Bogus Catalogue Values

I noticed a lot more U.S. stamp sellers on ebay are using inflated catalogue values when trying to sell their stamps.

Example: Claiming catalogue value of $30.00 for a stamp with a current Scott catalogue value of only $9.00. Of course they Never state what catalogue they are using.

I challenged one of the sellers about their stated catalogue value and he actually replied since he could not find the item in a published catalogue, he was using his own made up values.

That's FRAUD!

That's disappointing to observe - I am glad you are challenging some of these outrageous catalog value claims. I include reference catalog value in some of my listings, but cite the catalog. I also agree with others that the gum condition for unused stamps (NH, hinged or previously hinged, regummed/ungummed) needs to be referenced accurately if citing values from a catalog.

"he actually replied since he could not find the item in a published catalogue, he was using his own made up values."

This would be hilarious if it weren't so infuriating.

Were they to be asked, ebay would likely describe this as a success.

The buyer had a concern, the seller addressed it, the buyer made an informed decision to not buy, the system worked!

Since the system worked, and the buyer-seller interaction was successful, why would they sanction the seller?

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

Sarcasm - one of my favorite forms of humor - my hat's off to ikey.

At best, they're eBaysive, at worst, keep eBayby and the dirty bathwater...

Only point I care to add to this conversation post is that is certain areas of collecting the only catalogs for some issues are years and even decades old. There values may not be in tune with todays market. So some sellers adjust for past historical selling prices!

Warrehouse - I see your point, but then they should say Estimated Cash Value or 1965 Sanabria Catalog Value - in 2014 Dollars. Most of what these other gentlemen are talking about and what I have seen myself are listings for US stamps for which there is a definite and contemporary Scott value.