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Postage Stamps - listing removed
Summary: 4teamgar shared their experience of mistakenly purchasing 500 US Flag stamps instead of 100, and their unsuccessful attempt to return them to the post office. They decided to sell them on eBay but had the listing removed due to concerns about counterfeiting, despite the stamps being factory sealed. They sought advice from others on possibly relisting with proof of purchase and expressed concern about maintaining their account status. A response highlighted the rigid policies of USPS, suggesting there was no recourse for returns and likened the situation to experiences with the DMV.
So I sent my husband to the post office for 1 roll (100 coil) of postage stamps plus 5 extra (needed for my daughter in college). Of course he thought I said 5 rolls - so I ended up with 5 hundred US Flag stamps. I'll never use these in a lifetime. I tried to return to post office but they don't take returns. USPS said that it's up to each individual post office. I've been selling on ebay since 2001 so figured I'd just sell them - even if at a small loss. I did check other listings both active and sold and then followed the same procedure as far as description and images. I had some bids - then this morning ebay removed the listing with a reason about stamps policy and conterfeit. I can understand there would be concerns for this type of item, but I can't figure out why mine were removed when the image shows factory sealing, bar codes etc. I called an agent and wasn't given a clear answer.
Does anyone have experience in this that could advise? I could try posting it again with an image of my actual receipt from the post office - not sure if that would help. But I obviously don't want my account suspended.
Thank you!
mod-jean
·2 days agoHi!
This older thread has been closed to keep our community current and easy to navigate. If you have a related question or would like to continue the conversation, we warmly invite you to open a new thread.
Thank you.
eBay Community Moderation Team
oldwestgold
·2 years agoGive a roll to your daughter and tell her to write more often from college. 😉 Maybe she could sell some there also. At least they will be good forever. If you don't use them, as you state, put them in your will. Just a few suggestions.
ten_o_nine
·2 years ago@4teamgar
That's because they don't want to pay to hire people to review the item before removing, they rely on their "Mickey Mouse" algorithm, which is faulty because they just got fined $59 million dollars for allowing the sale of Pill presses and encapsulating machines that can be used by criminals to manufacture illegal drugs.
ten_o_nine
·2 years agoThey once removed my VHS tape, and I listed it using their catalog and stock photo. It was rated "R".
They also removed my Arizona novelty license plate that says " See you in Arizona" because it violated state law, title said novelty.
oldwestgold
·2 years agoBoy, you nailed it on the head.
cardxcraft
·2 years agoI forgot to add: if you fill out all of the item specifics, just list the denomination as 68 cents(current forever stamp rate) or, just leave it blank.
In the item description, list as coil stamps, and the number of stamps per coil pane. For example, say you sell them in panes of 20: here is a good title.
"US Stamps 2023 US Scott xxxxx Flag Emblem Coil Pane of 20 mnh og"
mnh= mint, never hinged.
og= original gum.
If you don't have the Scott catalog number, upload the image or point me to the listing and I'll help you find the catalog number.
cardxcraft
·2 years agoList them in the collectible category>US stamps>Unused 1941-Now>coil stamps.
I sell stamps, airmail covers, postal history and postcards. There's a niche of philately focusing on coil stamps: list them as coil stamps.
I think what's triggering your item removal is you're selling forever stamps as actual postage.
eburtonlab
·2 years agoI think what's triggering your item removal is you're selling forever stamps as actual postage.
Recommending that someone relist something that eBay has removed is not a good idea, even if you think eBay has made a mistake.
If an eBay bot made a mistake once, it will likely make the same mistake again.
Guessing about why a listing was removed and then attempting to get around the removal by relisting in a different category is likely to end badly for the original poster.
cardxcraft
·2 years agoI should've left out "I think". Coil stamps are highly collectible, whether they're newly released or released 70 years ago. Ebay prohibits listing USPS Forever Stamps as postage, accept by eligible sellers, per Ebay guidelines. But, listed as "collectible" is acceptable.
But, you're probably right, the bot(s) may scrutinize the seller at this point. Just list them on Hipstamp and move on.
reallynicestamps
·2 years agoJust list them on Hipstamp and move on.
Can just anyone list on HIP Stamp?
