Ebay shutting down "replica" coins 2/20

[cuag]

I got this email today. I'm guessing there is going to be a flood of junk hitting the bay before this goes into effect:

The eBay marketplace for coin collecting is vibrant. Buyers and sellers alike enjoy access to both a great selection and a highly engaged community. Customers within the Coins & Paper Money category have told us that the ability to shop and sell confidently on eBay is an important factor for them.

Based on this feedback, and after closely reviewing the coin experience on eBay, we have decided to update eBay's Stamps, currency, and coins policy to disallow replica coin listings on eBay.com, effective February 20. Any replica coin listings on eBay on February 20 will be allowed to end normally.

This update reflects standards across the coin industry and helps ensure compliance with applicable laws that require replica coins to be permanently marked with the word "copy." We also expect that this update will increase marketplace confidence by letting our community know that coin listings on eBay are authentic, so they'll receive the most positive eBay experience possible.

As always, thank you for selling on eBay.

Sincerely,

The eBay Seller Team

[Doctor Steuss]

Now if they'd just do something about silver plated bars and rounds that aren't marked as silver plated.

Skeptical Hippo’s confidence (or lack thereof) is unchanged.

[scrapper2010]

Not sure what to think of this. Are they saying you can still sell replica's if they are marked "copy"?

[natsb88]

Great move, but how well will it be enforced...

[DuckTales253]

Not sure what to think of this. Are they saying you can still sell replica's if they are marked "copy"?

It sounds like all replica coins will be disallowed, even those marked COPY. The last sentence seems to indicate their goal is that customers can shop on eBay knowing that all coins are authentic, as eBay does not allow replicas to be sold.

Great move, but how well will it be enforced...

I'm sure the word "replica" or "copy" will be filtered from any listings in these categories.

[henrysmedford]

From older post note the coin I got was not marked copy!
See--http://realcent.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=8693&hilit=+1909
Franklin said he would not sort until he got a 1909-S VDB see-- http://www.realcent.org/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=8457&hilit=+1909 It came in and guess were it dropped in the sorter? Also it look like the the US post and China have a joint service


Also the Ebay listing photo shows copy stamped on the 1909-S VDB copy and the one we got does not have that stamp!

Snapz%20Pro%20XScreenSnapz010.jpg (21.92 KiB) Viewed 297 times

[scrapper2010]

What about the 1 oz rounds that replicate older coins that are stamped "copy".

[DuckTales253]

Actually, according to the guidelines linked in the announcement from eBay, it seems replica coins, currency, and stamps are allowed as long as they are properly marked and sized.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/currstamps.html

I wonder if this is current or will change after February 20?

[cuag]

I have a feeling that the people who create and enforce eBays policies as they relate to coins and bullion actually know nothing about either. I get tired of these Chinese junk listings clogging up the auctions, but I don't foresee them successfully enforcing this. I'm not an advocate of the "suprise roll of halves found grandpa's safe" auction, but at least people buying "copy" coins know what they are getting instead of paying 3x face for a hope and a dream with a roll of clad disappointment. Ebay has no rules against the suprise roll scam. I think eBay is doing all they can to make the process so exhausting and expensive that the little guys stop selling and we are left with a world of Power Sellers. Maybe SOPA and PIPA has them nervous?

[cesariojpn]

Maybe SOPA and PIPA has them nervous?

SOPA/PIPA only would make their sites harder to navigate and enforce. Imagine if SOPA did come online; they'd probably go bankrupt in both removing offending auctions AND the lost revenue from said auctions!!

[Lemon Thrower]

cuag, i completely agree. nice name btw.

i actually like the replica coins. i have bought a bunch of them as decoys.

[SteelCityCopper]

This is going to have the same effect as more strict gun laws. The law abiding citizens get the vise of regulation tightened down on them with more restrictions and the law breakers continue to break the law as they always have. I'm sure folks are selling fakes on eBay right now and not listing them as replicas (nor do the coins have "copy" on them). Do you think they'll stop? How is eBay going to know they are fake garbage or anyone else for that matter until they get them in the mail?

What a joke