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UPDATE: eBay's New Front/Back Photo Policy is Ridiculous...then they actually shut down two auctions

...I had to go in and revise every single one of my auctions to include front/back photos of the slab so they didn't get zapped by eBay. I know I'm beating a dead horse...but after reading about Ira's auctions...I just couldn't take the chance!

Sample Auction
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Comments

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    fcfc Posts: 12,805 ✭✭✭
    i agree with you. a truview pic with a shot of the front of the slab
    showing the grade should be more then enough to satisfy the
    requirement.

    the only thought i can think of is that maybe people try to sell
    slabs that are cracked?!?
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    ellewoodellewood Posts: 1,752 ✭✭✭
    I also wondered if maybe PCGS (and all of the TPG's) are really requesting eBay to do this. Since TrueView pics can be had by just typing in a cert # into your browser, this may also eliminate people stealing TrueViews and using them on eBay. Who knows.

    All I know is that it is very ridiculous. Many members here put together some very professional auctions (example: Ira) and eBay just shuts them down without a warning email???? Crazy stuff! image
    image
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,051 ✭✭✭✭✭
    ebay is to coins what fire is to gasoline.
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    ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 7,876 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Maybe Ebay could be reasonable and at least allow 2 *free* pictures for all auctions in the "coins" category without charging $.15 extra. That would be fair in light of the new policy.
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    ScarsdaleCoinScarsdaleCoin Posts: 5,437 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I believe you could just do 1 pic by not including the grade in the title Correct?
    Jon Lerner - Scarsdale Coin - www.CoinHelp.com
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    smokincoinsmokincoin Posts: 2,636 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Maybe Ebay could be reasonable and at least allow 2 *free* pictures for all auctions in the "coins" category without charging $.15 extra. That would be fair in light of the new policy. >>



    Probably wishful thinking, but I agree with you!
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    if you don't like the rules, you can always take your ball and go home.
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,051 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>if you don't like the rules, you can always take your ball and go home.
    >>

    image

    Listen if you have ears image
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    << <i>Maybe Ebay could be reasonable and at least allow 2 *free* pictures for all auctions in the "coins" category without charging $.15 extra. That would be fair in light of the new policy. >>




    I couldn't say it any better. just another way for them to make more money. I am totally fed up with them, but we need them..... I wish I could start my own auctions website.
    my EBAY items
    Successful forum transactions: jessewvu, nankraut, tootawl, levinll, mistercoinman, metalsman, adamlaneus, chuckc, fivecents, kingplatinum, jdimmick, waterzooey, moderncoinmart, bige, steelielee,
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    OPAOPA Posts: 17,162 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>ebay is to coins what fire is to gasoline. >>



    With all due respect, your statement makes no sense. ... if it wasn't for eBay, numerous coin dealers would be out of business & the coin hobby would not have had the success that it has enjoyed for the last 10 years. I agree, some leeway should be given, but I also understand that eBay cannot show favoritism to any individual(s). Abide by the new coin guidelines & you'll never hear from eBay.
    "Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I believe you could just do 1 pic by not including the grade in the title Correct? >>



    Technically, yes. However, I'd bet dollars to donuts that the T&S drones would still nuke the auction if it was reported.

    Russ, NCNE
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,051 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>ebay is to coins what fire is to gasoline. >>



    With all due respect, your statement makes no sense. ... if it wasn't for eBay, numerous coin dealers would be out of business & the coin hobby would not have had the success that it has enjoyed for the last 10 years. I agree, some leeway should be given, but I also understand that eBay cannot show favoritism to any individual(s). Abide by the new coin guidelines & you'll never hear from eBay. >>



    Looks like my igniter works purdy good , huh ? image I mean that with all due respect. I'm a lawful guy, and I won't hear from them unless they're trying to sell me something.
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    I agree. Legit auctions are getting shut down while other crap rides on. Ebay needs to figure this crap out.
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    << <i>I agree. Legit auctions are getting shut down while other crap rides on. Ebay needs to figure this crap out. >>





    Would somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. It's my understanding that the
    ANA helped with this policy. If so, then they should get re-involved or something
    and help get this starightened out. I'd hate to be a seller a few days into an auction
    with decent interest then have it yanked. Also, it seems they get yanked when some-
    one says something. Are sellers turning in other sellers for anything and everything?



