rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 611
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Post by rocknrob on Jul 3, 2024 10:38:25 GMT -5
Please note this isn't intended to be racism, it's what I've experienced so far. It's usually a big waste of time, I see these rocks that look to be good quality up for auction and some "unlisted buyer" comes in and jacks up the price. I've noticed if that buyer is going to win that auction, it gets pulled. It doesn't take too much of a logical leap to figure out that it's an attempt to pump up the auction price. I've seen this with just Chinese sellers so far (only because they have the things I like) but I'm sure it's more rampant than that. Has this been anyone else's experience on Ebay or am I just paranoid?
- Rob
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ThomasT
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2022
Posts: 616
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Post by ThomasT on Jul 3, 2024 10:44:06 GMT -5
Please note this isn't intended to be racism, it's what I've experienced so far. It's usually a big waste of time, I see these rocks that look to be good quality up for auction and some "unlisted buyer" comes in and jacks up the price. I've noticed if that buyer is going to win that auction, it gets pulled. It doesn't take too much of a logical leap to figure out that it's an attempt to pump up the auction price. I've seen this with just Chinese sellers so far (only because they have the things I like) but I'm sure it's more rampant than that. Has this been anyone else's experience on Ebay or am I just paranoid? - Rob I knew a local guy, who was not Chinese, that often pulled that same stunt on auction listings. |
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 611
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Post by rocknrob on Jul 3, 2024 10:58:19 GMT -5
This is why I prefer local and well run online estate auctions lately. No such thing as pump and pull when the seller has to pay 19% commission on a listing through a third party. Once it's listed, it's pretty much going to sell unless there are extraneous circumstances. I've just noticed it being rampant with listings shipping from China which is giving me pause in buying from those sellers in auctions. They do have some beautiful malachite specimens over there that I would love to have.
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herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 473
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Post by herb on Jul 3, 2024 11:41:03 GMT -5
Please note this isn't intended to be racism, it's what I've experienced so far. It's usually a big waste of time, I see these rocks that look to be good quality up for auction and some "unlisted buyer" comes in and jacks up the price. I've noticed if that buyer is going to win that auction, it gets pulled. It doesn't take too much of a logical leap to figure out that it's an attempt to pump up the auction price. I've seen this with just Chinese sellers so far (only because they have the things I like) but I'm sure it's more rampant than that. Has this been anyone else's experience on Ebay or am I just paranoid? - Rob I've seen it too on ebay when looking at spheres. Almost all the listings are anonymous so you cant see who the bidder is. Usually shortly after the listing is created someone places a bid for way more than the particular type of sphere usually sells for. Then if other people bid up the price above what the seller wants to get, the initial bid is canceled a few minutes to a few hours before the auction ends and the next highest bidder gets it. If other people dont bid it up high enough, the really high initial bidder "wins" and a day or two later you see the exact same sphere available again. According to ebays rules, you can only reteact a bid close to the end of the auction if you do it within 1 hour of placing the bid. But ebay is more interested in getting higher selling fees than they are in protecting buyers. Up until about a year ago, it was common for the initial bid to get retracted seconds before the listing ended, but now it is usually minutes before. Maybe ebay did a half assed attempt of enforcing their rules. |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Jul 3, 2024 14:05:42 GMT -5
I only buy from US sellers. After searching a specific item name it’s the very next search criteria I input, advanced search US only. Couple of reasons for this, I want to give business to American sellers, many are just small time folks like me selling off a little bit of a collection, or they are full time in the rock business and I’d just prefer to support them over foreign competition. 2nd is I don’t trust the quality, I’ve seen too many fake specimens or colored or otherwise treated stones and they often don’t readily disclose this. With US sellers only I’ve had pretty good experiences buying on eBay. It’s one of my first go to’s. There are occasionally sellers I decide to not repeat buying from because I realize after receiving the item that they were a little less clear in their photos or descriptions than I thought should have been given, but I’ve never seen scam bids or listings pulled. That said, I’m mostly buying rough or slabs, no display specimens.
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,085
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Post by wargrafix on Jul 3, 2024 14:17:09 GMT -5
I hear your concerns and share them. This is why it seems I seem overly annoying when it cones about asking if something is a good buy.
Nothing is more annoying as plunking down hard cash and getting substandard stuff and price popping where its inflating the prince at the last moment and the auction just vaporizing
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ThomasT
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2022
Posts: 616
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Post by ThomasT on Jul 3, 2024 14:24:24 GMT -5
Whenever possible it's probably best to go to the wholesaler or miner directly or... become an artisanal miner yourself.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,818 
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Post by Mark K on Jul 3, 2024 16:54:54 GMT -5
A lot of them have a minimum amount you have to buy before they will talk to you. Usually more than the hobbyist can handle.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 3, 2024 17:03:51 GMT -5
I have been buying on eBay for abt 24 years, first cabs then slabs. I ONLY buy from US sellers. I don't search any where else. I find US sellers to be more honest. Yes, they cost more, but they are very often, almost to a man (or woman), honest. Some jack up their shipping- I skip them, but the materials are generally very good. Remember, you get what you pay for. I have almost ALWAYS been disappointed by foreign sellers on IG and Etsy. Don't give up on eBay, give up on crappy sellers. I could type all day and not remember all of the really wonderful sellers that I have come across.
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 3, 2024 18:43:15 GMT -5
I will only buy non lapidary from us sellers because of shipping time. I won't buy lapidary Chinese and Indian sellers. The quality and description accuracy including id. I bought some blue biggs from a seller in Bangkok. Stones from Pakistan. I bought a piece or Mookaite from a seller in Australia. The shipping was more than the rock but it was special.
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Post by vegasjames on Jul 3, 2024 23:06:53 GMT -5
There was a Chinese seller on Ebay who was posting the same exact picture of a piece of malachite listed like 5 times between auctions and buy it nows at different prices. Tried to report it to Ebay, but Ebay will not let you report fraud unless you bought the item.
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markymark
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2015
Posts: 404
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Post by markymark on Jul 9, 2024 4:06:02 GMT -5
I do buy many items from the Chinese and know for a fact that many sellers will try and sell the same item, I think they work for the same dealer and whoever sells first wins, I have found with ebay sellers they seem to be a bit more for lack of better words slimy and for the main reason ebay does nothing, for example a friend of mine was buying gemstones off ebay even with my caveat, after having 25 stones appraised come to find out 100% were synthetic or just glass, and ebay does nothing, with a new email address they will open a new ebay store , I think do your homework and be patient
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