I was under the impression that only members of the APS could use the site.
(DH is a Life Member).
If not I may be too trusting of my buyers there.
sin-n-dex
·2 years agoI'm not an APS member and I have a Hipstamp account and can list 100 items. I haven't actually used the account though... just signed up to diversify stamp sales.
C.
blueironside
·2 days agoIs the category the main issue? My account is restricted for 10 days currently even after 60+ successful orders. I do include Scott # but still this new AI automatic post taken down is annoying. I’m afraid to even list some new stamps I have.
christworks
·2 days ago@blueironside Please make a new thread. This thread is over two years old. 98% of these people are not here, probably half aren't even alive anymore. Plus, the mods will lock the thread. So, make a new thread with specific details about your issue and someone, which or may not be me, will help you.
deltilogical
·2 years agoI'd suggest the OP (or hubbie) offer them to friends or coworkers or neighbors and I bet they can sell them fairly quickly, 10 = $6.80.
The problem of China counterfeiting our stamps and coins is serious and extreme. I support Ebay shutting down the trade and it sucks the innocent person gets hit, but thats normal in todays world, we can't have anything nice because of the scummer.
The Secret Service/Feds who should be stopping this, they just don't see to care much. The feds do more to stop counterfeit purses than they do counterfeit stamps and coins.
dbfolks166mt
·2 years agoI'd suggest the OP (or hubbie) offer them to friends or coworkers or neighbors and I bet they can sell them fairly quickly, 10 = $5.80.
The problem of China counterfeiting our stamps and coins is serious and extreme. I support Ebay shutting down the trade and it sucks the innocent person gets hit, but thats normal in todays world, we can't have anything nice because of the scummer.
The Secret Service/Feds who should be stopping this, they just don't see to care much. The feds do more to stop counterfeit purses than they do counterfeit stamps and coins.
I have actually taken fake coins and stamps to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington D.C. along with the information about where I obtained them. The problem is a lot of the counterfeit stuff is coming out of China and no US law enforcement agency has any authority over China especially when a lot of those businesses are backed by the Chinese government.
Unfortunately the counterfeit stuff has become so widely proliferated that it is impossible to nail down the original origin. Shutting down the legal trade/import would have little effect it would just simply get shipped through other channels similar to the way drugs flow into the country.
oldwestgold
·2 years agoDo you honestly believe someone at the BEP did something with what you gave them? Seriously..........
simba6
·2 years ago" I'll never use these in a lifetime. "
With all the postal rate hikes, those stamps have outperformed a number of stocks.
They are also under the radar for capitol gains taxes too.
The wild card is China can sell them for far less that the US postal service.
4teamgar
OP2 years agoThank you to all that took the time to reply. Yes, one would question my husband's sanity, but we run a small business which we are in the process of closing after 48 years, so he thought I needed them for something - I'm not sure though lol. I did try the return at my local post office which is just a small town. When they couldn't figure out how to do the return, I filed a case. That's when I was told it was up to the individual post office. So I took them to the main post office in my area, and they wouldn't do the return - even with original receipt. I do appreciate ebay's caution - it's just upsetting to see so many like mine that were sold, then somehow I get picked for the possible counterfeit. I do like the suggestion of just using them to supplement ebay sales as I'm preparing to declutter and have tons of stuff to list. I had thought about standing outside of my post office and selling them at a discount - my luck...I'd get arrested for some sort of scalping law 🙂 Oh well...lessoned learned and thank you to all.
buyselljack2016
·2 years ago@4teamgar
If your office has a "point of sale" terminal it would be quite difficult to take the stamps back.
If a "manual office" (without the fancy terminal) it is possible that they could take them back to return to stock and issue you a "no-fee" USPS money order if they did not have cash on hand.
slippinjimmy
·2 years agoI could be wrong but as far as I can recall USPS has never accepted returns on unused postage.
If they did and given that unused postage is valid forever dealers would be taking all of their accumulated unused postage back for a refund instead of selling them at a 30 - 50% discount off face value.
It is possible under certain circumstances to EXCHANGE postage stamps but no refunds.
https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Are-Stamps-and-Other-Postage-Products-Eligible-for-a-Refund
buyselljack2016
·2 years agoagree.
