My video game listings were deemed counterfeit. They are not. Suggested proof of authenticity?
Summary: In a discussion centered around video game listings, naf26 mentioned that their listings were deemed counterfeit, which they contest. inhawaii advised that using phrases like "not reproductions" could accidentally flag their listings due to automated systems focusing on certain words. They suggested naf26 provide the exact wording of any notices received to better understand the issue. Another participant, __author_id_81469,__ humorously pointed out that describing an item as not being something entirely different (e.g., "this is not an AR15") could prevent such confusion. naf26 thanked contributors and shared intentions to clarify the issue based on the advice given.
I'm not sure what eBay's robot police expects in terms of documentation of authenticity from Pokémon games my parents bought for my little brother 27 years ago. Do they expect any of us to still have the paper receipts from Toys R Us or wherever they came from? I clearly stated these are real, not reproductions, in my listings. I don't know how to prove that. The visible age on the carts should be sufficient, but I guess there are some good fakes.
I don't want to sell these items on a different platform. This is the only seller account on any platform I use—no FB marketplace or Craigslist. Does anyone know how I can prove these are genuine, short of magic? I've seen some listings with the cart open to show the microchip inside; is that the only way?
fm2000
·4 months agoDon't relist them. Not because you did something wrong, it is because eBay's system thinks they are counterfeit for some reason and you risk having your account suspended (even though you are literally doing nothing wrong.) Without editorializing... their automated system is what it is. If their bot/AI/whatever thinks something is fake, as far as eBay is concerned, it is fake, whether it is fake or not.
Those of us who know about video games know what a genuine Pokemon cartridge PCB looks like, we know exactly what color the shell is supposed to be, the exact design of the label down to the minute details etc. eBay's CSRs don't know what vintage Pokemon cartridges are supposed to look like, and how to tell a bootleg from a real one. Calling them will be no help.
Problem is counterfeits are so common, they are actually more common on most marketplaces than real ones. The "world's biggest retailer" is so full of counterfeit cartridges they are easier to find than real cartridges in a search. You'd think a knowledgeable seller who shows detailed pictures of the PCB and explains why theirs is real could be trusted, versus zillions of listings with 1 picture and virtually nothing in the description from fly by night sellers, but I digress...
If eBay doesn't want it, skip eBay and sell it elsewhere. Genuine vintage Pokemon cartridges are in very high demand and will sell very quickly, selling it will be no sweat.
bonanza125
·4 months agoI would not relist any item which Ebay deemed counterfeit. Your account can be at risk if you list it again.
onefootflipper
·4 months agoAll the Pokemon cartridges are in high enough demand that you can simply sell them for cash on facebook marketplace for 20 percent below the going ebay rate and you will get a cash buyer, likely the same exact day.
There are not actually any "rare' Pokemon games. Every single one was a smash hit. What makes the value of them stupid is that people are hoarding them for investments and Pokemon collectors who don't even own the systems they go to also buy them as well.
There are actually more of many of these games around than there are systems to play them on. Nintendo sold 30 million of the early generation gameboys that took the original carts in America. They also sold 5 million copies each of Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue. 90 percent of those systems are long gone, broken and crushed in the landfill, but nearly all the cartridges are still in circulation. Figure 3 million systems left in America that can play Pokemon red while there are likely 4.5 million of the original carts in circulation, not even counting the fakes. Numbers are similar in later generations. US sales of the games were each a decent chunk of the entire console install base, most of the consoles are gone, but most of the games are not.
Same reason why most common Atari 2600 games are worthless. The number of existing carts far outstrips the remaining install base of the console. Same is happening with Xbox 360 as well.
naf26
OP4 months agoAs I mentioned in the OP, I do not sell on any other online marketplace, so I'm looking to prove my items' authenticity and relist here on eBay if possible.
grann-4629
·4 months ago... I do not sell on any other online marketplace, so I'm looking to prove my items' authenticity and relist here on eBay if possible.
Sorry man, you may as well shoot yourself in the other foot. eBay is not the right venue for these items if they have already been pulled ... you have been told this is not possible without incurring a major hit to your account.
Try your local pawn shop.
onefootflipper
·4 months agoIt isn't possible. Just sell it somewhere else anyway.
keziak
·4 months agoI go to Help and keep entering Customer Service until I get the option for them to call me back and it takes about 2 minutes usually. Some people say the reps do not know much but I've generally found them to be OK
naf26
OP4 months agoThank you for the recommendation. I talked with a real person. He said they have to run the listing by the "original copyright holder," i.e. Nintendo I guess? And then I will get an update via email in the next three days.
I'm guessing that won't go very far... I asked the guy if he thought it would be okay to relist without the trigger words. He said that could cause account restrictions.
eoma689485
·4 months agoPhotos:
The stamped number on the front sticker.
The four gold rectangles on the back of the motherboard (for GBA games).
The crisp Nintendo logo printed on the circuit board (if you can open them).
Clearly stating they are "real"
Bot trigger ...
Keywords: Words like "Genuine," "100% Authentic," or "Not a reproduction" ironically trigger bots because counterfeiters use those phrases constantly to trick buyers.
Stock Photos: If you used a generic internet photo for the main slot instead of your actual item, the bot automatically assumes it is a fake.
Low Price: Listing a rare Pokémon game significantly below market value often flags the bot for a "suspiciously cheap counterfeit" sweep.
Contact -You can now reach customer service agents for account issues or seller support on eBay's Facebook Page - go there to ask questions and see about the ability to relist.
naf26
OP4 months agoYou can talk to real people now? Wow. I will try that. Can you talk to real people through the eBay site itself?
