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EBay Complaint - Seller Selling Items Not Vintage Mexican Silver - Selling Items Not Genuine
Selling Items Not Genuine - Complaint
There is a seller(gbay4114)on eBay that has been selling vintage Mexican silver jewelry and doing very well. My problem with this, is that he has been doing repairs on many of the pieces without telling buyers. Some people may think this is okay, but if a piece is replaced with a newer piece it should be noted. Since this seller has been getting away with this, he started buying silver balls/squares, wire, and various stones to make his own jewelry.
Now this person is buying (silver7stone) lots of junk silver, and has even paid over $1,000 for one purchase, as there were several pieces that were hallmarked by well-know Mexican jewelers. Now he is selling jewelry that he has created himself from all new items, and adding the hallmarked pieces from the junk silver purchase he made. This seller is stating that they are made by an artist, like Castillo, when Castillo never made the piece and never would have. Anyone that is a collector of Mexican silver jewelry would pick this up right away, but still some people are being taken in by his flowery writing and descriptions.
He is getting some very high prices for these new pieces that are really new except for the small piece containing the hallmark. This is fraud if there ever was a case of fraud. All one has to do is look at all of the items he has purchased, and then the items he sells to see that he is doing more then simple repairs on many of the items he sells.
Now this person is buying (silver7stone) lots of junk silver, and has even paid over $1,000 for one purchase, as there were several pieces that were hallmarked by well-know Mexican jewelers. Now he is selling jewelry that he has created himself from all new items, and adding the hallmarked pieces from the junk silver purchase he made. This seller is stating that they are made by an artist, like Castillo, when Castillo never made the piece and never would have. Anyone that is a collector of Mexican silver jewelry would pick this up right away, but still some people are being taken in by his flowery writing and descriptions.
He is getting some very high prices for these new pieces that are really new except for the small piece containing the hallmark. This is fraud if there ever was a case of fraud. All one has to do is look at all of the items he has purchased, and then the items he sells to see that he is doing more then simple repairs on many of the items he sells.
Comments:
Posted by TheNewSheriff on 2007-12-22:
Well, Ann Margaret, posting here is a start. I would also look to see how you could report this to ebay. Also, look into other areas for reporting fraud. What does his feedback say about him? Do these people not know they are getting ripped off? How do you know so much about the differences between what he advertises and what he delivers?
Posted by LeeSee on 2007-12-23:
It is always buyer beware, but his customers seem very happy with the merchandise. 1 negative out of 853 is better than most on E-Bay.
Posted by Ann Margaret on 2007-12-23:
Yes, this seller has good feedback, but only one person had the conviction to leave him the negative. She wanted to return the item, since it was not as he described, and he would not accept it back, threatened her, etc. He comes on nice, as long as he gets his way, but if anyone questions him or differs he is extremely the opposite.
It has always been "Buyer Beware," but some people feel that due to his excellent feedback that he is an honest seller. You can't go by eBay's feedback, as they almost tell you not to leave a negative. This seller has been reported for misleading descriptions and titles several times and nothing has been done by eBay. You and I both know that all eBay cares about is getting their percentage of sales, and this seller sells at much higher prices than anyone else, so they are not going to lose the money from his sales. Just look at the pieces he has bought on eBay and resold for double, triple, and sometimes even higher. Some sellers are not including a statement that they will not guarantee that the items they are selling are genuine or haven't had parts repaired or replaced. This tells you that there are a lot of faux pieces being listed now, and this seller is definitely one that is selling many faux pieces. Eventually this will scare everyone away from collecting Mexican Silver jewelry.
If anyone thinks that reporting to eBay that he is creating his own "vintage" pieces from new merchandise and adding a tag from scrap collections that he has bought will do anything they are wrong. EBay is a business, and they don't care about anything other than the money coming in. This man has to be reported to his local police department for committing fraud, and maybe then something would be done to stop him.
I have been a collector for many years, and I have done my research, and know that this seller is ripping off at least 99% of his buyers who are not knowledgeable, or are being taken in by his misleading statements on the items he is selling. Everyone should do research on what they buy, especially at some of the high prices they are paying, as maybe then this man would not getting away with ripping off his buyers.
