Locked
Discussions in this board are limited to the original poster and Community Mentors
Ebay Authenticity Guarantee For Coins
Summary: coinslabz26 is seeking clarity on the rules and procedures for reporting damage to coin holders under eBay's Authenticity Guarantee Program. They describe an issue where authenticators claim undisclosed damage, despite clear disclosures in the listing, and are frustrated by the lack of clear guidelines. comics-scifi-collectibles suggests contacting the community team for more information, acknowledging that authenticators can make mistakes, and advises providing thorough descriptions and photos. elizabeth@ebay responds, confirming that the Authenticity Guarantee team has the most accurate information but offers no further details. coinslabz26 expresses hope for higher-level input, citing ongoing issues and communication problems with PCGS, the company performing the authentication.
I was wondering if the mentor team could contact a member of the authenticity guarantee program, who has knowledge of coins (not comics or cards) to give us guidance on how exactly we are supposed to disclose damage or wear if the authenticators do not or can not read descriptions? The authenticators and sellers need rules in black and white so we can follow them to the letter.
We need to know. What is permissible. what isn't permissible, and where damage can be described if the description is not enough? Or is it just that every holder must be new. Or did I do exactly the right thing and a new employee hit me with that on 2 different coins?
Currently the currency policy clearly states which grading services are acceptable (PCGS, NGC, ICG, ANACS, ICG etc). There is no established grading system for the condition of holders. Authenticity Guarantee for coins has turned into a game of grading 40 year old holders, and has little or nothing to do with authenticity. (especially since they exempted the bullion category where cheap counterfeit holders actually are a minor problem)
Authenticity guarantee for coins is reporting "minor issue found" from the condition of the holders EVEN WHEN DAMAGE IS DISCLOSED IN THE DESCRIPTION, they are still saying the damage is not specified. With the real world description provided below. It is clear that they do not and will not, or can not read the description, but in doing so are saying specifically stating that I omitted the damage from the listing. My question is how do I appropriately report minor damage that is superficial or has ebay silently changed the rules to ensure every holder must be new?
real world example (also note that about 5 out of every 10 coins over 2 years old display some sort of scuffs or chips from stacking and shifting because the priority is in inert plastics to protect the coin, the holder is utility and the inert plastics are brittle, a very well known issue that has gained full market acceptance.)
Authenticator's notes
I verified that your item is authentic. I also observed that the item has minor issues that were not specified in the listing:I verified that your item is authentic. I also observed that the item has minor issues that were not specified in the listing:
The listing description:
This listing is for a proof strike 1884 Seated Liberty Silver Dime PCGS PR64. The obverse shows light frost on the devices but misses the mark for a cameo designation. The reverse shows a very frosty wreath but the lettering is lacking contrast also missing the mark for cameo. Clearly not a full cameo but the contrast does add to the eye appeal. Please note for accuracy that the holder has several chips on the stackable ring on the reverse of the holder. This is cosmetic only and the integrity of the holder is not compromised. Please see the pics for more details. Thanks for looking!
Any 2nd hand context from an appropriately trained teammate is essential here. I know I can call customer service and did. No one knows anything and they don't have any actionable ability to do anything anyway. She was just making up should have's and could have's and change the subject when I would say that I understand but the authenticator didn't think the damage was worse than described, they said it was not disclosed, and you can see from my description it was.
coinslabz26
OP1 week ago@elizabeth@ebay
Fair, but it doesn't help us to know where best to describe damage or if authenticators even have the visibility to read descriptions.
Can I at least point out to you that the mandatory condition spot where damage was required to be listed was removed in May in favor of the new item specifics? We can only choose drop menu grades and services. No field exists to describe damage.
This is almost exactly the same problem we had when managed payments was released and there were the "middle name mismatches" because there was not a field to type in a middle name. Same here, no field to describe damage.
This is exactly the same, we have no spot to type in condition to make the proper disclosure. Can you at least pass a long that it would be helpful to have a condition field so a disclosure can be made regarding damage?
elizabeth@ebay
Thanks for the tag @comics-scifi-collectibles . Good morning . All information that our Authenticity Guarantee team has shared with you will be the most accurate and up-to-date information available. We unfortunately would not have more information to provide here.
