Is it possible to return items in a Stack's auction?

Zoins

I always figured that buying at auction from a major auction house was a no returns transaction but then I don't understand the following text that appears at the bottom of descriptions of many descriptions for unslabbed lots:

This is a must see, sold as is, no return lot.

If it says a certain lot is a "no return lot", it would seem to imply other lots without this message can be returned.

So, can lots without this message be returned?

Zoins

Reading the Conditions of Sale, it seems:

1. Slabbed items cannot be returned.
2. Non-certified items can be return in certain circumstances.

Because of the above, the "no return lot" descriptions only applies to non-certified items that cannot be returned. I've always wondered why slabbed items didn't include "no return lot" but that's because slabbed items are unambiguous but non-certified items are ambiguous.

• https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/conditions-of-sale

a. COINS AND CURRENCY LISTED IN THIS CATALOG GRADED AND ENCAPSULATED BY PCGS, NGC, ANACS, ICG, PCGS CURRENCY, PMG, PCGS BANKNOTE GRADING, CMC OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY GRADING SERVICE MAY NOT BE RETURNED FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER BY ANY BUYER. ALL THIRD PARTY GRADING SERVICE GUARANTEES, INCLUDING AUTHENTICITY, ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE THIRD PARTY GRADING SERVICE AND NOT WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES OF THE AUCTIONEER.

b. In the case of non-certified coins and currency that have neither been examined by the Buyer prior to the Auction Sale, nor purchased by the Buyer or Buyer’s agent at the Auction Sale, if it is determined in a review by Stack’s Bowers that there is a material error in the catalog description of a non-certified coin or currency, such lot may be returned, provided written notice is received by Stack’s Bowers no later than seventy-two (72) hours of delivery of the lots in question, and such lots are returned and received by Stack’s Bowers, in their original, sealed containers, no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after delivery, in the same condition the lot(s) were delivered to the Buyer, time being of the essence. Non-certified coins and currency that have been either examined by the Buyer prior to the Auction Sale or purchased by the Buyer or Buyer’s agent at the Auction Sale, will not be granted return privileges, except for authenticity.

bolivarshagnasty

Late last year, Heritage held an auction of US errors. I needed two more for the project I was working on and identified a couple in the sale. I had concerns about one item, as it had what appeared to be a light scratch across the lower obverse. I couldn't tell if it was on the holder or on the coin. I called and spoke with someone who assured me the scratch was on the holder. (By now you can tell where this is going.) Luckily I had taken notes, and provided Heritage with a name of who I spoke with along with the date and time. They made it right and refunded the entire amount. This is the only time I have attempted to return a slabbed coin to an Auction House. I take them at their word that all sales are final, but feel that this was an exceptionally unique circumstance.

PerryHall

If a raw coin is later determined to be counterfeit, it is returnable to the auction company.

Treashunt

I know someone who returned two Bust half dollars to Heritage.

Reason: The Overton numbers were wrong.

shorecoll

I'd think they be slightly more flexible with all that's going on, and limitations on viewing.

BillJones

@PerryHall said:
If a raw coin is later determined to be counterfeit, it is returnable to the auction company.

Many years ago I bought a raw 1798 dime from a reputable dealer. It turned out to be a counterfeit, a very well done one. The dealer refunded my money and was able to return it to the auction house that was run by Dave Bowers at the time. Two big thumbs up to a Dave on that one.

There is a question about certified items however. There have rare instances where a counterfeit did get into a certification holder. One would think that the auction house would get involved with that. I suppose that their argument is that you should go directly to the TPG.

YQQ

Re: return conditions above;
it would not take a first year law student longer than his lunch break to shoot dollar size holes in these conditions with a pea shooter.

Unknown

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roadrunner

My first auction experience with B&R in 1976 resulted in me returning all my winning lots...about a half dozen in choice BU type coins worth around $800. This was the wild west period....and my first introduction to "optimistic" catalog raw coin grading. I felt the entire group I won were way over-graded w/o any major deficiencies noted (scratches, rim cuts, planchet defects, etc.). And it wasn't like the tiny auction photos showed anything. They agreed to take them back as this was my first rodeo with them. But they advised me in writing that they would not do it again....and suggested to have my lots viewed in person in the future. I agreed. I didn't bid with them for another 12 yrs until they moved to the East Coast and started doing NY City auctions in the later 1980's. At least then I could view the lots in person.