The risks of trying to cherrypick a crappy coin....

AskRaq · November 1, 2007 1:55PM

Okay, it's late one night and I haven't checked eBay in quite a few weeks for any 1897 "1 in neck" varieties in my *ultra-cheap* price range.... and I come across this sellers pic:

Looks like I may have hit one.... so let's play with the crappy pic of the crappy coin:

Now I have a really crappy pic, but it shows a good enough *tell* for me to "Buy it Now" at $1.99.... I look around to see if there's anything else that the seller has to offer to defray shipping one little cent for $2.75.... nope. So I pony up my whopping $4.74 ~

Pretty quick shipping (4 days) and I receive my #10 white envelope with a 41-cent stamp on it.... open it up and find this lovely gem:

Okay.... not same coin. I email and ask if purchance my item got mixed up with another customer's, as the 1897 IHC that I received was not the one pictured in the auction.

I received a timely response:

The one pictured, I realized is slightly bent, so I sent a little nicer one. If you really want the one pictured by all means send back the other one back and I will send it or another, I have three of these in stock. Thanks, K***y

Hmmmm..... So, have you ever had a seller (that you didn't know) tell you straight up that they sent you a different coin than the one you purchased because it was "a little nicer", you know - for YOUR benefit??

fc · November 1, 2007 1:59PM

typical scum of the earth that ebay seems to be full of.
send it back and ask for the one in the pic.

it is amazing how dumb coin collectors must be overall to have
dealers like this stay in business. slime ball.

i have also noticed many dealers on low end coins count on making
money off the shipping. even when buying multiple lots they still
want to make a profit on the shipping.

it is like you have to email them asking for the exact terms of the
deal and get it in writing.

Barndog · November 1, 2007 1:59PM

so gouged and dragged on pavement is better than bent? Some ebay sellers just suck, looks like you found one.

savoyspecial · November 1, 2007 2:10PM

man, i've been on both sides of the cherrypick fence and you're right when ebay and crappy pics are involved its risky....

a while back i scored this indian head cent:

indian head cent on ebay

seller did not mention in his description that it was a judd 228 pattern.....first time i've cherried a pattern as a business strike

but then there's always the chance you turn up empty handed like i did here:

attempt to cherry a 1952-D (huge D variety)

(i still think the photo shows a 'huge d' variety but i think the seller makes it a practice to use stock photos).....when the coin arrived i did a giveaway here on the boards (it was a normal sized D)

greg

Bochiman · November 1, 2007 2:27PM

Did you * out the seller's name (ie....k***y is kathy?) or did they just leave it at k***y for KY?

AskRaq · November 1, 2007 2:50PM

<< Did you * out the seller's name (ie....k***y is kathy?) or did they just leave it at k***y for KY?

>>

I sta**ed it out only because it was only a first name & I didn't want to risk it possibly getting confused with anyone else.

I've dealt with a very few sellers that seem to make "bait & switch" a business practice on eBay (if they get nailed on occassion, they make up for it quite well with the majority of buyers that don't bother with returning an item or asking "what's up").... but usually the seller gives you some "oh, must have had the wrong picture in the listing" or "oops, sent the wrong coin" or "can't seem to find that coin, must have sent it to another customer by accident".... always with a refund offered.

It's just the blatant *honesty* of this seller that amazed me!! And that he then offered to replace the coin with the one picture "or another one"...LOL??

mmiller40 · November 1, 2007 2:53PM

What is sad is he will likely end up with positive feedback

GrumpyEd · November 1, 2007 3:35PM

LOL

Tell h***m you want the SAME bent one in the photo if he has it.
If he does send this one back but only expect another frugly coin, if it's a 1 in neck you will be happy.

AskRaq · November 1, 2007 3:39PM

<< LOL

Tell h***m you want the SAME bent one in the photo if he has it.
>>

He has three "in stock"..... so I figure I can keep sending them back until he sends the one in the pic - but then I'm afraid he'll have to go and bend it first!!

LOL.... at least it's gonna cost him another 41 cents everytime he sends a replacement

Artist · November 1, 2007 3:53PM

Yes, swapping a coin from the one pictured is not desirable - however, I think you all are being a bit harsh on this seller in this particular situation.

