Fraudulant seller on HipStamp and eBay - "trust but verify"
My apologies if I am posting this within the wrong discussion topic. I am quickly learning to "trust but verify". Last year I purchased three stamps from seller abigaisteel3 off of eBay. I just had them certified based on advice from a trusted stamp dealer friend, and all three (US Scott #'s 141, 143, and 144) were determined to be fraudulent by the Philatelic Foundation. The grills are counterfeit on each. I am currently seeking recourse through eBay but am not hopeful because the transactions took place over a year ago. I am likely out of luck but the least I can do is inform other potential buyers. Unfortunately this seller is now also on HIpStamp as well so buyer beware! That seller's listings consist largely of "grilled" stamps and counterfeit coils derived from imperforate stamps. Any advice would be appreciated other than "don't be so gullible"!
Comments
It appears the seller changed her name to Abigailstamps on HipStamp. My apologies.
"obtaining Certificates of Authenticity"
Notice that a stamp is being submitted for a certificate must be made at the time payment is made. No refunds will be made after 120 days after the sale date unless extra time is granted. Due to the high cost of obtaining certificates, we will only refund the cost of the stamp and not the cost of the certificate for stamps that sell for less than $100 that comes back with a negative certificate. Stamps that sell for above $100 will receive a full refund for both the price of the stamp and cost of the certificate if it should come back not as described.
For u.S. Stamps generic certificates from the philatelic foundation, pse, or the aps are accepted.
Note "graded" certificates or "encased" items are not accepted.
Proof of inability of a competent authority to express an opinion are not grounds for return."
Buyers are often willing to gamble on these stamps in return for a good deal but many are fakes. Most honorable sellers would refund you for your purchase. Here is a prime example https://www.hipstamp.com/listing/143-used-f-vf-cat-3750/26410471
Good luck. It should be noted that sellers who purposely sell a lot of questionable high valued material without authenticity are usually doing a disservice.
"Disservice"? More like fraud than anything else. They know exactly what they're doing. Contact them and challenge them regarding their listings. See what kind of a response you get back.
I take it the seller did not issue you refunds for these items. Correct?
Your best bet at this point is to take the matter to the USPS and FBI as they sold you counterfeit or spurious articles.
Remember that there is often no concurrence on the question of whether a stamp is legitimate of spurious between authenticating services. Stamps issued good certs by one organization may be issued a bad cert by a different organization. Sadly even politics can play a role in determining the legitimacy of a stamp as certain dealers are favored by certain organizations and by certain experts as well.
Everything is not always as it appears
If you go that route also talk to the USPS as they deal with mail fraud.
https://www.hipstamp.com/listing/us-144-1870-71-carmine-perf-12-h-grill-used-f-vf-scv-2500/21684568
Wow just looking at their past sales they have sold more H Grill Bank note stamps than I have ever seen and these are rare stamps along with Washington/Franklin coils. Maybe they can find or produce some Orangeberg coils...
http://www.theswedishtiger.com/144-scotts.html
issues but there is enough demand.
Here's another issue I've had purchasing another high dollar bank note stamp, sold to me as an original gum #155. I purchased the stamp linked below which I sent to a very reputable stamp dealer friend of mine in preparation for getting a PF cert. He told me the stamp is a shaved down Scott #166P4 card proof, regummed and reperforated on all 4 sides. Luckily the seller honored my request to return the stamp. However, it's been relisted on HIpStamp by the same seller as a regummed #155 at a lesser selling price. It's unfortunately that yet another stamp seller with good feedback numbers has elected to market a fraudulent stamp to recoup some of the cash they likely spent in initially acquiring that stamp.
https://www.hipstamp.com/listing/usa-155-very-fine-mint-regummed-lightly-hinged/26057776
to be true, it usually is. I've purchased a few like this myself so you live and learn but if a stamp is
reperforated generally steer away.
That stamp listing has ??? written all over it.
The top stamp is the one in question. Compare it to the one below it, a PSE certified VF+ Grade 85, valued at $2150.
I have no doubt the Brand CSM stamp would grade at 90, more likely a 95, which, even in no-gum or regummed condition, is valued at $2600-3250
That brings up the $64,000 question. Why would a dealer forego a certificate, then obviously undergrade and underprice a super-premium-quality stamp, and leave $2000 or more on the table?