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor1 week ago@coinslabz26 I am going to try tagging the community team to see if we can get more information on this. This is certainly going to have a learning curve I think on both ends of the transaction.
@devon@ebay @elizabeth@ebay @kyle@ebay
I do know that on all other items if the Authenticator rejects an item for any reason that their decision is final and can not be reversed.
If it is an issue with description such as the authenticator is claiming here then you can usually relist and reword the listing.
If the item is rejected because the authenticator SAYS it's not authenticate , even if it is, then you can NOT relist on eBay.
coinslabz26
OP1 week ago · EditedI have not had any rejections yet. There was no tampering or damage anywhere near the seal. My problems and concerns are limited only to "minor issue found" that was "not specified by the seller" and asking the buyer if they wish to still receive the item. In both instances they are only saying they found damage I did not disclose when I clearly did.
I also want to point out the obvious, but still want to point it out. I would never, ever list a coin I thought was counterfeit, or rejected for a serious issue.
This is equal to me selling a white Prada handbag and saying "bag has a wine stain"........... and then at authentication they took a picture of the wine stain and told the buyer the seller didn't disclose it. This is exactly the type of thing I am talking about. Authenticity guarantee is the name of the program. My concerns have nothing to do with authenticity at all, nor was it ever questioned by anyone.
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor1 week ago@coinslabz26 So your bottom line question is how to communicate with the Authenticity team since they are saying things were not disclosed which were?
coinslabz26
OP1 week ago · Edited@comics-scifi-collectibles
No I am looking for the rules of the program. Many holders show wear or chipping. We are allowed to sell properly described items. I am basically asking how you report minor damage so that the authenticator doesn't tell my buyer the untruth that I did not specify the damage.
Bluntly put how is this a non disclosure according to the authenticator?
"Please note for accuracy that the holder has several chips on the stackable ring on the reverse of the holder. This is cosmetic only and the integrity of the holder is not compromised."
how does it generate this response from authentication
"I verified that your item is authentic. I also observed that the item has minor issues that were not specified in the listing"
How do I make it a disclosure? The rest of the posts above should be read for context but this sums it up.
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor1 week ago@coinslabz26 I know that this is not what you want to here but the only rules for the program that will be disclosed are what are on the Authenticity page.
The Authenticator are going to make mistakes and say you didn't describe something when you did, those things happen with ALL of the authenticity programs.
All you can do is describe items like there are no photos and take photos like there is no description. Not saying this solves your problem.
coinslabz26
OP1 week ago · Edited@comics-scifi-collectibles
Point well made, but the policy page you provided is the for what qualifies to be authenticated as far as eligibility. Under each authenticity program condition is outlined. This page provided is essentially saying you cannot submit an SEGS coin or a roll of quarters because they are allowed, but with restrictions or just ineligible. SEGS is a great example. You can sell it but have to cover the grade. Not everyone likes the rule but it is there in black and white. Rolls are not allowed because only 1 coin can be packaged per sale and a roll has more than 1 coin.
You have highlighted the exact paradox I am here to find out.
If this was a one off accident even though it happened twice, I would consider that best outcome. But I am here to find out exactly this. Was this an error or by design.
If someone confirms this was actually an error that is just as good of an explanation as any. But if every scuff or chip is going to be a definitive problem and "against the rules" I can structure around a policy. You can't tell me I didn't disclose damage I disclosed. Why? Because I simply don't know if this is someones first day or if typing a description is futile because it cannot be seen.
Was my non disclosure a non disclosure because they can't see the description or error? Or is it that certain things cause a guaranteed rejection.
Is this chip acceptable? Sell the coin and find out is not a good business model for anyone nor does it make anyone safer. I am happy to brush off an error, but want to get ahead of things that are prohibited.
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor1 week ago@coinslabz26 I agree with you that more info is needed but I don't want you to hold your breath. :) I tagged the community team but they choose to respond or not especially as their time is limited.