I'm Completely Speechless.

There was strong evidence from this thread that the stamp was not a silk paper and not a part perf. Those two factors that the stamp was BOGUS took it down. Nothing else.

I disagree Ron. ebay doesn't take down listings based upon whether items might or might not be genuine, only if there are blatant ebay listing policy violations.

They do in coins. I met with an ebay exec years ago and discussed the issue and we came up with a reporting system. On the coin forum we get hundreds, sometimes thousands, of listings removed every day. Couple strikes and the accounts get removed.

Things are more formalized and structured on the coin side of the equation. I cannot recall an instance of a stamp listing being taken down by ebay based upon the genuineness of the item in question.

Counterfeits/forgeries not being indelibly marked, sure (as much as I disagree with that policy), other listing violations yes, but not because an anonymous buyer/viewer claimed that something was incorrectly represented.

Unless they're all of a sudden doing it based upon sheer weight of numbers of reports, or they now have some behind-the-scenes mechanism that elevates APS or ASDA member reports as being more viable than random anonymous reporters.

What may well concern ebay more than genuineness is criticism of ebay itself. So his reference to " ebay police" may have been picked up and acted upon.

It's based on who reports it, everyone is vetted. I can get a listing removed in minutes most of the time. They listened to me initially because the coin site sends millions in gross sales to ebay every year.

If someone with some clout in the stamp realm would take the initiative I did it could likely be done in stamps too.

Bobby - What method do you use to report an item?

It's been tried in stamps before. Bill Weiss tried. Basically got nowhere. Not enough money in it for ebay to care. I suspect that the only reason ebay cares about coins is that it is money, and counterfeiting is a big time crime. I doubt there is much sales money in that either by ebay standards. They generated $18 billion last year.

I have an email directly to a person at ebay that can wipe them. Over the years I've gotten others approved. There's likely 20 or so of us now.

I will stand upon my assertion that this listing was taken down because it was an altered stamp listed as genuine.

Ron, not to be excessively contrarian, but upon what are you basing that assertion? ebay has a longstanding history of specifically NOT doing this, at least as far as the Stamps category is concerned.

I would agree that this is what ebay should do, but that has not been their past practice.

This listing still shows up when browsing thru revenues ending soonest.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/REAL-GENUI....m4902.l9144

Read the text in the listing now. He is fuming and talking about lawyers if the listing gets pulled.

For future viewers of this post:



On my way out the door to buy some popcorn to eat while I watch this showdown...

Jim

I "reported" the item, as follows (not sure if I selected the right options or not (fingers slippery from popcorn butter)).

Maybe the auction will get pulled as well?

Oh, the irony...