Lost Packages for Using Counterfeit Stamps

[venus-7179]

I brought a lot of stamps on ebay for their cheap rate at $0.3 instead of $0.55 at post office. I sent a phone using the stamps, now it got stuck for weeks after first scan. Some letters were returned to me but not the package. I believe the stamps are counterfeit because they have some defects. Now the buyer wants a refund. They phone is sold for $230. What should I do?

They item number of the stamps is 294072274428

[bbravo65]

...I have seen people shipped "weeds", but never witnessed counterfeit stamps...

...those "weeds" packages were forwarded to P.I office in Los Angeles...

[wastingtime101]

Wow, dude, that stamp listing is horrible. It's full of red flags.

• The seller is in China. Shipping from "USA stock" means they printed the value-less stickers in China then sent them to a US warehouse for order fulfillment
• The print on the stamps is super blurry.
• The stamps are displayed as singles with a border around them. Stamps like that generally come on a sheet where the rippled edges are interlocking like a puzzle.

[bbravo65]

...yes you may from some USPS thieves...

[vintage-car-magazines]

USPS Postage Stamps from China.....what could go wrong?

[vintage-car-magazines]

@venus-7179 

If you paid with PayPal submit a claim. You might get hung up on a return request but you should be able to get through it. You 

If you paid with a credit card, start a chargeback. 

If you have anything from USPS that says the postage is counterfeit, save it and include that with you claim documentation.

[doug_5857]

What can a person do if they bought some of these stamps  a year ago or so. I also bought a pile but not these in question. 

[vintage-car-magazines]

You're stuck. 

[wrong66]

I would contact the Postal Inspection Service, before they contact you. Explain to them what happened and take it from there.

[monroe67]

Cut your losses and find some way to refund the buyer who sent you $230 for the phone.  I think that could be the least of your problems.  

My mind is boggled with wondering WHY on EARTH anyone would ever think that US Postal Service stamps that can be bought on eBay -- from China!, no less -- for a price that is something like only 60% of their face value would ever be accepted by the actual USPS. 

[slippinjimmy]

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@monroe67 wrote:

Cut your losses and find some way to refund the buyer who sent you $230 for the phone.  I think that could be the least of your problems.  

My mind is boggled with wondering WHY on EARTH anyone would ever think that US Postal Service stamps that can be bought on eBay -- from China!, no less -- for a price that is something like only 60% of their face value would ever be accepted by the actual USPS. 

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The semi-standard price for bulk lots of random LEGIT US Postage stamps is about 30% off face value. I've toyed with the idea of using them but because these lots are generally small oddball values you need to sort them out and bundle them in the appropriate amounts and then plaster your package with a huge bunch of small denomination stamps.

It's too much effort for me but it can save a bunch of money if you are willing to do the work.

Virtually every stamp dealer has giant piles of unused legal stamps that have zero collector value but are useful to frequent mailers and those dealers will discount them just to move them out.

[anjoon_cctv]

Maybe I will also have a try later😀

[dbfolks166mt]

Makes perfect sense. China can and does counterfeit about anything you can name or mention and they do so with the support of their government. They are also beyond the reach of any law enforcement but not so sure that applies to the buyer or to eBay for that matter for actually being complicit in selling the counterfeit items. 

[dbfolks166mt]

     So if one of us reports the OP and/or eBay do we potentially qualify for the reward?? 😀

[jonathankirkland]

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@downunder-61 wrote:

Sorry this happened OP - but seriously ?  0.03c for retail 0.55c and you assumed there would be no problem - caveat emptor

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0.3, not 0.03

But still the point remains... not sure why anyone would think someone would be selling stamps for half price.

[jonathankirkland]

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@jonathankirkland wrote:

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@downunder-61 wrote:

Sorry this happened OP - but seriously ?  0.03c for retail 0.55c and you assumed there would be no problem - caveat emptor

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0.3, not 0.03

But still the point remains... not sure why anyone would think someone would be selling stamps for half price.

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Another thing I want to know is how/why the initial post office was unable to determine the postage was counterfeit right off the bat?