Ebay's Worst Offerings

[DaveG38 385]

Hi everyone,

Do you think this item is one of the many very good Chinese fakes? There's something about it that doesn't look quite right - either that or its the light! If it is a fake then I guess ebay 'laughs' isn't really an appropriate place for it.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VERY-SCARCE-1763-SHI...id=p3286.c0.m14

[Chris Perkins 223]

I think that's probably a real one that looks slightly convex on the head side and cleaned too.

[Hussulo 6]

Link to the Bay

[Coppers 57]

This auction claims that this 'coin' is a British Royal Mint issue and bidding has already reached GBP 72.00. Is this a scam or have two of the bidders taken leave of their senses?

BRM Crown

[Chris Perkins 223]

And how can something be .999 pure bronze, when bronze itself is an alloy of at least 3 different metals in varying quantities!? That's an attractive coin, but it is very misleading that the seller doesn't mention it's a modern pattern.

[Coppers 57]

Another rarity from the same seller...

'Silver' Penny

[Chris Perkins 223]

And it's .999 silver, which is very odd because the RM had never used .999 silver back then! I wonder if the seller had it assayed properly and if it's been authenticated by someone who knows what they're talking about? I doubt it and suspect it's a plated penny!

I have seen Saxbys Collectable before and thought they were quite reputable. This has changed my mind. I sent a message regarding the '1808' coin to say that it should be marked as a modern pattern and asking exactly what .999 bronze is.

[HistoricCoinage 115]

I have seen Saxbys Collectable before and thought they were quite reputable.

Wait 'til you see how they sell hammereds Chris! I've been campaigning against them for many months as they scam newbies to the hammered market.

[Chris Perkins 223]

I got a reply (see the listing) to say that it was stated in the listing that it's a modern pattern. But it clearly isn't, the coin is even listed in the 'era' of the early milled pre-Victoria. I have told them that and also asked again to clarify what .999 bronze could possibly be.

This seller is unprofessional and ill informed at the very least. At most they are dishonest and intentionally deceptive! I would certainly never buy anything from them.

[HistoricCoinage 115]

Everyone knows that Edward II minted Groats...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Edward-II-Medi-Eval-...p3286.m14.l1318

[Geordie582 18]

Perhaps some charitable person could send them an old copy of Spinks (or even Seaby's)

[Chris Perkins 223]

And look at this, here is the reply:

"Read the bloody listing for gods sake. it clearly states what the coin is. we are going round in circles here. i have better things to do with my time thanks.thanyour boring questions. you judge without prior knowledge. read the damn listing will you please. bronze is actually a mix of tin & copper hence the AE on the periodic table. These are mostly copper with some tin added but only a small percent basically the coin is as states pure bronze, go a bother some other nut about there not having the full metal equasion stated. no more emails please your really boring. i do wish you well though . regards benj @ saxbys coins"

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To which I replied:

"Is that really a clever way to speak to a prospective customer, or anyone for that matter? I think it reveals your true self doesn't it and I am satisfied in the knowledge now that you are a dishonest, deceptive ignorant seller who cannot spell or structure sentences properly either. I shall await with delight for your next senseless ranting."

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

Well, he sounds like a really nice person doesn't he! My questions about the accuracy in his listing are passed off as "boring" and I am told to "read the damn listing"! And he confirms how ignorant he is by trying to assure me somehow that something can be .999 fine Bronze including telling me that copper is AE on the periodic table (it's not, it Cu of course). What a shining example of a coin and collectables dealer! What's most shocking is how someone like that can actually end up with pretty good feedback.

[Chris Perkins 223]

Here's another reply, starting to get a bit personal now:

"Hello. what you have said is unfair, ever heard of entrapment. this is predictable. when from my point of view you initially did the same to me. accusing me of fraud/deception/misleading the ebay members we sell to. considering our feedback rating i think your initial attitude was reflective of the answer you received to not questions but statements. We think this was unfair and althought we responded harshly, i personaly insist on NOT accepting it. I have built this buisness from 400 pounds so can you blame me so much for protecting what is mine ? As you can see, i am very able to use long words and correct grammar, punctuation where it merrits the use, in your case, as your grammar & mainly punctuation were not to the highest standard and the fact that i am trying to do my tax returns means i dont have a great dela of time for this. Notice you have gone all quiet about the listing now ive explained. do you feel clever yourself for initiating with a statement not a question. Its not our fault your published book lacks any credability in the numismatic industry. Anyway crispy you really are boring me now, anymore and i will hang myself, i mean it.

After all this i wish you well friend. remeber next time. dont throw accusations around as it hurts. Know the difference between a question & a statement ok. there are real con men on ebay go and sort them out. I dont mind you letting me know if ive made a mistake as its more than helpfull really. ive actually quit enjoyed this conversation if i think about it its not boring and its been a long time since i vented off to or argued with a potential customer. So thanks for that if nothing els friend, i wish you and yours well. speak soon. yours Benj"

[Chris Perkins 223]

He made an effort in that one above didn't he! This was my reply:

"Well here's another reply, and I do truly hope you don't hang yourself, there would be no need for that. I've gone quiet about the listing because it's obvious that I can't get through to you. You admited that part of it was misleading and that's great, I hope you change it. Even though it is a minor technicality; an item cannot be .999 bronze. It could be .999 copper, but nothing can be .999 bronze because it's an alloy as you correctly state and is made of varying quantities of 2 ot more diferent metals. By the way, the symbol on the periodic table for copper is Cu. AE comes from the Latin.

And now we are getting personal about my book (the main coin one I assume?). I'm pleased you've heard of it! I've sold more copies of the 2008 edition than any previous edition since I started doing it in 2005. It's difficult to know the figures of the other main GB coin price guides, but it is very possible that mine sells in higher numbers than one or more of the others."

