Heritage Auctions ships coin to the wrong person
Moose1913
Posts: 402 ✭✭✭
Anyone else experienced this before? Does it have to be shipped back to Heritage Auctions or can the recipient ship it directly to me? Thankfully, the person who received it was honest!
I pick things up
I am a collector
And things, well things
They tend to accumulate
I am a collector
And things, well things
They tend to accumulate
3
Comments
Oh boy…here we go again
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
The recipient can ship it directly. HOWEVER, I would do it through Heritage to cover yourself if anything goes wrong.
Years ago, Heritage sent me the wrong lot. I called them and they said just ship it back. I told them that I would when they shipped me a postage paid envelope.
Member MFH was once sent almost a $100K gold coin in error by them instead of the barber quarter he won... That mailing error HA remedied asap via next day air.
Wow. Only Heritage auctions ships coins to the wrong customers?
I'm glad I buy from most of the auction houses so I can bring my error rate down.
I’d rather it go back to heritage so they can verify the right item is there. You’re in more trouble if the unintended recipient sends you the wrong coin and now you have both not gotten the original shipment and have no way to prove what you did receive. I’m not saying the person would be dishonest, but it’s a consideration.
I’ve made shipping errors before (luckily very rarely) and I prefer to get everything back to limit the possible bad outcomes, even if it costs me that much more as I cover all the shipping costs.
I agree, have Heritage handle the details. Mistakes happen, but best to resolve them through the originator. Cheers, RickO
Send the coin back to Heritage for obvious reasons. I would be upset if HA disclosed my name and address to someone else regardless of the circumstances.
I have had a similar event. Heritage shipped my winning lot to the wrong address about two years ago. I actually caught the problem while reviewing tracking information on a Friday night— I noticed that the delivery was set to go to another state. My frustration peaked when the delivery took place over the weekend— I could not connect with anyone at Heritage over the weekend and for a short time afterward because the office in Texas was closed due to bad weather; hence the package was delivered.
Heritage was very professional regarding this event and took full ownership. They first provided a full refund (auction fees plus shipping), then retrieved the auction lot from the wrong recipient. Heritage then called and asked if I would like to have the lots, and I responded yes. I eventually received the winning lots and was happy with the customer service from Heritage.
I was most impressed that I could reach a person by phone once the office opened and that Heritage took complete ownership of the error and fixed it. They even provided a bit of background regarding how the error occurred.
Heritage did not disclose the name of the recipient, and I never dealt with the wrong recipient. I knew the wrong address, however, because I could see it in tracking.
Hopefully it all gets resolved.
Heritage is having the recipient mail it directly to me. Nobody from Heritage has reached out to me regarding the issue. I'm not very pleased.
I am a collector
And things, well things
They tend to accumulate
Something must have changed at Heritage. In my situation, Heritage took ownership of the problem and managed it. Having the wrong recipient take responsibility to ship you the coins does not seem in line with the business policy they once followed. Heritage staff were accessible to me and called me with updates in the past. I am disappointed to hear about your experience and their contemporary business practices.
I will be reaching out directly to @Moose1913.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Deleted.
The post from @MFeld, above, rendered my point moot.
Not from Heritage, but from another auction company. I did a mail bid, someone did the same floor bid, and since I got in my bid first, I was supposed to get the coin. They shipped it to the floor bidder, they tried to have him return it, he refused, and I was SOL.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
I bet Mark Feld who is top notch feels he has taken on extra duties lately. Hopefully he can get back to talking coins soon.
It happens - just so much inventory to send out things do happen. Happened to me with GC - but the percentage is so low. It is very disappointing and upsetting but what are you gonna do?
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
You're lying. GC would never make such an error.
Ok - I’m glad you pointed this out because I was thinking the same thing too.
Most of us come here to unwind and talk coins on our downtime, to escape from our busy workday.
Mark should be afforded that same courtesy.
MY GOLD TYPE SET https://pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/complete-type-sets/gold-type-set-12-piece-circulation-strikes-1839-1933/publishedset/321940
Thanks to each of you for your thoughtfulness.
I take it upon myself to read threads here and help out when I can, because I enjoy it. Hopefully, it benefits some forum members, as well as Heritage.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@MFeld and I had a great conversation this morning. I really appreciate how he genuinely listened to my concerns and asked for feedback on how Heritage can improve its response to situations like these. Thanks again, Mark.
Heritage provided a voucher towards a future purchase, which I did not expect, but greatly appreciate. Now we wait on the USPS to hold up their end of the bargain and get the coin in my hands!
I am a collector
And things, well things
They tend to accumulate
@Moose1913, thank you so much for taking the time to provide your helpful feedback and your understanding.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Was it a small ticket item?
In a case like that they probably had a special courier pick it up.
No just USPS Priority Next Day Air as it was only $87K which is peanuts to the bigger auction houses.
I remember that. Mike was a great guy (and a good friend), so thankfully HA didn't get screwed.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Yep, as beyond the humor of the mix-up the value of that gold coin meant nothing to Mike... He just wanted his Barber new purchase.