    Jerry
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    ellewoodellewood Posts: 1,752 ✭✭✭
    With all due respect CappedBustDimes, I know I can "take my ball and go home" at any time. I don't have a problem abiding by rules...but the rules really should make sense, ya know? You'll never convince me that this one makes good sense. When I am listing my auction for each coin...I fill in the newly required blanks for the grade, the TPG (used to be just NGC...now it's all of em') and the corresponding certification number for that coin. THAT ALONE should be enough to put me on the hook and to make me liable for what I am selling. So tell me, how does someone browsing my auction know that the reverse slab photograph that I provided really is the reverse of that slab? They don't.
    image
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    ellewoodellewood Posts: 1,752 ✭✭✭
    2sides2acoin,

    That's the beauty of those large TrueView photos...you can really zoom in and crop. Great for error coins! The DDO is a very nice example that I picked up from Andy Skrabalak...ex Ron Bozarth...

    It always boggles my mind how only the ear doubled on this coin and everything else stayed in line.
    image
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    smokincoinsmokincoin Posts: 2,636 ✭✭✭

    Are sellers turning in other sellers for anything and everything?



    Jerry >>



    Afraid so! It's becoming a revenge game! It would be nice if everyone would leave the "technical" violators alone and concentrate on the fakes, crap slabs, hi-jackers, Chinese, etc. that everyone was b_tching about to begin with which prompted the new and often ridiculous "rules".

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    "eBay's New Front/Back Photo Policy is Ridiculous...."

    Yep......They sure fixed that problem.


    Alan
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    TexastTexast Posts: 1,899 ✭✭✭✭
    All you need to pay for is one so it shows up in the gallery, right now that's free. If you learn how to embed the pictures you can put all you want to in your auction, you just need to learn some of the tricks.
    On BS&T Now: Nothing.
    Fighting the Fight for 11 Years with the big "C" - Never Ever Give Up!
    Member PCGS Open Forum board 2002 - 2006 (closed end of 2006) Current board since 2006 Successful trades with many members, over the past two decades, never a bad deal.
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    does anyone know or has anyone surveyed the percentage of coins/numismaterial that sells on ebay compared to all other categories/listings. also, is there an increased amount of fraudulent activity in numis listings when compared to all other listings.

    maybe the bay has tightened its regulation of numis material because it has become a liability. why else would they choose to cancel apparently legitimate auctions and lose listing and final value fees.
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    cheezhedcheezhed Posts: 6,322 ✭✭✭✭✭
    With some Photoshop skills you can easily get all the pictures you may need into one image.

    Here is a pic of a recent auction of mine, again, only one composite image:

    image
    Many happy BST transactions
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    notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭


    << <i>With some Photoshop skills you can easily get all the pictures you may need into one image. Here is a pic of a recent auction of mine, again, only one composite image: image >>



    How long did that take you? I sell dozens presidential dollars per week at a price of $10 to $30 per coin. If you'll photograph an make collages like that for $1-2/coin you're hired. --Jerry
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    notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭


    << <i>does anyone know or has anyone surveyed the percentage of coins/numismaterial that sells on ebay compared to all other categories/listings. also, is there an increased amount of fraudulent activity in numis listings when compared to all other listings. maybe the bay has tightened its regulation of numis material because it has become a liability. why else would they choose to cancel apparently legitimate auctions and lose listing and final value fees. >>



    Russ posted 1% a while back as the percentage coins represent of total ebay sales. I don't think they are trying to get out of the coin business but they are cracking down on fraud as a result of the tiffany lawsuit. Later on, in a court somewhere, they can say "In 2007 we got so tough on fraudulent coin sales that we upset our legitimate sellers to the point that we lost sales, lost sellers, and lost revenue."

    --jerry
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>does anyone know or has anyone surveyed the percentage of coins/numismaterial that sells on ebay compared to all other categories/listings. >>



    Coins amount to approximately 1% of total listings.



    << <i>also, is there an increased amount of fraudulent activity in numis listings when compared to all other listings. >>



    Perhaps there's been an increase, but coins are still not nearly as bad as some other categories - designer jewelry and clothing, for example. Far more fraud in those categories than in coins. Also more draconian enforcement.

