ebay sellers getting more deceptive all the time

coolest · March 3, 2010 11:26AM

I am so sick of being fooled by digital photos that show dark areas where natural coins should be dark, but when you receive the coin it is heavily polished and solid white.

I had to vent

I'm am sure many of you know what I am talking about.

TomB · March 3, 2010 11:31AM

I don't know that I have ever seen an auction with images like you are describing, but it is possible that the angle of lighting can make bright white areas of coins appear dark.

AUandAG · March 3, 2010 11:41AM

Auction link? Would like to view the item and note who the seller would be.

bob

Blackborder · March 3, 2010 11:42AM

auction link?

coolest · March 3, 2010 1:54PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300399461537&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

here is the auction

doh · March 3, 2010 1:57PM

Item in question

Got a pic of it in hand?

ChrisRx · March 3, 2010 2:05PM

Revised auction link.

Barberian · March 3, 2010 6:10PM

I've experienced this with an Ebay dealer named Anthony's. The coin appeared to be darkly toned in their Ebay photo. When I got the coin, it was as shiny as a chrome bumper. They must have used reflected dark backgrounds to make the coin appear dark. I returned it for a refund.

soty27 · March 3, 2010 6:17PM

Stop buying raw coins then !

notwilight · March 3, 2010 8:51PM

<< <i>I've experienced this with an Ebay dealer named Anthony's. The coin appeared to be darkly toned in their Ebay photo. When I got the coin, it was as shiny as a chrome bumper. They must have used reflected dark backgrounds to make the coin appear dark. I returned it for a refund. >>

Some sellers may be getting better at taking deceptive photos. But it isn't that easy to take representative photos, especially of highly reflective coins. Just hitting "autolevels" on may photo programs will adjust the brightness, contrast, etc to make bright and dark areas since that balances the photo out.

--Jerry

dsessom · March 3, 2010 9:09PM

<< <i>Stop buying raw coins then ! >>

Yeah! What he said...

coolest · March 3, 2010 10:20PM

I think stop buying raw coins is ridiculous.

You think it should be acceptable to misrepresent the coins you are selling.

keets · March 3, 2010 10:28PM

i think those guys were a bit harsh about raw coins, but you've been around long enough to know that buying raw coins sight unseen from a venue like eBay is a foolish thing to do. it can be difficult to do at many shows with poor lighting and some of the deception used by the better craftsmen, why would you trust an online image which can be easily manipulated. it is just too, too risky of a venture to expect a high rate of positive experiences. i made raw purchases back in the early part of the decade, fueled by a couple that turned out well. the tide quickly turned the other way and i realized it wasn't a wise thing.

i would ask you how many times will you have a very negative raw eBay experience before you stop convincing yourself you'll have good ones??

doh · March 3, 2010 10:57PM

<< <i>You think it should be acceptable to misrepresent the coins you are selling. >>

Without seeing the coin in hand, or at least a different picture of it, there is no way to tell if the coin was misrepresented by the seller. The coin pictured in the listing is very obviously cleaned and, as others have said, buying raw on eBay is always a gamble. Always.

lkeigwin · March 3, 2010 11:47PM

Pictures of slabbed coins can be deceptive too.

Sometimes a white coin with subtle color or shadows comes out looking nicer than it is. It's up to the honest seller to make adjustments to bring it back to reality.

But obviously games are being played and it's a real turn-off to buying online. Check out this example ATS.
Lance.

ebay sellers getting more deceptive all the time

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