Finally! I found out where to report counterfeit items on eBay: http://cgi1.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISA...uthorized+Copies&instruction=&expirationDate= I hope that this link works, I'll test it after posting.
Here is eBay's policy about fake coins (for what it is worth): eBay does not permit the sale of coins or paper money that are fraudulent or improperly described. Sellers who knowingly fail to disclose information about the authenticity of coins or paper money, alterations to coins or paper money, or other information that might have a material impact on the coin or paper money value may be reported to the American Numismatic Association (ANA). 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
It's just too easy for ANYONE to sell a counterfeit as an authentic coin, and still follow ebay's policy. The key word is 'estate'. If they are pretending to 'liquidate an estate collection' then they can claim ignorance and thats ok with ebay because they arent 'knowingly' trying to defraud anyone. And besides, even after you prove to ebay that they did knowingly sell counterfeits, what are they going to do? Report them to the ANA? I can see if youre a well-known numismatist, and your job revolves around the industry, and being discredited by the ANA might actually be a threat, but most of these scam-artists really could care less about being reported to the ANA. And really, ebay and paypal make huge profits from some of these people, it's really not in their best interests to protect you from the scam-artists, but instead protect them from you.
Can you say "window dressing"? I made in excess of 50 reports to that link when it first got publicized as the "Community Coin Watch". 1 reported listing was cancelled. After time after time receiving their "we'll look into it" responses, after I had cited book and page of proof that the listings were fraudulent, with no results, I concluded that they weren't serious, and quit wasting my time.
Roy: That is ridiculous, out of #50 reports they cancelled one! The problem is that there is no alternative to eBay, unless coin collectors got together and protested them.
Easily sidestepped by: "I really don't know anything about these items, but they must be rare and highly collectible... I got them from my chipmunk's estate."
The sad truth is that Ebay is going to do absolutely nothing to get these scam artists kicked off of Ebay because those people are making Ebay money. Even if they do go into a "not a registered user" status they'll just come back again under a new account. It may certainly take an investigation by the media mogul like Niteline go crack this open and educate the general public that they're being scammed when they purchase coins on Ebay that they know nothing about. It all comes down to educating yourself before you buy coins online, especially from an auction site like Ebay. Does anyone know if Yahoo auctions have the same problem? I'd be interested to hear.
Frank,there IS an organisation that has been formed - the Coalition of Internet Numismatists Against Fraud.There is a website here; www.coinaf.org . Aidan.
