What Are These Sellers Up To?

I don't expect bobby to do anything about those e-bay listings other than just admit that they are not professional e-bay sellers .

Really? What country do we live in? I've seen this so many times it's exhausting. Folks have the 'right' to ask whatever they want for items they are selling. I mean any amount they want. Whether we agree/condone it is completely irrelevant. This is America where capitalism lives and breathes.

If someone is willing to drop that chunk of change on those coins then guess what, that's their value at that time.

ebay is like one gigantic garage sale. Professional sellers on ebay is an oxymoron. There is no such thing. The old adage always wins, caveat emptor. You must become knowledgeable in what your buying or you'll be fleeced out of your underwear.

It's not our business to tell these sellers that they are ripping people off, it's the responsibility of the buyers to either buy or not buy based on what they know. If they don't know then they should keep their money in their pockets but if they choose not to then it's on them.

These ads, while laughable, are completely legal within the realm of ebay sales.

On a side note, keep up the great work Bobby on the items that are in violation (counterfeits). And, THANK YOU!

T-BOP, think of it as going to a yard sale / garage sale. If you come across an item in a garage sale and the price is too high do you purchase it anyway? Or, do you leave it for the next guy? Do you go to the owner of the item and jump on them because their price is too high? That's the only way I can look at it. Currently these sellers own the coins. They have chosen to make them available to anyone who is willing to pay their price. It's their coin and their price. Buy it if you wish don't if you think it's too high. Obviously you're an educated buyer and know the prices on these coins are ridiculous. We're all in agreement with that. It's simply not against any rules on ebay (garage sale) nor am I personally willing to label someone as a person who is trying to rip anyone off. My dad taught me a lesson when I was a young boy. An item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If these coins sell then they had that value to someone. If they don't then the sellers will either need to keep the coins or lower their prices.

From a numismatist standpoint I completely understand where you're coming from but ebay is a gigantic garage sale, not your local coin shop. There are billions of overpriced items all over the board on that site. I always go by the moniker, tread lightly...

It's the old saying throw something against the wall and see what sticks. It's not costing the seller anything to relist at the higher or lower price so why not?

I fail to understand why the fact that the French overprice their coins means that these specific listings should not be discussed (or even ridiculed).

I agree, nss-52. A seller's "right" to ask what they want is beside the point. These listings aren't scams. They were created out of ignorance, which is the real issue in most of these cases.

TBOP - Yep... That's it exactly. No different than someone at a garage sale asking $1000 for a rusted 43 Lincoln Cent. Same difference, not against the law and in America they have the right to ask whatever they want for property they own.

Again, I agree wholeheartedly that these listings are offensive but I keep my blood pressure down by laughing at them and moving on..

Bobby, I think that would be ebay's death knell. But you are absolutely correct, be careful what you wish for.