Sellers who can be trusted

[scook17]

I was wondering if anyone would care to share any bad experiences they have had, with Ebay sellers or soviet medal dealers. I have bought a fair few awards from Ebay along with various internet dealers. Although I've bought each award as an original and not a copy, I suspect I may one or two fakes, but can't be sure.

Like most collectors, I imagine, I depend to a large extent on the honesty of the person who is selling something to describe it correctly, and know what they are selling.

I'm particularly interested in bad experiences, ie buying a fake described as original, because I'd like to know who to avoid.

Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

[Art]

Guys,

I realize as much as anyone on how easy it is to get ripped off. I was ripped off a total of twice. (I consider myself lucky) Once before the massive auction site we all know was even around when I did all my buying and selling via misc.forsale on UseNet, and once using the mentioned site.

On UseNet, I was offered an embroidered flag depicting Stalin. Back then ( I believe it was 1992 or 1993 ) this stuff was not very popular and I was offered it for $80. I agreed, but insisted that the seller be flexible and I pay $40 now and $40 after the flag arrived. Of course it never showed up and I lost my $40, the individual dissappeared with $40 of my cash. I filed a mail fraud claim, which I'm sure was investigated long enough to make sure I was using adequate postage, then filed under "Good Luck". I sincerely hope that if he went off and got drunk with the money that he wound up with a DWI, or if he bought a toaster oven that every bagel he ever put into it came out like a hockey puck.

On the auction site I was ripped off on a three-rivet red star. Not much to say about it, the dealer still sells there. I don't buy awards there anymore.

What I'm saying is this...buy from who you trust. The moderators here are here for a reason. I trust them and their experience to help us out with information. They are established dealers who are experts in the hobby. Support them, and they will support us.

I am considering starting a wanted section so we can better help out with items our members are looking for. If you think you may be interested in this, reply here or drop me a message. If I hear more people wanting something like this, I will bump it up on the priorities list.

As much as we all want to avoid getting ripped off I really have to be careful in what we say and even what we don't say..I would greatly appreciate it if you guys would not start publicly singling out people who are good or bad via the forum. All I need is one over-enthusiastic lawyer who has dollar signs in his/her eyes and me and the forum will be gone faster than Worldcom stock.

Art