Where are all the Indian medal dealers on Ebay?

[Duncan]

I used to have quite a list of Indian sellers on Ebay selling Indian medals, but they've all one by one disappeared. And a search hasn't revealed any more. Not sure why! Anyone know of any Indian dealers selling on Ebay or on the Internet? 

[peter monahan]

At one time the only way to get silver medals out of India was 'privately' - undeclared or by arrangement with an accommodating shipper, as Indian law forbid the export of gold and silver.  Probably honoured more in the breech than in the observance, but that was the law twenty or so years ago when I was trying, with limited success, to collect silver medals to the Indian Army.

So, it may be the case that a new law, or new enforcement of an existing regulation, has made the dealers stop advertising - because I'd be very surprised if they stopped actually selling - on easily monitored platforms such as ebay.   Just a guess, however.  Ed Haynes, who runs the 'SA Gongs' Fbook page, will know if there is such a reason, as he is a true specialist and travels regularly to the subcontinent.

Or perhaps they've just found better ways to market.  But I would be interested to hear, if you find an answer!

Peter

 

Edited December 3, 2018 by peter monahan

[Duncan]

On 03/12/2018 at 13:59, peter monahan said:

At one time the only way to get silver medals out of India was 'privately' - undeclared or by arrangement with an accommodating shipper, as Indian law forbid the export of gold and silver.  Probably honoured more in the breech than in the observance, but that was the law twenty or so years ago when I was trying, with limited success, to collect silver medals to the Indian Army.

So, it may be the case that a new law, or new enforcement of an existing regulation, has made the dealers stop advertising - because I'd be very surprised if they stopped actually selling - on easily monitored platforms such as ebay.   Just a guess, however.  Ed Haynes, who runs the 'SA Gongs' Fbook page, will know if there is such a reason, as he is a true specialist and travels regularly to the subcontinent.

Or perhaps they've just found better ways to market.  But I would be interested to hear, if you find an answer!

Peter

 

Hi, thanks for the reply. It seems like a lot of them have fallen off lately, and a search on Ebay hasn't shown any more. Plenty of Pakistan dealers but very few India. I was wondering if they'd brought in some law banning the sale of medals or something? 

Regards 

Duncan. 

[peter monahan]

Could well be, Duncan.  I once bought a group of 8 to a Risaldar Major, Indian Cavalry out of a suitcase full of silver medals, smuggled out of India in defiance of the 'no exporting bullion' law.  The irony is that the two non-silver gongs - 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal- had been thrown away by the picker who bought the group for the value of the metal.   It may well be that the country has now banned all exports of military awards.

[Gordon Craig]

Duncan,

I bought a lot of 25 medals from India earlier this year through ebay.com but I have not seen this dealer advertise since.  Perhaps if you ask your question on SAGONGS you might bet a better answer.

Regards,

Gordon

[Duncan]

Just found out the possible reason on Radio 4 - Ebay and PayPal have been deleting sellers from outside the UK who haven't been charging 20% Vat on what they sell. Just noticed another Indian seller I use that's disappeared. Ebay even removed the positive feedback he'd left me! 

[peter monahan]

Ah!  That would make perfect sense.  What a shame, though.

 

[Tony]

Could it also be something to do with ebay india being closed? Apparently reopening this year.

https://tamebay.com/2018/12/ebay-india-prepares-re-open-cross-border-selling.html 

[Duncan]

On 15/01/2019 at 07:31, Tony said:

Could it also be something to do with ebay india being closed? Apparently reopening this year.

https://tamebay.com/2018/12/ebay-india-prepares-re-open-cross-border-selling.html 

I wondered why I couldn't log on to it! 

[paul wood]

Thanks Tony

Most of my interesting odds and sods have come via Pakistan.

Paul