misleading badge auction on eBay...

[susan314]

Okay, so there is a badge being auctioned on eBay where the seller is claiming it is from the early 1900s and is a "vintage" badge. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm fairly certain that the "vintage" badges from the early 1900s all have the sister's name engraved on the back. This pin has "AQ-526" on the back, with an Alpha Beta chapter guard.

Trying to be fair and realizing that the seller may have purchased it from someone who misrepresented themselves, I contacted the seller and explained that this is not a badge from the early 1900s. I explained that badges from that era would have a name on the back...there is currently a badge on eBay from a 1940 initiate, I used that item number as an example and explained that if the badge she's selling were truly from the early 1900s, it would have markings more similar to the 1940 badge. (I didn't even bring up the fact that she shouldn't be selling the badge at all, b/c I didn't want that fact to take away the point that she's making an incorrect claim about the age of the badge in her auction.)

Her response was this (cut and pasted verbatim):

Thanks for the info. Yes, I received this info from the person who sold it to me. I couldn't find out muc research on the company manufacturer. What is AGD? Do they have a website?
Unfortunately I cant update the auction as there is currently a bid. Thanks for your help,

So, she knows that her auction contains bad information, but isn't going to change anything about it.

Here's the auction link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...108340665&rd=1

Of course, its annoying that someone is selling one of our badges to begin with. But then to make a false claim about the age of it makes it even worse. Though, at least it gives us grounds to report the item. So, anyone here who is an eBay user might want to report the item. Perhaps they'll take action if they get enough complaints? We might not be able to stop people from selling our badges, but we can at least make sure that they aren't misrepresenting the badges they choose to sell.

[NutBrnHair]

Not to mention your Alpha Beta Chapter wasn't even chartered until 1922?

I buy & sell on eBay. The seller might not be able to "change" the auction, but s/he certainly can include your question & response with the listing.

[susan314]

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

Not to mention your Alpha Beta Chapter wasn't even chartered until 1922?

I buy & sell on eBay. The seller might not be able to "change" the auction, but s/he certainly can include your question & response with the listing.

That's what I thought too! I know that you can't completely erase the reference in the auction once a bid has been made, but there's a way to revise it to state that you have been given additional information. (Sure, it might not look good for you, but these things happen...)

I was very polite and factual in my comments - showed examples of "authentic vintage" badges currently on eBay, pointing out the obvious differences on the back which should help demonstrate why the one she's selling is more recent. Since she questioned who the manufacturer was, I explained that Herff Jones would have made the badge (though they would not likely be the source to go to to verify its age, IHQ would be more likely to handle that sort of request). We'll see if it gets anywhere - I understand that she may have been mislead herself when she purchased the item, but its one thing to make an honest mistake when you don't have the knowledge. Quite another thing to be presented with additional information, and not making an effort to inform your potential buyers!

[AGDLynn]

i think it's funny that the bid is not even $11.00. I assume the buyer realizes its not as old as the seller states.

[SoCalGirl]

When it comes to uneducated buyers and sellers of GLO badges I think it's better to leave them in the dark. Anyone with a legitimate claim to the badge, members, will know the difference.

[GtownGirl98]

Great point SoCalGirl