I don't know much about most products that exist in the world. I have my own little corner of items, like most people, where my knowledge about them probably well exceeds the casual consumer. I know what red flags to look out for, and the importance of maintaining an open-minded scrutiny, even in the face of multiple flags hoisted at once.
I never go looking for these things anymore, because they're everywhere. However, when I stumble upon one by accident, I spend 5 minutes or so digging for info, and the blatantly grotesque incidents I have a difficulty just letting go of, feeling like, I wish there was something I could do to get someone who could stop a scam to realize, it's a scam.
I'm currently watching one now, where the seller is cashing in (in the hundreds, will soon hit the thousands) by "implying" something might be authentic, when in fact, his own low feedback shows where he bought the fake versions. He's blatantly lying about where his "might be the real thing" items came from. Most collectors of this kind of product know it's a scam, and do not bid or buy. However, enough casual, inexperienced buyers do fall for it, enough so that a 50 cent purchase turns into over a $200 sell, based solely on the false information "implied" in the listing....(it's like saying, could be real, I don't know? Here's where I got it and what it looks like....possibly the real thing you decide).
He's also shill bidding his own auctions. Same 0 FB bidder has multiple bids and then they're all retracted on each auction. (seller has since changed to private FB). That's something I can't prove, but eBay could.
This item is worthless. By implying it "might" be authentic, this seller is already approaching a small fortune, and keeps re-listing new versions every single day.
I know the eBay ID of the first buyer. I thought of messaging them, but then decided against it. Last thing I want to do is break any rules. I've seen some people say that nothing can be done in situations like this unless the buyers themselves realize their item is not at all what is being implied. Problem with that is, people with little knowledge of the item, are never going to realize it's counterfeit. That seems like a "chance" auction to me...implying something "might be" authentic (and if authentic, worth thousands of dollars)...but also feigning ignorance about authenticity at the same time.
I just hate to see people get ripped off on here, it hurts everyone, and I wish there was a more viable option besides "report item" with only 100 spaces of text, which is useless without someone who is familiar with that kind of item actually spending 5 minutes to review it.
/late-night feeling helpless rant over.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