    Russ, NCNE
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    blu62vetteblu62vette Posts: 11,968 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I dont get why this is such a big deal to people. If an auction doesnt have a reverse pic I wouldnt even bid. Why would you not want to show both sides of the coins to potential bidders?


    A little photoshop work and you can have both sides on a coin in couple minutes.
    http://www.bluccphotos.com" target="new">BluCC Photos Shows for onsite imaging: Nov Baltimore, FUN, Long Beach http://www.facebook.com/bluccphotos" target="new">BluCC on Facebook
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>If an auction doesnt have a reverse pic I wouldnt even bid. Why would you not want to show both sides of the coins to potential bidders? >>



    You're missing the point. It's not a reverse image of the "coin" that is being discussed, it's a reverse image of the "slab". Many sellers have long used both an image of the obverse and reverse of the coin, plus an image of the obverse of the slab. That type of auction is now being nuked simply because they haven't added a fourth image.

    Russ, NCNE
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    blu62vetteblu62vette Posts: 11,968 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>If an auction doesnt have a reverse pic I wouldnt even bid. Why would you not want to show both sides of the coins to potential bidders? >>



    You're missing the point. It's not a reverse image of the "coin" that is being discussed, it's a reverse image of the "slab". Many sellers have long used both an image of the obverse and reverse of the coin, plus an image of the obverse of the slab. That type of auction is now being nuked simply because they haven't added a fourth image.

    Russ, NCNE >>



    Gotcha I was missing the point there about seeing the slab. I can see the rationale and frustration on that issue. I would think two pics with the supersize option and then maybe closer up pics for toned/VAM/special coins might suffice but I understand that people all have their ways of doing thier auctions.

    Russ- I lost track of time on you ASE 20th set a couple days back......made me mad I missed it.
    http://www.bluccphotos.com" target="new">BluCC Photos Shows for onsite imaging: Nov Baltimore, FUN, Long Beach http://www.facebook.com/bluccphotos" target="new">BluCC on Facebook
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,051 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>2sides2acoin,

    That's the beauty of those large TrueView photos...you can really zoom in and crop. Great for error coins! The DDO is a very nice example that I picked up from Andy Skrabalak...ex Ron Bozarth...

    It always boggles my mind how only the ear doubled on this coin and everything else stayed in line. >>



    Your sample is a beautiful example, ellewood. You've set your BIN price at a very tempting level. I could hate you for it, you know image ? Please forgive me for coveting your goods image
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Russ- I lost track of time on you ASE 20th set a couple days back......made me mad I missed it. >>



    Man, that's a bummer. Just for you, I'll list another one tomorrow night. image

    Russ, NCNE
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,051 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Russ- I lost track of time on you ASE 20th set a couple days back......made me mad I missed it. >>



    Man, that's a bummer. Just for you, I'll list another one tomorrow night. image

    Russ, NCNE >>

    image

    This is the funniest place , too.
    I get the best laughs.
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    blu62vetteblu62vette Posts: 11,968 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Russ- I lost track of time on you ASE 20th set a couple days back......made me mad I missed it. >>



    Man, that's a bummer. Just for you, I'll list another one tomorrow night. image

    Russ, NCNE >>



    That is the customer service I have come to appreciate, I will keep my eyes open.
    http://www.bluccphotos.com" target="new">BluCC Photos Shows for onsite imaging: Nov Baltimore, FUN, Long Beach http://www.facebook.com/bluccphotos" target="new">BluCC on Facebook
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,051 ✭✭✭✭✭
    you guys think we could use Morse code or something ?
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    BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I believe you could just do 1 pic by not including the grade in the title Correct? >>



    Technically, yes. However, I'd bet dollars to donuts that the T&S drones would still nuke the auction if it was reported.

    Russ, NCNE >>



    You also could not include the TPG name in the title. image
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    BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭


    << <i>All you need to pay for is one so it shows up in the gallery, right now that's free. If you learn how to embed the pictures you can put all you want to in your auction, you just need to learn some of the tricks. >>



    This is what I do. I put my photos on photobucket and they provide the html code that you just copy into your auction and then the photo just shows up. image
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    ellewoodellewood Posts: 1,752 ✭✭✭
    This is what I do. I put my photos on photobucket and they provide the html code that you just copy into your auction and then the photo just shows up.

