ChipTalk.net's Guide to Reporting Erroneous or Misleading Auctions to eBay

TenPercenter · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 08:15 PM

Let's start a dialog about building a guideline for when, and how, to report misleading or erroneous auctions to sellers, and then possibly eBay if we don't see cooperation from the seller.

Once identified as a misleading or erroneous auction, Proposed steps to take:

Start a thread in Auctions Links with the title formatted "ALERT [title-of-auction]" as a warning to potential buyers that may not be as informed as ChipTalkers. [this prevents a member/guest misconstruing it as a suggestion to buy]
Contact the seller to inform them of the mistake... giving them ample chance to make a self correction.
1. Encourage as other members to do the same.
If the seller fails to make the correction, report the auction to eBay (insert instructions on how to do that).
1. Encourage as many other people to do the same.
Update the ALERT thread with any responses from the seller or eBay.

This auction is an example: KEY WEST RESORT & CASINO CHIP NCV LAS VEGAS NEW - eBay (item 360031016458 end time Mar-14-08 16:54:22 PDT)

This guy is representing the chip as a real casino chip... even if he isn't flat out saying so:

Quote:

Up for bid is a New chip, from Key West Resort & Casino, Las Vegas,NCV. Pictured is the chip that is up for bid. It is new, uncirculated and stands on end easily.

noelsarchs · #2 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 08:23 PM

We could post them, then discuss. But we could all independently report the auctions as many of us do anyway. I find that writing to sellers just earns you a reply email from the seller telling you to F off usually.

TenPercenter · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noelsarchs

I find that writing to sellers just earns you a reply email from the seller telling you to F off usually.

What a great reason to write them first then! More fuel for the flames we light beneath their feet. We do the right thing by giving them a chance, and they choose to either squirt lighter fluid on their own pants, or fix their mistake.

jamby · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 08:27 PM

And that's pretty much what Archie got in response to his notifying the seller in this case.

"Dear mrnjchips,

My listing doesn't say that there was, because I didn't list it that way. All I said in my listing was, exactly what it said on the chips. - bobcoo0"

Quote:

Originally Posted by noelsarchs

...writing to sellers just earns you a reply email from the seller telling you to F off usually.

cleverpiggy77 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 08:30 PM

Sounds like a good old fashioned Witch Hunt to me.

TenPercenter · #6 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleverpiggy77

Sounds like a good old fashioned Witch Hunt to me.

It'd be a witch hunt only if the seller is falsely accused.

That's another good reason for a discussion to ensue prior to any reporting. The first viewer might be wrong in his assumption. And then a private message (or a few) to the seller to give them the chance to rectify or explain. Then... if all else fails, report.