So What's Your Take On This "Questionable" Scott 356?

Let me supplement Don's wise words by noting that dealers have an opportunity to use this forum to exhibit their knowledge and expertise, thus building confidence in buyers and attracting new customers. I am continually surprised that so few dealers, even those with online stores or large ebay stocks, do not participate in this forum (or others) so that buyers can discover them and the value of their experience and knowledge. Many stamps are commodities; they are widely available from many dealers and always will be. But dealers who offer knowledge, data or stories about stamps will differentiate themselves as providing value beyond the commodity. In a commoditized market in which face-to-face transactions are declining, offering such value as a service beyond the commodity will be a key way to prosper this century.

cjpalermo's point is an excellent one, and one which any dealer who reads it should heed.

As a collector, I specifically look for on-line dealers whose sites are not just a price list, but which offer insights and information. Having the opportunity to read what they say, on sites such as this one, would definitely positively sway me toward them for future purchases.

Great point, cj!

I just stopped laughing...not even a CHANCE of authenticity! Color, size, seller...ALL BAD!

So we should just welcome all the bad sellers?? Baloney. Yes we need to educate ourselves and others, but I do not agree we should let ebay off the hook.

eyeonwall,
Removing the context of my post, then rearranging the order, is not very intellectually honest. It is like me doing this with your post and then saying you are full of baloney.



You misunderstood my post, my post was in response to the suggestion to use the Contact ebay feature to address this issue. It had nothing to do with 'welcoming all the bad sellers'. Educating buyers is a possible solution for bad sellers (albeit a long-term one) since educated buyers would avoid the faulty and mis-described listings and market forces would eventually come to bear.

I've also done things like selling my ebay stock (even though it was making me money). I've pushed back against them by refusing to support their inane feedback system. I even tried in vain to use their useless reporting feature several hundred times. And I have certainly been outspoken critic of their marketing, policies and procedures.

It is easy to say that 'we should not let ebay off the hook' but I do not understand what your solution entails. Please elaborate on how you think we can 'not let ebay off the hook'.
Don

Don, I totally agree with you. The answer lies with educating the buyer. I am glad that I discovered this forum and the insight shared within. I also agree that ebay will never shut Anthony's down. They are too big a revenue stream for ebay. I presented ebay with a dossier, that if ebay were a jury, would have overwhelmingly found this company guilty of fraud. The fact that they chose to turn a blind eye, speaks volumes of their priorities. Rob L

I rearranged nothing!