Would you bid on a forgery on go NPB just to keep it off the market?

[charnick]

Wondering what to do in this situation... one of my favorite auto sets of all-time is the 1992 Star Pics SNL autos. Also one of the rarest. Also one of the most forged.

I had actually been researching this set for almost a year, learning about the real ones as much as possible, waiting for something to hit the market... and last week the impossible happened! A seller on eBay listed a bunch of them, and matched exactly to other known legitimate versions. Very excited and confident of their authenticity, I purchased the Adam Sandler, Phil Hartman, Rob Schneider and Kevin Nealon autos:

1992 STAR PICS SNL SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SIGNED CARD KEVIN NEALON WEEKEND # 130 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/191988236672)
1992 STAR PICS SNL SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SIGNED CARD ADAM SANDLER PETE HAPPY # 53 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/191988251184)
1992 STAR PICS SNL SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SIGNED CARD ROB SCHNEIDER RICHMEISTER 19 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/351865982342)
1992 STAR PICS SNL SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SIGNED CARD PHIL HARTMAN NEWSRADIO ED 83 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/351865984945)

Fast forward to a couple of days ago, and I see a well-known, high volume eBay seller, TNTNorthNJ, who doesn't exactly have a sterling reputation around these parts, listed a series of ridiculously obvious FAKES:

1992 Star Pics Saturday Night Live SNL Autograph Auto #22 Sprockets Mike Myers | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/361796670399)
1992 Star Pics Saturday Night Live SNL Autograph Auto #47 Chris Farley | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/361796670421)
1992 Star Pics Saturday Night Live SNL Autograph Auto #88 Phil Hartman | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/201701539685)
1992 Star Pics Saturday Night Live SNL Autograph Auto 53 Iraqi Pete Adam Sandler | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/361796670479)

The tell-tale signs are numerous... Star Pics apparently never used the "RMR" authentication sticker on these autos, the Phil Hartman auto isn't even on the right card, and the autos just don't even come close to resembling those on the legit versions, or any authentic auto of these guys from that time.

So what to do... I already wrote the seller, and of course, was soundly ignored. Same when reporting these listings to eBay with accompanying proof. So I was thinking, I might just purchase these with no intent to pay for them, and take the strikes. I can keep them off the market for a minimum of 8 days that way, and save someone the trouble of purchasing these fakes. Of course, they'll probably be relisted, and by that time, I'll be blocked, but if I can save one person the trouble, it might be worth it. I don't care about being blocked, I never wanna give this scam artist (or scam consignor, I don't care which) my business again, plus I've never gotten a single NPB strike in almost 20 years on eBay, so I'm not worried about action from them.

Just wanted to get some more opinions from the hivemind before I decided to make a play on these or not. Also attaching some pics I've collected over the past year of other legit versions so you all can see how fake these are yourself!

[shrevecity]

It could backfire on you big time. The seller could see this thread report it to Ebay then have you banned for tampering with their auctions. Sellers that large often have dedicated reps and can get certain things done more efficiently than most others. Also getting multiple strikes could(it shouldn't since they would be at the same time) get you auto blocked by many other sellers.

[charnick]

It could backfire on you big time. The seller could see this thread report it to Ebay then have you banned for tampering with their auctions. Sellers that large often have dedicated reps and can get certain things done more efficiently than most others. Also getting multiple strikes could(it shouldn't since they would be at the same time) get you auto blocked by many other sellers.

True enough about being blocked by other sellers... lord knows I have a similar block set up myself, but I plan on taking an extended purchasing break (after overextending myself due to my excitement on the original, authentic listings, ha!) for a few months, so I'm too worried about that.

We have plenty of examples of eBay not doing anything to NPB's, but you make a good point about them having a dedicate rep that could pull the trigger on me. I've never been afraid of a phone call though, and wouldn't mind the opportunity to call them directly and point out the forgeries and explain that's why I didn't pay. I'm confident with my exemplary track record, they'd remove any suspension pretty quickly. Heck, as an aside, you know we disagree on a lot of buyer vs. seller activity on eBay, and I had a buyer's remorse case overturned in my favor on something I sold, once I got a supervisor on the line, so I do know I can find someone to listen to me.

Just really frustrating to know someone will buy and cherish these forgeries as if they were the real thing, and I just feel so powerless to do something about it!

[shrevecity]

Phone calls to Ebay make a huge difference and often decide cases in the sellers favor that would have otherwise gone against them.

Another issue would be unless you go nuclear with your bids you could actually inadvertently turn into a shill. Then lets say instead of relisting they make a second chance offer and that buyer takes it again you have acted as a shill for them, without intending to.

Its bad Ebay or the seller will not do anything, but on the other side buyers should be aware of what they are buying before bidding.

[Branesergen]

Someone needs to contact the FBI on these guys. Steady selling fakes.

[charnick]

no proof, but now it looks like they're shilling the farley at least with less than 2 hours to go. *sigh*