Most folks who buy Indians that look like those are building humble collections - the seller probably assumed you were too and did his best to help you with yours by giving you a better coin than your $2.00 would have otherwise gotten you. Since he has offered to swap the coin he sent for the one you cherry picked, I don't think you have too much to complain about.

JMHO

WaterSport · November 1, 2007 10:43PM

Ya Know, its just part of the game. You’re trying to buy a coin worth a lot of money and not tell the owner what it is you’re looking for. They are not experienced collectors, and 99% of the time their photo suck. But you think you see something and spend your $3-$5 dollars hoping for the score. These folks are not scum, not idiots, just folks trying to sell their coins they know little about, and we have the nerve to rip them because our fantasy of screwing the heck out of them did not come true. I should know, because I do it all the time, except get on their case for not sending me a dream coin worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.

WS

ziggy29 · November 1, 2007 11:41PM

It could be an intentional bait-and-switch seller using stock photos, but it could also be a well-intended (albeit clueless) seller who figures one worn-out, worth-a-buck 1897 IHC is the same as another and uses a stock photo for that reason.

Just the same, I'd feel odd telling the seller that I was trying to cherry them. ("Sorry, but I was trying to rip you and pay two bucks for a valuable variety. Could you please send me the right coin?") I'd probably just eat the five bucks and never use that seller again. Cheap education.

13PacesEast · November 1, 2007 11:52PM

so you're trying to screw them and you are mad they screwed you?

who's the slime?

rons · November 1, 2007 11:55PM

If its an honest mistake then offer to buy the remaining two IHC in stock for what you paid for the first. You save shipping on the return and there can be no excuse for not getting the coin pictured.

What's another $5 eh?

IrishMike · November 2, 2007 12:04AM

<< so you're trying to screw them and you are mad they screwed you?

who's the slime? >>

Totally way off and unnecessary remark. Very bad form.

pmac · November 2, 2007 12:10AM

The saying is 'caveat emptor'. In regard to cherry picking, is there a saying for the seller? There seems to be a few rules on e-bay, such as if you post a picture then that is what you are selling. Pretty simple. IMO, the seller has the obligation of sending what was pictured. As far as making $ on the shipping, the cost of shipping and handling is stated in the description of the sale. Get the coin that was pictured.

13PacesEast · November 2, 2007 12:12AM

what is the definition of a cherrypick?

not way off and not bad form.

Scavenger · November 2, 2007 12:14AM

I think the seller was really trying to give you (in their opinion) a nicer coin, if you look at the picture the coin is bent.

AskRaq · November 2, 2007 12:27AM

When I take a *shot in the dark* the seller usually ends up making out, once in a while I make out.... it's like playing the slots.

99% of the time I don't know the seller's intention, I have to go by what they do & what they say....
Since I generally don't play with "big Money" on eBay, I rarely run into the a**holes (just a random few in the last decade).

I totally agree with most of the comments made here, except... the point of this thread was not because I was "mad" or that I wanted to "bash" the seller (who is not even named).... I was simply pointing out the risk I took - the item I received - and the Very Unusual reply that I got - I was simply surprised that the seller told me straight up that he just decided to send me a different coin than I purchased?!?! I've just never had that happen...

Coinsponge · November 2, 2007 12:33AM

<< so you're trying to screw them and you are mad they screwed you?

who's the slime? >>

If you are buying something at the price the owner freely and willingly sets the price on you are not "screwing" them if you see more value than they did and buy it at the stated price. This is the fun of collecting. You do your research and you get rewarded when you find the jems among the junk. Nothing wrong there IMO.

13PacesEast · November 2, 2007 12:37AM

guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

i think you were both wrong.

