This is about the fourth time this thing has been listed and everytime people ask for hallmark or signature infomation and let him know that it IS NOT TIFFANY. Now he has updated the description to include the irregularities in the base but every time it's listed has that "Auth" in the title and some variation of playing up the reputation of Tiffany in the descripition
This one I'm not sure if it irritates me or just makes me pity the seller.
First of all you at their seller name and assume that they know something about the product at hand . Then you look at the product and wonder if they are stupid or just hope that bidder are. Is that REALLY a white imprint in block letters on the side of a Tiffany glass? Are we REALLY supposed to believe that Tiffany would print WHITE on a crystal glass and that even if they did they would do it on the SIDE? Yeah, the design is the Elsa Peretti Thumbprint but the Tiffany mark is ETCHED into the BOTTOM and the Perreti signature is just that... a signature that is also etched on the botton. I'm not saying that people need to be experts in this stuff, but shouldn't they at least use a little common sense?
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No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on July 30, 2005 08:06:36 PM new
Fenix...Email the links to both of those auctions to Tiffany, and tell them to wake up their VERO watchdog. He's asleep at the wheel.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on July 30, 2005 08:35:59 PM new
Sparx - that one goes without saying - there are a couple thousand Tiffany jewelry items listed, less than 100 of them are authentic and most of those are gold. The replica market there has destroyed any possibility of getting a decent price on authentic silver pieces.
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No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on July 30, 2005 09:12:47 PM new
As I recall, there was a thread sometime back about fake Tiffany. Doesn't Tiffany have a lawsuit pending against Ebay because they are harboring these scam artists? And I thought at the time their VERO people were unleashing a bloodbath on people listing counterfeit Tiffany items.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on July 31, 2005 06:44:21 AM new
The first auction is a franchise consignment store in New York - they have no clue what they are selling, and are probably listening to their consignor who is insisting that when Great Aunt Martha willed them this vase, she told them it was Tiffany. This is doing both buyers and consignors a disservice by not researching it.
I bought a pair of stoneware casseroles with Asian motifs from one of these franchises for $50.00. I resold them a week later for $485.00 for what they really were, 19th C Canton covered vegetables. That was a major disservice to their customers, they should have put some effort in to finding out what they had. The consignor doesn't always know.
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Caroline
It's something consignment sellers have to deal with. I make consignors sign a contract that, among other things, makes them liable if the item is not as represented. Then I do a lot of research (sometimes by pleading on this board for help ).
Between Kovel's, Google, etc., you can usually figure things out. I've had people bring me smoking pipes, pens, etc. that they had no idea were really valuable; more often, they bring me things that they think must be treasures and I have to tell them that, unfortunately, what you have is just old/weird/interesting, but not valuable on eBay.
In a strange twist, I have been threatened with a lawsuit in September by a consignor who doesn't like me terminating the contract (which I'm allowed to do), because I refuse to list her "gentleman's chest" as an antique at her listing price. I'm not an expert, but I was suspicious, and had a few people who know these things tell me it looked to be 1930s at the earliest, and worth a fraction of what she wanted for it. I offered to refund her pre-payment, but she doesn't want it back; she just wants the item listed. I see scam potential here, but I don't want to say any more than that in a public forum.
posted on July 31, 2005 07:43:32 AM new
Caroline - RE: The consignment store. I do realize the situation the guy was in the first time the item was listed. He was told by the owner that this was a Tiffany item and took them at their word. What I have a problem with is that this item has now been relisted at least twice (I think three times but I know twice) since he has been told that it was not Tiffany and still claims that it is. He has been asked numerous times each time it is listed for any hallmark information that is on it. He has changed the description to include details regarding imperfections but still has not mentioned that this piece bears NO hallmarks. The first time it was listed, the seller was mislead and that is absolutely forgivable, but on every subsequent listing, the seller is misleading and that's not. Besides it's just stupid. Anyone that buys this as has it authenticated or appraised is going to find out its a fake and do a chargeback and now the iSoldIt guy is eating the loss because he certainly would have already cut the owner a check.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on July 31, 2005 07:44:44 AM new
It must be a nightmare dealing with some of these consignors. I am toying with the idea of opening an online consignment shop here on the Eastern Shore - but what is holding me back is 1. finding a place with rent low enough for me to still turn a profit, and 2. do I really want to start dealing with the public again? I started selling online after doing shows and having space in an antique mall because the public can really wear you down sometimes.
I'm seeing alot of these I-sold-it franchises now, they seem to be the ones that don't take the time, or probably don't have the time, to do any research.
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Caroline
Some, perhaps most, of the consignment shops that are franchises are run by people who aren't sufficiently trained. They really don't get much for their money.
Having said that, dishonesty is still dishonesty. Similar to Fenix's point: the first time might be an honest mistake. After that, it's something else.
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