[Chris Perkins 223]

Awww, he's gone and spoilt it all now by being nice!

His reply:

"hello. i was actually joking regards your book.i sell it as well so it must have some credit. it would not be a surprise if yours sold more. its a fair price. i do like the book and am jelouse really. perhaps some free advertising for our web site comming soon ? for the 2009 edition. why dont you do a budget book on celtic, iron and bronze age coinage ? i think that would sell very well indeed. we would stock it for sure. i would even assist you in any way i could. did you sell the rights to the coin book in the U.S for 500 pounds.? anyway crispy let me know about the celtic book ... or any other buisness ventures you might have ? regards for now benj "

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

My reply to that:

"Oh right, that's a much nicer message all of a sudden! Do you get it from Barrington Smith, Vera Trinder, Gardners or someone like that?

I'd love to do a Celtic book, but the problem is usually getting hold of decent images. Firstly though, "Grading British Coins" will be completed and then hopefully a new edition on Irish coins. I always get asked about the Irish book.

No, nothing much happened with the US rights to the Roman Base book. I'll be at the Frankfurt Bookfair again this year to ask around! Krause were pleased to see me and my range but nothing came of that. In the book business you have to be on people's cases constantly because everything has equal zero to minimal status apart from the things that are already earning the publisher money.

I still disagree with the way some of your items are listed and described, so we'll simply have to agree to disagree on that. I'm afraid there will be no opportunity in the near future to advertise in my books."

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So all of a sudden we're best mates, isn't that lovely. But

[Hussulo 6]

Another rarity from the same seller...

'Silver' Penny

"Presented in EF grade", "detailed cameo" EF grade cameo? he must have uploaded the wrong pictures or something?

[Peter 615]

I shall go to bed with a smile on my face.

I wonder what his tax return is like.....written on .999 pure parchment no doubt.

[Dg43 0]

Be sure to add this seller to your favourites list!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UNKOWN-COIN-MEDAL_W0...bayphotohosting

[Stechlin 0]

I don't want to put a dampner on your efforts Hus (I wish you luck), but I believe that it would take huge amounts of money, massive IT infrastructure (a whole army of Indians at least) and probably an existing household name to really compete with ebay. Even just to complete in a specialist sector like coins/collectable. Whatever happened to Yahoo auctions, why didn't that get bigger? Are they still going?

Thanks Chris. Nothing ventured nothing gained. I plan on making it for coins/numismatics only and I will advertise it in numismatic sites and magazines. I'm not going to give up my day job and I'm going to be realistic. I've had the logo,banners, advertising and business cards professionally designed but as you say I have seen auction sites come and go.

I'm just hoping that many have reached the end of their tether and if it works it works, if not, so be it. I just want to offer collectors and dealers an alternative.

I might be of interest for you, that there is a working german alternative to ebay concerning coins http://www.muenzauktion.com/ . Quite attractive for sellers, because they don`t have to pay any fees for there offers. Instead of that you can (but you don`t have to) let register yourself as a sponsor. In that case you pay at least 12 € (or 24, 36 and so on) a year. As a sponsor your offers appear minor or more often, when people are visiting the website. The side is used by amateurs and professionels as well. I thought about selling a few coins there, but I didn't, because I'm afraid, not many people are searching for british coins there (although you will find quite a lot).

[Chris Perkins 223]

That's interesting Herr Stechlin, thanks. When are you going to send your British spares to me? I don't mind if it's EUR20 worth or EUR2000. For low amounts I could send envelopes or cash in the post.

[DaveG38 385]

I don't want to put a dampner on your efforts Hus (I wish you luck), but I believe that it would take huge amounts of money, massive IT infrastructure (a whole army of Indians at least) and probably an existing household name to really compete with ebay. Even just to complete in a specialist sector like coins/collectable. Whatever happened to Yahoo auctions, why didn't that get bigger? Are they still going?

Thanks Chris. Nothing ventured nothing gained. I plan on making it for coins/numismatics only and I will advertise it in numismatic sites and magazines. I'm not going to give up my day job and I'm going to be realistic. I've had the logo,banners, advertising and business cards professionally designed but as you say I have seen auction sites come and go.

I'm just hoping that many have reached the end of their tether and if it works it works, if not, so be it. I just want to offer collectors and dealers an alternative.

I might be of interest for you, that there is a working german alternative to ebay concerning coins http://www.muenzauktion.com/ . Quite attractive for sellers, because they don`t have to pay any fees for there offers. Instead of that you can (but you don`t have to) let register yourself as a sponsor. In that case you pay at least 12 € (or 24, 36 and so on) a year. As a sponsor your offers appear minor or more often, when people are visiting the website. The side is used by amateurs and professionels as well. I thought about selling a few coins there, but I didn't, because I'm afraid, not many people are searching for British coins there (although you will find quite a lot).

I have used this site a few times myself and have bought some very nice coins at reasonable prices so I quite like this site. The only pity is that I am now collecting early milled and not too much of that appears for sale.

[Stechlin 0]

[Stechlin 0]

That's interesting Herr Stechlin, thanks. When are you going to send your British spares to me? I don't mind if it's EUR20 worth or EUR2000. For low amounts I could send envelopes or cash in the post.

"Herr Stechlin": As the former German Bundeskanzler Helmut Kohl said to Maggie Thachter: "You can say "you" to me." I will still need some time to sort things out, the main question is: Is there life outside the Pennies?

[Stechlin 0]

Sorry, I meant Thatcher

[HistoricCoinage 115]

The award for the best coin photos goes to... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EDWARD-1ST-HAMMERED-...id=p3286.c0.m14