Coinsponge · November 2, 2007 12:38AM

<< I think the seller was really trying to give you (in their opinion) a nicer coin, if you look at the picture the coin is bent. >>

Maybe the seller was just honestly trying to do a nice thing but he should have asked the buyer first if a substitution was ok before shipping. Now the buyer has to waste his time and money shipping a coin back when all this could have been avoided by an email.

ziggy29 · November 2, 2007 12:45AM

<< Maybe the seller was just honestly trying to do a nice thing but he should have asked the buyer first if a substitution was ok before shipping. Now the buyer has to waste his time and money shipping a coin back when all this could have been avoided by an email. >>

Personally, if the seller didn't disclose that they may get a different coin than the one pictured, then they are guilty of misrepresenting the item and should eat shipping both ways.

Not that I would raise a huge stink over it for five bucks, but in reality, if someone doesn't send me the coin pictured and they don't disclose the fact that I may not receive what was pictured, the seller didn't send me what I paid for according to the terms.

Coinsponge · November 2, 2007 12:45AM

<< guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

i think you were both wrong. >>

So, dead Tom if you get for instance a 1969-s double die penny in your change at McDonalds are you going to screw McDonalds out of that 50K by not telling them or would you return the penny to them for a non double die penny? Just curious.

cmerlo1 · November 2, 2007 12:45AM

<< man, i've been on both sides of the cherrypick fence and you're right when ebay and crappy pics are involved its risky....

a while back i scored this indian head cent:

indian head cent on ebay

seller did not mention in his description that it was a judd 228 pattern.....first time i've cherried a pattern as a business strike

but then there's always the chance you turn up empty handed like i did here:

attempt to cherry a 1952-D (huge D variety)

(i still think the photo shows a 'huge d' variety but i think the seller makes it a practice to use stock photos).....when the coin arrived i did a giveaway here on the boards (it was a normal sized D)

greg >>

Here's a huge D...ANACS AU-58. I don't think the one in the auction is- the D is very tall on the Huge D variety, and you'll know it when you see it- it's that big.

13PacesEast · November 2, 2007 12:53AM

<< 

<< guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

i think you were both wrong. >>

So, dead Tom if you get for instance a 1969-s double die penny in your change at McDonalds are you going to screw McDonalds out of that 50K by not telling them or would you return the penny to them for a non double die penny? Just curious. >>

apples to oranges.

getting lucky with your pocket change is not even in the same ballpark as knowingly trying to screw someone.

Coinsponge · November 2, 2007 1:01AM

<< 

<< 

<< guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

i think you were both wrong. >>

So, dead Tom if you get for instance a 1969-s double die penny in your change at McDonalds are you going to screw McDonalds out of that 50K by not telling them or would you return the penny to them for a non double die penny? Just curious. >>

apples to oranges.

getting lucky with your pocket change is not even in the same ballpark as knowingly trying to screw someone. >>

This is an interesting moral perspective to me. We shall agree to dissagree here. Maybe I just find the intensity of your characterization to be over the top. One last situation if you are still there. If you are shopping for antique furniture and in the process of checking out the furniture you find a gold $3 coin stuck in the back of a drawer. Now you know that the seller did not pay for that coin so if you buy the furniture item at the price on the tag are you "screwing" the seller or is that also apples and oranges?

relicsncoins · November 2, 2007 1:16AM

I have fun trying to find nice coins on ebay with crappy photos. Of course many times you get dogs, but sometimes you get some decent coins at a fraction of the price. Here are two of my better grabs from poor photos.

This 1905 Proof was listed as unc. and had a terrible photo. I bid it up to 16 dollars and won.

This 1906 Indian I grabbed for 12 bucks on a crappy photo. The color may be questionable, but the luster is absolutely blazing.

SeattleSlammer · November 2, 2007 1:31AM

Yes, swapping a coin from the one pictured is not desirable - however, I think you all are being a bit harsh on this seller in this particular situation.

Most folks who buy Indians that look like those are building humble collections - the seller probably assumed you were too and did his best to help you with yours by giving you a better coin than your $2.00 would have otherwise gotten you. Since he has offered to swap the coin he sent for the one you cherry picked, I don't think you have too much to complain about.

Bochiman · November 2, 2007 1:32AM

<< so you're trying to screw them and you are mad they screwed you?

who's the slime? >>

Now, THERE's a moronic statement!
Did you even look at the first photos? She was taking a chance. If it came back the SAME coin but not the variety, I doubt she would have complained or said anything.
It is more than a photo was shown and a different coin was shipped.