Thing is that the response to a "case" was that it was up to the individual office, which seems to be, as you and I posted.............. not USPS policy.
In the OP situation where it was very recent............... the office could be "creative" in doing a refund.
Small "manual office" it would be rather simple. Larger office.................... dunno what could be done. As I had posted, the flow allows for exchange, and as far as I know, things may have changed, but that flow did not have a "refund $$$" to click on.
I had an instance where the small office refused to exchange "damaged" stamps still in the book, because that was the "upline Postmasters policy". Maybe too much work for him to fill out the paperwork to submit the stamps for destruction/credit.
reallynicestamps
·2 years ago@slippinjimmy If they did and given that unused postage is valid forever dealers would be taking all of their accumulated unused postage back for a refund instead of selling them at a 30 - 50% discount off face value.
Which is what happened when the Royal Mail demonetized Machins a couple of years back.
We sent a couple of kilos of uncollectable (too common) stamps to a British dealer who bought them at a discount and had them refunded at full face by the post office.
Even so, the cash value of all the returned stamps from all those dealers would have been much much less than a day's sales of postage stamps and labels.
44012
·2 years agoDon't laugh but if you hang at the post office on a Saturday morning you could probably unload a roll in about 15 minutes in the lobby by just smiling nice and having the stamps in your hand and telling a potential buyer you accidentally bought too many.
My mom used to send rolls of stamps to me as gifts along with rolls of quarters and Mrs. Grass's soup packets.
She would think it would help me write more letters to her and pay my bills on time. (Before internet and cell phones).
I certainly wish I would have wrote more looking back......
bashort
·2 years agoI have in the past found that I had not put enough postage on a priority box and just added enough forever stamps to get the correct amount of postage, can this still be done, if so you could use them up by intentionally shorting the weight of packages
reallynicestamps
·2 years agoI had not put enough postage on a priority box and just added enough forever stamps to get the correct amount of postage,
Absolutely.
While using postage on a parcel will actually cost you more than buying a label here on eBay, you have the stamps, they are legal, and roll stamps are not very big.
Use them as they were intended, as prepaid receipts for postal service.
These are the parcels I'll be taking to the postbox later today.
That's what stamps are for!
retro_entertainment_collectibles
·2 years agoYour stamps are not properly aligned... 7% misalignment fee.
Oh, and you're return label has a portion of the Canadian Flag upon it, whilst presently ok to use we will be passing (c)opyright legislation overnight... "Please send the $600,000 payment to the Canadian Government c/o Justin Trudeau, you will receive back a receipt of you're payment and a small sampling packet of "Ding Chows" Chinese Maple Syrup now being produced in Canada."
oldwestgold
·2 years agoI thought you stated "End of story." several replies ago. Just say'in.
bashort
·2 years agoI saw 100 forever stamps for $19.99 a roll on a FB post with a link to buy them and many people posting that they worked great.
dbfolks166mt
·2 years agoI saw 100 forever stamps for $19.99 a roll on a FB post with a link to buy them and many people posting that they worked great.
That may be the case but the risk is:
"With new changes to the USPS Domestic Mail Manual, items mailed with counterfeit postage will be considered abandoned and are subject to being opened and disposed of at the Postal Service's discretion."
bashort
·2 years agoTo me it would be exactly like buying 100 dollar bills for $19.99
fern*wood
·2 years agoI'm sure my husband would question my need for $340. worth of stamps or at least give me stink eye. 😃
fashunu4eeuh
·2 years ago@4teamgar wrote:
â€â€¦ I could try posting it again with an image of my actual receipt from the post office - not sure if that would help.â€
Hi @4teamgar
Whatever you do, please do not relist. Doing so can place an account in jeopardy.
candd205
·2 years agoBirthday presents for family members.
albertabrightalberta
·2 years ago@4teamgar
Although there may be a legitimate reason for your listing of discounted stamps, ebay say multiple red flags.
1. New seller
2. Highly counterfeited item
3. Discounted - (The only places I've seen legitimate discounts of postage stamps are at Costco and BJ's. Sam's Club may offer them also, but I don't shop there and don't know if they sell them too.) And even at the wholesale clubs, the discount is 25-cents on a roll of 100!
