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eBay policy on returning counterfeit coins...

ShadyDaveShadyDave Posts: 2,217 ✭✭✭✭✭
I'm am pretty sure I already know the answer, but I'd figure I would ask anyway. I
might gamble a purchase a coin on eBay depending on what I hear from you guys.




If I buy a coin from overseas, and the coin turns out to be counterfeit, what happens? I would file an INAD and then what would I have to do? Am I required to break HPA laws and send the counterfeit coin back through the mail back overseas? Couldn't that open me up to legal issues?




I searched the forum but didn't really find any recent information on this topic and I figured if I had this question, other people might has well...

Comments

  • gripgrip Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Don't buy from overseas. Period.
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What is to prevent a crook from ordering coins, declaring them to be counterfeit and demanding his money back, and then keeping the genuine coins for free? Of course you have to return the coins.
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,656 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If in doubt, pass. If in doubt from a non-US seller, run away as fast as you can.
    All glory is fleeting.
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,921 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: CaptHenway

    What is to prevent a crook from ordering coins, declaring them to be counterfeit and demanding his money back, and then keeping the genuine coins for free? Of course you have to return the coins.




    Sorry Capt, you are wrong.



    I recently purchased a trade dollar on ebay from a seller in Vietnam. PCGS said it was a fake. Filed a claim with ebay and was refunded (uploaded my PCGS proof to ebay). Was told NOT to send the coin back. Do what I want with it.



    It is now a pocket piece.



    Purchase was July 14, seller" indochinevietnamcollectible

    ebay item number: 191631861646

    put item number into watchcount and it will still come up; also still up on ebay.



    bob



    PS: my understanding is that out of country sellers are SOL and you do have to return to US sellers only.



    Pict I sent to ebay:

    image



    coin today after being in my pocket for 6 months::

    image

    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
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  • RampageRampage Posts: 9,511 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: AUandAG
    Originally posted by: CaptHenway
    What is to prevent a crook from ordering coins, declaring them to be counterfeit and demanding his money back, and then keeping the genuine coins for free? Of course you have to return the coins.


    Sorry Capt, you are wrong.

    I recently purchased a trade dollar on ebay from a seller in Vietnam. PCGS said it was a fake. Filed a claim with ebay and was refunded (uploaded my PCGS proof to ebay). Was told NOT to send the coin back. Do what I want with it.

    It is now a pocket piece.

    Purchase was July 14, seller" indochinevietnamcollectible
    ebay item number: 191631861646
    put item number into watchcount and it will still come up; also still up on ebay.

    bob

    PS: my understanding is that out of country sellers are SOL and you do have to return to US sellers only.

    Pict I sent to ebay:
    image

    coin today after being in my pocket for 6 months::
    image

    No offense, but that is quite a gamble on that coin. I looked it up on eBay and I could tell that was fake. The roughness gives it away.
  • ShadyDaveShadyDave Posts: 2,217 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: CaptHenway
    What is to prevent a crook from ordering coins, declaring them to be counterfeit and demanding his money back, and then keeping the genuine coins for free? Of course you have to return the coins.










    That is why I am asking this question here.... If you read what the HPA (that has been promulgated) clearly states that if a coin is brought into the US and is fake, it is subject to the rules below. If that is the case, which it looks like it is, eBay's policy does not seem to be in line with US laws.










    (a) An imitation numismatic item which is manufactured in the United States, or imported into the United States for introduction into or distribution in commerce, shall be plainly and permanently marked “COPY”.

    (b) The word “COPY” shall be marked upon the item legibly, conspicuously, and nondeceptively, and in accordance with the further requirements of these regulations.

    (1) The word “COPY” shall appear in capital letters, in the English language.

    (2) The word “COPY” shall be marked on either the obverse or the reverse surface of the item. It shall not be marked on the edge of the item.

