Cels Forum

(*severe laughter in regrads to cloning comment*)  ^_^

You have to prove the user is underage or at least prove
very probable infraction of the rules. You need to offer
proof because Ebay has had problems with users getting mad
at being outbid on something and reporting the high bidder
as having done something wrong (to try to get rid of the
person). I have never had Ebay sit by unattentive when I
send them proof of infraction of the rules of the site. Also, sometimes the result of your reporting the user will
not be evident to you. Ebay has a system of reprimands -
the offending user's account will only be terminated once a
certain number or level of offenses is reached.

On top of that, "good" (read: "nice") people are hesitant to report problems to the correct authorities at Ebay. If a high bidder backs out of their bid, most people will just leave negative feedback. . . Ebay authorities DO NOT look at feedback profiles unless one is brought to their attention. Feedback Profiles are only for reference for other users - not as a place to officially report users. Even has backed out of a thousand other high bids, and their feedback rating is full of negative feedback, nothing will be done if you are the only one to correctly report them - your report will only count as one against him.

As far as collecting the scans goes, there's little that
can be done about that. I will say that children aren't the
only ones who do this. . . Along with my cel collection, I
have a collection of scans of cels I don't own that I use
as desktop walpaper. Sorry, all, but that's part of the
hobby for me. Unlike a child, however, I DO see a reason to
have the actual cel instead of a scan, and I do not bother
dealers or sellers for larger scans unless I'm honestly
considering purchasing. Perhaps one solution would be for
dealers/sellers to only offer scans to people who have
purchased from them in the past? That would be unfortunate
for newcomers who feel they need to see a closeup of
something to feel secure in purchasing it, but it might
alleviate some of the problem. Another possible solution
would be for dealers to only offer *partial* larger scans.
(For example, "Can I see a closeup of the eyes on cel number
X?" or "Can I see a closeup of the lining in the hair?")
The only thing I wouldn't want to see are more "watermarks".
I find it difficult to decide if I like a cel when it has a
watermark emblazoned across the picture. I'm not talking
about the site addresses on Taro's scans, for example -
neutral colored and not in the way of deciding the quality
of the picture - I'm talking about the ones that blot out
some of the picture, or are of an obnoxious color that
keeps me from deciding if I like the way the colors of the
cel itself flow together.

Just my thoughts. . . (*shrug*) I didn't think there were
many little kids who bothered collecting scans of cels
other than to maybe take one from a site to print and tape
up in their locker at school. But then I generally don't
understand people who lie pointlessly (like pretending they
have the real cels) or prefer quantity over quality.

Many Sharp Smiles,
--Drac