Instead of giving your daughter 5 stamps, give her a roll! She'll have them to use and even when the price increases, those stamps will still be valid.
Note to self: Do not send DH to buy stamps at the p.o.
12345jamesstamps
·2 years agoTrue, no returns means "no returns" at a post office.
I really had to say that because us sellers can never say that on eBay.
If you were using this account which had no recent feedback...that is problem number one.
Also, you can't just sell the stamps with nothing else being sold at the same time.
Stamps are sold in lots here from other sellers on eBay but these sellers sell other stamps as well.
Best to probably sell to a stamp dealer who can resell them...at a loss of course.
buyselljack2016
·2 years agoSell them to a friend, or relative................... by the roll, by the handful.
fern*wood
·2 years agoI realize it isn’t what you want to hear, but on the bright side, at least they are good forever.
reallynicestamps
·2 years agoIf there is a stamp dealer in your area , bring the stamps to them -with the post office receipt- and ask if they are interested in buying them at a discount.
Most stamp dealers with any mail order business, and that is most of them, know their customers prefer to have stamps on the envelope.
Another thought - bridal consultants may have a client who wants to use stamps on their invitations. Again, show the USPS receipt.
Tuck a strip of 5 or ten stamps into any greeting cards you send out.
Donate them to a charity - again with the USPS receipt. Envelopes with stamps are more likely to be opened than those with labels. You get a tax receipt.
Try a different post office. Bring the receipt.
Advertise on a local classified site like FB Marketplace. Show receipt.
retro_entertainment_collectibles
·2 years agoYeah, I'd call you're local postmaster especially if it was paid by card and explain the situation. If the postmasters says same I'd tell him/her, fine I'm a filing a strongly worded complaint directly with Mr. Dejoy via registered mail a copy will be sent to my local Congressional person noting both the station and Postmaster. I will word that letter in a way of "So this is how the postal service want become profitable? By forcing consumers to keep what they don't need? Perhaps I need get on the vocal bandwagon of privatization of the Postal Service informing my Congressional representative of that and use my large social media account to explain the situation to all my followers whom I'll encourage to have them too send letter off to their congressional representatives. The Postal Service is supposed to be a service to citizens of this country, I am a citizen of this country. It's not supposed be some thrift store who refuses to take back some stained $3 hat."
That's ridiculous.
buyselljack2016
·2 years agoUnless there has been a change it's not a "local policy". It's a USPS wide policy that has been in place for many years. (The Postmaster could possibly make an exception)
Damaged, and usable stamps can be exchanged.
A strongly worded letter to anyone except the buyer of the stamps is unjustified.
retro_entertainment_collectibles
·2 years agoOh you'd be very surprised how a letter to you're local congressional rep can make things happen.
Some years back sent a shipment off on a US Embassy order all registered. Well, long story short is the packages were rifled, things stolen. USPS refused the insurance claims... HOW RIDICULOUS. In fact they blamed the US Air Force (FPO shipment). We informed the US State Department about the issue and they were, "Well work through it" and meanwhile we sent off replacements.
USPS kept refusing budge... One letter to our Congressional and one to the State Dept. along with a follow up call from the State Dept. to us and YOU NEVER SAW a postmaster move so quick apologizing upside and down. He HAND DELIVERED the checks. Wasn't like he wasn't informed, we tried talk to him time and again.
As it sat about 42%-45% of citizens last I knew and that was back when Trump was elected want the Postal Service privatized and there are a SLEW of Congressionals and Senators in agreement.
buyselljack2016
·2 years agoapples and oranges (except for folks like you that have a lot pull)
The system has a key flow to be hit at "point of sale" terminals to process exchanges of stamps.
There is no key flow to refund.