It has always been "Buyer Beware," but some people feel that due to his excellent feedback that he is an honest seller. You can't go by eBay's feedback, as they almost tell you not to leave a negative. This seller has been reported for misleading descriptions and titles several times and nothing has been done by eBay. You and I both know that all eBay cares about is getting their percentage of sales, and this seller sells at much higher prices than anyone else, so they are not going to lose the money from his sales. Just look at the pieces he has bought on eBay and resold for double, triple, and sometimes even higher. Some sellers are not including a statement that they will not guarantee that the items they are selling are genuine or haven't had parts repaired or replaced. This tells you that there are a lot of faux pieces being listed now, and this seller is definitely one that is selling many faux pieces. Eventually this will scare everyone away from collecting Mexican Silver jewelry.
If anyone thinks that reporting to eBay that he is creating his own "vintage" pieces from new merchandise and adding a tag from scrap collections that he has bought will do anything they are wrong. EBay is a business, and they don't care about anything other than the money coming in. This man has to be reported to his local police department for committing fraud, and maybe then something would be done to stop him.
I have been a collector for many years, and I have done my research, and know that this seller is ripping off at least 99% of his buyers who are not knowledgeable, or are being taken in by his misleading statements on the items he is selling. Everyone should do research on what they buy, especially at some of the high prices they are paying, as maybe then this man would not getting away with ripping off his buyers.
Posted by flairnet on 2008-03-01:
This is really interesting. I have reported this seller to eBay on numerous occasions. His items are very suspicious. He first got my attention when I noticed that every one to two months he listed the exact same “rare” bracelet supposedly from one of Hector Aguilar’s apprentices. The photos on each of these listings were exactly the same, except for the photo of the hallmark—which quite obviously was superimposed over the previous hallmark! The description copy was exactly the same, too, only the name of the “apprentice” changed. This guy talks these pieces up so well that he sucks in all those buyers who know nothing about vintage Mexican silver and convinces them that they are getting a very valuable piece. Though I have sent eBay several of these listings which show the same bracelet over and over again, eBay has chosen to do nothing. This, too, is very suspicious. This seller brings in a lot of revenue both for himself and eBay. And I am sure there are lots of other sellers that are just too profitable for eBay to censure or kick off. I don’t bother reporting this guy to eBay anymore. Obviously, there is a bigger picture here, which I have no control over.
Posted by Ann Margaret on 2008-03-01:
Flairnet, You are so right about every single thing you said. I know that several buyers and sellers have reported him for the same things, including is misrepresenting the items. Ebay ignored them, including myself, due to the profits they are making from his sales.
This seller buys on ebay under another name, which I believe is silver7stone. if you check his purchases, you would find that he has purchased many of his pieces on ebay, he has purchased damaged pieces, bought cheap stones, and other items to do repairs. I've seen many of the broken pieces he purchased up for sale by him described as "museum" quality. He has also purchased stamps for metal, and inscribing tools, and this makes me wonder how many of the pieces are actually signed by the true taller.
One of these days he is going to sell something to someone, who is going to bring criminal charges against him and his flowery descriptions.
This seller buys on ebay under another name, which I believe is silver7stone. if you check his purchases, you would find that he has purchased many of his pieces on ebay, he has purchased damaged pieces, bought cheap stones, and other items to do repairs. I've seen many of the broken pieces he purchased up for sale by him described as "museum" quality. He has also purchased stamps for metal, and inscribing tools, and this makes me wonder how many of the pieces are actually signed by the true taller.
One of these days he is going to sell something to someone, who is going to bring criminal charges against him and his flowery descriptions.
Posted by awake in sf on 2008-03-04:
WHY ISN'T EBAY SUSPENDING GBAY4114?
HE IS FRAUD ALL THE WAY AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT HIS MISREPRESENTATION OF JEWLERY.
HE FIXES-MAKES-STAMPS PIECES.HE NEVER REPORTS THE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PIECES HE REPAIRS. VINTAGE IS NOT EVEN A WORD HE UNDERSTANDS.
MUSEUM QUALITY IS CRAZY BECAUSE I SEE THE SELLERS HE BUYS FROM.I MYSELF HAVE REPORTED MISREP IN HIS TITLES.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
HE IS FRAUD ALL THE WAY AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT HIS MISREPRESENTATION OF JEWLERY.
