Ebay Due Diligence
Report for Famine Books
Why we think so?
Famine Books is an established eBay seller, offering the rare signed edition of "Les Diners de Gala" by Salvador Dalí. The store boasts over 99.6% positive feedback and significant sales volume, with nearly 19,000 items sold since late 2016. This seller appears legitimate, stocking a large, consistent inventory of rare and collectible books. For this specific listing, the asking price ($2.40) is a major red flag—signed Dali editions typically command $2,700–$8,700 elsewhere. The listing shows "very good" condition, multiple photos, and a full product description. Still, the unrealistically low price could indicate a data entry error, a scam, or a bait-and-switch. The seller does not accept returns. If an issue arises (such as an item not matching the description), eBay's Money Back Guarantee still protects buyers. There are no public records or credible complaints about Famine Books scam activity, but buyers should exercise caution given the price anomaly.
Risk Insights
Price Is Suspiciously Low
- Signed Dalí book routinely sells for $2,700–$8,700
- Listing price: $2.40—far below any genuine copy’s price
- Either a listing error, misrepresentation, or scam risk
Established Seller
- Famine Books has ~99.6% positive feedback on eBay
- Store active since 2016 with nearly 19,000 items sold
- No known scam, fraud, or counterfeit complaints
Contradictory Signals
The price is not consistent with market reality; this stands in sharp contrast to the seller's otherwise stellar reputation.
Signal A: Extremely low price signals potential scam or error.
Signal B: Long reliable seller history and mostly positive feedback.
Category Scores
Red Flags & Warnings
- The listing price of $2.40 for a rare signed Dalí first edition is orders of magnitude below market value, making it extremely likely to be an error, misrepresentation, or scam.
- No returns accepted, limiting buyer recourse except through eBay's dispute system.
🔎 Detailed Checks & Analysis
Seller history and reputation
Score: 85/100
Seller history and reputation
"This seller is well-established and has sold a high volume of rare and collectible books, suggesting professional operation."
Reason: The seller, Famine Books, has maintained a 99.6% positive feedback rating over thousands of transactions, indicating trustworthiness and consistent delivery.
Review consistency and authenticity
Score: 75/100
Review consistency and authenticity
"Feedback history is broad and not limited to a few days—a common sign of review stuffing or manipulation."
Reason: Reviews and feedback are generally positive, and there is no significant evidence of fake or manipulated ratings.
Listing accuracy and content legitimacy
Score: 30/100
Listing accuracy and content legitimacy
"The listing is detailed and includes images, but the price anomaly overshadows those positives and could signal a scam or error."
Reason: The product is described with photos and condition details, but the $2.40 price does not align with the current market for a signed Dalí.
Commercial integrity (price, fulfillment history, fulfillment pattern)
Score: 35/100
Commercial integrity (price, fulfillment history, fulfillment pattern)
"The extremely low price raises major questions, even though the seller is otherwise credible."
Reason: The price is grossly inconsistent with the same signed book's market value; seller's broad sales history mitigates risk only slightly.
Product authenticity and counterfeit detection
Score: 40/100
Product authenticity and counterfeit detection
"Highly collectible, signed Dali editions are frequently counterfeited. Physical inspection or professional authentication is recommended for high-value purchases like this."
Reason: No direct evidence of a counterfeit, but the listing's price and description for a highly collectible item warrant additional scrutiny. No claims of counterfeit against this seller found online.
Returns and buyer protections
Score: 40/100
Returns and buyer protections
"No-returns policy reduces direct recourse if something goes wrong, but eBay's policies provide basic protection."
Reason: The seller does not accept returns, but eBay's Money Back Guarantee covers buyers if the listing does not match the product received.
Your Next Steps
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1
Contact the seller via eBay to clarify the actual price and confirm the authenticity and availability of the signed Dalí book.
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2
Check if the listing price is a typographical error or genuine offer before attempting to purchase.
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3
Review recent feedback for evidence of issues with high-value items or fulfillment problems.
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4
If considering purchase, use eBay's payment methods (PayPal, credit card) for added buyer protection.
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5
If the offer appears 'too good to be true,' assume heightened risk—even from highly rated sellers.
Evidence & Citations
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eBay Product Listing for Signed Les Diners de Gala by Salvador Dali
The listing shows a signed Dalí hardcover for $2.40, but comparable signed copies sell for $2,700+ at major rare book sites and auction houses.
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Famine Books eBay Storefront
Store has 99.6% positive feedback, nearly 19,000 sales, and a deep inventory of rare books.
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Price Comparison and Seller Reputation: Famine Books on eBay
Legitimate signed copies list from $2,700 to above $8,000; no major complaints or scams appear in internet search results for Famine Books.
🕵🏻 Keep investigating
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