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Egregiously Deceptive Stock Photos... I imagine the buyer won't be so pleased

airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,165 ✭✭✭✭✭

I saw this coin in an eBay search and opened up the listing. The coin looked great for a 53--perhaps too great--and I wondered if there were any larger photos instead of just the slab shots. When I noticed the slab photo has a generic sample label, I looked some more and found "The coin pictured is only a representation of the coin you will receive, not the exact coin" among the various bullets in the description. So I poked around some more. Their stock photo for an NGC AU53 is a PCGS MS66+ from CoinFacts. I don't like stock photos in general (outside of perhaps moderns available in bulk), but I'm not sure I've ever seen one this bad. I'll just go out on a limb and say the coin the buyer receives will be a tad inferior to the one they see in the listing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175480790198


https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1851-o-3cs/3665

JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
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Comments

  • NeophyteNumismatistNeophyteNumismatist Posts: 1,073 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 10, 2022 10:44AM

    Hopefully, the buyer scans the coin before the purchase. Doing that will let them know that the coin is not the coin they are getting.

    This happens all the time on eBay, and even some of the big seller like Apmex use generic photos. I understand that it is a pain if one has 20 coins to sell... but, I am of the philosophy that if one wants to sell coins - (s)he should represent them as accurately as possible.

    It's hard enough to buy the exact coin online with the variance in lighting affecting the appearance. The seller of this coin does not accept returns. So you don't know what you are getting and you have to accept whatever comes in the mail. Too risky for a guy like me.

    I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.

  • LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TomB said:

    . Of course, they do this for eyeballs as much as sales and it certainly worked to get my eyeballs on the product.

    i haven't used this one before but seems apropos here:

    short term gain for long term pain...

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,894 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Deceptive use of stock photos for sure! :/

  • TreashuntTreashunt Posts: 6,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Disgusting

    Frank

    BHNC #203

  • spyglassdesignspyglassdesign Posts: 1,625 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The only time I use a stock photo on a coin is for instance 2021 peace and Morgan's that are basically all the same in the same grade. Other than that they aren't appropriate for any coin that's not a modem mint coin like that, as I want to show the buyer as close as possible what they are buying. I accept returns but I don't want any.

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,198 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Indeed disgusting! :rage:

  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 13,991 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Pure fraud via intentional misrepresentation.

    When in doubt, don't.
  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,462 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Even on moderns, it gets annoying because I'm so specific in what I want. Just about every time I see a great coin, click on the sale and they have 20 other coins to sell. Stock photos need to be apparent and say in the photo that's what it is....a stock photo. lol
    And recently came across a sale with a pic of a PCGS holder/coin but the discription says NGC. Sent a message asking which is it and got no reply.

    Leo

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • erscoloerscolo Posts: 574 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have been building a collection of MS66 RD Lincoln Cents that now spans 1930-1975. I avoid listings where multiple quantities of the same grade of coin are listed, and in purchasing those where the photos are of the actual coin I am looking at and ultimately purchasing, I have yet to be disappointed. I have 130 of the cents, including a 1981-D that was too beautiful to pass up. Searching so many of these, I have also found the occasional error, those things happen.

  • KliaoKliao Posts: 5,562 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 10, 2022 4:29PM

    That is ridiculous.
    I messaged Pinehurst requesting a picture of the actual coin and this is what I got back:

    Good Afternoon,

    Thank you for reaching out to Pinehurst Coins.

    We would love to be able to take a photo of the item you will receive but here in Customer Service, we do not have that kind of access to inventory.

    Be rest assured all of our items are inspected for quality before they reach inventory. If the coin you receive does not meet your satisfaction, we will do what we can to make it right for you.

    Feel free to contact us with any further questions. Representatives are available to assist you M-F, 9 am -5 pm EST.
    We look forward to working with you in the future and hope you have a great day.

    Regards,


    Customer Service
    Pinehurst Coins

    Collector
    75 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 45 members and counting!
    instagram.com/klnumismatics

  • SweetpieSweetpie Posts: 481 ✭✭✭✭

    This is where Ebay's "Not as described or pictured" return policy comes in handy.

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,261 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What the seller is doing is crappy. No doubt. But if you're buying a coin based on a stock photo and expecting to get anything other than one with the label/grade being offered for sale, you're not thinking very clearly and contributing to your own disappointment.

  • Steven59Steven59 Posts: 8,719 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Right, stock photos representing multiple coins? I will never bid on those types of auctions

    "When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,894 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 10, 2022 5:26PM

    @ChrisH821 said:
    I notice they have a PNG logo at the bottom of the listing, I wonder what they would have to say about this sort of tactic.

    Yes, and they have the ANA and PCGS logo at the bottom of the listing.
    Someone should report them to PNG, ANA & PCGS for dishonest business practices.
    I wonder how PCGS feels about their copyrighted photos being used in a NGC holder.

    Edited to add: I sent Pinehurst a message through the ebay system, I will post their reply if I get one. ;)

  • JWPJWP Posts: 22,588 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 10, 2022 6:18PM

    This practice is just DEPLORABLE # >:)

    USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
    Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members

  • kazkaz Posts: 9,179 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Are eBay sellers held to the laws of the states where they are located? If the example posted in the o.p. is accurate, isn't this illegal under North Carolina's Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act? Just wondering.

  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 12,889 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If the PNG has any integrity they should sanction this “dealer”.

  • TreashuntTreashunt Posts: 6,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Disgusting

    @ChrisH821 said:
    Pinehurst Coin should be absolutely ashamed of using such a deceptive image.
    I notice they have a PNG logo at the bottom of the listing, I wonder what they would have to say about this sort of tactic.