HE FIXES-MAKES-STAMPS PIECES.HE NEVER REPORTS THE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PIECES HE REPAIRS. VINTAGE IS NOT EVEN A WORD HE UNDERSTANDS.
MUSEUM QUALITY IS CRAZY BECAUSE I SEE THE SELLERS HE BUYS FROM.I MYSELF HAVE REPORTED MISREP IN HIS TITLES.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Posted by jktshff1 on 2008-03-04:
probably 'cause you keep yelling.
Posted by myrta on 2008-03-28:
AHA!!You discovered gbay on ebay? Do you know his cohorts? Yes, they all shill each others mexican silver auctions helping them get extraordinary prices no one else get when selling vintage mexican jewelry. They also buy reproduction jewelry from Mexico & claim vintage.No, ebay will do nothing about it.They are all making too much money for them to step in.He is not the only one doing this. Yes, it's pretty awful.No, ebay will do nothing to change it.
Posted by seeitallnow on 2008-04-08:
I just got taken by a seller in the vintage costume jewelry category and started looking for places to report them other than ebay. I received a brand new reproduction piece listed as vintage.
The first thing I want to say is a way to do something about these sellers is file a SNAD with Paypal. Forget reporting to ebay of course. Don't even file a SNAD with ebay. File with Paypal. You may have to pay for an appraisal of the piece.
I'm not entirely sure, but I think (and it makes sense) that when Paypal gets enough SNADs of one seller, they do something about it. Not for any moral or legal reasons, but because it costs them money for full refunds. Of course, all gbay has to do is create another ID and start selling again, but he'll have to all get a new bank account and mailing address, or Paypal will recognize him again.
I filed right away on mine. I knew, and was correct, that the seller wouldn't refund my money - if she was smart she would IMHO. I don't know the outcome yet, but I also have investigated her a lot more and know that she's sold the same necklace from the 1920s THREE times. Gee, what are the odds of finding a mint cond exact same vintage necklace 3 times in a row.
I think gbay leaves one obvious clue - the number of perfect vintage items he has - doesn't anyone ask themselves how does he get that?
The first thing I want to say is a way to do something about these sellers is file a SNAD with Paypal. Forget reporting to ebay of course. Don't even file a SNAD with ebay. File with Paypal. You may have to pay for an appraisal of the piece.
I'm not entirely sure, but I think (and it makes sense) that when Paypal gets enough SNADs of one seller, they do something about it. Not for any moral or legal reasons, but because it costs them money for full refunds. Of course, all gbay has to do is create another ID and start selling again, but he'll have to all get a new bank account and mailing address, or Paypal will recognize him again.
I filed right away on mine. I knew, and was correct, that the seller wouldn't refund my money - if she was smart she would IMHO. I don't know the outcome yet, but I also have investigated her a lot more and know that she's sold the same necklace from the 1920s THREE times. Gee, what are the odds of finding a mint cond exact same vintage necklace 3 times in a row.
I think gbay leaves one obvious clue - the number of perfect vintage items he has - doesn't anyone ask themselves how does he get that?
Posted by myrta on 2008-04-09:
Unfotunately, there are a group of sellers who make a very nice livelihood selling counterfeit Weiss & Haskell on ebay.Katie Hafner wrote an article published in 2006 regarding fake Weiss in the NY Times. Those sellers were never punished in any way.They all still sell on ebay.
Posted by seeitallnow on 2008-04-10:
Maybe the reason ebay is making the decision that a buyer can leave neg fb but a seller can't (starting in May) is that they and paypal are inundated with complaints. I can't believe, though, that either company really CARES, just that they can't handle the amount of work that has to be done AFTER a sale.
Just my estimate, but I'll bet at least 80% of all auctions are deceptions. The odds that you're going to get burned are pretty high no matter how careful you are.
Right now, in order to warn other buyers, you have to suck it up and take a retaliatory neg. And unless other buyers page back to your neg, or Toolhaus the seller, they'll never know anyway.
Just my estimate, but I'll bet at least 80% of all auctions are deceptions. The odds that you're going to get burned are pretty high no matter how careful you are.
