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 Replies: 33 / Views: 3,838 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
I recently purchased a toned Morgan from a major online dealer. (I won't name them since I'm sure that's against the rules) I did my due diligence, or thought I did. They have an A+ BBB rating, and I read a few posts here which seemed positive. The posting for the coin said 1885 O Morgan dollar, MS 63 PCGS (Full Obv Toning). Now, I had noted that they had other postings that were much more vague (e.g. 1884-1890 Morgan dollar, random year X coin, etc.) and obviously knew that the coin pictured on those listings was not the coin you would necessarily get. But when the posting was this specific, giving the year, mintage, grader, grade, and description, along with an actual photo of a coin fitting that exact description, I naturally assumed that the coin would be the one pictured, which looked like this.  The coin I got looked like THIS.  I was willing to pay the substantial premium included in their price for a monster rainbow toned coin. What I got may have deserved a SMALL premium for toning, but definitely NOT the premium I paid. When I complained, the company said, basically, "You got a toned coin, as promised. We did not say you'd get the coin pictured." Fair enough, they didn't say "coin pictured is the coin you'll get", but in my limited experience, other dealers don't say that and still do deliver the coin pictured, and NOTHING on THIS page (I have screen caps) said they wouldn't do so. They offered a refund, but I'm not about to ship the coin back to them on my own dime and trust them with both the coin and my money. I consider what they did bait and switch. I have one more email off to them trying to work out a compromise, but if they don't at least give me a partial refund, I'll be complaining to the BBB. Since I can't name the company in question, let me just warn potential buyers that if the page you're looking at looks like this one, you can't assume you'll be getting what you think you're buying. These guys do seem to have a good rep for bullion, but I'm not doing business with them again, not on rare coins and not on bullion either. Other reputable dealers who actually deliver what they advertise are plenty thick on the ground, and I've found better bullion prices as well, after shopping around.    Edited by twslisa
12/14/2016 1:40 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Return it for a refund. Figure the return costs as a learning experience, albeit a negative one.
Waste no more time on it. That time would be better served finding a coin you did like.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
790 Posts |
Again, because I consider their posting deceptive, I don't trust them to send a refund after they have the coin back. And I'm sure as HECK not throwing good money after bad. Besides, there are lots of very honest and reputable dealers around who DESERVE and EARN their customers' trust. I give positive feedback for dealers who do so, why not negative for those who don't?
Edited by twslisa
12/14/2016 1:48 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1512 Posts |
Pure deception. Not the first time I've heard APMEX pulling this stunt. Call them up and demand a full refund plus return shipping. Or call your credit card company and get them involved. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1512 Posts |
Or call them out on twitter or facebook!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2843 Posts |
Downright nasty. I would be peeved. But, as a third party observer, I have to agree with Moxking. Return and move on. If this is indeed APMEX as a prior poster suggested, I would not worry about them gypping you on the return. Despite being a a bait and switch, I wouldn't put them on not refunding a return. That's just me. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
I already banked on their reputation by sending them the money for the coin, and I didn't get what I paid for. There is NO WAY I'm parting with more money AND the coin, and trusting them to reimburse me. At least I have a coin that's worth SOMETHING.
If they refuse to negotiate a partial reimbursement, I'll write off the payment as a lesson learned, but not without posting a complaint to the BBB. Other buyers should be warned about this practice.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
Here's the thing... I've been watching the sales that happen here, and visiting the ebay pages of members of CCF. Everything I see leads me to believe that very reputable and honest dealers abound, both here and on sites like VCoins, and local shops. These guys should NOT lose business to dealers who seem to offer great prices, but don't act with the same integrity. And buyers, especially newbs like myself, need information if we are to protect ourselves against dishonest practices. It's worth the effort, IMO. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
I learned last year: even with reputable dealers, if they don't say the coin you see is the one you'll get (or similar, such as including the certification number in the listing), I'm not taking my chances.
I did poke around the site you're referring to (it's obvious which one, if you look for it). There's nowhere in most listings or in their support pages indicating that you do (or do not) get the coin in the picture. However, some coins I looked at have a camera icon at lower-right with hover text stating "this is the one you get". Had I seen that on other products and not the one I was interested in, I would have presumed this was a stock image and moved on. But you're right that a clear "stock photo" statement would be preferable.
That said, this dealer is reputable, at least from what I gather from other buyers on this forum, and as far as their bullion bar/round products are concerned.
What would bother me more than "this isn't the one in the picture" is simply that your picture doesn't seem to match the general "full obv toning" description. That alone would warrant a return from me.
Edited by Alpha2814
12/14/2016 4:31 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Quote:
What would bother me more than "this isn't the one in the picture" is simply that your picture doesn't seem to match the general "full obv toning" description. That alone would warrant a return from me. That's your only real argument in this case. You didn't get that and that's what they said they were selling. If the copy read simply 'toning' or 'toned', you would be stuck. But they were wrong to advertise FULL Obv. toning and not deliver that. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9864 Posts |
"Dipping" is not considered cleaning...
-from PCGS website
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Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
There technically is full obverse toning. Most of it is just the palest shade of green possible. There's a bit of coppery gold along the upper rim. It's attractive, and for a lower price I'd have been happy with it.
A person shouldn't have to look at a dozen other listings to realize that sometimes they say this is the coin and sometimes they don't, nor should a shopper be expected to interpret that correctly. It's on the seller to be up front what they're selling, and it's dishonest of them not to do so.
Also, if they had pictured a coin with toning SIMILAR to this, I might not care so much. But they pictured vibrant rainbow toning. The price was a good price for what they pctured. It is Most certainly NOT a good price for barely visible, two-shade toning. No one seeing this coin in hand would pay the price they asked, and they damned well know it, or they wouldn't have pictured a different coin!
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
5394 Posts |
You will not be out any money returning the coin. You just have to ask them for a 2.60 First class return shipping label . They are not going to rip you . No companies otherwise stellar reputation is worth getting hammered over a hundred bucks or so.
A little faith my fellow CCFer.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4469 Posts |
The APX company does this type of selling on a regular basis, and I will not do business with the company. You expected to get the coin in the photo and that is understandable. My guess is that you paid $150 for the coin you have, and it is worth about $50, so you do need to return the coin, or you are letting them make a large profit at your expense. If you do not trust them, return the coin with tracking and signature required.
Edited by Slider23
12/14/2016 8:58 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
I've returned stuff to APMEX before. They are clearly deceptive here, but overall they have a good reputation as far as returned goods. They will issue you a refund no problem. No way would I keep that coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
Don't do business with this company.
Remember the 5 oz silver puck foolery going on? Yes, they ABSOLUTELY checked every 5 oz silver puck and submitted the high grade pucks for grading and sold the others to customers. ....and then denied this, but had to come clean later.
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Replies: 33 / Views: 3,838 |
Posted 12/14/2016 1:45 pm
