Anyone familar with Bellevue Rare Coins?

cardinal

There is a purported Brass Wood’s Museum token on eBay with Bolen’s Libertas Americana offered by Bellevue Rare Coins:

Woods Museum Token

The photo of the token is very poor for evaluating it, but the problem is that they lifted photos and descriptions from my Registry Set, actually including the name of my set - superimposed with their logo. In addition, their description says their piece is MS-64 and is Ex: Musante.

I’ve tried contacting them, with no response. I even offered that they could use the images if they gave due credit, AND made it clear that the Musante piece is NOT the one up for sale, and is only being shown as a reference.

Has anyone here had any dealings with them?

Namvet69

Well that's not right. Report the discrepancy. Maybe drop them a love note and tell them how you feel about that. Peace Roy

Bochiman

Cardinal, I've bought a few things from them, and sold bullion to them.
That's about all I can say, given the forum rules......
I'm sure there are others that may be more positive in dealing with them.

When you tried to contact them, did you call (if so, can you PM me the number you used and I will try to check on it) or just email?

When you go into their shop, most of the ones working there are not the ones making the decisions. Those are either offsite or in the backroom, but not at the counter. Don't know who handles their email. They have 2-3 stores (different names depending on location, all locally, last time I bothered to check)

topstuf

I thought I knew them but it was Art Arbutine at BELLAIRE coins back when I was on CoinNet.

MrEureka

I know them and have done good business with them OFF eBay. Good solid guys. But I've heard some funky stories about their biz on eBay. Let's just say that I'm not so sure I could do a better job managing as many employees as they have. And FWIW, I would probably just let this slide at this point. Life's too short.

AlexinPA

It's not right - they should have at least asked first.

MrEureka

@AlexinPA said:
It's not right - they should have at least asked first.

Of course.

MorganMan94

Looks to have been taken down as your link is no longer valid.

Hemispherical

@cardinal Hopefully, they will see your OP and reach out to you.

Dave99B

They're very professional...all around very good folks. I've shopped there in person many times, although I've never bought via their eBay presence.

They have been slowly buying out other local coin stores. They now have a stores in Seattle, Bellevue, Issaquah, Lynnwood, and Tacoma. They are basically taking over the Pacific Northwest. My gut feeling is that they mainly buy material. Not sure I've ever seen a sale transaction, other than mine. Very busy stores...buying both coins and jewelry. All that said, I find it strange that they would lift a Registry set image. Odd.

Dave

Lakesammman

I stop in 1-2 times/month, sometimes bring something interesting to show the guys in Issaquah to break up their boredom from dealing with bullion, etc.

Most of the store inventory is pretty pedestrian, better at the Bellevue store, weaker in West Seattle, Issaquah.

Have chatted with the owner a few times and see him at major shows most every time. Seems like a solid character (for a dealer....).

cardinal

Thanks all for your comments!

Their listing said "If you should have any questions or concerns, please feel free to message us Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 5:30pm via eBay’s “Ask question." I did so, and received no response at all.

As @MorganMan94 said, I do see that the listing was taken down. Using my Registry Set as a reference is fine, but taking my photos and my word-for-word descriptions and then using them as their own with their own logo stamped on top, that crosses the line with me. Maybe it was some new person assigned to post their eBay lots, but still, they could have asked. After they spent the time to swipe my photos and text, they could have easily reached out to me.

JohnF

I reported this yesterday as soon as I saw the initial posting and it's now removed from eBay.

johnny9434

it went poof

Paradisefound

Glad they took it down!

thefinn

Sounds like a job for the ANA. Get your dues worth.

cardinal

@JohnF said:
I reported this yesterday as soon as I saw the initial posting and it's now removed from eBay.

Thanks John!

The listing is now back up, without the photos and text lifted from my Registry Set:

Wood's Museum token

In the original posting there were photos showing printed copies of tokens from my set and the related detailed descriptions, and the subject token of the listing in a small plastic bag stapled to that printout.

Although, I still have to wonder if that piece they have listed as Ex: Musante really came from Musante. Considering this line in their listing is still word-for-word from my Registry Set (which does contain the Musante specimen), I have my doubts:

"This advertising token for the Wood's Museum of Philadelphia features Bolen's Libertas Americana die in a scarce striking in Brass. Ex: Musante"

Here's a link to the Registry Set itself, just scroll down to PaPh-502, and you can see the description line of the Brass Wood's Museum token:

LIBERTAS AMERICANA TOKENS OF THE U.S. CENTENNIAL

steveben

i have had dealings with them.

i have visited their store on few occasions and also bought from them on ebay.

my opinion is that they sometimes have very nice coins, but are often overpriced.

when the store is busy with bullion sales, they have little time for collectors.

they don't negotiate.

finally, i bought a coin based on photos and a mint state description on ebay, only to receive said coin in cleaned condition. they did refund my money, but the transaction was not pleasant.

i hope your experience is better. good luck!

Abuelo

I have bought from them in the past (eBay), more than once. No problems ever.

Aotearoa

A friend (who knew nothing about coins) bought a Walker for me for my birthday from their shop in 1988. It was both over-graded and over-priced. Significantly so in both cases. I’m still somewhat irritated!

Edited to correct my mistake: The over-graded, over-priced Walker was purchased in 1987 from the Washington Numismatic Company in Bellevue.

KellenCoin

I have dealt with them a few times. Fine people and fine shops, but the salespeople I have come across do not appear to be true numismatists. Rather, they are salesmen who happen to be working with coins. Also, a bit too much jewlery in the physical stores for my taste.

coinsarefun

I did see that @cardinal and I’m sorry that I didn’t pm you. I got so busy that I forgot to let
you know. I am glad that they took your stuff down. That wasn’t cool at all