eBay counterfeit coins and lack of response to reports

I've come to the conclusion that the only thing currently causing removal is eBay being inundated with requests. If they get a request here and there, I think they're just igoring it.

 

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It seems many are not evaluating a typical transaction. They seem to be expecting that eBay by standing back from the buy/sell is saying its actually "real" or what the provider( seller) say it is. They are not the grading company that charges you an extra $ 30-50 to promise it is as specified, they just monitor the action and bidding based on the idea that the buyer knows what in the H**L he is getting for his bid.
If one doesn't , don't bid, just buy one from a coin store that will back it! Ebay has been nothing but great and easy to deal with for me. Some people won't understand my feelings, but I have had nothing but great buys/sells of coins and many other bids for auto parts, electronics , optical , etc. with zero complaints from me. IMO
Jim

 

I'm sure ebay has already faced the counterfeit issue in court. Another thing that is probably important are the ebay Terms of Use. Buyers and sellers have to agree with the terms to use the service. I wonder if the terms say anything about counterfeits?

 

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/selling-policies?id=4214

Buried within that is their counterfeit item policy, and replica coins and currency policy, which also prohibits counterfeit coins.

"Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn’t, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so."

 

They need to have a targeted risk management process. I see loads of Chinese crap that is obviously counterfeit being sold for a few bucks. It is understandable that they aren’t going to spend a lot of resources going after those listings. But then there are truly deceptive counterfeits or alterations of raw coins that the buyers spend their hard earned money on thinking they are genuine. And then there are high dollar counterfeits in counterfeit TPG holders that are more dangerous still. They had better be paying attention to those.

 

To my knowledge I have never bought a counterfeit coin, from eBay or elsewhere. I've been collecting coins for the better part of 40 years and would like to think I can spot a counterfeit coin (or at least am smart enough to steer clear if in doubt). My concern here is not, per se, personal - it is for the the hobby in general. Numismatics is a slowly dying hobby. Not addressing issues like this will only serve to embolden the counterfeiters and discourage new collectors.

 

Anything is possible, though I could not find any reports of such. While you are certainly correct that both buyer and seller agree to the TOS, no TOS would absolve eBay from their responsibilities under federal or state law.

 

I am sure they do have a targeted process, and I believe they are attempting to improve that process and incorporate AI. While the truly deceptive counterfeits are obviously a concern to us all, even the obvious counterfeits are illegal, and eBay has responsibility under federal law (at least in my "I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express" attorney opinion).

 

Interesting. I reported the coin below, which is the same counterfeit, and their AI said they found no issue with the listing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2861197593...pid=5338746425&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

If law enforcement doesn’t care, eBay sure won’t

People buy “Base Metal coin made of Quality Material” is hard to defend, if you’re looking at a $100 coin probably read all the description is what I lernd quick

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2861197593...pid=5338746425&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

Small Eagle reverse only existed up till 1798. 1804 dollar had an Heraldic Eagle on the reverse, which this example does not have. Also, seller states that the country/region of manufacture is China. Obvious fake but his so called deception actually mirrors that of a D. Carr (who by no means is deceptive)

 

There is no way to ever stop this. Mr. Carr left the gate wide open for anyone to follow. There will never be a way to stop it. It's here to stay.
Ebay, the laws and the hobby didn't have the balls to stop it.

 

That seller has 62 items for sale. As far as I can tell, they are all counterfeits, even the Chinese coins.

 

EBay should have something like "Community Notes," perhaps?

 

Posted listings were removed...

 

How can you tell if they are fake?

 

It varies by listing, but in some cases it's pairing dies that were never paired (i.e., pre post 1798 dies), other cases it's incorrect details such as missing details (fingers, leaves, etc.), incorrect fonts, etc. Also, anyone who looks at ebay with any regularity and/or looks for specific items will note that the same exact coin is being sold multiple times by various sellers (all with low or bad feedback).