All but two of the eBay auction items listed by new eBay seller “Historic Souvenirs” (historicsouvenirs) – more than 50 in total – have been canceled by the seller. Though “Private Listings”, many showed bidding activity, and several were scheduled to end today. Most all of these items, with Certificates of Authenticity from “Global Antiques”, were canceled.
More, the remotely hosted photos of these items have been removed, leaving listings with no photos of the items offered for sale as “authentic” and “original” memorabilia. The eBay “Store” for the account no longer appears to exist either.
“Historic Souvenirs” just listed its first items for sale last week (see “Global Antiques” Returns To eBay: “Historic Souvenirs”) after “Auction Depot LA” (auctiondepotla1) and “Auction Shop USA” (auctionshopusa) ended their own ongoing sales of this product (see “Global Antiques” Memorabilia Listings Pulled From eBay).
“Historic Souvenirs” Ends Sales Activity, Shuts Down?
Here is an archive of the canceled eBay listings ended early by “Historic Souvenirs” (prior to the photos being removed):
Here is an example of the explanation provided in canceling the auction listings:
Text Explanation:
The seller ended this listing early because the item is no longer available for sale
Here is an example of the explanations provided in canceling bids prior to canceling the auction listings:
Text Explanation:
The seller ended the listing early and canceled all bids
Here is a side-by-side comparison of one of the listings while still active a few days ago compared with tonight, following cancellation and the removal of all photos, including the “Historic Souvenirs” logo and other collateral imagery:
While more extensive by comparison (with removal of photos, etc.), it is similar to the actions taken by another eBay seller offering large quantities of “Global Antiques” entertainment and historical memorabilia; “Auction Shop USA” canceled all active listings of their same pedigree of memorabilia product less than two weeks ago, (see “Global Antiques” Memorabilia Listings Pulled From eBay). Since, “Auction Shop USA” has elected to convert their Feedback Profile from “public” to “private”, following a number of customer negative feedbacks (see Auction Shop USA Update: Private eBay Feedback Profile). Per eBay policy, this change prohibits sellers from listing items for sale on eBay so long as the Feedback Profile is private. For more details, see eBay’s policy “Making Your Feedback Profile Public or Private“.
What Is The “Auction Depot LA” – “Historic Souvenirs” Connection?
There have been a number of additional developments with regard to authenticator/consignor “Global Antiques” and the businesses selling this product on eBay – “Auction Depot LA” and the aforementioned “Auction Shop USA” and “Historic Souvenirs”. Most notably in yesterday’s article (see “Global Antiques” Culver City Map: eBay Seller Storefronts, “Big Lots!”, “T.J. Maxx”).
One of the many outstanding questions has been whether or not “Auction Depot LA” and “Historic Souvenirs” are the same company, based on events and developments and the similarities in the listings (even using the same photos and hosting account/directory, offering the same items, using the same format and language, etc.). See these topics for side-by-side comparisons of listings, the second of the two comparing the exact same item as listed by both companies:
- “Global Antiques” Returns To eBay: “Historic Souvenirs”
- “Auction Depot LA” & “Global Antiques” Update: Buyer Leaves Mass Negative Feedback, Cites “Criminal Investigation”
A collector has forwarded to me an e-mail sent to them by “Auction Depot LA” (auctiondepotla1) which, if genuine, brings more clarity to the question of a connection between the two eBay accounts. I was given permission to publish this, though I have blocked out the recipient’s personal information to afford some anonymity. This is dated June 3, 2008 – one day prior to my article reporting on the new account selling “Global Antiques” product (see “Global Antiques” Returns To eBay: “Historic Souvenirs”):
Text from the message:
Dear [EDIT],
Hi [EDIT], we are just about to launch a separate ebay site for Global Antiques. search for “HistoricSouvenirs”
We privatize our listings to shield our buyers against unwarranted harassment.
I’ve heard about relatives stating that they can’t recognize their family members items before but you have to understand that it is impossible for her to have a complete inventory of her mothers assets. The legal team of Global antiques assured me of that as well.
Be assured that all of Global Antiques items are genuine and authentic.
Very Kindly,
Adam
This is an interesting message on many levels. As a preface to my reactions, I have no present reason to doubt the authenticity of the e-mail; more, since it was sent through eBay’s messaging system, there is a third party record of the message.
Hi [EDIT], we are just about to launch a separate ebay site for Global Antiques. search for “HistoricSouvenirs”
This would suggest that “Historic Souvenirs” is merely a second eBay account for use by the same seller, “Auction Depot LA”. This is consistent with all other information available.