Sheesh....someone pee in your cheerios or something?
Or, maybe you just want to seem all righteous and tough?

13PacesEast · November 2, 2007 1:43AM

<< [
Or, maybe you just want to seem all righteous and tough? >>

you mean like you are doing?

id 10 t

13PacesEast · November 2, 2007 1:49AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

i think you were both wrong. >>

So, dead Tom if you get for instance a 1969-s double die penny in your change at McDonalds are you going to screw McDonalds out of that 50K by not telling them or would you return the penny to them for a non double die penny? Just curious. >>

apples to oranges.

getting lucky with your pocket change is not even in the same ballpark as knowingly trying to screw someone. >>

This is an interesting moral perspective to me. We shall agree to dissagree here. Maybe I just find the intensity of your characterization to be over the top. One last situation if you are still there. If you are shopping for antique furniture and in the process of checking out the furniture you find a gold $3 coin stuck in the back of a drawer. Now you know that the seller did not pay for that coin so if you buy the furniture item at the price on the tag are you "screwing" the seller or is that also apples and oranges? >>

this is the way i was raised - " if it ain't yours, it ain't yours"

i'm the type of person who finds a bank bag stuffed with cash on the ground at Texas Stadium and turns it in.

a very grateful, but careless vendor gives me some nice stuff in return.

it wasn't mine.

coincollector2007 · November 5, 2007 4:54AM

Some interesting pictures.

19Lyds · November 5, 2007 5:10AM

First off folks, lets get something straight!

Cherrypicking is not Screwing!

A cherrypick is just that, you come across a cherry, you pick it up. Sometimes its very suh-weet while other times it leaves a bitter after taste but its what collecting today is all about!

For the OP, I've had substitutions to which I either ask for the original coin pictured or ask for a refund and expect an explanantion. I see nothing wrong in the sellers reply to you and if I were you, I'd send it back and get the coin you bid on. Hopefully you'll get what you saw but if not, no biggie. You're a collector and a dang good one at that!

Good Luck and I hope you get what you were looking for!

57loaded · November 5, 2007 5:23AM

as a pt seller (not my 'day' job) i have done it for buyers. i will sometimes toss in some knick-nack item or whatetever. and have subbed a PQ item for one sold for various reasons....we only go around once, so spread some joy or I try to.

if i did more i might be different, i dunno

seanq · November 5, 2007 5:53AM

<< 
this is the way i was raised - " if it ain't yours, it ain't yours"

i'm the type of person who finds a bank bag stuffed with cash on the ground at Texas Stadium and turns it in.

a very grateful, but careless vendor gives me some nice stuff in return.

it wasn't mine. >>

The seller listed and displayed a photo of a coin for sale, at a starting bid he was comfortable with. The OP won the coin and sent good funds for it. That made the coin in the picture hers. It doesn't matter if it was a scarce variety or bent or filled with chocolate. The seller chose the venue and everyone had a chance to bid and the OP bid the highest. Please explain how that is 'screwing' someone.

Sean Reynolds

TwoSides2aCoin · November 5, 2007 6:02AM

It's hardly a cherrypick when it's a sour grape

Tell the seller you want the one he advertised, AskRaq. Anything short of sending you that and he is a liar and a cheater.

percyb · November 5, 2007 6:29AM

I had a similar experience. Bot the coin, got one other than the one photo'd. Chalked it up to experience with a schmuk, and I will never deal with that seller again.

Bochiman · November 5, 2007 9:17AM

Guys,

You can't be logical with someone like 13paceseast.
No matter what is said, his kind is "always right" and always wants the last word. So much the better when they can have the "holier than thou" attititude to go with it.

Classy with his 3733T internet lingo as well

mr1931S · November 5, 2007 1:33PM

Something for " if it ain't yours, it ain't yours" to ponder:

"$2.75 for postage I'm chargin' ya ain't for mailing the coin ya bought from me. I gets to keep all but 43 cents of it, 41 cents for the stamp plus 2 cents for the envelope."

The risks of trying to cherrypick a crappy coin....

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