Counterfeit Record

[phoenix_vinyl_and_collectables]

I've listed an item and then 24 hours later ebay have removed it and stated that it is counterfeit item. I have spoken to customer services about it and they have no understanding or verifying it. I have provided detail information in  regards to the listing (Kiss Love Gun Translucent Red Vinyl LP A1 B1 Pressing - VG+) 

On the description it clearly states all relevant information, item title, cat no, year, matrix. etc. I have even explained to them and gone through it with them that if you go on to discogs website and put in the relevant information it will clearly show them that the vinyl record is not a counterfeit. Which when they have looked at it they have agreed the the item is original. To make matters worse there are 5 other listings which are the same as mine that have been on ebay for a while.

Then you get told that you can appeal against the decision & provide proof of purchase from the vinyl which was released in 1977. There are thousands of vinyl listed on ebay that are counterfeit and they don't do anything about those ones.

I have provided ebay with all the relevant information to proved that the item is genuine, but when asking the simple question why this has been flagged as counterfeit you get endless excuses and no real information on if it was reported or anything else.

[abrahamtoast]

On my business account, I have had a few items removed because of the use of the phrase "translucent red".

The first time it happened to me, I contacted eBay customer services in Ireland, and, to his credit, the guy did some research and got back to me, although not really with the answer I was hoping for. Apparently, as the records were not marketed as coloured vinyl, I could be misleading buyers, and that was the point made by the individual who complained.

As you no doubt know, they were not intentionally made or marketed as "translucent red" - it was just the make-up of the vinyl used by certain record companies in the 70s - DJM, PYE, Casablanca, etc.

There are currently over 1,000 records listed with "translucent" in their eBay listing title, but perhaps yours attracted attention as it is a little more collectable than most. (There are only three Kiss albums with that in its title - the complainer may not have seen them yet.)

There's no point trying to re-list it, now that it's been flagged. Repeated attempts may get you barred from selling. You probably need to decide whether to list it without mention of the colour, or sell it elsewhere.

It's annoying as you and I both know you're in the right, but eBay can't be experts in everything, and they do need to play safe.

[phoenix_vinyl_and_collectables]

I understand ebay wanting to play it safe, however there are thousands of counterfeit vinyls listed on ebay and have never been taken down. 

I have currently other vinyl listed that have the words translucent in them and never had any issues with it. 

[vinylscot]

You were just unlucky this time. It probably attracted attention as it was a Kiss album. I know I've had these removed in the past.

[ile136yz]

I've had a look at the Groups other similar LPs for sale & noticed that they are listed as 'Red LP Vinyl' (so does not relate to the colour of the vinyl).   

I also noticed that there are Records of the Group for sale with 'Orange Splatter & Blue Splatter' in the Title, and the pictures of the vinyl shown on the Advert's pictures have an Orange or Blue Splatter on them. 

My view is the position of the word 'Red' in your Item's Title is the reason it is being highlighted as Counterfeit.

[crg_music]

Try listing without mentioning the colour, put an image. Collectors know what they are looking for, often better than the labels or artists.

In 20 years the only item I ever got removed for counterfeit was a dj white label that had a 2 second Brandy sample and I put "Samples Brandy" in title, it was such a small sample it didnt even need sample clearance. Very bizarre what gets left alone and what gets pulled, discogs just block anything now with unofficial as a format since they got sued once.

Anyone remember the promo thing?, for a while they were funny about listing promos on here then someone tested it in court and the judge ruled in our(us being the man on the street and not the labels) favour, once given out it belongs to the new owner to do with what they want. It should probably be the same with bootlegs imo unless its the actual bootlegger selling them or they are actual copies of an original being passed off as original, then they should be prosecuted but collectors actively hunt interesting bootlegs out . Apparently Keith Richards collects Stones Bootlegs.

[a1once]

Maybe they don`t like the word "gun" in the title. Normally, that is a red flag.

[jefftopman]

Can't understand the logic of some of the decisions made over counterfeit item and box sets.

I have had items removed in the past when a buyer who was unsuccessful in trying to scam me put in an unjust complaint. I didn't even bother to contest. I just felt it wasn't worth my time.

Then last week i bought a box set, which did't look right and when i checked the weight it was a very poor counterfeit which weighed about 200 grams less than a genuine version, seller apologized, but added he never said on the listing it was genuine and refunded immediately. Before i had posted it back i looked and he had relisted it. Reported to eBay who found it acceptable for him to sell the fake item which he did and also a further set all using the same pictures. Who makes the bizarre decisions.

[phoenix_vinyl_and_collectables]

At the moment ebay has an appeal section for counterfeit items, have provided all relevant information that proves item is genuine and not counterfeit, ebay have declined my appeal and stated that the original decision was correct. I contacted them again spoke to the correct department and  they said that you can appeal an appeal decision. At this point I clearly stated that I don't believe that the information that I provided was looked at before making a decision.

They are now looking at it again and the customer service person clearly stated that they had made a mistake on the decision. It's now a case of wait and see what happens.

[jefftopman]

Good luck. Let know how you get on. Can't see the outcome changing but perhaps i am wrong.

[phoenix_vinyl_and_collectables]

Good news, the decision has been over turned and the listing is active.

[jefftopman]

Nice one. That's all you need now is to find a buyer.

[vinylscot]

Glad to hear it. Please save the response you got from eBay informing you of this AND a copy of the relevant listing.

All it takes is for one guy to complain about the listing, and you're back to square one. And from the comments further up the thread, it does look like there is a "vigilante" targeting "translucent red" Kiss albums.