... even though Rene's email was a violation of eBay's "non-interference" rule. I have said here before that I have no qualms about contacting bidders to prevent fraud. In this case, the auction description was:

>> This is an extremely rare 1948 $5 chip from the Thunderbird Casino in Las
>> Vegas which closed in 1976. This chip is NV5767 in the Chip Rack Price Guide,
>> and is rated a Z3 rating, which is $1600--$2099. This is the new gem of your
>> collection, DON'T MISS OUT!!! There is no S&H to winner, and I will insure
>> chip.

In my opinion, this description is not criminally fraudulent (sorry, Archie, I still consider the "rare" word a matter of puffery rather than fraud, even in this case).

On the other hand, this is such an egregious situation of misleading by omission that emailing the bidders is justified. If eBay tries to do anything to Rene over it, I think we should ALL contact eBay in Rene's support (and I will do so, Rene, if it becomes necessary).

I have defended Dean in the past. I cannot do so on this one and will email him to tell him so. ----- jim o\-S