Ebay's Worst Offerings

[Peckris 579]

So something using aluminium, baking soda and salt? Or is it a commercial product?

The reason I am asking is that I have used said ingredients before for silver spoons etc, albeit very sparingly and for minimal times.

It's a commercial product - you can buy it in Tesco under the name of Silver Dip. I believe one of its main ingredients is uric acid? Or am I thinking of something else?

[Peckris 579]

The problem being is that he also ups its grade as well.

Another example.................................. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280498050311 <<<< bought by his wife

Selling now cleaned, you can still see the stain in the crown

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1883-VICTORIA-GOTHIC-FLORIN-EF-/230470768068?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item35a920d5c4

Hm. That particular coin has been very skilfully dipped by the look of it. It's got a gorgeous golden tone in the "after" pictures. I'm not sure I'd quarrel too hard with his EF assessment either, at least for the obverse, perhaps a bit less for the reverse. I'd say that's one example that doesn't show him in too harsh a light. I'd be interested to see what it fetches in a day's time.

[1949threepence 3,367]

I've ALWAYS found that bidding is anonymous in eBay. Except for my bids, it just says "Bidder 1" "Bidder 2" etc, and always has. I've never seen any other system there.

It was about two years ago, maybe a bit more, that they brought in the "Bidder 1" business on the UK site. Before that, you always knew who you were up against, and who sniped you at the last minute, which was rather fun in a small hobby like ours - almost felt a bit community-like.

Oh I see! I've not bought from eBay further back than that. So I'm used to the whole Bidder1 thing, and think no more of it.

Even the "Bidder 1" etc, system has been replaced now, Instead they show a list of the user names, with most of the characters starred out. As in this example

Although they only ever use three stars, so you can't even tell how many characters are in any given user's name.

[1949threepence 3,367]

The problem being is that he also ups its grade as well.

Another example.................................. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280498050311 <<<< bought by his wife

Selling now cleaned, you can still see the stain in the crown

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1883-VICTORIA-GOTHIC-FLORIN-EF-/230470768068?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item35a920d5c4

As Peck said, he's done a fantastic job with the dip, and it now looks like an EF, bright lustred coin. Incidentally, dipping may give a superficial optical illusion of enhanced grade, but it can't conceal wear, which will always be visible to close scrutiny.

I agree with most of the comments made by members above on this issue of seller ethics (ie: I can see both sides of the argument equally). Yes, sellers are out to maximise their profits, and you really can't blame them for that, but at the same time we as buyers do want an accurate description of the item we are buying. That should include whether or not the coin has been cleaned or dipped. The problem with making such a request an e bay obligation, is that sellers would plead that it wasn't them who had cleaned or dipped it, and that they themselves had not realised that it had been so cleaned or dipped.

The only long term principle we can attach to buying is one of caveat emptor. The buyer should always beware of what he is buying. Mostly what we get will be genuine, even if we are disappointed with the eventual "in hand" appearance. If buying on a regular basis, then now and again, we will be completely swindled, although it may take us literally decades to realise that fact, if the fake item is simply dropped into a collection and left there.

The possibility of being done, and the equal possibility of getting a superb bargain, is one of the real life factors of e bay. It's the way it is, and there's really not a lot we can do, except to take real care and use all our powers of discrimination before we commit to buy, or bid. Either that or buy from coin fairs or dealer shops, where you can actually look at the coin direct through the naked eye.

[declanwmagee 122]

Worth a punt?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230472060827

[azda 979]

Nice pad but unfortunately not worth sheeeeeeeeet

[Peckris 579]

I've ALWAYS found that bidding is anonymous in eBay. Except for my bids, it just says "Bidder 1" "Bidder 2" etc, and always has. I've never seen any other system there.

It was about two years ago, maybe a bit more, that they brought in the "Bidder 1" business on the UK site. Before that, you always knew who you were up against, and who sniped you at the last minute, which was rather fun in a small hobby like ours - almost felt a bit community-like.

Oh I see! I've not bought from eBay further back than that. So I'm used to the whole Bidder1 thing, and think no more of it.

Even the "Bidder 1" etc, system has been replaced now, Instead they show a list of the user names, with most of the characters starred out. As in this example

Although they only ever use three stars, so you can't even tell how many characters are in any given user's name.

Oh yes, I see - thank you for that 1949. I was just thinking "what a fair price for an Unc 1906 penny" when I saw the caveat about surface marks and edge knocks. Sigh. Oh well. Honest seller anyway - I would have assumed it was a good coin.

