Coin Community Family of Web Sites Join Thousands of Coin, Bullion, & Money Collectors
300,000 items to help build your collection! Join Thousands of Coin, Bullion, & Money Collectors Coin, Banknote and Medal Collectors's Online Mall Royal Canadian Mint products, Canadian, Polish, American, and world coins and banknotes. Shop for APMEX Bullion on eBay!Specializing in Modern Numismatics Vancouvers #1 Coin and Paper Money Dealer








Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?


This page may contain links that result in small commissions to keep this free site up and running.

Welcome Guest! Registering and/or logging in will remove the anchor (bottom) ads. It's Free!

Little Story + An Ethics Question.

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.
Author Previous TopicReplies: 19 / Views: 3,919Next Topic
Page: of 2
Valued Member
Sean1011's Avatar
United States
152 Posts
 Posted 05/25/2010  1:58 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Sean1011 to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
I work at a convenience store and a lady came in and asked to borrow scissors then walked over to the coin machine. I waited on a few customers then looked over and she was breaking the coins out of an uncirculated set!

I bit my tongue because it was too late, but then I saw her open her purse and she had another 4 except they were proof sets and not uncirculated sets.

I had to say something. I asked her if I could look at them she said sure.

She had a 1997
1998
1999
2000 Proof sets.

She was going to break them out for face value!
She said she's sell them to me and I told her I didn't know the price for all of them but I knew the 1999 was worth alot of money and she said she was going to go home and check the prices and get a general idea of prices. Ultimately she realized how much they were going for and wanted to keep them.

So my question is, what would you guys do?

I'm glad I told her the truth and didn't just buy them for $36 (what I had on me) although it would be nice to have those 4 sets.
Pillar of the Community
basicbob101's Avatar
United States
819 Posts
 Posted 05/25/2010  2:32 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add basicbob101 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
There's a lot of unknowns here; did she appear on the edge of financial trauma or did she drive up in a Jag or Caddy dripping with expensive jewelry? If the latter I would have offered to buy them at face to save the trouble of breaking them out, if the former I would tell her they are worth more than I could afford at the moment, advise her where to go to get legit offer or find out yourself what dealer cost (gray sheet) was and offer her that amount. If I didn't have that much I would make sure she got in touch with a legit dealer or collector who would give her fair market value. But that's just me; I am sure that there are other opitions which will be posted here.
Pillar of the Community
Neil's Avatar
555 Posts
 Posted 05/25/2010  3:03 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Neil to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
You absolutely did the right thing. You helped a stranger, when others would've taken advantage of her. Bravo Zulu.
Pillar of the Community
afcop13's Avatar
United States
1409 Posts
 Posted 05/25/2010  3:21 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add afcop13 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Agreed - you did the right thing. Sleep comes easier when you do.

Pillar of the Community
Archraz's Avatar
United States
3499 Posts
 Posted 05/25/2010  4:10 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Archraz to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Sean1011- You did the right thing. It is always great when people are nice, honest, and try to help others. I just am always baffled by people who presume that nice, shiny coins in such holders are only worth face.
Edited by Archraz
05/25/2010 9:56 pm
Pillar of the Community
Tim Stroud's Avatar
United States
2661 Posts
 Posted 05/25/2010  4:17 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Tim Stroud to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I say you did what was right no matter what she wore or drove. I am proud of you as I have done similar recently. Two weeks a go I I bought a 1975 mint set off the bay and was sent two of them in separate mailers. Notified of the seller of his/her mistake and put the duplicate one back in the mail.

You did right and have no reason to seek approval from us or anyone else, for you know the good that you did.
Moderator
Learn More...
jbuck's Avatar
United States
188052 Posts
 Posted 05/25/2010  4:24 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add jbuck to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I agree, you did good. Maybe she will come back to thank you, or at least pay it forward some other way. Had you taken advantage, would you be able to enjoy those sets as much?
Valued Member
Sean1011's Avatar
United States
152 Posts
 Posted 05/25/2010  9:33 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Sean1011 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Thanks guys,

It's reassuring to know there are still nice people out there and all you points are valid.

No matter how much money I could have made, what is the price of a good night's sleep or a clear conscience.

And Tim- Kudos to you as well.
Valued Member
L1011's Avatar
United States
300 Posts
 Posted 05/25/2010  11:07 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add L1011 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I've a couple or so times in my life to return money that wasn't mine, I always did, well except for one time I found $40 in the parking lot, getting out of my car (who the heck do you turn that in to? ) but it's admirable you didn't try to take advantage of her and helped out

Remember this story sometime ago?

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/...oceries.html
Pillar of the Community
m9frank's Avatar
United States
628 Posts
 Posted 05/26/2010  02:40 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add m9frank to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
You did good.
Pillar of the Community
Metalman's Avatar
United States
7123 Posts
 Posted 05/26/2010  07:32 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Metalman to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
You did good, real good.

I keep a couple of price guides in my glove box for just such occasions. you would be surprised if I told you how many coins I have been able to purchase over the years just by being prepared.
New Member
Coin-Collector-Newbie's Avatar
United States
4 Posts
 Posted 05/26/2010  10:00 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Coin-Collector-Newbie to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
That's the right approach, being customer friendly is helpful in long run, she will be your repeat customer which is impt in this industry.
Pillar of the Community
murty's Avatar
United States
1353 Posts
 Posted 05/26/2010  12:05 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add murty to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
You took the high road. Honesty and integrity stays with you.....something to be proud of.
Pillar of the Community
Namachieli's Avatar
United States
2120 Posts
 Posted 05/26/2010  12:40 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Namachieli to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Its people like that though, that keep roll searchers in business.

Can I get a amen?
Pillar of the Community
Moe145's Avatar
United States
8904 Posts
 Posted 05/27/2010  10:19 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Moe145 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
This is the main reason why I like this Forum. It seems to attract people who do the right thing (even if no one is watching).

A hearty bow of respect for those who do this.
Pillar of the Community
wolf-n-wa's Avatar
United States
602 Posts
 Posted 05/27/2010  8:29 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add wolf-n-wa to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
You did the right thing. You'd feel worse rippin off an old lady. I know I would. Good things will come your way. WOLF

Edited by staff to remove an inappropriate comment
  Previous TopicReplies: 19 / Views: 3,919Next Topic
Page: of 2

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.



    




Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us  |  Advertise Here  |  Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum © 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Forums
It took 0.34 seconds to rattle this change. Forums