We privatize our listings to shield our buyers against unwarranted harassment.
Regarding the “Private Auction” format, this is eBay’s policy definition (see eBay’s Auction-style Listings):
Private Auction
When a seller creates a private listing, a buyer’s User ID does not appear in the listing or in the listing’s bid history. Only the seller is authorized to view the buyer User IDs associated with that listing. Examples of when sellers use this format include the sale of high-priced items, or approved pharmaceutical products.
eBay’s stated scenarios for the appropriate use of this style of listing is not consistent with the relatively low-priced, non-pharmaceutical products that are offered.
I’ve heard about relatives stating that they can’t recognize their family members items before but you have to understand that it is impossible for her to have a complete inventory of her mothers assets. The legal team of Global antiques assured me of that as well.
The logic of these statements does not agree with the “Q&A” in the “Auction Depot LA” and “Historic Souvenirs” listings:
Global Antiques is the curator of all of the props available for auction through Historic Souvenirs. They acquire these props from collectors and studio personnel.
How is it “impossible” for a daughter of one of the celebrities/public figures to know what her mother owned and/or property sold at auction, yet “Global Antiques” relies on the memory and testimony of “collectors and studio personnel”, which is limited to “Oral History”?
More, is it not customary for estate sales and auctions to involve a complete inventory of assets? Especially for a celebrity or public figure, such as those individuals for whom “Global Antiques” claims to have property for sale and certify as authentic?
I am also curious to learn what “legal team” would offer assurances as to what someone they have never met does or does not know.
Be assured that all of Global Antiques items are genuine and authentic.
I am still unclear of the “Auction Depot LA”, “Auction Shop USA”, “Historic Souvenirs”, and “Global Antiques” formal position on the authenticity of their memorabilia and antiques/art.
The latest series of “Historic Souvenirs” auctions on eBay, the majority of which were just canceled, state the following under “About Us”:
Per Our Legal Team, We Must Inform You That Our Items Are Not Museum Quality, They Are Not Intended For Investment Purposes, And They Are Not Perfect. There Are Other Companies From Which Memorabilia Can Be Purchased With Registered Numbers And Authenticity Documentation. We Are Not One Of Those Establishments. Our Collectibles Are For Entertainment Purposes Only. Except For Oral History, We Have No Details Regarding Our Memorabilia. Strict Privacy Agreements Prohibit Us From Obtaining Or Providing Additional Information About Our Items.
Which is it?
Are the items “genuine and authentic”?
Or are they “For Entertainment Purposes Only”?
In the e-mail message, “Auction Depot LA” says it is “impossible” for a family member to have an inventory of her mother’s assets, yet they themselves state, “Except for Oral History, We Have No Details Regarding Our Memorabilia”.
“Auction Depot LA” Ends Sales Activity, Shuts Down?
As I was writing this article, I noticed that “Auction Depot LA”, too, ended their remaining (though non-“Global Antiques”, non-memorabilia) eBay listings early, just as “Historic Souvenirs” did as described above. Here is an example:
The stated reason is:
The seller ended this listing early because the item was lost or broken
Auction Depot LA has also changed their eBay Feedback Profile to “private”, just as “Auction Shop USA” did 5 days ago (see Auction Shop USA Update: Private eBay Feedback Profile):
As was the case with “Auction Shop USA”, the comment from eBay on the feedback page reads:
Private Feedback – This member, auctiondepotla, has decided to make his/her Feedback comments private. Feedback can still be left for this user and the Feedback ratings left are shown above in summary format. Learn more about private Feedback.
This is the explanation per eBay’s “Making Your Feedback Profile Public or Private” page:
Making Your Feedback Profile Public or Private
Your Feedback Profile is a valuable asset that helps you earn the trust of other eBay members.
If you keep your Feedback Profile public, you’ll increase the chance other members will trade with you. Most members want to see a member’s Feedback Profile before they trade with them.
If you choose to make your Feedback Profile private, your Feedback comments will be hidden from other members. (They will still be able to see the number of positive, neutral and negative Feedback you’ve received.)
Important: If you have a private Feedback Profile, you will not be able to sell items on eBay.
eBay strongly encourages members to keep Feedback Profiles public so that everyone can benefit from Feedback other eBay members have left.
Per eBay rules quoted above, members who maintain a private Feedback Profile cannot sell items on eBay, which would currently include “Auction Depot LA” and “Auction Shop USA”.
Jason De Bord
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