[davidrj 194]

This one's interesting 1860 penny - LCW below foot 99p start currently at £825 with 5 days to go

Finally went for £931.45, not bad for 99p start! way out of my league, so another gap remains unfilled

[azda 979]

I wonder if the seller even knew what it was lol, no mention of the signature on the description

[1949threepence 3,367]

I've ALWAYS found that bidding is anonymous in eBay. Except for my bids, it just says "Bidder 1" "Bidder 2" etc, and always has. I've never seen any other system there.

It was about two years ago, maybe a bit more, that they brought in the "Bidder 1" business on the UK site. Before that, you always knew who you were up against, and who sniped you at the last minute, which was rather fun in a small hobby like ours - almost felt a bit community-like.

Oh I see! I've not bought from eBay further back than that. So I'm used to the whole Bidder1 thing, and think no more of it.

Even the "Bidder 1" etc, system has been replaced now, Instead they show a list of the user names, with most of the characters starred out. As in this example

Although they only ever use three stars, so you can't even tell how many characters are in any given user's name.

Oh yes, I see - thank you for that 1949. I was just thinking "what a fair price for an Unc 1906 penny" when I saw the caveat about surface marks and edge knocks. Sigh. Oh well. Honest seller anyway - I would have assumed it was a good coin.

The seller concerned has that caveat against all his/her sales. I've bought quite a lot from bitsandbobs1204 and trust him to cut a good deal. I've never been disappointed in what I've got from him.

So there you go, personal recommendation

[declanwmagee 122]

The seller concerned has that caveat against all his/her sales. I've bought quite a lot from bitsandbobs1204 and trust him to cut a good deal. I've never been disappointed in what I've got from him.

So there you go, personal recommendation

I've bought an 1834 threehalfpence and a 1903 florin from him recently, and they both qualified to go straight into the Collection. In fact, he's one of a handful of sellers whose coins always catch my eye.

[Peckris 579]

I've ALWAYS found that bidding is anonymous in eBay. Except for my bids, it just says "Bidder 1" "Bidder 2" etc, and always has. I've never seen any other system there.

It was about two years ago, maybe a bit more, that they brought in the "Bidder 1" business on the UK site. Before that, you always knew who you were up against, and who sniped you at the last minute, which was rather fun in a small hobby like ours - almost felt a bit community-like.

Oh I see! I've not bought from eBay further back than that. So I'm used to the whole Bidder1 thing, and think no more of it.

Even the "Bidder 1" etc, system has been replaced now, Instead they show a list of the user names, with most of the characters starred out. As in this example

Although they only ever use three stars, so you can't even tell how many characters are in any given user's name.

Oh yes, I see - thank you for that 1949. I was just thinking "what a fair price for an Unc 1906 penny" when I saw the caveat about surface marks and edge knocks. Sigh. Oh well. Honest seller anyway - I would have assumed it was a good coin.

The seller concerned has that caveat against all his/her sales. I've bought quite a lot from bitsandbobs1204 and trust him to cut a good deal. I've never been disappointed in what I've got from him.

So there you go, personal recommendation

Wow, then I'm certainly not going to tell him that that caveat may actually mean people bid less on his coins. Perhaps he's being a little TOO honest!

[azda 979]

Seriously, is this an EF? Is he for real

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330432904530&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D330432904530%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

Edited May 13, 2010 by azda

[Gary D 76]

Another interesting item, a bit out of my price range

Good try

[Peckris 579]

Seriously, is this an EF? Is he for real

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330432904530&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D330432904530%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

VF tops, and that's not allowing for the heavy wear in the centre of both sides. I note in the description the use of the word "we" - is that to give spurious authenticity, do you think?

Another interesting item, a bit out of my price range

Good try

I've never heard of this "coin"! It's not the Hearn pattern, and it's not the proof original (which had the same reverse as the George VI crown). This looks like a fantasy piece, judging by the wreath reverse. Anyone else heard of it?

[1949threepence 3,367]

Seriously, is this an EF? Is he for real

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330432904530&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D330432904530%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

Well if that's an EF, I'm a Dutchman !!! Maybe VF at the very outside ~ and just look at the amount of wear on the three lions. You can hardly see one of them.

Another interesting item, a bit out of my price range

Good try

Interesting, but no denomination, and certainly not a recognised type. Strictly of interest to a narrow specialist market, I'd say.

[Red Riley 2]

Seriously, is this an EF? Is he for real

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330432904530&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D330432904530%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

Bits of it may be EF (would need a much better photo to tell) but it seems to have been struck with the worst pair of dies ever. Forget grading, I think the mint's machine minder had gone to sleep when they made this one!

