Counterfeit Forever Stamps

stampsplanet has an ebay 14-day return policy. High volume seller with good feedback, but the mint bundles could still have counterfeits. I also don't know how may fakes USPS catches so buyers could be shipping w/o any indication they are using CF. It is pretty clear from feedback the buyers aren't opening their packages and immediately recognizing them as fake....an ....they probably just assume good and either use them (seems most popular use case) or keep some.

It seems anyone buying would need to do some tests (have comfort they were USPS sourced) and assume the worst on any forever stamp purchase.

Quanah-Is Stampsplanet also known as
China-USA-Classics Stamps? If it is then I would be very suspicious. I have watched that seller for quite a while. They offer all these $200 face lots for $99.99 with free priority shipping. Their lots all look like they use genuine older denominated stamps and then pad the lots with Forever or modern high denomination stamps. I assume those are counterfeits that they use to actually make money when they sell one of these postage lots. I would contact the seller and tell them you think were sold counterfeit stamps and get your money back. They'll probably deny knowing anything about how counterfeit stamps could have gotten into their postage lots but will probably be more than willing to refund your money in exchange for not getting a negative review or getting ebay involved.

Thanks StampSlacker,

Well said. It is the same seller. I pulled up my ebay purchase and hit return and AI captured my pics, statement and gave me a shipping label. I chose the option for ebay gift card which will be activated upon drop off at POST OFFICE. This was pretty simple.

I returned everything as instructed. Done and move on.... not going to assume any bad intent but learn to take less risk.

I tried to learn how to do the detection. Perhaps these non-forever stamps are real (Dog Shelter & Birds) vs the bright blue borders of forever from prior pics and Pets Booklet which has white stamps that don't glow yellow/green like the others.

Doesn't matter now. All are returned...even the ones that are real.

Return in process and I have packed for drop off Monday....

Quanah,

That seller has been around a long time, and I figured they wouldn't fight too much about offering a refund. They don't want negative reviews or trouble from ebay for likely selling counterfeit goods
.
I would also check what kind of stamps they used to mail your package to you. If they are offering free priority mail shipping I'm guessing they are also using some counterfeit stamps to mail out their packages. Fake priority mail stamps are also common these days and I know they include those kinds of stamps in some of their postage lots. It wouldn't surprise me that besides selling them they are also using them to cut down their mailing costs.

I took a look at this seller's current and sold listings. My gut feeling is that they may not realize some of their lots contain counterfeit stamps. However, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that they suspect or even know about the counterfeits but choose to overlook the issue. Either way, I'm not convinced they're deliberately running a counterfeit stamp operation.

The mix of Forever stamps and older denominated stamps is somewhat suspicious, especially since the questionable stamps seem to be mostly modern Forever stamps. I also noticed that they've listed or sold several lots containing high-value stamp blocks in sealed USPS packaging, with the entire lots priced well below face value. What puzzles me is why the high-value blocks are in sealed USPS packaging, while the regular sheets aren't.

This makes me wonder whether they're simply a reseller sourcing stamps from different suppliers without carefully verifying their authenticity, or whether they're aware that some of their inventory is questionable.

Of course, this is just my impression based on their listings.

Sochummy-This seller seems very sketchy to me. They have been selling these same kinds of lots for several years. Also do the math: Selling Forever and high denomination stamps for 50% of face value while offering free priority mail shipping seems highly unlikely it's going to generate a profit, if what they are selling is all genuine. Plus, they also have seller's fees taking out even more of their profits. On the other hand, sell cheap Chinese fakes mixed in with genuine discount postage and their business model starts to make sense.

As for those high value blocks that are sealed in USPS packaging, if the Chinese can make almost perfect copies of USPS stamps how hard would be to slip a fake high value block in some plastic and add a piece of cardboard that imitates USPS packaging? The profit margins on those fake Priority Mail stamps are incredible so they could spend a few cents more and package them up to make them look even more authentic. It would actually be the smart thing to do.

I know some people on this forum probably disagree with my opinion on this matter, but I stand by it: If someone is selling large amounts of Forever or high value stamps on ebay for deep discounts, they should automatically be assumed they are selling counterfeits. Whether they are guilty of KNOWINGLY selling counterfeits is a different issue, but that seller should still be boycotted until they stop selling the counterfeits.

