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General And Slightly Off Topic Talk Forum for exchanging ideas and talking about general issues without straying too far off topic.

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Old 07-29-2010, 09:31 AM   #1
Auke
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Recently I bought four award groups from an eBay seller. I don't have much experience with document entries, but I knew the booklets themselves were original and that the awards were original. I simply wasn't sure about the entries, but I decided to trust the seller's "top rated seller" status and his 100% positive feedback that he received from hundreds of people. Furthermore, one group also had a Capture of Berlin Medal with document, that was definitely original, so I decided to trust the order booklet.

When I received the groups, all booklet entries (names, award serial numbers, signatures) turned out to be fake.

Looking back, I suspect the seller knew this, since he didn't show pictures of the signature and name pages of the booklets, it didn't take a microscope to come to the conclusion that the entries are fake, and he stated in every auction:
"The award document is in fair condition, but I am not an expert on documents so dont know if this is 100 % original. It is my opinion that the document is original, as I dont see any evident signs of forgery."
and
"if in the description it is specified that the transaction is considered finished from the moment of payment, or is specified that I cannot to guarantee originality of the goods (or its certain part) and the buyer himself decides to make purchase or not - no claims and returns will be accepted."

So, nothing to do about it. It's the first time I've been burned in four years. Lesson learned and one less seller to trust. When I look at his feedback profile, I can see that he has sold more similar groups with fake documents in the past, and he will probably continue to do so. Unfortunately there's no way to warn his future customers.

The seller is xoxol5 (Alexander Tomylo) from Ukraine. I should add that I'm not 100% sure he knew the booklets were fake and that he technically didn't do anything wrong (it's not forbidden to sell fakes and he had a disclaimer); I just want to warn everybody and advise them to take a very good look at the documents he sells. Don't trust feedback, only trust your own experience and that of objective experts (for example those here on the forum).

Last edited by CtahhR; 05-22-2014 at 10:06 AM.
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Old 07-29-2010, 10:39 AM   #2
Lapa
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Re: Problem with an eBay seller

Auke,

I had a look at his past sales, and I was not impressed with what I saw...
The Ukraine has been a hotbed for "garage production and enhancements" for a long time, but has become even more so over the past couple of years. I would not touch anything coming out of Ukraine with a 10-foot pole, unless I personally knew the seller for many years.

Marc
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Old 07-29-2010, 11:26 AM   #3
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I have a long story with this seller. Yet I didn't buy anything from him.

He bought an OFN from seller B (from Moldova).
Seller B told him the auction price is too low so he canceled the sale.
3 monthes later, seller B listed it as BIN again.
I bought the OFN (it's good) but found that seller B sold to the seller you mentioned here.
I emailed the seller x**** and he told me the story.
He also told me he can get almost any kind of medals in Ukraine.

I believe the seller is an expert and he knows well about everything he has.

Last edited by CtahhR; 05-22-2014 at 10:05 AM.
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Old 07-29-2010, 11:54 AM   #4
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Re: Problem with an eBay seller

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Originally Posted by aaabbb View Post
I believe the seller is an expert and he knows well about everything he has.
Yep, I tend to think the same way...

Marc
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Old 07-29-2010, 12:04 PM   #5
Auke
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Re: Problem with an eBay seller

Yes, I think so too.

I have always tried to look past generalizations and preconceptions, but it is hard... There are so many sellers that can't be trusted in Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic States.
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Old 07-29-2010, 12:29 PM   #6
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Re: Problem with an eBay seller

It's unfortunate that a few real bad sorts spoil the reputation of an entire nation when it comes to this sort of thing. I have bought many things from the Ukraine and all (so far) have been the real deal, as have items I have purchased from Latvia and Estonia but as for Poland.... I've got 2 orders from Poland that what you see is not what you get you couldn't even call them "fakes" they were that poor. Out of the 6 times I've not got what I was supposed to get 2 were from Poland (Cheap moulded alloy Badges/medals) , 1 was from Germany (same again), 1 from the USA (same again) 1 was from Bulgaria (Order converted into something it wasn't) and 1 from my native England (Spray painted lead copy of the OG3 was a bit of a give away it wasn't the real deal). Fortunately every time ebay/paypal has given me my money back. You can get REALLY put off by a bad deal.... Fortunately I've only had those 6 experiences of getting junk instead of the real deal and about 4 or 5 of something not arriving and not getting my money back and that is out of over 5000 purchases so I really can't complain.
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Old 07-29-2010, 03:26 PM   #7
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Re: Problem with an eBay seller

[QUOTE=Auke

Looking back, I suspect the seller knew this, since he didn't show pictures of the signature and name pages of the booklets, it didn't take a microscope to come to the conclusion that the entries are fake, and he stated in every auction:
"The award document is in fair condition, but I am not an expert on documents so dont know[/QUOTE]
Why didn't you ask for extra pictures??
People, if you buy something from e-bay for the fraction of the price, don't expect to get anything good. Don't you think that the seller from Ukraine knows the market value
Remember that the free cheese is only in the mouse trap.
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Old 07-29-2010, 03:56 PM   #8
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Re: Problem with an eBay seller

I've also bought an award from X***** that didn't quite match the description and turned out to be a reproduction. We were able to work things out and I returned it for a refund, so I believe he is an honest seller and not intentionally trying to decieve. I would buy from him again.

I think part of the problem is that he doesn't speak English very well and this leads to inadequate descriptions and misunderstandings.

The thing I learned, and it was stated above, is to ask questions and request additional pictures if I have any reservations about the legitimacy of an item.

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Old 07-29-2010, 04:13 PM   #9
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Re: Problem with an eBay seller

Auke you always can open a discussion on ebay resolutions centre, even if seller doesn't accept return. You got the rights and seller takes all the responsibility for the listing. If he wasn't sure what he is selling, he should have mention it.
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Old 07-29-2010, 04:51 PM   #10
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Re: Problem with an eBay seller

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Originally Posted by ph3s View Post
Auke you always can open a discussion on ebay resolutions centre, even if seller doesn't accept return. You got the rights and seller takes all the responsibility for the listing. If he wasn't sure what he is selling, he should have mention it.
I agree, and further, if you file a PayPal complaint you will most likely win the case, they will refund your money and tell you to destroy ( ) the fake items.
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