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 Replies: 31 / Views: 3,684 |
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Valued Member
United States
374 Posts |
What do folks do when they get a coin that is over graded and/or cleaned, yet the seller implies it is a non-details full grade. I would feel like a real schmuck leaving any sort of positive feedback, because someone (the seller) who has sold 1000s of coin should know/ does know better. Plus it would just perpetuate further people getting poor deals from the same seller. I don't want to spend the time returning the coins, and it was money I could afford to spend. It's been a while too. It's taken me time to properly evaluate the coins (thanks in part to the info from this board, and from comparing what I bought). So, I could contact the seller with my concerns, then leave neutral feedback, leave negative feedback or do nothing. So far I've done nothing and have not contacted the sellers. I have not gotten any fakes (as far as I can tell) and have not be shipped the wrong or different coin from the photos. I certainly would have resolved those issues. I did contact one seller after the sale and before the shipping and asked if the coin was cleaned. They immediately refunded my money and thank me for my time. That was odd. I'm guessing the answer was yes. It's an unfortunate hobby in that there are so many dishonest people. So far it seems about 50% of the coins that I've bought and really looked at carefully, are either over graded or cleaned without disclosure. I'm not including the listing where they say "look at the picture and grade it your self". I'm talking about when they say "Fine+, great coin", and it is something like a VG with improper cleaning. I guess I could go with TPG graded coins, but for what I am buying, mostly in the under $100 range, not sure if the premium is worth it. |
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Valued Member
United States
395 Posts |
I would always contact a seller before leaving negative, or even neutral feedback. At least give them a chance to correct it if you feel there was something not right about the transaction. They might be more than willing to come up with a simple resolution that makes everyone happy, if they are in fact in the wrong.
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Valued Member
United States
477 Posts |
Yes, contact the seller before you do anything rash, give them a chance to rectify the problem. Most will be happy to refund your money but the return shipping is on you.
I've run into several questionable deals on coins, a lot more than other areas of interest items I purchase. I bought a coin once that was listed twice, I got the refund, somebody else got the coin. I've gotten proof coins that were degraded and just yesterday I won a silver PCGS graded dime for $2 and the seller send me an email claiming the coin was stolen and no longer for sale.
Rick
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
The guy didn't wanna part with the graded dime for two bucks so that's why it was "stolen" lol. That happens a lot and I hammer a person if they don't honor a sale.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
yesterday I won a silver PCGS graded dime for $2 and the seller send me an email claiming the coin was stolen and no longer for sale. That's because you stole it and since title can't pass on stolen coins......he kept it.  |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
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I don't want to spend the time returning the coins, That statement surrenders your right to do anything about it. If you don't give the seller a chance to make good, he can and will have any unfavorable Feedback removed, and ebay will do it for him happily. It's the kind of act which would land you on sellers' Blocked lists. |
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Valued Member
United States
256 Posts |
There are other solutions than just returning the coin, so don't hesitate to contact the seller. Maybe a partial refund, or an additional coin, or, whatever the two of you can come up with. Don't just leave non-positive feedback without the effort.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
I don't want to spend the time returning the coins, That statement surrenders your right to do anything about it. If you don't give the seller a chance to make good, he can and will have any unfavorable Feedback removed, and ebay will do it for him happily. It's the kind of act which would land you on sellers' Blocked lists. |
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Valued Member
 United States
374 Posts |
Dave, interesting comment. That is why I have not done anything yet. Say I talk one of the sellers and they say send it back, no problem. How's that positive if the coin was misrepresented intially? I guess the feedback goes on the 'accurate representation of item' section, that is more anyomous.
Lets say you go to a store and you buy something, it does not work and you take it back. You get your money back. Is that really a positive experience? What if it not worth the trip across town and you just throw it away?
I don't think the burden should be on the buyer to show there is a problem with the item, rather the burden should be on the seller to make it clear what is being sold, to a reasonable degree. Perhaps this is why many sellers refuse to offer a grade.
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Valued Member
United States
373 Posts |
I agree the seller should make clear what is being sold, but... Lots of folks who sell coins on ebay are not in any way, shape, or form coin experts. The coin looks "uncirculated" to them because it's bright and shiny (from that harsh cleaning, of course). There's no point in even reading their narrative about the coin - the pictures are the only information that is relevant. Then there are the sellers who know better, but still over-grade and/or neglect to mention problems. They will often feign ignorance and quickly refund your money to maintain positive feedback - but they know what they're doing. Again, the narrative is meaningless - only the photos count. In both of the above cases, I only consider the coin if the photos are of a quality that I can assess it. Otherwise, it's almost a guarantee that it will be a problem coin. Now, there are some ebay dealers who know what they are doing and describe their coins accurately and completely. They are treasures, and I gladly give them my business. However, it's pretty much guaranteed you won't score a bargain with them. So, as always, caveat emptor! |
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Valued Member
United States
395 Posts |
The bottom line is grading is subjective. People up above had it right. Judge the coin for yourself, and if the pics cant allow you to do that move on. I think if you reached out to the seller you would come to an agreement 90% of the time. Whether sending it back for a refund, partial refund, etc. How are any of those things not positive? Sure beats living with an unhappy coin. Id rather resolve the situation hopefully to a better end, than the alternative of leaving a negative and having a coin thats a thorn in your side. I do understand though, and can relate to your feelings of the situation as I have experienced it myself.
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Valued Member
United States
374 Posts |
ProfLiz:
Yes, those are my feelings as well. It just a shame that these shenanigans go on. The fact that neutral and negative feed back are both seen as very "bad" does not help with transparency.
I've asked some sellers for better pictures, but really no luck with that. "It the best photo I could get". I didn't buy as it seemed the photo was taken in a deceptive way, and my cell phone takes better photos.
Buyer beware indeed.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1949 Posts |
I completely agree with profliz on this one, not everyone is an expert at everything they sell, and people do make mistakes. Someone's quick acetone dip is cleaning to someone else, and even grades on TPG coins are disputed and disagreed with... My rule is the only time I EVER leave a negative or neutral is when the seller is clearly hostile and unwilling to make things right... I have left 2 negatives ever, and they were both very extreme cases... |
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Valued Member
United States
374 Posts |
Thanks for the info. I read through the ebay rules, and yes you all are right. You're supposed to contact the seller first. It seems like neutral and negative are for extreme cases. I have not left either before. So thank you for answering that part of the question. I guess I would describe my feelings as mildly dissatisfied. There seems to be no category for that. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Just one of the reasons I don't use ebay. Yet many, mnay, many people do all the time. |
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Valued Member
United States
169 Posts |
received my first neutral a month or 2 ago.i had first listed the coin buy it now or best offer and received a lowball offer that I didn't accept.I relisted at 99c NR auction provided 6 photos,mentioned enviromental and the same lowballer won it.never complained or asked for a refund,in fact got the coin cheap and left me a neutral claiming I had altered the photos.he's eternally blocked along with anyone else who makes ridiculous lowball offers or feels the need to send me derogatory remarks about a coin/price in my listings
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Replies: 31 / Views: 3,684 |
Posted 08/26/2013 08:05 am
