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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 127
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OP
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 127 |
This is a message to fellow newbies in this great hobby. I recently took a gamble and won an auction for a Ground Rohm SS dagger by Eickhorn on Gunbroker.com (I can hear the veteran members groaning already). Seller stated all original with 7 day money back guarantee. He had decent feedback so I took a shot. I won the auction for $1325, I thought I got extremely lucky as I have had nothing but good luck with gunbroker. Well I got the dagger and instantly thought I had issues. The pics in the auction were ok, not great, but ok. When I got this thing in hand I could tell I had trouble. The dagger was put together with "parts" and the scabbard was repro. The eickhorn maker mark was ******** under a loupe, but in the auction pics looked ok. I took several pics and forwarded them to one of the most respected dealers in the country and he confirmed my suspicions. I emailed seller and he said he would refund money as soon as dagger was returned. I sent dagger back via 2-day air. two weeks later, still no refund and he re-sold the dagger back on gunbroker for over $900! I filed a claim with paypal so I will see where that goes, probably nowhere.
Fellow newbies, please learn from this....spend a little extra and buy from reputable dealers, you cant go wrong there. If you think you are getting a great deal (too good to be true) on an auction, get second opinions FIRST!!!! expensive lesson learned.
Patrick
Last edited by Patrick69; 07/28/2017 04:01 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 46
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 46 |
I would probably have to make a road trip and ask for a refund, travel expenses included;-) sorry to hear about your luck.
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 127
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OP
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 127 |
I'm in California...he is in Michigan. Trust me, I thought about it. I'll see how the paypal claim works out, but I'm not holding my breath. It really ******** as it would have been my first SS, leaves a real bad taste in my mouth....
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 126
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 126 |
I remember seeing that dagger. I know how you feel brother. Love the hobby, but it's a professional game now. Just isn't enough good legitimate stuff out there to take a chance unless your a pro in this specific field of collecting and know what to really look for. It was sure fun in the 60's and 70's ...but who knew?
Natural Born American Citizen American Patriot U.S. Army Vet. 1969-'71 Spc.5 Field Artillery Crewman Sworn by oath to support and defend the "CONSTITUTION" of the United States against all enemies, "FOREIGN" and "DOMESTIC"!
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 15,084 Likes: 96
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 15,084 Likes: 96 |
If it was sent via the US Postal Service, go to the local post office ask for the Postmaster and ask him to put you in touch with the Postal Inspectors.
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 127
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OP
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 127 |
Dave, the guy sent it to me via USPS but I sent it back via UPS 2-day air. I am going to let the paypal claim play-out first before I take further action. I have give this guy well over two weeks to make this right and he hasn't, I even told him to only refund $1200 to make him "feel better" and nothing...so the paypal claim is for the whole thing. Stupid, stupid, stupid on my part....
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,126 Likes: 1
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,126 Likes: 1 |
Dang that ********, where about in MI ?
Doug
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 7
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 7 |
I've had good luck getting refunds from PayPal so there is hope for you. Also, if you payed with a credit card through PayPal be sure to contact you CC company. Good luck,
Mr.Gale
Gale Ensign
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,028 Likes: 5
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,028 Likes: 5 |
chance unless your a pro in this specific field of collecting and know what to really look for. And are lucky too.
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,077
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,077 |
I always recommend doing your homework first if you are unsure of anything you wish to buy. Not just general knowledge, but specific. Post photos here or show them to a competent, knowledgeable collector or dealer BEFORE you buy. If you wait until after you buy and get bad news, the seller has your money and you are at his mercy. I also recommend continuing research and study on all things pertaining to the hobby. You can learn much on a number of sites and Wittmann's descriptions are among the best. He often points out what verifies authenticity and what are indications of fakes and other problems. His books and those of others are also valuable for learning. The idea is to get to the point where you can feel confident on your own without having to consult anyone as to authenticity and other problems. When I started collecting, the internet was in its infancy and, unless you had a knowledgeable collector nearby, you were on your own. Today, the quick and easy thing to do is simply ask someone online about each and every dagger. In the earlier days, you had to learn what you needed to prevent a disastrous buying mistake. Certainly, there are times it is appropriate to consult with others, but the more you can stand on your own, the better off you will be. Again, if you have doubts, or just don't know, take any necessary steps to satisfy your mind prior to buying, not after you receive the item. You will do yourself a great favor, as well as one for the honest seller. Today, you will get more diverse opinions on just about anything, compared to the earlier days. Then, it was either "right" or it wasn't. Today's hobby is filled with naysayers, know-it-all's and smart-alecks. Many are quick to offer opinions on any given item without having the slightest idea what they are talking about. These self-appointed "experts" are a detriment to the hobby. Many a sale of an authentic item has been squelched because the buyer asked opinions about it and received incorrect information. There are also those who think the only "real" items are those in their collections. Then, there are the jealous ones, who will never own a particular type of dagger, or whatever, and purposely torpedo a sale and deride an item for that very reason. The good, the bad, the ugly are found in every hobby. Caution is always called for, but paranoia is self-defeating.
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 127
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OP
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 127 |
BOOM!!!!!! I got my money back via paypal claim......I got very lucky here. Thanks to the individual who helped me on this, I wont mention his name but he is here quite a bit....Newbies (like me): stay the hell away from gunbroker if you are not 100% up to snuff on SS anything....I took a chance here and it almost cost me $1300 bucks! read all the books you can and ask as many dumb questions as you can to these guys....most are great and will help....some, not so much, you'll find out who.
Happy hunting guys, Patrick
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 96
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 96 |
Good news!
And I agree... I hope I could get half the knowledge some of the gurus in here. Its a pleasure to read some discussions...
Sorry for my English...
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,609 Likes: 8
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,609 Likes: 8 |
That's great news well done
Regards Sean
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,077
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,077 |
Gunbroker has a lot of garbage when it comes to German militaria, but not all there is bad. Occasionally, a bargain can be had for a genuine item. There are some dealers just as bad, with a mixture of authentic and reproduction items. As noted, don't buy anywhere unless you are totally convinced it's the real thing and know what you are doing. If not, don't buy, or seek the learned options of others BEFORE you buy, not after.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,609 Likes: 8
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,609 Likes: 8 |
Very wise words from Grumpy. Take note all you new collectors
Regards Sean
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