    Oh yeah...I do the same thing for each of my auctions...I embed the pictures in the text of my auction (photos are hosted on pbase). I hope no one thinks I started this post because I didn't want to pay another whopping 15 cents for the extra photo that they are asking for! image

    image
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    BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭


    << <i>This is what I do. I put my photos on photobucket and they provide the html code that you just copy into your auction and then the photo just shows up.

    Oh yeah...I do the same thing for each of my auctions...I embed the pictures in the text of my auction (photos are hosted on pbase). I hope no one thinks I started this post because I didn't want to pay another whopping 15 cents for the extra photo that they are asking for! image >>



    I know why you started the post. I ended about 50 auctions in frustration. Especially the auctions where I was selling 4 slabs and because of space only included the 4 frontals. Modern stuff so the back is not required because I'll be darned if you can grade a 69 from an e-bay photo. image
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    BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>With some Photoshop skills you can easily get all the pictures you may need into one image. Here is a pic of a recent auction of mine, again, only one composite image: image >>



    How long did that take you? I sell dozens presidential dollars per week at a price of $10 to $30 per coin. If you'll photograph an make collages like that for $1-2/coin you're hired. --Jerry >>



    Not sure how long it took him but if you already have the photos, this post process should only take less than 5 minutes.
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    I've always included a photo of the back of the slab, but that's just me. The rule only makes sense if there were identifying marks on the reverse of the slab and there are none. eBay just sets these rules without thinking it completely through. You'd think they'd sit in a meeting and vet the rules a bit to see what is practical, makes sense, and protects the potential buyer.

    But then again I look at some of the inane, poorly produced commercials on the tube and tell my wife "Somewhere, people who are paid far more that us, sat in a room, watched this stupidity and thought it was a good ad!"
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    I wonder how long it will be before Ebay cracks down on composite photos by limiting
    the size, etc. No one can milk $$ out of it's customers like that company.
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    I am a collector and not a seller and I find the big lack of reverse pictures very frustrating.

    There are 4 different reverse 1968 S quarters and only 1 obverse as far as I know. But just try to find a reverse you want.

    There are 17 auctions and 53 store items for these on eBay right now. A reverse picture is most unusual on any of these.

    Do the rules apply for store items? I see PR66, proof MS 65, MS 65 Proof, and PCI certified PR 69 DCAM (incidently $595 buy it now) in the titles.

    But this may be the wildest one. Check this "sock" photo of a proof Cent 1968 S proof quarter.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/HIGH-GRADE-1968-S-PROOF-WASHINGTON-QUARTER-CAMEO-COIN_W0QQitemZ270188112791QQihZ017QQcategoryZ39463QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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    ellewoodellewood Posts: 1,752 ✭✭✭
    ProofArtWorkonCircs,

    As Russ said earlier in this post:

    You're missing the point. It's not a reverse image of the "coin" that is being discussed, it's a reverse image of the "slab". Many sellers have long used both an image of the obverse and reverse of the coin, plus an image of the obverse of the slab. That type of auction is now being nuked simply because they haven't added a fourth image.

    Russ, NCNE

    image
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    mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    Anything ebay does to try to improve the honesty in listings is fine with me.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
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    notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    Unfortunately, the new policy results in lower quality photos for me. I used to have a large photo of the front slab and then huge photos of the obv and rev of the coin. Now having the large coin only photos confused ebay and they take down your auctions, even if you have both slabs. So i just put a photo of the slab front and back. Not nearly as big or detailed but it meets ebay rules. --Jerry
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    Please forgive me Ellewood and Russ.

    I just could not resist the opportunity to vent. When the action is on the reverse, I wish they would show it.
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    notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Please forgive me Ellewood and Russ. I just could not resist the opportunity to vent. When the action is on the reverse, I wish they would show it. >>



    No problem venting. It is those who don't show it that this rule is meant to improve. You should see more reverse photos now but they'll be the entire slab rather than a closeup of the coin.
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Now having the large coin only photos confused ebay and they take down your auctions, even if you have both slabs. >>



    They haven't taken down any of mine, and I still use a large obverse, large reverse and an image of the slab. The only change I made was that instead of an image of just the obverse of the slab I create a composite of both the obverse and reverse.

