The eBay BS Game: Questionable items, Stephen King signatures, sellers

[shibus]

I'm in.

[Ari_Racing]

Done.

[John Blaze]

I notified.

I notified that one... but I don't know if it's enough time due to the short length of the auction.

How about this one as our test? Right now it has 6 days and 15 hours left
http://cgi.ebay.com/STEPHEN-KING-SIG...QQcmdZViewItem

I've reported it ...have you?

Only eight members reporting thus far. I was hoping for a much higher level of participation.

Make that Nine

Well guys, I was going to join you on reporting this, but in the listing itself it says

This is a wonderful STEPHEN KING matted and framed autograph display. It is much clearer than the image may suggest. The signature is a very good one, nice and clean. It's an excellent reproduction of the original from my personal collection.

Why are we reporting this then? Anyone who purchases anything on EBAY should be smart enough to read the complete listing first. I just don't think it's right this guy is gonna get nailed by us for selling what he clearly is stating to be a reproduction, unless that itself is illegal, which I don't think it is.

[Brice]

I notified.

I notified that one... but I don't know if it's enough time due to the short length of the auction.

How about this one as our test? Right now it has 6 days and 15 hours left
http://cgi.ebay.com/STEPHEN-KING-SIG...QQcmdZViewItem

I've reported it ...have you?

Only eight members reporting thus far. I was hoping for a much higher level of participation.

Make that Nine

Well guys, I was going to join you on reporting this, but in the listing itself it says

This is a wonderful STEPHEN KING matted and framed autograph display. It is much clearer than the image may suggest. The signature is a very good one, nice and clean. It's an excellent reproduction of the original from my personal collection.

Why are we reporting this then? Anyone who purchases anything on EBAY should be smart enough to read the complete listing first. I just don't think it's right this guy is gonna get nailed by us for selling what he clearly is stating to be a reproduction, unless that itself is illegal, which I don't think it is.

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to sell a reproduction of someone's signature without their authorization Bruno.

[Hutch]

I notified.

I notified that one... but I don't know if it's enough time due to the short length of the auction.

How about this one as our test? Right now it has 6 days and 15 hours left
http://cgi.ebay.com/STEPHEN-KING-SIG...QQcmdZViewItem

I've reported it ...have you?

Only eight members reporting thus far. I was hoping for a much higher level of participation.

Make that Nine

Well guys, I was going to join you on reporting this, but in the listing itself it says

This is a wonderful STEPHEN KING matted and framed autograph display. It is much clearer than the image may suggest. The signature is a very good one, nice and clean. It's an excellent reproduction of the original from my personal collection.

Why are we reporting this then? Anyone who purchases anything on EBAY should be smart enough to read the complete listing first. I just don't think it's right this guy is gonna get nailed by us for selling what he clearly is stating to be a reproduction, unless that itself is illegal, which I don't think it is.

I saw that but thought it was in reference to the photograph. If there is confusion we'll have to try this again with a better item and at least a 7 day auction.

[Rahfa]

I notified.

I notified that one... but I don't know if it's enough time due to the short length of the auction.

How about this one as our test? Right now it has 6 days and 15 hours left
http://cgi.ebay.com/STEPHEN-KING-SIG...QQcmdZViewItem

I've reported it ...have you?

Only eight members reporting thus far. I was hoping for a much higher level of participation.

Make that Nine

Well guys, I was going to join you on reporting this, but in the listing itself it says

This is a wonderful STEPHEN KING matted and framed autograph display. It is much clearer than the image may suggest. The signature is a very good one, nice and clean. It's an excellent reproduction of the original from my personal collection.

Why are we reporting this then? Anyone who purchases anything on EBAY should be smart enough to read the complete listing first. I just don't think it's right this guy is gonna get nailed by us for selling what he clearly is stating to be a reproduction, unless that itself is illegal, which I don't think it is.

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to sell a reproduction of someone's signature without their authorization Bruno.

It's not illegal...it might be a copyright infringement if King wanted to complain, but it's certainly not a crime...anyone stupid enough to bid on this auction deserves what they get.

[Hutch]

I've reported this one...have you?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Stephen-King-Ins...QQcmdZViewItem

[goheat]

I've reported this one...have you?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Stephen-King-Ins...QQcmdZViewItem

Gee, you mean that's not real?

