Is this the end of our hobby?

[chrisg]

Stantons auction has sold a few replicas. The photos are stolen

[Raphael]

In addition to myself, many people I know have complained directly to eBay about this, to no avail.

My theory is that eBay has legal constraints in India that prevent them from clamping down on this and other similar scam sellers. Otherwise, it makes no sense for them to continue providing them a platform.

Raphael

[paradroid1793]

Hopefully, more people will become aware about these counterfeits through APS & other means.

[Raphael]

I don’t think it’s a question of “counterfeits”, but more of outright fraud, whereby items being offered for sale are neither in the seller’s possession nor in any way available for sale. It is akin to selling the Brooklyn Bridge.

eBay seems to be pretty good at shutting down domestic scammers, but they have a definite problem doing so abroad, especially in India.

Raphael

[paradroid1793]

Raphael, you certainly have a point. My father ordered a brass horn from India for $75, luckily, I told him to cancel, but he had ordered it thinking it was "like original edison quality".

[TinfoilPhono]

The listing for the Bell-Tainter prototype Graphophone that is in the Smithsonian, and which was offered on eBay by the Indian scammer, has closed, with a note that the sale was closed "because the item is no longer available." I fear that someone may have made an off-eBay discounted deal to buy it, in which case he has lost all protection.

[jamiegramo]

All their scam listings have been ended due to the same reason. Not sure what game they’re playing but maybe they do have a few interested parties.

[JerryVan]

I think eBay finally shut them down.

[TinfoilPhono]

Usually when eBay shuts down a listing, it disappears completely.