Investigation Report
Generated on Feb 12, 2026
2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games Medal (ebay.com, seller: best-seller-china)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/136962436043Why we think so?
This eBay listing for a "2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games Medal" by seller best-seller-china raises significant authenticity concerns. Genuine Olympic medals are never sold by the Olympic Committee or official retailers, and are awarded exclusively to athletes. The $69 price point is vastly lower than any real or even auctioned medal. The seller operates from China and offers multiple replica medals and sports memorabilia, not just Olympics-themed items. While the seller has a visible profile and wide product selection, the marketplace and community reports associate China-based high-volume sellers with frequent counterfeit and manipulated feedback patterns. Buyer protection exists, but buyers should expect unlicensed replicas — not legitimate Olympics collectibles — with high risk of misrepresentation or poor quality. 🛑
Risk Insights
Olympic Medals Are Not Sold Retail
- Official medals are awarded only to athletes, never retailed.
- Any 'Olympics medal' on eBay is a replica or fake.
- Do not expect authenticity from such listings.
China-Based Replica Seller Pattern
- Seller lists dozens of similar medals and memorabilia.
- Community reports associate such sellers with counterfeits and feedback manipulation.
- Buy only if satisfied with replicas, not authentic items.
eBay Money Back Guarantee Applies
- Protection for misrepresented or non-received items.
- Document all communications and save listing screenshots.
Category Scores
Red Flags & Warnings
- Olympic medals not available for retail sale; item is, by definition, not authentic.
- Price dramatically undercuts genuine memorabilia and matches replica market behavior.
- No official licensing, trademarks, or documentation provided in listing.
- China-based seller frequently appears in community fraud and counterfeit discussions.
- High volume of similar items in the seller store, typical of replica sellers.
Detailed Checks & Insights
0-100 Scale
Official Product Authenticity
Score: 0
Official Product Authenticity
"No official proof, trademarks, or licensed branding in the listing. Pricing and sourcing confirm non-authentic status."
Reason: Genuine Olympic medals are not sold; this listing can only be for a replica or unofficial item.
Seller Transparency and History
Score: 35
Seller Transparency and History
"High feedback count does not guarantee legitimacy. Community reports connect such sellers with counterfeits and feedback manipulation."
Reason: Seller is visible but fits typical profile of high-volume China-based replica vendors.
Listing Content & Photos
Score: 30
Listing Content & Photos
"Images depict a medal but do not show features (e.g., numbered certificates, holograms) associated with legitimate or licensed memorabilia."
Reason: Photos and descriptions lack evidence of official provenance; product marked 'unbranded'.
Legal Compliance / Licensing
Score: 20
Legal Compliance / Licensing
"Replica medals are legal to sell unless misleading or infringing, but the lack of explicit disclosure increases risk of confusion."
Reason: No references to official Olympic licensing or permission to replicate.
Commercial Sincerity
Score: 40
Commercial Sincerity
"Lack of transparent labeling invites consumer confusion about authenticity and value."
Reason: Item sold as a collectible but not clearly identified as a replica.
Consumer Safety / Buyer Protections
Score: 80
Consumer Safety / Buyer Protections
"If dissatisfied or product is not as described, users can invoke eBay Money Back Guarantee. Documentation remains essential."
Reason: eBay does provide buyer protections for misrepresentation or counterfeit claims.
Your Next Steps
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1
Do not expect an authentic, licensed, or official Olympic medal from this or similar eBay listings.
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2
Purchase only if satisfied with an unlicensed replica or commemorative piece; review item details and feedback carefully.
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3
Use eBay's Money Back Guarantee for payment protection, and document any quality or misrepresentation issues immediately.
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4
For real Olympic collectibles, seek reputable auction houses or direct provenance from medalists.
Key Evidence & Citations
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Should You Ever Buy 'Olympic Medals' on eBay? (Memorabilia Markets Explained)
⤷ Olympic medals are not sold in retail or by official organizers; they appear rarely at high-value auctions only if sold by athletes.
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eBay Community Reports: Counterfeit and Replica Risks from China-Based Sellers
⤷ Multiple buyers report receiving fakes or being pressured for positive feedback from China-based sellers.
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