re ebay seller conduct

[IanB]

Ron, I've posted this before but it is worth repeating. If the seller lists the sword in a category 'swords', 'knives' or the like you will be prevented from bidding. If it is listed in another category such as 'memorabilia' or the like you can bid without any problem. I've noticed a lot of dealers now do use other categories so look out for them.

Ian Bottomley

[watsonmil]

Hello Ron,

I can understand your frustration with eBay. I would think you might be even MORE frustrated with the Facist attitude of the UK government. You live in a " control everything but immigration country ". By the way the UK is not the only country that has / is going this route. My family originally came from the UK, and my wife and I used to pay annual visits. I would no sooner visit the UK today as I would have visited Germany in the 1930's. It wouldn't surprise me to be chastied or even expelled from the Nihonto Forum, ... but it needed to be said even if this is a Forum for the study of Nihonto rather than a Political Forum. Unless people speak up there will be no Nihonto Forum anyway as it will eventually become impossible to collect ...... BY GOVERNMENT BAN.

Kind regards, ... Ron Watson

[ironron]

Hello Ron,

I can understand your frustration with eBay. I would think you might be even MORE frustrated with the Facist attitude of the UK government. You live in a " control everything but immigration country ". By the way the UK is not the only country that has / is going this route. My family originally came from the UK, and my wife and I used to pay annual visits. I would no sooner visit the UK today as I would have visited Germany in the 1930's. It wouldn't surprise me to be chastied or even expelled from the Nihonto Forum, ... but it needed to be said even if this is a Forum for the study of Nihonto rather than a Political Forum. Unless people speak up there will be no Nihonto Forum anyway as it will eventually become impossible to collect ...... BY GOVERNMENT BAN.

Kind regards, ... Ron Watson

HI Ron, I could say a lot about the way the uk is going, but in wont !...seeing that it is not a political forum. But i know what you mean.

[ironron]

Ron, I've posted this before but it is worth repeating. If the seller lists the sword in a category 'swords', 'knives' or the like you will be prevented from bidding. If it is listed in another category such as 'memorabilia' or the like you can bid without any problem. I've noticed a lot of dealers now do use other categories so look out for them.

Ian Bottomley

Hi ian, that is news to me, ...how about customs though?

[simonjbinks]

Dear Ed,

 

Re: "In regards to your statement, "we are, by and large, starved for good pieces in Australia". Just my worthless opinion but, I would recommend venues other than E-bay as the place to find good swords. Not to say there are never good swords offered there, but there are many cons, scams, rip-offs and just plain dumb asses to sort through."

 

Earlier on you make reference that you sense some hostility towards America.

 

Nothing could be further from the truth.

 

I most certainly have no hostility toward America. I lived there for a year, have been many other times, made two records there (as in music CD's, I was a rock 'star') and want to get back as soon as possible.

 

I find America's generally positive attitude refreshing and invigorating.

 

Regarding looking outside eBay, I have been collecting for thirty years, must have owned around 120 swords over that period, including a genuine Kotetsu with Horimono by Kotetsu and Tameshigiri by Yamano Kuemon Nagahisa, Sho-Dai Soshu Ju Tsunehiro, San-Dai Sashu Ju Masayoshi, Miyoshi Nagamichi, Sho-Dai Yamato Daijo Masanori, etc, etc. Then there are the great mumei or o-suriage blades that I never had a chance to have polished. At least one Juyo class blade there I would imagine.

 

All of my swords were gained by placing advertisements in papers as I toured the world, travelling sometimes hours to see what may be a jeep spring, may be a Masamune. I found a Masamune tanto, all by hard and expensive slogging, not merely trolling through eBay with a coffee in hand.

 

I have only started buying on eBay as of yesterday. It hasn't arrived yet but looks to be a good, beefy blade of 29" nagasa, with well cut futatsu hi on one side and bo hi on the other. But until I see the sword in my hands, I can't know if I bought well. It may have hagiri.

 

I have also been dealing with eBay to try to police the Chinese fakes and reproductions and attempt to get them into a category of their own, so that collectors without 30 years experience will not be fooled into thinking that a painted and acid etched NCO sword is a National Treasure. I have been invited into the catacombs of the National Museum at Ueno Park by Nobuo Ogasawara and held National Treasures, such as Okada Giri and more. I have been invited by master Togi into their homes where I have held magnificent a Masamune Katana. I could go on, but no, I am not some neophyte relying on a computer to do my work for me. I have lived in Japan twice and again, been many more times.

 

No, I have absolutely no hostility towards America. Envy perhaps, but I would rather be in San Francisco right now.

 

Simon Binks

[David Flynn]

Simon, I have to dissagree with you as regards to Australia being generally starved of good swords. This time last year, there was a Shinsa and Show in Sydney. The pass rate in this Shinsa was high, which impressed the shinsa team. This was also, the first time that so many Aussie collectors had the chance to meet up. The main problem with Australian collecting, is Low population combined with massive distance.

[simonjbinks]

David,

 

I amassed a fine collection of swords here. Yes, there are goods swords to be had.

 

It is a mere statement of fact that the vast majority of the Occupational Forces were US servicemen, and they took most of the swords back to America. This is well established.

 

Douglass MacArthur sat in virtual rule over Japan and our troops were outnumbered manyfold.

 

I was the founding member and lead guitarist with rock band Australian Crawl, so wherever we went, I put ads in the papers, checked out all the pawn and second-hand stores, really beat the bushes; in Australia (ALL over Australia countless times) America, New Zealand and the US.

 

I have outlined some of the swords I have had so yes, there are good swords to be had, or have been, and I have gained my fair share.

 

But it's just numbers. The US military outmanned us by some absurd proportion, was in charge of collecting swords and weapons of all kinds, so it is only logical that they got the lion's share.

 

I don't hold a grudge against the US. I love it there, lived with movie stars, collected vintage guitars, Japanese swords and vintage American cars. As stated, I would rather be in San Francisco right now (and may be soon).

 

It's just numbers.

 

Simon