    Russ, NCNE
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    ellewoodellewood Posts: 1,752 ✭✭✭
    Thanksgiving evening here...and I come home to find two of my auctions shut down (out of 14 total). Every single auction was built the same exact way with all requirements met from the new ridiculous eBay policy. I EVEN HAVE A PHOTO WITH LETTERING THAT SAYS THE FRONT AND BACK PHOTOS ARE ON THERE TO ABIDE BY EBAYS NEW POLICY!!!!!!

    To say I am angry right now is an understatement.

    So I call the eBay customer service line and speak to someone right away. I walk him thru a couple of my auctions that are still running and he can't seem to find anything that would trigger them to shut down the other two auctions of mine that they nuked. Gee, what a freakin suprise. This is the best part. In order to "cut down on the volume of calls that they are receiving about this", I have to send an email from a link that they provided to me in my cancellation notice email if I want specifics as to why my auctions were cancelled. There are experiencing high volumes of calls regarding counterfeiting cancellations...so I have to email them to get the info. Maybe if your policy wasn't so f-ed up on the first place, you wouldn't get thousands of calls from the thousands of LEGIT sellers who's auctions your cancelling!!!!

    Now I wait on a response within 48 hours. These people have it ALL wrong. ALL WRONG. They are now cancelling auctions from good coin dealers and collectors on a daily basis and, in the same breath, accusing them of fraud and misrepresentation. If I had the time on my hands, I'd hire a lawyer and go after the SOBs. After these auctions are up, the remainder of my collection (50+ coins) is going to an auction house....not to eBay. They'll be lucky if I ever list another auction with them again.
    image
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    Are the listings this is happening to being ended, or are they being disappeared entirely into the ether so you have to start over from scratch?
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
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    smokincoinsmokincoin Posts: 2,636 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Thanksgiving evening here...and I come home to find two of my auctions shut down (out of 14 total). Every single auction was built the same exact way with all requirements met from the new ridiculous eBay policy. I EVEN HAVE A PHOTO WITH LETTERING THAT SAYS THE FRONT AND BACK PHOTOS ARE ON THERE TO ABIDE BY EBAYS NEW POLICY!!!!!!

    To say I am angry right now is an understatement.

    So I call the eBay customer service line and speak to someone right away. I walk him thru a couple of my auctions that are still running and he can't seem to find anything that would trigger them to shut down the other two auctions of mine that they nuked. Gee, what a freakin suprise. This is the best part. In order to "cut down on the volume of calls that they are receiving about this", I have to send an email from a link that they provided to me in my cancellation notice email if I want specifics as to why my auctions were cancelled. There are experiencing high volumes of calls regarding counterfeiting cancellations...so I have to email them to get the info. Maybe if your policy wasn't so f-ed up on the first place, you wouldn't get thousands of calls from the thousands of LEGIT sellers who's auctions your cancelling!!!!

    Now I wait on a response within 48 hours. These people have it ALL wrong. ALL WRONG. They are now cancelling auctions from good coin dealers and collectors on a daily basis and, in the same breath, accusing them of fraud and misrepresentation. If I had the time on my hands, I'd hire a lawyer and go after the SOBs. After these auctions are up, the remainder of my collection (50+ coins) is going to an auction house....not to eBay. They'll be lucky if I ever list another auction with them again. >>



    A few of us have been warning of this very thing! Who have you upset lately? Ratted on anyone else? Linked your auctions to this forum? Sounds like sellers revenge to me.
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    ellewoodellewood Posts: 1,752 ✭✭✭
    The listings just dissappear and you receive an email stating that the auction has ended AND that any bidders have been notified as well. Lucky for me that 1 of the 2 auctions that they cancelled had already ended with Buy It Now (I know...figure that one out...the auction had ended already but they sent me a cancellation notice anyway. Buyer has already forwarded payment for that auction...so I guess I got a free auction since they refund my listing fees for both auctions that they cancelled).

    The other auction that they cancelled already had a bid on it...so I'll just have to relist it.

    As far as people around here trying to report my auctions...well...I guess that could be. I've never pissed off anyone here and it's not like I'm a dealer or a threat to anyone...just a collector getting out of Lincoln Cents. If my auctions abide by all of their rules of the policy, then it shouldn't matter if someone tries to rat me out. I'm just an honest guy selling PCGS certified lincoln cents.
    image

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