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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,298 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
I mentioned in another post that my return % of purchases off ebay is about 5%. Someone thought that was high. I think it is a bit low actually as so many listings have "tricked up lighting" that covers flaws and problems - sometimes way too well. I wince at the "colors" some use for lighting that are so obviously attempts to hide issues and toning and flaws. So what % do you have to return? I have "tolerated" some coins, instead of returning them, due to their super bargain pricepoint or being close enough to melt that I don't mind considering them "junk silver". I do think I "prospect" a bit more than most in that I will take a chance on a bad pic coin every once in a while. I've at times been very pleasantly surprised that the coin is much better than I'd expect given the bad pics, and at times I had to return it because it was much worse than it looked "fuzzy". I also buy a fair amount of raw coins and that is much dodgier from pics than cert ones ( tho I've had to return some of those as well ). I don't remember having to return any, other than 2 - one imporperly labelled and one damaged in transit(burned by some scanner/machine) - from outside ebay at other websites. Admittedly tho the pics for those are usually 10X better than most on ebay. The more expensive the coin, the less tolerant I am for flaws or any "hidden in pics" issues with it. I'd say on any coin over $200 my return % is more like 10%. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
At first, I'd say the percentage I thought about returning was 10-15%, but I only returned about 5-10%. The difference being due to the value of the coin in relation to melt and postage. So for example, the cleaned Walkers I got for $2 under melt each that would have cost me $2+ to return, I kept.
Now my percentage is essentially 0%. I've become extremely discerning about potential purchases. I now require exceptional pictures from the outset, I ask questions and ask for additional pictures, if needed. If I'm not satisfied at that point, I pass. So far, it's worked.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
Buying: I have only had to return two coins recently (one Large Cent and one MS67 RED LWC), both had lighting issues. The Large Cent had dark images which looked ok in the listing, but turned out obviously cleaned. The LWC had a concentrated "glare" on Lincoln's ear...turned out there was a "black spot" where the glare was. Fortunately both were returned with no problem. Selling: I have not had any returned to me for any reason. I try and take accurate and true images and it has paid off...so far.
Edited by oih82w8
06/21/2012 11:14 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
I've only ever had to return one item on ebay. It was a medal I purchased from a 'stock' photo (one of those X available sales) and the item he sent had a large amount of glue on it. The seller was great when I contacted him though, telling me to keep the poor one and he sent a replacement and refunded my money, even though I told him he didn't have to refund it. Smart on his part though because now I make certain to watch his other auctions. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
I haven't returned any coins, but I am very careful about what I buy. The seller must have clear and accurate pictures. If I have any doubts I will email the seller. If his/her answer is unsatifactory I won't buy or bid on the coin. And of course, I will only buy from a seller who has a good return policy in case the coins isn't as it appeared in the picture. My policy has always been don't take a chance on a coin that I have doubts about, there was always be another coin down the road. So far I have not been burnt.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
500 Posts |
IMO, never taking any chances also limits your ability to get some bargains. As long as they refund without hassle, the cost and bother of returning is worth it when you score some great bargains on a few "risky pics". IMO, NEVER taking a risk is just as limiting as taking lots of them. A happy-middle is what I seek. Part of it is I don't consider having to return a coin as "being burned". I'd consider a renege on a refund as being burned tho, or major hassle getting it processed as a minor burn, but the cost of returning a coin is worth taking some gambles - IMO. I've not had any major problems with returns yet. Now one poster here was claiming he made >$20K by buying off bad pic listings on ebay and then re-selling there with good pics. Seems a bit much, but plausible. What I don't BUY is he claimed to never have had to return a single one. That I find highly dubious. You have to run across a clunker when you ONLY TAKE RISKS off bad pics that many times. I haven't done it that terribly much and I have had to return several. JMHO |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
If picture of a seller's coin is not accurate and clear, then I suspect he is trying to hide something and I won't buy from him. Maybe he is just lousy at taking pictures, but the perception remains.
Buffalos Rock, you are probably right, having to return a coin is not'being burned, its just a hassle and inconvenience.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
As a seller I've never had anything returned to me.
As a buyer I've only had 1 coin that I've had to swap for an unblemished one which was a 2012 infantry 70. One had started to get a milk spot and swapped it for a clean one. Other than that I've never had any problems with what I've gotten
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,298 |
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Posted 06/21/2012 11:12 am
