"Ask a Question" field

[zenstamps]

Why is the "Ask a question" option on individual listings not a mandatory published field if a question is asked regarding "imitation or forgery" in the postage stamp section?. Currently the seller can choose not to publish their "Ask a question" answer on listings despite such questions being submitted.

[pierrelebel]

You can contact by email if you want.

However, if the issue is really important to you, I suggest you do in in writing directly to the head office.  The first class letterpost rate to the USA is only $1.10 until the end of March.

[zenstamps · Accepted solution]

If eBay Head office considered such feedback-recommendations as important then there would be well advertised web links and e-mail contact links within the Forums area, Customer Support Area. etc. I can't locate any page that has direct linkage to allow this contact.

File closed and the problem remains.

[femmefan1946]

Buyers concerned with purchasing valuable stamps that could be fakes or forgeries should insist on a certificate of authenticity provided by a reputable institution (APS for example).  - pierrelebel

A: Totally impractical and will never happen. - zenstamps

In addition to the American Philatelic Society there are several reputable certificate issuing organizations. Some work with volunteer committees, like APS and the Canadian Vincent Graves Greene Foundation. Some are private and commercial like David Brandon and Sergio Sismondo.

In additlon, some certificates are more useful for particular areas of philately. An APS cert on a US stamp or a VGG on a Newfoundland item.

Such certificates are commonly demanded/requested in retail and auction philately. Most public philatelic auctions will happily accomodate buyers who want certificates. The cost of a cert was $25 (and up if the item was very valuable) although APS gives members a certain number of expertisations for free every year.

So it is not only practical, it actually happens and has been for more than a century.

What you have to realize is that the expertisation process is not a part of the eBay transaction. Both parties are agreeing, as gentlefolk and scholars, that the transaction will be voided if the item gets a bad cert.