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Posted By: Dave

After reading this post about the fake Tuxedo sign I started making some phone calls around town here. I'm pretty sure one or all of these sellers sets up at Ceasars Creek and turtle Creek flea markets every weekend. I once approached one of them in 2003 and told him he was selling unauthentic signs and photos. I was lucky to get out of there without being mobbed. As soon as I showed him why the particular photo was a fake he jumped my sh*t like the world was about to end. I told him if the piece he had was real that it was worth thousands, and that as far as I know there were only 3 or 4 photos like this one that were original. then other flea marketers came over to see what the yelling was about and they joined in to swear that the items they sell are "as real as they can be" I now know these guys ( one is a woman) by sight now.
In a prior post I talked about a self proclaimed card doctor who sets up at Ceasars Creek, and Turtle Creek fleam markets. I believe he is loosely involved with these ebay sellers, as every sunday I go to the flea market he is alwasy set up next to the "antique sign people"
pretty simple why Ebay hasn't or won't do anything to these people unless contacted by some law enforcement agency somewhere. Ebay makes huge amounts of money off of these people. they keep Ebay alive and viable every quarter since they have been in existence. I started on Ebay in it's infancy, and it has always been a haven and refuge for dsihonest flea marketers, and types like that. It started as basically an online garage sale, and hasn't really changed save the scope and size of the site now.
I have reported over 50 scammers, shillers, guys using multiple accounts, etc...since Dec.25th 2006, and Ebay has only acted on 2-3 of them. one of those guys is selling again, but apparently got his wife to sign up for an account. I alerted Ebay to this as well, but nothing has been done yet.
My advice for all who buy Tobacco cards on ebay is simple. Do your own research on the sellers. With a little looking you can gleen info on sellers that may alert you to shill bidding activity. Right now it is rampant, and most auctions I participate in I believe have some shilling. Never buy cards or items in the Sports memorabilia categories if the seller won't respond to your questions in a timely manner about the item. Here's an example...there was a piece listed in a bizarre category 2 weeks ago. It was a plaque or a piece of wood with perfect rows of tobacco cards pasted to it. the seller claimed that it was bought at an "estate" sale and was authentic in every way. I emailed the seller 12 times for close up pictures, and on the last day of the auction with 3 hours left he emailed me back to say he was sorry but there wasn't enough time to take the pictures. The best thing I've ever heard from a counterfieter was a guy we called "Wild Card Joe" here in the southern Ohio area. He used to sit at the monthly Hara shows, and wish that he could duplicate the type set on a T206 card.....wonder why he wanted to do that. a while later Wild Card Joe was busted by the FBI in the mid 90's counterfiet football card scam that went on here in Ohio

here's a question for board members who have been here longer than me.....is it appropriate to name Ebayers who we have busted/ and or suspect are listing bad items or are cheating people ? I for one would gladly contribute to the list that will undoubtedly be produced.