[Gary D 76]

Seriously, is this an EF? Is he for real

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330432904530&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D330432904530%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

Well if that's an EF, I'm a Dutchman !!! Maybe VF at the very outside ~ and just look at the amount of wear on the three lions. You can hardly see one of them.

Another interesting item, a bit out of my price range

Good try

Interesting, but no denomination, and certainly not a recognised type. Strictly of interest to a narrow specialist market, I'd say.

It looks like the copper fantasy crown in copper. If the seller had done a search they would have found at least one going for about £12

[DaveG38 405]

Seriously, is this an EF? Is he for real

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330432904530&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D330432904530%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

Well if that's an EF, I'm a Dutchman !!! Maybe VF at the very outside ~ and just look at the amount of wear on the three lions. You can hardly see one of them.

Another interesting item, a bit out of my price range

Good try

Interesting, but no denomination, and certainly not a recognised type. Strictly of interest to a narrow specialist market, I'd say.

It looks like the copper fantasy crown in copper. If the seller had done a search they would have found at least one going for about £12

As you say, its a fantasy wreath crown dated 1937 and featuring Edward VIII. I've got a small collection of Edward VIII fantasy items, just for the hell of it, and as you say, they come in around £10-15 each at most. My group of these includes four types:

1. A copper strike.

2. A silver strike, which is possibly genuine silver or may be plated onto copper or cupro-nickel.

3. A gold one, which isn't gold, might be plate, but is most likely, looking at the finish brass, and then thinly lacquered to preserve the colour.

4. Another gold type, but very subdued and most likely again a brass or maybe even bronze alloy, coated in lacquer.

If this guy can get £2k for his, I'll have mine up on eBay soon as!!! I could do with some extra funds for some real coins.

[Gary D 76]

Seriously, is this an EF? Is he for real

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330432904530&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D330432904530%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

Well if that's an EF, I'm a Dutchman !!! Maybe VF at the very outside ~ and just look at the amount of wear on the three lions. You can hardly see one of them.

Another interesting item, a bit out of my price range

Good try

Interesting, but no denomination, and certainly not a recognised type. Strictly of interest to a narrow specialist market, I'd say.

It looks like the copper fantasy crown in copper. If the seller had done a search they would have found at least one going for about £12

As you say, its a fantasy wreath crown dated 1937 and featuring Edward VIII. I've got a small collection of Edward VIII fantasy items, just for the hell of it, and as you say, they come in around £10-15 each at most. My group of these includes four types:

1. A copper strike.

2. A silver strike, which is possibly genuine silver or may be plated onto copper or cupro-nickel.

3. A gold one, which isn't gold, might be plate, but is most likely, looking at the finish brass, and then thinly lacquered to preserve the colour.

4. Another gold type, but very subdued and most likely again a brass or maybe even bronze alloy, coated in lacquer.

If this guy can get £2k for his, I'll have mine up on eBay soon as!!! I could do with some extra funds for some real coins.

I've got the Edy VIII maundy set in silver and gold again just for the hell of it. The gold set is interesting as they are thinner than the silver but far heavier. I assume there must be some gold in them but I can not find any information on them.

Gary

[Coppers 58]

"These are in mint condition can see everything on them none of the date numbers are missing etc..."

I suspect that this fellow must be in the employ of one of the US grading services.

Link

[1949threepence 3,367]

"These are in mint condition can see everything on them none of the date numbers are missing etc..."

I suspect that this fellow must be in the employ of one of the US grading services.

Link

What a catalogue of howlers

Not content with the cringemaking spelling error, he then proceeds to describe the coins as "mint" ( 2 of them might not be far off, but as for the rest........ )

Then best of all he suddenly thinks farthings didn't finish in 1956 after all.....

Dear oh dear

[azda 979]

Lol, same seller is seliing, and i quote (Hole set of One Pennys 1860-1967) then his description goes on to say quote: Once it gets further than 1900 they start spliting up, so for Queen Victoria i have got....1998, 97, 96, 95, 92, 91, 90, 89, 87, 84, 82, 79, 77, 76, 74, 66, 65, 63, 62, 61, and 1960

And here was me thinking that Victoria died 1902, apparently she's still going strong on the Throne 182 years on

Edited May 22, 2010 by azda

[Gary D 76]

Has the world gone mad

Oh my

[Peckris 579]

Has the world gone mad

Oh my

If it was genuinely uncirculated I'd say that was not far off a fair price. IMO 1921 is by far the rarest shilling in that series in Unc - yes, rarer than 1925. But I assume you're pointing us at the scratch on the neck, and what looks like wear to the hair detail?