Right now, in order to warn other buyers, you have to suck it up and take a retaliatory neg. And unless other buyers page back to your neg, or Toolhaus the seller, they'll never know anyway.
Posted by myrta on 2008-04-12:
The real stinky is that there are a number of these "vintage jewelry" sellers that left ebay & went to Ruby Lane. So, it is still a buyer beware market.
Posted by ValkyrieVixen on 2008-05-03:
I wish I had seen this earlier! I sold him a very nice bracelet recently, he wrote me a nice note that it was great but there was a small crack in one stone so he'd like $10 partial refund. I checked with other rockhounds and they agreed that it was a natural inclusion, as I already knew, but since I didn't have it in my hand to double check and he was sooooo nice in his emails, calling us friends, etc. that I gave him the partial while denying my gut that it was uncalled for. Today I see that he has the same bracelet listed as PERFECT, says what looks like a crack is just an inclusion, as I told him! I'm sick about being taken like that, it wasn't a lot of money but the principle of it nauseates me. I sent a money request through PP for the $10 but as expected, no response. He has NO conscience, he lists post 1979 pieces in the Art Deco/Nouveau categories and now I see he falsifies other things, it all makes me sick.
Posted by superbowl on 2008-05-04:
The guy has been on eBay since 2003, has almost a perfect rating and is a star power seller. Don't know what to tell you besides he has learned how to buy low and sell high. Can't blame him to much for that or that a minister is looking to add to his income on eBay.
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=gbay4114&&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller&sspagename=VIP:feedback:3:us
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=gbay4114&&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller&sspagename=VIP:feedback:3:us
Posted by ValkyrieVixen on 2008-05-04:
Maybe with the new feedback rules people who wanted to neg him but were afraid of retaliation will now damage his rating. I've been contacted by several other people who've had problems with him, he is far from an innocent seller.
Posted by myrta on 2008-05-04:
I contacted him sometime ago on ebay when he grossly misrepresented a Mex piece he was selling.He thanked me & never changed the description. He & another seller of mex jewelry buy new pieces & sell them as old.Building jewelry from parts & representing as old is also fraudulent.He does not like to take returns & gets downright nasty.Why does he react that way if he is a good seller? Just another scammer with reverend in front of his name.
Posted by superbowl on 2008-05-04:
Well then it's up to those that claim they have been scammed to report him and get eBay on your side. He looks to have the run of the house right now.
Posted by ValkyrieVixen on 2008-05-04:
We have no recourse, the powers that be at Ebay have no clue about proving the authenticity of his items. We could report till we were blue in the face and nothing would happen. I'm just hoping the new FB rules will allow those that have been defrauded to finally have their say without fear of retribution. My sale was with his buyer ID so can have no direct affect on his selling ID.
Posted by awake in sf on 2008-05-05:
WHY DOESN'T SOMEONE TRY CALLING THE CHURCH?
ASK FOR HIM OR THE WIFE. YOU CAN ASK THEM IF HE SELLS ON EBAY.
HE IS A CROOK AND I WROTE HIM ONCE (EBAY SITE)/
HE GOT VERY NASTY AND IS A LIAR.
WISH HE WOULD SEE THE STUFF ON THREE CENTS.
I CAN'T TELL HIM BECAUSE HE KNOWS MY NAME.
HE DESERVES TO SEE ALL THE REMARKS. HE IS SILVER7STONE FOR BUYING. PROBABLY OTHER NAMES ALSO BUT THIS ONE I AM POSITIVE.
HE FIGHTS WITH PEOPLE AN MAKES AGREEMENTS ABOUT THE FEEDBACK. LOSER BUT SLEEK.
ASK FOR HIM OR THE WIFE. YOU CAN ASK THEM IF HE SELLS ON EBAY.
HE IS A CROOK AND I WROTE HIM ONCE (EBAY SITE)/
HE GOT VERY NASTY AND IS A LIAR.
WISH HE WOULD SEE THE STUFF ON THREE CENTS.
I CAN'T TELL HIM BECAUSE HE KNOWS MY NAME.
HE DESERVES TO SEE ALL THE REMARKS. HE IS SILVER7STONE FOR BUYING. PROBABLY OTHER NAMES ALSO BUT THIS ONE I AM POSITIVE.
