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 Replies: 26 / Views: 3,420 |
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New Member
United States
20 Posts |
So I entered a brick & mortar antique store yesterday to look at the store's collection of coins and currency. I've been in there many times in the past, both for antiques and coins. I find that the store's product in the realm of coins is generally of fair quality, but nothing spectacular. Nonetheless, I was shown a couple of coins that looked promising, including one that is on the rarer side. I decided to purchase both, for a combined total of $150.00. One coin was overpriced, but the rarer coin was under-priced, so I figured it evens out.
I got home, looked in my catalogs, and behold! The rarer coin was a definite counterfeit. I looked at the receipt, and it says "ALL SALES FINAL". So, I take the coins back -- the real one and the counterfeit -- and this morning asked for a refund. The man who sold me the coins was there, and he looked at the coin, looked at my reference material, and said "OK". Just to be sure, I told him I wanted to return the real coin as well, because I felt like the only reason I overpaid for that item was because I made it up in value in the rarer item. Maybe that wasn't the most tactful way to put it -- and maybe that was unreasonable. At that point I was just so disgusted by the whole transaction, I wanted to clean my hands of the situation.
He issued me a scowl, and said "We don't issue refunds, but...", to which I began to say "Well, under the circumstances [meaning: under the circumstances of you having sold me a coin which is a clear, identifiable counterfeit]..."; at this point he cut me off and told me to hand him my credit card for the charge-back.
I left, glad that I had indeed washed my hands of it all, but irritated and saddened. I happen to like that antique store a lot, and want to be able to freely go back to buy other things (although not coins). Now, though, I feel like I wouldn't be welcomed back. At the heart of it, the guy professed to be a coin dealer, and told me what a great piece the counterfeit coin was; I sort of felt like it was just for him to have to pay a full refund for both coins, even though I didn't have a rationale for returning the real one.
So, should I have handled this differently? And how can I make sure I can go back to this store and not feel like I've been blacklisted (which, who knows, I may actually have been)?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
I wouldn't give your actions any more second thoughts. Sounds like you handled it just fine. Perhaps you could have left out the "overpaid" comment and instead just said keeping that second coin is now out of your comfort zone and see where that went, but it's over now.
As for the future, just waltz right in as though nothing happened. You've been made whole. You probably shouldn't expect much in the way of price breaks from here on out though.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
If he sells you one dodgy coin and then throws a snit over a refund, there is an increased chance that you may get another in the future simply because he is either a cheat or he cannot properly identify counterfeits. So what kind of coins are we talking about here  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2602 Posts |
I think you handled it fine. Although he has no return policy, if the coin is counterfeit, it should be returned and he should accept the return no questions asked, despite his policy, because selling a counterfeit is illegal. I think I would have maybe tried to keep the other coin and have him give me a credit towards something else as an alternative option. See if he would make things right to earn my business another time.
I think he didn't handle it ideally.
Edited by mycrob
08/15/2012 5:29 pm
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Pillar of the Community
1119 Posts |
he should of jumped to offer the refund as soon as you showed him it was fake, the fact he didnt rings bells that he knew it was fake, especially with the good price of it.
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Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
I think you handled it well, especially if you want to go back to buy. You made a firm stand, and now your future transactions should be on a better understanding if you both wish to pursue them. It seems he keeps the door open for future business as he refunded you for both coins. He could have also stood firm and just offered you the refund for the fake.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3755 Posts |
Quote:
he should of jumped Argh, this drives me NUTS. It is NOT should of, it is should've, the contraction of should have! Quote:
offer the refund as soon as you showed him it was fake, Ummmmm, the dealer DID immediately agree to the refund of the counterfeit.... Quote:
and he looked at the coin, looked at my reference material, and said "OK". As for did you handle it right? Sure did. Nothing at all wrong with anything you said IMO. There should be zero reason for younot to go back. Though, as you said, it would not be for coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1151 Posts |
Quote:
Argh, this drives me NUTS. It is NOT should of, it is should've, the contraction of should have I know what you mean, especially "you're and your". It makes it almost impossible to go on facebook anymore And as for handling it, I thought you did it well, I think it was fine, besides the overpaying comment. Edited by yankee1227
08/15/2012 7:26 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
Quote:
And as for handling it good THIS drives me crazy. He handled it WELL....   Sorry couldn't resist... As for the OP's actions....very reasonable The dealers actions...also very reasonable... I would not hesitate to return to the shop. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1151 Posts |
Quote:
Sorry couldn't resist... There, better? Edited by yankee1227
08/15/2012 7:28 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
The only thing I would say is I probably would have left out the overpaid part if you were worried about saving the relationship. But I dont blame you at all for wanting to return the whole purchase. Let some time pass and I'm sure itll be fine if you want to go back, if not you can try and talk about the problem or just move on. Not ideal but such is life. No one should be legitimately upset a customer was unhappy with a fake
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Valued Member
United States
156 Posts |
You could have taken a slightly different, more proactive angle. The antique proprietor had to have purchased the counterfeit from someone; do you think he felt any better about his mistake than you did?
You could have offered your help gratis in the future in identifying coins as a reciprocal for his service of an immediate refund without challenge. It might have paved the way for some exceptional opportunities.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
I think that what you did was fine, sometimes it is not what you do it is how you do it though.
I would visit him again but be on your best behaviour, don't stay too long, don't ask too many questions and don't get him to show you every item under the sun. If he has something you like don't barter too hard with him; make your mind up quickly and be polite.
If he mentions anything of the previous transaction say "I am sorry if I came across as abrupt but I was dissapointed that coin was not the genuine article" and thank him for his understanding.
He is in business and as such probably wishes to take your money if he has an oppertunity to, but he will probably not bend over backwards to please you unless you show him that you are a fair guy and that you don't intend to waste his time.
(Edited a typo just incase the grammar nazi's spot it :P I agree though that English is slowly eroding)
Edited by DavidUK
08/15/2012 8:41 pm
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Valued Member
United States
470 Posts |
I think you burnt that bridge. You would have if I had been the seller. Find another store. If I was the buyer/returner, I'd feel embarassed to even go back in there again.
PS DavidUK ..you missed another typo "oppertunity"
Edited by Andrew289
08/16/2012 09:19 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3283 Posts |
I actually think you should have kept the real coin, there was nothing wrong with that particular transaction.
Although, in the business world, rules are meant to be bent to satisfy customers, so I see nothing wrong
with you asking for, and receiving, a refund.
Regardless, you should feel free to shop there anytime you wish. I wouldn't expect to get discounts like the coin
dealer I have a working relationship with though.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
If he doesn't kick you out, you'll get the cold shoulder or scowl if you go back.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Replies: 26 / Views: 3,420 |
Posted 08/15/2012 2:59 pm
