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 Replies: 16 / Views: 4,083 |
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
I recently ordered two Star Spangled Banner proof coins from the mint. The coins were received while I was on travel for ten days. When I returned and opened the box, both coins had fingerprints on the coins. I contacted the mint's customer service the following day, today. I was told that since it was past the seven days listed in the mint's return policy that they could not help me. I explained the situation to no avail.
Any suggestions?
Should I take the coins out of the cases and try to remove the fingerprints with acetone?
I have been buying coins from the mint for > 20 years and have never received a proof coin with a fingerprint, much less two in-a-row.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1302 Posts |
If you charged the coins on a credit card, I'd return the coins and issue a chargeback.
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
 to CCF. Chances are almost nill the you can remove the finger prints without damaging the coins. I would try what cc99999 said, good luck. John1  |
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New Member
 United States
3 Posts |
This is great advice. I had not thought of this. Thanks.
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New Member
14 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
979 Posts |
would love to see pics of them with the fingerprints on them.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Not sure if it would ever work but I'd call and ask for customer services. Explain that you've been a customer for all those years and now this. Maybe nothing would come of it but since their phones are 1-800 numbers, the calls are free. So I'd call as many times as possible.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1770 Posts |
wow never heard of that one before, and since you did use your credit card you can refuse the charge
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1302 Posts |
I'm a merchant, when someone issues a chargeback and they do not have the merchandise anymore, the retailer is stuck. so that's what you should do.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1817 Posts |
This is an easy fix. Order the coins again before the introductory pricing ends, hopefully the two new coins will be fingerprint free, return the two damaged coins immediately with the newer invoice. Supposedly the "seven-day" clock starts when you open the box, but some customer service reps determine it as when the box is delivered.
My advice? Deal with a more congenial rep that's not so "by the book." Otherwise, the switch and return will cost you the cost of the return shipping and another $4.95 order fee for the second order. It seems unethical, but this seven day return window was not your fault if you were traveling.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1903 Posts |
I hear this fingerprint issue often. Wouldn't you think by now the mint would make the techs wear cotton gloves? How long have they been doing this, and it is still an issue? To me that doesn't speak well for the leadership at the mint.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1796 Posts |
I'd actually check your local laws on return policies. Sometimes even Federal institutions have to follow larger return window rules depending on what state they sell in.
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New Member
United States
26 Posts |
Hopefully mine don't have any fingerprints, I just ordered the proof and unc yesterday
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
Quote:
Should I take the coins out of the cases and try to remove the fingerprints with acetone? If you do happen to get stuck with these fingerprinted coins, these prints in all likelihood should not have been present on these coins very long. Hopefully, the amino acids from the finger oils will not have initiated the permanent etching process yet. If this is the case, usually rubbing acetone with a cotton-like or similar material will remove the prints without leaving any micro scratches. I have had success cleaning fingerprints off of proof coins using acetone and an ultra-fine micro-fiber technology cloth purchased for $ 2 from a company called InstaClears. These specialized cloths can be purchased at any optometrist's store. This cloth is actually designed for eyeglasses but also works for proof coins and camera lens. Please let us know how this suggestion works for you should you decide to use it. fyi, mdpmedia |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
If you charged the coins on a credit card, I'd return the coins and issue a chargeback. You could do that, but you may not be able to use that card with them again, And a slight chance you may be blacklisted and not allowed to order at all in the future. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
I'd just reorder and return the bad ones immediately. They can't tell the difference between the ones you just ordered and the ones you ordered a few weeks ago.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 4,083 |
Posted 03/24/2012 05:26 am