I used pictures I took, but I don't have the screwdriver to open the games up. Yes, I put the "trigger" words you mentioned. I guess it pays to not list details in this case.
I did put the games at auction starting for quite a bit lower than I've seen the games sell for ($15 starting bid and ~$70 final sale price); I do this on a lot of listings to get more views and bids. Mine are in Acceptable condition, so I figured that wouldn't be a red flag.
kibble-net
·4 months agoThe bot detection is based on keywords. There is a keyword contained in your listing that flagged it. Perhaps "reproduction" is what caused this to occur. Maybe try relisting without that in the text.
naf26
OP4 months agoDo you think there would be risk that they'd re-flag the new ones and then ban me from eBay? Boy, that would be fun.
caldreamer
·4 months agoDo not relist these games as EBAY has no hesitation is permanently terminating your account. And EBAY does not give anyone a 2nd change to redeem themselves.
kensgiftshop
·4 months agoYes, if they were removed and you relisted them.
jonathanbrightlight
·4 months agoI would set them aside for 3-6 months and try again then, making sure you only state what they are, mostly just the physical condition and whether they are tested and functional. No need to say that they are real or genuine, or that they’re not fake, because you’re not allowed to list them if they’re fake.
albertabrightalberta
·4 months agoThe listing can NOT be relisted. Reread the takedown message, focusing on this line:
"Items removed for this policy cannot be relisted."
grann-4629
·4 months agoIf the title or description is altered, does it count as the same listing?
tobaccocardyahoo
·4 months agoEbay frowns on sellers who think they can use trial and error to avoid having their prohibited listings avoid detection.
You go from one time offender to repeat offender very rapidly and repeat offenders are treated very harshly.
naf26
OP4 months agoI hear the caution. I don't want to get re-flagged. That's why I'd rather figure out how best to prove the authenticity of my items.
tobaccocardyahoo
·4 months agoYou are already marked as an offender and will be subjected to greater frequency of automated scrutiny.
Part of the reason the bots do not catch everything is that they do not run all of the time, and when they do they give greater attention to known offenders. Like in Casablanca, they round up the usual suspects.
naf26
OP4 months agoMakes sense. Thank you. Do you think the fact that I talked to a real person who pulled up my account and talked with me about it would help my case? Maybe he put a note on it? Like I'm happy to prove the authenticity if possible.
kensgiftshop
·4 months agoYou can't, Ebay already pulled them and said not to relist them.
grann-4629
·4 months agoThat's why I'd rather figure out how best to prove the authenticity of my items.
That may end up costing you more than any profit you hope to make. Good luck. 😎
grann-4629
·4 months agoSo, (repeat of my question)
Thanks.
naf26
OP4 months agoThat's what I wondered, too. @albertabrightalberta the question I'd have to your clarifying post is, when eBay's robot police says, "ensure your future listings are authentic only," and my listings are indeed authentic, wouldn't I be following that rule were I to relist?
albertabrightalberta
·4 months agoTo clarify - see the removal notice posted by @naf26 in post #4:
marnotom!
·4 months agoWere your games actually “deemed counterfeit” or is the “robot police” just wanting evidence of their authenticity?
FWIW, I don’t think eBay’s AI is sophisticated enough to analyze photos, particularly of computer chips.
naf26
OP4 months agoThank you; please see full message in response to @jonathanbrightlight .
jonathanbrightlight
·4 months agoFirst, I would recommend never saying what something is not, especially if that is something that would be disallowed. If you put “not reproductions” in your listing, the bot sees “reproductions” and can flag it.
It also matters what type of notice you got. Can you copy and paste the exact message, without any personal details?
naf26
OP4 months agoHere's the message they sent. They said it was deemed counterfeit by AI. No bones about it. I imagine it's due to what you said. But I'm afraid to relist it based on how touchy they are.
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We had to remove one or more of your listings for not following our Counterfeit policy. We understand that this must be frustrating. But don’t worry — we’re here to help!
What happened
Counterfeit or fake items aren’t allowed on eBay.
More specific details are provided below.
What this means for you
You can remain focused on your business. To protect you, we removed listings that didn't follow this policy. We have credited any associated fees, except for transaction fees for your sold listing(s).
Because you may not have been aware of this policy, we're sending this notice to educate you about it.
These listings are still in your Active Listings folder in My eBay and Seller Hub so you can view them. However, new buyers can't purchase them, shoppers can't see them, and you will not be charged additional listing fees for them. You can end them to move them out of Active Listings.
Listings that don't follow this policy in the future will be removed.
This determination was made using automation or artificial intelligence. This came to our attention through automated detection.
Items removed for this policy cannot be relisted. Please ensure that your future listings are for authentic items only. For these items, they should be described accurately and completely, so buyers know that it is an authentic item.
More about this policy
Counterfeit items are goods that mislead buyers into believing they are genuine, authorized, or compliant when they aren’t. These items can misrepresent their nature by making false claims about composition, purity, origin, grading, safety, or regulatory compliance.
Only list an item if you're certain it's genuine.
Your listings must include clear photos that show the item from multiple angles and highlight all relevant details. Don't hide, blur, or cover logos or other identifying features.
This policy helps protect buyers and sellers, supports trust in our marketplace, and helps sellers follow the law, including intellectual property rights.
inhawaii
·4 months agoExcellent advice.
That's why when I sell bedroom slippers I do NOT put "this is not a AR15 semi-automatic firearm" in the listing. 😉