Heh, I reported it as well...

[Matt]

I have verified that this is indeed a First Edition, First Printing thru the official Stephen King Website at www.StephenKing.com . It utilizes the numberline on the copyright page to verify this fact. The numberline on this book is 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2.

Sure, it may be a first but it says nothing about the signature.

[Randall Flagg]

I have reported it.
Next!

[jhanic]

Done.

John

[Chooch]

And I thought that was such a good deal...heh heh...Reported!

I still think we need a list of Fraud sellers so we can refer too!

[artan]

I agree with you Chooch...

Reported, too!

[carlosdetweiller]

I still think we need a list of Fraud sellers so we can refer too!

That might be problematic. Ceri "Calla_wolf" ran a site called SKFakes for a number of years. I'll let him describe the difficulties if he is so inclined. But basically you would have an evolving and constantly changing list as new eBay sellers (or old sellers with new eBay ID's) emerged. Putting someone on the list can sometimes make them angry and litigious. Someone would need to keep it updated on a nearly daily basis and then be open for potential threats of lawsuits. Personally I would want no part of it.

[Fsmdr]

Done

[Chooch]

I still think we need a list of Fraud sellers so we can refer too!

That might be problematic. Ceri "Calla_wolf" ran a site called SKFakes for a number of years. I'll let him describe the difficulties if he is so inclined. But basically you would have an evolving and constantly changing list as new eBay sellers (or old sellers with new eBay ID's) emerged. Putting someone on the list can sometimes make them angry and litigious. Someone would need to keep it updated on a nearly daily basis and then be open for potential threats of lawsuits. Personally I would want no part of it.

I agree mostly, however, we are inclined to throw those names around on the site. And a fake is a fake I dont care how you dice it. I can understand the necessiaty for keeping it updated and being problematic but joe blow on Ebay needs to have their feet held to the fire for taking advantage of unsuspecting people dont you think?

[Rahfa]

I still think we need a list of Fraud sellers so we can refer too!

That might be problematic. Ceri "Calla_wolf" ran a site called SKFakes for a number of years. I'll let him describe the difficulties if he is so inclined. But basically you would have an evolving and constantly changing list as new eBay sellers (or old sellers with new eBay ID's) emerged. Putting someone on the list can sometimes make them angry and litigious. Someone would need to keep it updated on a nearly daily basis and then be open for potential threats of lawsuits. Personally I would want no part of it.

I agree mostly, however, we are inclined to throw those names around on the site. And a fake is a fake I dont care how you dice it. I can understand the necessiaty for keeping it updated and being problematic but joe blow on Ebay needs to have their feet held to the fire for taking advantage of unsuspecting people dont you think?

Yeah, the lawsuit threat is not worth worrying about...theoretically, someone would have to prove the item is REAL before they can sue, so it's not something that could actually be done, since it would be a fake item...it's just empty threats...

However...actually maintaining a site like Calla did takes a lot of time and effort...and for what? So some goofball that doesn't do his research gets burned on a bad auction? And, you'd still have to put up with threats, empty or not...

Someone like Hutch or Stu actually has a bone to pick, since they are trying to sell signed items as more of a business, and they lose money when bad items drives prices down...but beyond reporting fake items to ebay, and mentioining names on this site, I'm not sure what else there is to do about it. Yes, hold their feet to fire, but for most of us, this is just a hobby...

[Chooch]

I still think we need a list of Fraud sellers so we can refer too!

That might be problematic. Ceri "Calla_wolf" ran a site called SKFakes for a number of years. I'll let him describe the difficulties if he is so inclined. But basically you would have an evolving and constantly changing list as new eBay sellers (or old sellers with new eBay ID's) emerged. Putting someone on the list can sometimes make them angry and litigious. Someone would need to keep it updated on a nearly daily basis and then be open for potential threats of lawsuits. Personally I would want no part of it.

I agree mostly, however, we are inclined to throw those names around on the site. And a fake is a fake I dont care how you dice it. I can understand the necessiaty for keeping it updated and being problematic but joe blow on Ebay needs to have their feet held to the fire for taking advantage of unsuspecting people dont you think?

