YEP
THAT OLD CHESTNUT AGAIN! EXACTLY THE POINT I WAS MAKING WHEN I STARTED THIS LITTLE DEBATE, E-BAY IS AN AUCTION AND THE SELLERS SHOULD ACCEPT THAT. THEY WOULD NOT GET AWAY WITH IT ELSEWHERE.IF THEY WANT A FORTUNE FOR SOMETHING LET THE START PRICE REFLECT THAT - AND TAKE THEIR CHANCES THAT WAY, KEEP US INFOMED AS THIS TRICK IS BECOMING MORE COMMONPLACE, ITS JUST THE SILLY EXCUSES THAT VARY!

I guess the bottom line is that the internet auction sites do not care .They have took no action against the guy who sells the fake mining checks. From my personal experience you are wasting your time complaining to them at all. They just want to take their listing fees and final fee commission and not dirty their hands with problems when they arise. Also there is nothing stopping sellers saying they have lost or misplaced the item for sale and then issuing a refund if they are not happy with the price it fetched at auction. The same could be said about private listings and shill bidding, wide open to abuse. It appears they have the monopoly on internet auctions and there is little regulation. Compulsory provision of paypal payments is another subject which should be investigated by the monopolies & mergers commission. A nice little earner when you also own paypal.

Well said Checkmate. There isn't an Auction House in the country that would let these go to auction without stating that they are FAKES before the bidding starts.That is EXCEPT EBAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regarding the ebay bidders,one born every minute springs to mind.

Here is great auction for beautifully crafted nautical ship miner lamps, coal mining lamps/lanterns. heavy & large size brass coal miner lamp.
Classic style miner lamp in antiqued brass. good working burner and clear glass.
This beautiful brass lanterns is not sold as an antique, this is well made reproduction nautical piece for grab.