Quote:
More troubling are listings with the slight tear that's barely visible or the crease or thin that's not so obvious.
But this is hardly anything new, either in stamps or any other collectible, let alone this particular seller. In fact, I would posit that the MAJORITY of
eBay sellers do not verbally describe their merchandise, either implicitly or even explicitly allowing the picture(s) to showcase the condition of the items.
Regardless of whether verbal descriptions SHOULD be required, they nevertheless are not (or are not policed), and this is not likely to change. You can either tilt at windmills trying to change a system that doesn't want to change, or approach every prospective purchase with a healthy dose of caveat emptor and guard yourself (and others) accordingly.
In fact, sellers not verbally describing wares makes it infinitely easier to file SNAD claims, and ultimately the buyer is protected. Now, if the issue is instead one of buyers not being educated enough or careful enough to know what it is they are buying, then that is a different matter.
I have seen plenty of auctions where the merchandise not only is photographed in excruciating detail and resolution, but also flaws meticulously described, and yet people still pay stupid money for the items. No amount of policing sellers is going to fix that, nor IMO should it. To quote the estimable Ron White, "You can't fix stupid."
Personally, I would focus less on trying to change
eBay or
eBay sellers, and more on providing resources for the novice or intermediate buyer. Step-by-step FAQs with pictures showcasing the various types of transgressions. The Stamp Smarter database is great for what it is, but that's not a format that a beginning buyer is likely to approach. A "user guide" in the form of a wiki or knowledgebase/FAQ is likely to be more approachable... and as part of this I would recommend putting a large emphasis on not only the dangers, but more importantly the responsibilities that buying on
eBay entails. Too many approach it casually, throwing far more money into it than they should as a novice, and then lament how they were scammed/burned after the fact, when a bit of prudence and education could have thwarted such experiences.
In short: It's more about saving buyers from themselves and predatory practices than changing seller practices. The former will be far more productive than the latter.