The seller I am referring to doesn't even have negative feedback. Probably because he is quick to refund and has a strict week or so policy.
Most people that can afford a $300 knife are too busy to run to the post office and return it. Maybe I am wrong- but the other thing is that he only Mark's up the anodizing jobs $20 or so, and I feel like maybe people think even if they know they got taken, the markup is so small that they don't care that much.
I called him out on it and he said something to the effect of it says in the auction that the photos are just representative of the general ano job and not the exact piece.
He also seems to hedge this bet by always listing at least 2 at a time of the exact same knife and anodizing job and claims that some of the pics are from one piece and some from the other(s).
If you know Photoshop, you can tell that opacity has been tinkered with and levels too.
Effing scumbag move- if only for the fact I had to repackage and go out of my way to drop it off.
That's the other trick, he pays for the return shipping and original shipping is free so no one can give him negative feedback for that hassle.
I found one company that has ALL the supplies and patterns and equipment needed (multietch, electrolysis tubs, etc.) to do your own anodizing on Ti, and I can't wait to save up to get the stuff. Total investment is under $200 to be able to do almost ALL of those crazy patterns and colors you see.
Not sure if I am "allowed " to post the info, but the guy is SO CHILL and doesn't have the usual d-bag "holier than thou " machismo BS you usually run into with dudes behind the counter at a gun or knife shop.
Anyway, sorry if I hijacked this thread a bit but the OP is 100% on the bullseye that image manipulation is a huge problem in this "hobby".
Every bladesmith knows that pics sell knives as well as reputation does.
My advice is to ask for a fresh picture if you're going to spend a lot of money- not very many acceptable excuses these days for a seller unwilling to take 3 minutes to snap a cell phone photo for you.
Great topic!