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Seller lists a high-quality fossil, takes payment, ships a different — inferior — specimen. Photos showed one thing. The box contains another.
Setup: Photos of pristine fossil — excellent preservation, minimal restoration. Listing looks great, price competitive.
Switch: After payment, ships similar but inferior specimen — same species, more restoration, worse condition. Plausible deniability.
Defense: "That's the fossil you bought. Natural variation. Lighting differences." Relies on buyer uncertainty and return hassle.
Post-Win Inspection
3-7 day inspection window. Buyer-photographed specimen compared against listing. Funds held.
Close-Up Requirement
Listings require multiple angles with identifying features and scale. No single-angle-only listings.
Representative Photo Ban
Exact specimen must be shown. 'Representative' or 'similar to' listings prohibited and removed.
Comparable Sales Database
Auction results tracks sold prices. Suspiciously low price for claimed quality = flagged.
Photo Documentation
Listing photos retained. Expert compares received vs. original during dispute.
Buyer Confidence Program
Covers 'materially different from listing.' Full refund if item doesn't match photos.
1. Demand exact photos: If "representative" or limited angles, insist on photos of the exact specimen.
2. Identify features: Request close-up of specific features — crack pattern, color variation, repair mark — for matching.
3. Photograph unboxing: Photo the package, during opening, and specimen immediately after. Timestamp everything.
4. Use inspection window: Compare immediately. Doesn't match? Dispute within 3-7 day window. Don't wait.