Wincacher said
If that can be done, why not send the warning to all bidders.  I couldn’t figure out how to determine who each bidder is.  

If you go into the bid history, you can view all of the bidders and click on each one’s feedback rating.  You can then click to view their items for sale, then go to their item and “ask the seller a question.”  This only works if bidders have items for sale–any without items for sale, you’re SOL.  I was only able to warn two of the bidders–none of the others had items for sale in order to get the “ask the seller a question” option.  I warned both that they were bidding on a fraudulent gun and included a link to this forum thread.

Don

Wincacher said
I actually received a response, though it doesn’t say much:

Lisa Thomas <[email protected]>

5:31 PM (1 hour ago)

 

Hi there,

Thank you for your comments.

I will correct the caliber listed later today.

I will contacted the owner about the gun having a number on receiver and being refinished.

He is the owner and writes the descriptions as I am not qualified.

I do the listings, shipping  and and complete the balance of the sale.

Thank you 

Lisa
Sent from my iPad

 
  

I see the seller has not bothered to edit their post regarding the “truth” about this rifle.  This seller is in the business of screwing people over by buying junk, refinishing, and peddling them off to unsuspecting buyers as originals for big profits.  All greed…

1873man said
…it takes a rare person to teach them a lesson in court.

Bob  

And one with plenty of dough! Cost of this kind of litigation (many thousands, unless you’re a lawyer yourself!) is not recoverable by winning the suit–successful plaintiff could recover whatever funds he’d lost to defendant, but no more, or very little.  So if defendant voluntarily offers to refund the sum in question…judge would probably dismiss the suit.

So unfortunately, best way to “teach them a lesson” is probably OUT of court!

I still think BATFE is failing in their mission, they decline to do anything about a person who is obviously in the business of selling firearms without a license. I don’t think they actually fall for that line from “Lisa” about “just doing the listings”. I don’t know the element of the appropriate offense but I’d think “do the listings, shipping and complete the balance of the sale” should be enough for charges to be filed or at least merit a visit from a local BATFE agent. Something’s just not right when licensees have to do everything right and folks like this seem to make a game of skirting the laws we must abide by.

The high bidder today, 4/25/17 is the same high bidder of yesterday…38WCF. He has been notified of the truth and given links to this forum from several different members here. Remember on GB, when you bid a certain amount you are locked in at that amount and can’t with draw your bid. If you win, the only thing you can do is refuse to pay for it and take the hit. Or it could be that there’s some shilling going on here…one never knows.

I got an e-mailed thank-you from one of the bidders I informed and sent a link to yesterday.  Haven’t gotten any response from the current high bidder though.  Maybe it is a shiller…wouldn’t be surprised.

Along the same lines as what is going on in this auction, is another auction from a well known seller who appears to be very professional and knows his stuff…I thought. Take a look at this auction, read the description where it says ” The wood to metal fit is tight and proud.” Then take a look at pictures 13, 27, 34, 64, 65, 70, 74, 75, 76, & 85 and tell me if you think the wood is “tight and proud”. I would say that a majority of folks that buy on GB are inexperienced and/or simply don’t care nor do they want to learn. I sent a note to the seller in this auction when it came up. No changes, no response…… 

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/637022822