HE FIGHTS WITH PEOPLE AN MAKES AGREEMENTS ABOUT THE FEEDBACK. LOSER BUT SLEEK.
Posted by seeitallnow on 2008-05-15:
I'm sure he wouldn't care if he saw all this. Ebay is the perfect place for fraud. And the fraud sellers ALL get mean and nasty if you call them out. That's so you'll back down. I think that most of them have personal problems beyond committing crimes - they are a sorry sorry bunch - and make up the bulk of ebay.
Posted by LacksFocus on 2008-05-20:
Wow, I'm so glad I stumbled across this discussion... I've been watching two of his auctions and was going to bid on a necklace. Not anymore! Thanks, guys.
Posted by myrta on 2008-06-28:
Oh- an update.He & his buddies just made all their auctions private listings- a sure sign something less than legal is happening. Now, if you want REAL some attention- post at the rip off report. Call him out. He is one of at least three. Another is hilandlass.
Posted by LacksFocus on 2008-07-07:
I'm very suspicious of hilandlass. She keeps posting the same "vintage" pieces over and over again. Where does she keep finding the same vintage necklace?? Vintage my foot...
Posted by lucikins on 2008-07-09:
please can u reply!!!! i got a ring of ebay for £100 and it never came through?
what shall i do?
what shall i do?
Posted by lucikins on 2008-07-09:
please reply!!!! i bought a ring mfor £100 pounds what shall i do? and they didnt give it me!!!!
Posted by 4mulesnmexico on 2008-07-24:
Did the same to me too. I was fortunate enough to have some kind ebayer inform me about her dealings. Another buyer id she used quite frequently is tranquilharborsales.
Posted by restlessdog on 2008-07-28:
Ah, The truth at last! Restlessdog
Posted by ValkyrieVixen on 2009-01-04:
I just heard from a seller who sold him a lot of Mex pieces. He has added false marks to several of them and repaired many others without divulging that fact.
Since I saw both the auction where he bought the pieces, showing they had no marks and/or were damaged, and the ones he listed with false marks and repairs I know it is a fact he is a fraudulent seller.
Not to mention the fact I have seen numerous items that he has totally misdescribed. Unfortunately most of his buyers don't have the experience in jewelry to see it but those of us who do know that the "spiderweb carnelian" and "genuine turquoise" are really dyed howlite. It's really disgusting what he is getting away with.
Since I saw both the auction where he bought the pieces, showing they had no marks and/or were damaged, and the ones he listed with false marks and repairs I know it is a fact he is a fraudulent seller.
Not to mention the fact I have seen numerous items that he has totally misdescribed. Unfortunately most of his buyers don't have the experience in jewelry to see it but those of us who do know that the "spiderweb carnelian" and "genuine turquoise" are really dyed howlite. It's really disgusting what he is getting away with.
Posted by myrta on 2009-01-06:
Go to the complaintsboard.com to expose him as a fraudulent seller.The last time comments were made about him on ebay, the thread was pulled.All negative comments disappeared.Also, he is participating in a site antiquejewelryseller.com listing him as "trusted seller". What a fraud.
Posted by 4mulesnmexico on 2009-02-21:
i think they both should be reported to the IRS. Consider it done here!
Posted by revdfp on 2009-09-28:
September 2009: How sad that one can be so mis-represented on this site. I am the minister,who you name and I do not have any of the user names that you have mentioned in this thread. You have all chosen to defame an innocent person. I have spoken with the first complainer and told them that they had the wrong person! I even have had the CT State Police on the case. SO PLEASE - stop this! You could ruin my reputation if you haven't already! I am not a crook and I DO NOT SELL ANY JEWELRY on ebay or anywhere!! NEVER HAVE! Thank you.
Posted by LadyScot on 2009-09-28:
Let me just say that Ebay buyers got what they wanted. Now they can live with the consequences. Complete control over a seller who actually pays Ebay's bills yet has no control over their own business. So you ran all the good honest sellers off so all you are stuck with is the crooks. Happy shopping.
Posted by Eloise on 2009-09-28:
This reviews goes back to 2007 & the rev just found about it today? Am I the only one who thinks something is fishy here?
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