sellers do it,like have their id or something or even do not copy,i dont know how they do it though,
Randy

zep33 · August 13, 2007 9:43AM

Wow that's ridiculous, looks like an 8 year old typed out the listings and people still bid on them. WOW

Carew29 · August 13, 2007 10:05AM

His English school teacher should tarred and feathered.

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English,Thank a Soldier!!!

zep33 · August 13, 2007 11:15AM

from his payment instructions:

"payment to be made within 7 day,s" and to tell it's not a typo - this: "personal checks will be held til they clear 5-10 day,s"

jmbkb4 · August 13, 2007 11:50AM

I didn't notice that -- yikes!

How STUPID are bidders?

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