---------------------------------------------------
Privatize..................And the screams will be heard from coast to coast by that 42-45% if it were ever to happen.
oldwestgold
·2 years agoPlease educate yourself on how an FPO works. These are Postal Stations within military bases and not owned or staffed by USPS employees. And you believe a Postmaster stopped their important and busy day and jumped for one letter to a Congressperson? Please come back down to Earth.
kensgiftshop
·2 years agoWhats the difference in USPS not accepting returns, then it is for Ebay sellers to not accept returns for things the buyer no longer needs or wants?
retro_entertainment_collectibles
·2 years agoBuyer regret is nothing new, every Walmart store on the planet has it happen every single day. Amazon has it happen every single day. There are laws both Federal and State and State laws can vary.
With post office this is not you're traditional business federal oversight etc. and in part it is publicly funded, monies covering its debts are paid via citizens. It's not like, "Oh we're 6 billion in the red so we cant pay couriers their wages." They are Federal workers.
Now in New York policy is: "Return policy need be clearly posted and if its not a consumer can return within 30 day of purchase. End of story."
California: "Retailers must clearly post their refund policy unless they offer a full cash refund, exchange, or store credit within seven days of the purchase date. Retailers failing this requirement are required to accept full refunds within 30 days of purchase."
At eBay, we are not retailers which is a factor as well. Here we're bound by eBay's User Agreement and/or arbitration processes.
luckythewinner
·2 years agoIMHO what's ridiculous is the husband's lack of common sense.
retro_entertainment_collectibles
·2 years agoWell yeah that may be just as its ridiculous the post office not accept back sealed rolls of stamps. I can guarantee you if the Congressional Rep, County DA, Governor of the State's wife/hubby came in bought too many rolls of stamps and that public official go take em' back, the PO is taking them back.
Its an arbitrary and capricious policy and if its good for the PO then ought be good for Walmart, Macy's or Target or Best Buy right? "Sorry you bought that $1500 TV just yesterday and want this $500 one instead, oh not opened, well that's a shame. No."
"Oh... Yes I remember you, just in yesterday having paid $9500 for that Jacuzzi and install. Ah, so the wife doesn't need it for therapy and can go to a PT place instead. Shame you're racked with all those medical bills. Sorry, it'll be delivered and installed tomorrow. Buh bye."
fern*wood
·2 years agoAround here those rolls are selling on fb for $15.95, so I can absolutely understand them not accepting them back for a refund. The counterfeits look really good and clerks probably couldn't tell the difference.
As for your example of when they might take them back -- rich and/or powerful folks almost always get differential treatment or exceptions.
oldwestgold
·2 years agoSorry, but would you want your local pharmacy to resell pills that were returned by customers? The same goes for stamps, food, pills, and other stuff that could get licked or mishandled. On top of that the USPS doesn't know if what you are returning isn't counterfeit. And FYI - The USPS provides a service with a set of rules and regulations. They don't owe you anything other than what they provide. No returns means no returns. It doesn't need explaining or writing letters to your Congressperson. "Buyer beware." No drama here.
short_circuit.lineman61
·2 years agoWould you happen to work for the DMV? The reason I ask is that is substitute DMV for USPS and that is exactly the same answer I got when I asked a questing the last time I was at the DMV.
epowerbargains
·2 years agoSometimes unfortunately legitimate sellers get caught in the web created by the mess scammers have created. Lately, there has been concern and discussion about fake US Stamps created overseas and sold on many online sites for absurdly low amounts. eBay most likely removed your listing during a sweep targeting fakes. Sadly, I would not repost the stamps because you are now on the bot radar and re-posting might impact your account adversely.
junkinabox
·2 years agoIt appears that some people have purchased counterfeit Forever stamps and resold them on eBay. Many counterfeit stamps are of such high quality that eBay can't determine if someone is selling genuine or counterfeit stamps. As a result, eBay has chosen to limit the sale of Forever stamps to approved sellers. See the link below:
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/products-eligibility-requirements-pol...
eburtonlab
·2 years agoCounterfeit Forever stamps are widely available from overseas, and many users had been buying them and then reselling them on eBay.
The counterfeits are high quality and have many of the security features of genuine stamps, so it is not possible for eBay to determine if someone is selling genuine stamps by merely looking at a picture, and obviously anyone can post a picture of a genuine roll or a genuine receipt and then ship a fake.
So as a result of that, eBay has chosen to limit the sale of Forever stamps to users that are qualified to do so in advance.
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/products-eligibility-requirements-policy?id=5271