    (3) An imitation numismatic item of incusable material shall be incused with the word “COPY” in sans-serif letters having a vertical dimension of not less than two millimeters (2.0 mm) or not less than one-sixth of the diameter of the reproduction, and a minimum depth of three-tenths of one millimeter (0.3 mm) or to one-half ( 1/2 ) the thickness of the reproduction, whichever is the lesser. The minimum total horizontal dimension of the word “COPY” shall be six millimeters (6.0 mm) or not less than one-half of the diameter of the reproduction.

    (4) An imitation numismatic item composed of nonincusable material shall be imprinted with the word “COPY” in sans-serif letters having a vertical dimension of not less than two millimeters (2.0 mm) or not less than one-sixth of the diameter of the reproduction. The minimum total horizontal dimension of the word “COPY” shall be six millimeters (6.0 mm) or not less than one-half of the diameter of the reproduction.

    [40 FR 5496, Feb. 6, 1975, as amended at 53 FR 38942, Oct. 4, 1988]



    §304.3 Applicability.

    Any person engaged in the manufacturing, or importation into the United States for introduction into or distribution in commerce, of imitation political or imitation numismatic items shall be subject to the requirements of the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.












    Thanks for all the responses!
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,921 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sometimes you hit a home run with a foreign purchase. I never shy away from overseas sellers.



    Ebay backs you all the way.



    bob
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    My understanding is that a counterfeit coin, like currency, needs to be turned over to the Secret Service.

    And the last guy holding it loses out on the value.

  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,921 ✭✭✭✭✭
    How is that not in line with ebay rules?



    Ebay clearly does not allow counterfeits and it also does not allow replicas or copies.



    bob:
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,636 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: TopographicOceans
    My understanding is that a counterfeit coin, like currency, needs to be turned over to the Secret Service.

    And the last guy holding it loses out on the value.


    It is a good thing the grading companies do not agree with you.
  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: davewesen
    Originally posted by: TopographicOceans
    My understanding is that a counterfeit coin, like currency, needs to be turned over to the Secret Service.

    And the last guy holding it loses out on the value.


    It is a good thing the grading companies do not agree with you.
    I'd guess it's the
    US Treasury they don't agree with.



    If you suspect a counterfeit note or have information about counterfeiting activity, please report it immediately to the U.S. Secret Service, or to your local police.



    Security Features - visit USCurrency.gov



    For your personal safety. . . PLEASE:



    1.Do not put yourself in danger.

    2.Do not return the bill to the passer.

    3.Delay the passer with some excuse, if possible.

    4.Observe the passer's description - and their companions' descriptions - and write down their vehicle license plate numbers if you can.

    5.Contact your local police department OR call your local U.S. Secret Service Office.

    6.Write your initials and date in the white border area of the suspected counterfeit note.

    7.DO NOT handle the counterfeit note. Place it inside a protective cover, a plastic bag, or envelope to protect it until you place it in the hands of an IDENTIFIED Secret Service Agent.

    8.Surrender the note or coin ONLY to a properly identified police officer or a Secret Service Special Agent, or mail it to your nearest U.S. Secret Service field office.


    Please Note: There is no financial remuneration for the return of the counterfeit bill, but it is doing the "right thing" to help combat counterfeiting.


  • PTVETTERPTVETTER Posts: 6,014 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The question is still not answered.

    Authenticity unverified does not equal conterfiet

    The question still exist
    Pat Vetter,Mercury Dime registry set,1938 Proof set registry,Pat & BJ Coins:724-325-7211


  • Jackthecat1Jackthecat1 Posts: 1,122 ✭✭✭
    I purchased a counterfeit German Empire 5 Mark on e-Bay. I had no problem obtaining a refund while keeping the coin. I now use the fake in talks about counterfeit detection along with a real example.
    Member ANS, ANA, GSNA, TNC



    image
  • I bought some counterfeit ASE's on eBay. Maybe because there were about 10 negative feed backs for counterfeit they believed us. I sent them back but UPS couldn't deliver them, fake address along with the fake silver. I got the coins returned plus my refund. EBay said keep them. Got them somewhere.

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