Lesson learned about dealer with no website.
topstuf
Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was browsing Collector's Corner as usual. I saw a coin that intrigued me. Wondering what else he might have in stock, I sent a msg through the contact seller on Collector's Corner.
I got a prompt response that he did not have a website per se, but he conducted all business through Collector's Corner.
Okay by me I guess.
Why not?
Upon ordering the coin, he told me he would ship it for "FREE" for a cashier's check. Again, OK by me.
Except after ordering the coin, all the Collector Corner offerings disappear. No presence on CC at all.
I've never seen a dealer's listings disappear completely from CC.
I'm far more comfy with someone who maintains an inventory and a website of ANY type.
The "free" shipping was deducted from the refund.
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Did you get the coin? I don’t think I ever paid by cashiers check. Pay Pal at the minimum through my credit card for my protection .
There certainly are numerous business models for coin dealers. Any random combination of website, ebay, B&M, show, vest pocket, message boards, social media, whatever. That makes dealing with ANY new one a bit of an internal mental exercise, no matter what.
At least you got the refund!
Quite frankly, the red flag for me would not have been the lack of a website, but the requirement that you pay by cashier's check. With PayPal and that portable credit card thing they have for cell phones ("One"?), anyone can take credit cards. It's one thing to offer to take a personal check for your convenience, but to require a cashier's check gives them all the power.
The return policy stinks (deduct the "free" postage) but that is something to be worked out or asked in advance. At least you got the bulk of your money back.
A “hit & run” dealer?
Maybe a good name for it, especially if unscrupulous.
But, isn't this type of business model just an online version of a "vest pocket" dealer?
I really don't think so. I got the coin and I got the refund. It was just such an unorthodox method that I felt the need to mention it.
web presence but it does convey a certain degree of legitimacy.
LOTS of dealers have .....minimal...
I wouldn't have even twitched except that EVERYTHING he had offered had ...disappeared.
RIGHT after I ordered. The extent of the "purported" inventory assuaged my concern. I mean QUALITY stuff.
poof
Yep. In fact, I thought it was sorta ingenious. Certainly a possibility for using an existing venue for economic reasons.
Shoot, you should see some of the "websites" that legit eBay dealers have and it's NO reflection on their quality of service.
There will, of course, be no repeating the process.
Actually, it was a "blessing in disguise"
I got that eBay "special" eBay Bucks bonus, began searching and found not only an equivalent, but a SUPERIOR coin from browsing.
So you got both the coin plus a refund so you got the coin for free? Not a bad deal.
I'm scratching my head. Just how does the refund fit into the story? Did you indeed get both the coin and the refund?
Smitten with DBLCs.
@Gluggo said:
Pay Pal at the minimum through my credit card for my protection .
I didn't know I could do that. How do I use a major credit card through Pay Pal ? How would I check that out ? I'd appreciate any direction you could lead me to.
Jim
What?? How else do you use PayPal?
PayPal can be linked to a bank account (maybe these days it has to be? not sure), but the main way I use it and always have, is to charge on my credit card. I get cc points and also another layer of protection through the cc company. Just go to payment methods in your PP account and add a card. Then, set cc as your default pmt method, or at least remember to change pmt source to cc when you pay for something.
These links should help:
https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/how-do-i-link-a-debit-or-credit-card-to-my-paypal-account-faq826
https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/why-should-i-link-a-bank-account-or-a-card-to-my-paypal-account-faq3349
@JBK
I pay with Pay Pal .... no credit card involved.
@JBK
@U1chicago
Oh I see now... I've been using my debit card.. which doesn't cover anything.
Thanks for the links... they will be a big help.
SO sorry to hear this. That sucks. can always contact me
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
Maybe I was unclear.
The offer was "free" ship if paid with cashier's check.
DONE
The coin did not meet my approval.
DONE
I told him I wanted to return it and at that point the "free" ship for Cashier's Check turned to ...un-free... and his story was that he discounted for the "free."
IF the shipping was truly "FREE" then the refund would have been (had I been the seller) for the price paid and shipped back at my expense.
Or I'm making this even denser.
IOW..... I worry when an entire inventory vanishes from a selling venue.
And when the price is NET I expect to get THAT amount in the refund.
Or maybe I'm just a PITA.
Now this bring up an interesting thought. I have coins register and I switch my coins from Active to For sale if on Feesbay. Does that mean others can see them on CC. I believe I have my collection on private but who knows. Perhaps he had his on public then flicked the switch to private.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
What fooled me was the extent and quality of what I FIRST saw offered on CC.
Kinda calls into question does this guy actually OWN what he lists?
If I was picking up a coin, and could see the coin in hand, and then give the seller a cashier's check, that is fine...really might as well give him cash.
Mailing a cashier's check to a reputable seller who you know...is fine.
However mailing a cashier's check to a seller who you don't know...sorry to say in general, especially in this day and age, that is a very bad idea.
BTW - the website has nothing to do with it. A clever scammer can put up an elaborate website within a few days.
Seems straightforward enough. He paid for shipping and was willing to eat that cost to sell you the coin, but since you were returning it he took the cost of shipping out of the deal. It's not like he's making money here; he's just recovering his shipping cost, which is money already spent with the USPS (or whoever shipped it)-otherwise he's essentially paying for the privilege of you taking his inventory for a walk, There's a difference between free shipping and a free no cost approval service. Others charge restock fees, etc. so this seems fair to me.
As to the removal of his other stuff, Kathy above may be on to something. I've never used CC so can't comment on that really. Regardless, it would be no skin off my nose as long as I got the item I ordered. As to the rest of it, a lot of part timers (and oddly enough, some full timers) don't have websites but that wouldn't dissuade me if I knew them by rep or heard good about them from people whose opinions I valued.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
Where does the money come from? Your bank account?
"Free shipping" that was deducted from the "refund." did the "shipping" come in a nice little box?
@JBK
Yes ... my debit which offered no protection. I just made the changes..so now all is well.
I've got a debit card through a credit union and they offer more protections than our BoA credit card. Your mileage may vary.
Overall, although not a successful transaction, it was not a rip off either.... and, since the deal fell through, I can understand why the seller deducted shipping....Cheers, RickO
EXcept that the shipping "deduction" was offered to get a cashier's check.
edited to add that i do NOT call it a RIP OFF.
Just a way of doing business that doesn't sit with ME.
A note that shipping would be deducted if I returned it would have made the policy clear.
I think buyers should be allowed to have a free lifetime return policy so that way they can keep it as long as they want, show it to everyone they know, check it for CPG varieties, send it in to a couple TPGs to see if it upgrades and/or try to sell it at a profit, and if they can't they should be refunded 100% plus shipping both ways, plus an extra 20% to cover their gas driving it around trying to flip it.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
I like the world wide web. My website needs more help than me.
Maintaining an up-to-date website in today market is a must.
You also need to let potential clients that you do in fact have an awesome up-to-date website maintained daily