    The PNG is probably also a fake

    Frank

    BHNC #203

  • 2ndCharter2ndCharter Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The PNG is probably also a fake

    I just went into the PNG website - www.pngdealers.org - and he's listed as a dealer there. Somebody should complain big time!

    Member ANA, SPMC, SCNA, FUN, CONECA

  • MaywoodMaywood Posts: 2,145 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I won't visit a website of a dealer if I discover they use "stock" images and I won't make any inquiries to see an actual image of the coin for sale. Chances are if they can't load a picture of the actual coin they won't have one when I ask. APMEX is well known to do this sort of thing.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I will not purchase coins listed as 'stock photo's' or if I suspect that from the listing/history. Risky enough buying coins from photographs - as we have all learned from exercises on this forum. Cheers, RickO

  • coinnutcoinnut Posts: 1,432 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Their name sounded familiar so I checked my favorite sellers list on Ebay. Though I have never purchased from them they were listed. Thanks to this thread they have been deleted. Thank you airplanenut.

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,345 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Surprised by this practice from said seller. Have done transactions with them in the past. Bullion related .... which is why I'm surprised. There is another major bullion seller... who does similar stuff in the numismatic field ... but I won't link to them or say names.

  • jdimmickjdimmick Posts: 9,690 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 11, 2022 8:15AM

    I know this coin, (at least the coin it supposed to be" One of our local club members had a group of coins that he wanted to sell, often he buys stuff and tries to flip and make a profit. When he presented the group of coins to me, I like the 51-o as a date, but did not care much for this coin. It was marginal at best. I think I offered like 460-470 max and only becuase he was a club member. He told me a few days later that he sold it to Pinehurst coins for like 540. I told him, I am not sure why they offered so strong on it, they must have had a customer for it, the only thing I can figure. Intresting it's come up in this thread based on what the op said, they usually are straight up and good folks to do business with.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,894 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    I messaged the seller through eBay and sent them a link to this thread.

    I did too :D
    Still no response to my message.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,894 ✭✭✭✭✭

    One way to teach them a lesson about doing this type of stuff is to flood them with bad Google reviews. ;)

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,894 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Guess who just joined the forum..... @PinehurstCoins :D

  • TomBTomB Posts: 21,293 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It reads like a nice statement from Pinehurst Coins and I would like to believe they are being honest and that this was truly a breakdown in their procedures and instructions. It remains to be seen if they correct all their listings and if they slide back into this paradigm in the future. It is unfortunate that in today's age I feel compelled to think this message is just for consumption, rather than for action, but I will certainly give them the benefit of the doubt at this time.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,894 ✭✭✭✭✭

    "The use of stock images in our business helps control the cost of the products"
    "Taking an image of each individual coin and creating a unique listing comes at a cost."

    It takes more time & costs more money to spend extra labor to photoshop a coin rather than just take a photo of the holder that is in the listing anyway. I'm not buying it. ;)

  • ToreyTorey Posts: 210 ✭✭✭✭

    Love it when people can admit when they are wrong.
    Thanks, @PinehurstCoins

  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,755 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Well, I consider that an acceptable and appropriate response. Good on @PinehurstCoins for taking responsibility, and good on @airplanenut for bringing this to light...Not all heroes wear capes B)

    Founder- Peak Rarities
    Website
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  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,894 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @marcmoish said:

    @MFeld said:
    I messaged the seller through eBay and sent them a link to this thread.

    Seems they switched and have the "correct" photo now - must have been your email and this thread.

    It's funny they can correct the photo but when a customer asks for a photo of the exact coin they say "We would love to be able to take a photo of the item you will receive but here in Customer Service, we do not have that kind of access to inventory."

  • TomBTomB Posts: 21,293 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PinehurstCoins said:
    Thank you PCGS for speeding up the vetting process and getting our account approved quickly.

    @jdimmick thank you for posting our response in a timely manner.

    This is not a proud moment for @PinehurstCoins and we are working to get it rectified.

    Good luck (I mean it) with making your listings correct.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,755 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ifthevamzarockin said:

    @marcmoish said:

    @MFeld said:
    I messaged the seller through eBay and sent them a link to this thread.

    Seems they switched and have the "correct" photo now - must have been your email and this thread.

    It's funny they can correct the photo but when a customer asks for a photo of the exact coin they say "We would love to be able to take a photo of the item you will receive but here in Customer Service, we do not have that kind of access to inventory."

    They're still going to continue to use stock photos, he just said they would use an accurate grade image. I'm sure that the customer service rep is overseas somewhere, they most likely don't have access to inventory and thus have a typical, canned response to those type of inquiries. Once they saw they uproar ensuing on here, it went through the appropriate chain of command for them to take any action.

    Founder- Peak Rarities
    Website
    Instagram
    Facebook

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,194 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 11, 2022 9:54AM

    Perhaps they can reduce their expenses by eliminating the marketing department ;)

    The response would be more effective if they communicated that they have set a deadline (communicated here) to resolve so that accountability is assured, both internally and externally.

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • SweetpieSweetpie Posts: 481 ✭✭✭✭

    Let's hope this is an one-off moment for Pinehurst.

    I had nothing but positive experience with Pinehurst when dealing with them (both on buying and selling side).

  • marcmoishmarcmoish Posts: 6,285 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PinehurstCoins said:
    Thank you PCGS for speeding up the vetting process and getting our account approved quickly.

    @jdimmick thank you for posting our response in a timely manner.

    This is not a proud moment for @PinehurstCoins and we are working to get it rectified.

    hey welcome, but you gotta change your logo/emoji - that angry scowling one is depicting you poorly :D

  • Picker1954Picker1954 Posts: 183 ✭✭✭

    To take a picture of the front and back of a slab and create an image file takes what, 5 minutes tops? Not buying it.

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