Yeah, the lawsuit threat is not worth worrying about...theoretically, someone would have to prove the item is REAL before they can sue, so it's not something that could actually be done, since it would be a fake item...it's just empty threats...

However...actually maintaining a site like Calla did takes a lot of time and effort...and for what? So some goofball that doesn't do his research gets burned on a bad auction? And, you'd still have to put up with threats, empty or not...

Someone like Hutch or Stu actually has a bone to pick, since they are trying to sell signed items as more of a business, and they lose money when bad items drives prices down...but beyond reporting fake items to ebay, and mentioining names on this site, I'm not sure what else there is to do about it. Yes, hold their feet to fire, but for most of us, this is just a hobby...

Yes indeed, very true...hobbie (as expensive as it can be) none the less

[Hutch]

I still think we need a list of Fraud sellers so we can refer too!

That might be problematic. Ceri "Calla_wolf" ran a site called SKFakes for a number of years. I'll let him describe the difficulties if he is so inclined. But basically you would have an evolving and constantly changing list as new eBay sellers (or old sellers with new eBay ID's) emerged. Putting someone on the list can sometimes make them angry and litigious. Someone would need to keep it updated on a nearly daily basis and then be open for potential threats of lawsuits. Personally I would want no part of it.

I agree mostly, however, we are inclined to throw those names around on the site. And a fake is a fake I dont care how you dice it. I can understand the necessiaty for keeping it updated and being problematic but joe blow on Ebay needs to have their feet held to the fire for taking advantage of unsuspecting people dont you think?

Yeah, the lawsuit threat is not worth worrying about...theoretically, someone would have to prove the item is REAL before they can sue, so it's not something that could actually be done, since it would be a fake item...it's just empty threats...

However...actually maintaining a site like Calla did takes a lot of time and effort...and for what? So some goofball that doesn't do his research gets burned on a bad auction? And, you'd still have to put up with threats, empty or not...

Someone like Hutch or Stu actually has a bone to pick, since they are trying to sell signed items as more of a business, and they lose money when bad items drives prices down...but beyond reporting fake items to ebay, and mentioining names on this site, I'm not sure what else there is to do about it. Yes, hold their feet to fire, but for most of us, this is just a hobby...

Yes indeed, very true...hobbie (as expensive as it can be) none the less

It not only drives value down for those of us selling. It drives the value down for anyone who has signed books in their collection.

[Rahfa]

Yes, it clearly - and annoyingly - drives down the value across the board...which is why I stay away from signed trades.

As long as you combine Ebay's anonymity with thieves and with morons, there will always be a problem. We have very limited recourse.

Like I said, I'm all for reporting people to ebay...at least it's something proactive we can do...but to ask somebody to maintain a 'fakes' site like Calla did is asking a lot. I collect lots of signed books; King happens to be the only author where a lot of fake sigs float around.

It sucks...if there was some sort of magic bullet to fix it, that would be great.

[jhanic]

King happens to be the only author where a lot of fake sigs float around.

J.K.Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, has lots of fakes floating around out there too. I'd NEVER buy one of hers from eBay.

John

[carlosdetweiller]

King happens to be the only author where a lot of fake sigs float around.

J.K.Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, has lots of fakes floating around out there too. I'd NEVER buy one of hers from eBay.

John

I think there are LOTS of fake sigs on eBay involving LOTS of authors. I'm pretty familiar with King's sig so I feel like I can do pretty well separating real from fake on my own. But signed books from other authors I collect really worry me on eBay. Thomas Harris in particular. That is one I would buy ONLY from a reputable dealer. I just don't have the experience for any other author.

[Rahfa]

I should have clarified....King is the only author who I collect where there are lots of fake sigs floating around...

Yeah, J.K. Rowling is another one you can't trust...her REAL signature is so bad, I wouldn't care if I knew it was real. Hunter Thompson is a bad one, too. But he has a couple s/l's.

Most books I try hard to get are signed by the author in front of me (or sent to them), and they aren't of any significant monetary value anyway. I have all the presidential candidates, for example, but they're all personalized to me, so it's not like I'm selling them.

[shnnrc01]

done

[Cutter]

I should have clarified....King is the only author who I collect where there are lots of fake sigs floating around...

As we all know now, Joe Hill has a ridiculous amount of fake sigs on eBay. It’s sad.