Ever Get An Item Before You Paid For It?

Have any of you sellers ever received a positive feedback before you've shipped or before your customer could have possibly received his item? It's happened to me a few times. I just shake my head and go, "hmmmm...".

Well, I think I have a bank account, theoretically, but IIRC it's of the "no taking until the 2-year term ends or we'll deduct the interest" sort, and unless I'm either very lucky with timing or making a $1000+ purchase that is somehow still a huge bargain (I don't know, a large old gold coin for under spot - can't really think of any other possibilities, as I'm not particularly interested in very rare coins as such), the deducted interest would overshadow the value of the coin by far.
Then there's that Bank of Moscow one that I'm not sure still exists after over four years of inactivity, and which never had much money on it anyway (I'd estimate less than $200).
I'll have to check if I have any other accounts. I might, but it doesn't seem likely.

Most of the dealers in the UK (when known) send me the coins and I pay to confirm on their arrival.It works if you get a trustworthy relationship.

I've received feedback within seconds of a buyer winning an auction. Every time has been from a new eBayer. It's kinda awkward sending a message thanking them for the feedback, but telling them they should wait until their item has arrived lol.

By coincidence, 10 minutes ago I've just received a positive feedback from my buyer for first time, for an item I've not shipped yet.

I don't know because it never happened to me yet

Maybe I am unlucky, or take too many "chances" on pics that aren't perfect, but I have to return at-least 5% of the coins I buy online.

So why would I ever want to give good feedback before getting the coin to look at in-person up-close?

Not only are some pics deceptive ( usually intentionally IMO ) but I have received coins burned up ( not properly protected from postal machines ) or didn't get the coin at all - lost by the seller or in-transit.

IMO, it is fine for sellers to provide feedback once the payment to paypal is made ( it is a small risk that the buyer will be an idiot and cause issues, so stand-up sellers who aren't trying to deceive should have little worries ). But the opposite - assuming the coin will arrive and be acceptable - is a big leap IMO.

I'd estimate about 4%-5% of my purchases don't arrive ( the seller can't find the coin - in some cases I suspect they decided the price we agreed on was too low after all ) or sends the wrong one or it gets lost in the mail. And another 5%-7% or so arrive in unacceptable condition - usually from deceptive pics that hid major flaws or toning.

I know many claim never to have had a coin lost or one arrive in less than acceptable condition. I personally guess they either buy very rarely, or "eat it" when they get a clunker. Some will only buy from perfect hi-res pics but then they are in the "rarely" camp IMO. Anyway, I feel you can not find bargains without a little risk, but have to be willing to return the clunkers in so doing. I have bought over 500 coins on ebay, and several hundred more through other online sites or auctions. I just don't believe that anyone who has bought say 100 or more coins via pics didn't ever get a clunker in the lot.

JMHO