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What is ebay's policy on selling a counterfeit coin?

Would ebay help the buyer get a refund if a rare coin was purchased on ebay, sent it in for grading and it turned out to be a counterfeit? It happened to me one time, but thankfully the seller was unaware and she refunded my money.

I was wondering if ebay would be helpful or would it be the buyers problem?

Any stories?

Comments

  • UtahCoinUtahCoin Posts: 5,366 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Did you use "eBay" and "Helpful" in the same sentence?


    From eBay:


    eBay does not permit the sale of coins or paper money that are fraudulent or improperly described. Most countries strictly prohibit the sale of counterfeit currency, as well as equipment designed to make counterfeit currency. Accordingly, sellers are not permitted to list these types of items on eBay.

    Sellers who fail to disclose information about the authenticity of coins or paper money, alterations to coins or paper money, or other information which may have a material impact on the coin or paper money value may be reported to the American Numismatic Association (ANA).

    Please see the "Some Examples" section below on detailed requirements for listing Certified Coins, Raw/Uncertified Coins, Replica Coins and Replica Paper Currency.

    Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

    *

    Listing cancellation
    *

    Limits on account privileges
    *

    Account suspension
    *

    Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
    *

    Loss of PowerSeller status
    I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector.
    Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
  • You could dispute the Paypal payment if done within 45 days. But, who knows if they'd make you jump through hoops or not; ie- getting expert documentation of authenticity/appraisal, etc etc. If it really is fake, and the seller sold it as real, and won't refund your money- file criminal charges.
  • Steve27Steve27 Posts: 13,275 ✭✭✭
    If you were able to determine it was a fake, and promptly returned it to the seller, PayPal would side with you and force the seller to provide a refund.
    "It's far easier to fight for principles, than to live up to them." Adlai Stevenson
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,815 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If eBay was serious about counterfeits, they wouldn't allow products from China.image

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,572 ✭✭✭✭✭
    We need an "ask Russ" forum.
  • intenceintence Posts: 1,255
    yea doubt ebay cares enough to help but paypal may be your best bet or a credit card dispute
    image
  • BlindedByEgoBlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>We need an "ask Russ" forum. >>



    More abuse? Are you a masochist?
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,572 ✭✭✭✭✭
  • SaorAlbaSaorAlba Posts: 7,593 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Did you use "eBay" and "Helpful" in the same sentence?


    From eBay:


    eBay does not permit the sale of coins or paper money that are fraudulent or improperly described. Most countries strictly prohibit the sale of counterfeit currency, as well as equipment designed to make counterfeit currency. Accordingly, sellers are not permitted to list these types of items on eBay.

    Sellers who fail to disclose information about the authenticity of coins or paper money, alterations to coins or paper money, or other information which may have a material impact on the coin or paper money value may be reported to the American Numismatic Association (ANA).

    Please see the "Some Examples" section below on detailed requirements for listing Certified Coins, Raw/Uncertified Coins, Replica Coins and Replica Paper Currency.

    Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

    *

    Listing cancellation
    *

    Limits on account privileges
    *

    Account suspension
    *

    Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
    *

    Loss of PowerSeller status >>



    All that, but only if you are in the USA. If you are a seller of counterfeits in China all is well.
    Tir nam beann, nan gleann, s'nan gaisgeach ~ Saorstat Albanaich a nis!
  • When I bought a set of Lincolns a year and a half ago with a counterfeit 1914-D, XF++,
    eBay told me to go through paypal which I did.
    I didn't have to have anyone tell me it was a fake. It had VDB under Lincoln's shoulder.
    Plus it was the worst possible mangling of a 1944-D you'll ever see.
    It took me two months and numerous requirements to get a ruling.
    Paypal finally posted the full amount of my cost including shipping.
    A lot of trouble plus it got me my only neg. FB out of almost 3000.
    It was a retaliation of course. Since it was rounded off, my FB % stayed at 100.
    The seller, who had over 750 with no neb. ended up with 99.9.
    JT
    It is health that is real wealth, not pieces of gold and silver. Gandhi.

    I collect all 20th century series except gold including those series that ended there.
  • COALPORTERCOALPORTER Posts: 2,900 ✭✭
    "Sellers who fail to disclose information about the authenticity of coins or paper money, alterations to coins or paper money, or other information which may have a material impact on the coin or paper money value may be reported to the American Numismatic Association (ANA)."

    WOW !!! that'ill really scare 'em.
    Where's the see no evil, speak no evil , hear no evil sign ?
  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭
    The official policy or the nudge-nudge-pay-your-fees policy?

  • If you got fake coin then I think you chances are get to get your money back from Paypal or Ebay or the seller has you would just tell him if he does not give you your money back then you will open a dispute with ebay and paypal. He will loose his sellers account and paypal so I think he will work with you
    image
  • JoeLewisJoeLewis Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭✭
    How is it that eBay can wash it's hands clean of these things? If someone is selling a counterfeit coin eBay then aren't they at least partially held liable?
  • sinin1sinin1 Posts: 7,500
    We are just a platform, not an auction house
  • GrumpyEdGrumpyEd Posts: 4,749 ✭✭✭
    They sure seem to let this guy sell them, he offers them with no replica/copy stamp.


    Jinghuashei best example
    Ed
  • OK ... has anyone that you know complained to ebay or the FEDS ??? ..about the Chinese coins???
    image
  • GrumpyEdGrumpyEd Posts: 4,749 ✭✭✭


    << <i>OK ... has anyone that you know complained to ebay or the FEDS ??? ..about the Chinese coins??? >>



    Sure! And they reacted as expected. image

    Ebay gave free listings to China sellers.
    The Feds made them a "Most Favored Trade Nation"
    Ed
  • They do not have one. At least in practice.
  • JCMhoustonJCMhouston Posts: 5,306 ✭✭✭
    Based on the huge percentage of coins listed by Chinese sellers being fake, the fact that they know it and do nothing, I think their policy is that as long as they get their cut fakes are ok.
  • shorecollshorecoll Posts: 5,447 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I know they can't do much to the Chinese, but I'm surprised that no one here has the clout to get the Secret Service to do some test busts on US agents of these guys. Nailing a couple of these on a counterfeiting rap could be front page news around the country and at least stop some of the helpers.
    ANA-LM, NBS, EAC
  • JoeLewisJoeLewis Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>We are just a platform, not an auction house >>



    Yeah, but it seems like since they are officially "hosting" an illegal activity that they would have to be held at least partially responsible.

    I mean, if you provided a place of business in which drug dealers could come in and sell their product, and then drug users could go ahead and do the drugs there, then your business would for sure get shut down even though you can pretend that you didn't know these things arehappening and that you yourself are not selling or doing the drugs.

    What's the difference?
  • GrumpyEdGrumpyEd Posts: 4,749 ✭✭✭
    It's like a "Bunny Ranch" but the hookers live overseas. image
    Ed

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