This seller has a 99% positive feedback, but if you look at the comments in that 1% of negative and neutral feedback ratings, it is likely that you are correct. In some cases the buyer "did not get the stamps pictured" which is not uncommon if stock photos were used, but it becomes a problem when genuine stamps are pictured and fakes are delivered. Multiple buyers reported receiving fakes, and the seller's email responses when trying to return items was at times abusive.

When a deal seems too good to be true, it is best to walk away.

I expect this seller will block you as a buyer, which is probably for the best, I just hope they don't leave you negative feedback.

Following the convo above it makes me wonder why people just don't buy direct from the USPS which is what the USPS Postal Inspectors are urging consumers to do.

Everyone that insists on continuing to gamble on these stamps looking for a "deal" is the reason why the counterfeiting problem continues. Demand drives the crime. It's no different than buying drugs or gift cards at half price or a $100 "Rolex". STOP your behavior and you won't have to come here wondering if you have counterfeit goods. Jeez. Simple.

In a difficult economic situation, people look to save money when they can. That makes this an easy decision. Remember, the vast majority of people buying counterfeit stamps are using them. They are not collectors, and they know nothing of this site, and in many cases they don't care whether they are counterfeit or not.

With regards to buying outside USPS....

There is an over supply of mint US postage (especially pre-Forever issues) resulting in market value of 30-50% face. That presents an opportunity for collectors and those mailing items.

I don't like denominations less than 20 cents but am ok using others. Forever seem too risky and often have a premium With the cost of shipping and fees on top of shipping discounted true US mint stamps can be the different in ability to sell things around the house and not.

FYI: most of the seller's negative feedback was related to the first picture being a "stock" photo and only the following pics being the actual items. My items were all photo'ed correctly after first. I can't tell they are fake by normal photo.

There was one feedback that suggested some of the stamps were CF.

Seller accepts returns so all should be good (except I was a couple days late).

Thanks for all the comments....helpful discussion.

How do you know there is an "oversupply" of mint US postage when the market is flooded with counterfeits?

The "market value" isn't 30-50% unless you are including counterfeit stamps. (irony there). Here are recent auction sales of genuine face postage. Note that lots of two thousand Forever flag stamps are going for 70-80 % of face. When viewing realizations don't forget to add 20% commission to the hammer prices.

https://stampauctionnetwork.com/V/v8546.cfm#33

I think the 30-50% rate is correct for water-activated stamps, might even be more like 20-50%.

Low values, say below .20 face value are basically in the toilet. 20% tops. And there are still a huge quantity of one-ten cent face value stamps, and especially three-six cent values which had long periods of first class rate usage. And a lot of different issues. It's not like they can be used on first class mail at this point, only large packages. High values are a different story, they do pretty well.

I now have my refund including tax (shipping was free priority envelope...and seller didn't use stamps) in the form of an ebay Gift Card (chosen due to speed).



The source of US Mint and denomination is key. Well mounted collections on nice pages sold on high volume platforms do better than those coming to Facebook to unload a stack of mint stamps they just inherited.

There are a lot of inherited US mint collections where the new owners go to Facebook Groups, ask about value, see comments on 30-50%....get offers.... and sell. There are even folks buying collections off line and bringing them to these Groups for resale at 50%. Lot's of US mint where the seller has 0 to minimal invested.

Rarely are these FOREVER (and those draw higher prices). Many are fancy sheets from pre-2005 but most are 3-15 cent denominations from that era. The 4 & 5 cent sheets & plate blocks are low value and hard to use but helpful to top off the postage on 20+ cent denominations.

I have not had any trouble buying US postage collections of 44 cent and lower stamps for shipping from individuals ....trying ebay and Forever stamps was my issue. Sheets like Legends of Hollywood are common, the decades sheets, etc.

Anything less than 50% off is not worth the hassle vs printed labels.

"How do you know there is an "oversupply" of mint US postage when the market is flooded with counterfeits?"

Necaise there was already an oversupply before the counterfeits started flooding the market as evident by declining dealer buy prices. Back in 1996-97, I was able to sell 32c scrap (the then current first class rate) to a dealer for 91% of face. 10 years later when the first trickle of counterfeits began, 91% was just a pleasant memory.