Internet auction guidance

Gilbert

I have been on eBay reviewing 9 pages of auctions. One item I was particularly interested in had a return policy that stated, something to the effect that the bidder will forfeit the right to return said item if it the item or the packaging is tampered with.

My question is, and I emailed the seller for clarification, am I supposed to make my final decision (which happens to be 3 days) by simply holding or looking at the package? I can't even open it to see if there is indeed a coin inside?!

I imagine that essentially, such a policy only gives me the right to return the item if I decide, within 3 days, I don't want to spend my money, but does it make sense to not even allow a successful bidder to inspect the item?

I'm sure I read it correctly. There was terminology that addressed tampering with the holder and also tampering with the package. I haven't got an answer yet, but am wondering:

Is this how the eBayers in the forum set up their deals, is it common, or is it possible the seller just used poor terminology?

a2labmom

I would take tampering with the package to mean the holder the coin is in, such as the 2x2 or slab. The seller expecting you to inspect the coin without taking it out of the shipping package is jsut ruidiculous, IMO.

kryptonitecomics

Yes, you are allowed to take it out of the shipping package. No, you cant remove coins from 2X2's, Proof or Mint set packaging etc to view them. It's a pretty standard clause on Ebay to protect the seller from getting back a different coin with the same date and same denomination.

Pushkin

Be careful with them scissors!

Agree with Labmom and Krypt-Zilla.

Gilbert

Well look at this return policy; how would you interpret it?

return policy in question

FC57Coins

Gilbert:

I've gotten stuff from TNFC before - they're ok to deal with.

Frank

zenny

ditto Frank

they are no problem to deal with. they are not referring to outer packaging materials, just whatever the coin is encased in.

JoyofCollecting

It might be helpful to do a search of "TNFC" for threads in this forum. I believe there has been at least one thread solely devoted to this company. I have no personal knowledge of their practices. Good luck.

Gilbert

----- Original Message -----
From: <gilsanfurawasu@aol.com>
To: <ebay@nfccoins.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 22, 2002 11:16 AM
Subject: Question for seller -- Item #1382079567


Am I reading your terms regarding returns correctly, particularly about opening "package"? Are you saying that I receive a box or envelope from you and I only get to hold it to make my decision if it is a keeper? If I open this package I forfeit my right of return? I don't even get to look at the coin to decide; only an unopened package? In other words, there is no guarantee of satisfaction; only 72hrs to decide if I want to open the package or not. If you think about it, a person can't even verify receipt of the item bid on without opening the package.


From: ebay@nfccoins.com
No if you open up the PCGS slab or an NFC sealed flip the sale is final.We understand about the package needing to be opened.

Dog97

I think "original holder or packaging" is the one & same since they also sell coins in mint & proof sets and multiple coin lots in addition to slabs and 2x2 holders.

gemtone65

This inquiry is silly. No seller expects you to make a return decision without inspecting the contents. They just don't want you to remove the coin from whatever holder it is in. There are more important things to worry about in buying coins other than the likelihood of the seller not allowing you to observe the coin. Why would he want to do something this ridiculous?

Pushkin

What eBay needs is a lot more legalize. Paragraphs and paragraphs of small print (something like automobile lease documents) to cover every possible contingency (not to mention the new contingencies that might result in case any of the really oddball scenarios actually occur, like a space alien invasion, electromagnetic pulses from the sun or from a super nova explosion melting packaging and so on, add "What if" scenarios by the hundreds and exceptions by the thousands) - its been too darn easy so far. Round up a few hundred lawyers who specialize in contract law and lets get down to the real business of modern business - obfuscation!

Whew! I miss the handshake.

Also, I agree with Gemtone, the whole question is ridiculous.

Gilbert

Well thanks for your opinion, and whether my question is ridiculous to you or not, I rather have it answered before, rather than after bidding on this item. Personally, I am not surprised by the way people use semantics to their benefit, particularly on eBay. Frankly, I'm surprised that you two felt it necessary to point out how ridiculous my question is; I think the wording in the ad is ridiculous - we can do each other a favor in the future. Why don't you two high and mighty's just ignore any post that I put up, as your time and opinion are obviously too precious for the likes of my questions. That is about as polite as I can put it. Good day to you too. baka

relayer

It's probably a generic policy that applies more to raw coins, which are usually shipped with a seal.

They just want to make sure you return the same coin you bought from them.

northcoin

Gilbert,what is so polite about "Baka" or did you just assume those posters don't know that "Baka" is "fool" in Japanese?

Gilbert

northcoin,

In everyday usage it is also used to describe a rude attitude, unexpected or crazy behavior (as in baka-rashi) or nonsense, just as many English words have slang and multiple definitions. Is that a satisfactory response?

Is it possible you could be of the mindset, that inside of the thread being called a silly inquiry or ridiculous, that it was the best course of action if there was a misunderstanding in the terms of the auction, and if so, wouldn't that comment be more appropriate than insinuating that I am calling the "posters" a fool? Besides, the seller didn't give me all that attitude in his response, I have insulted neither of the posters and merely asked for clarification on what I read in the auction. The fact that they view me asking the question as silly or ridiculous comes of as rude and nonsensical to me, and so I exclaimed exactly how I felt. Can you see the question for what it was; an attempt to clear up my understanding of the terms. How is that silly or ridiculous?

So are those guys your buddy whom you feel the need to stand up for, or are you simply trying to instigate this into something further? If you really must know, my "polite" comment was referring to my request that we simply avoid each other if insults are all there is to be offered. Then I emoted. Now, do you agree that fool is NOT the only meaning of baka or does that not suit your purpose?

Dog97

I think Gilbert had a good idea of what was meant by the sellers words but after reading posts of how some of you want to change the TOS after at ends and will leave negs if the seller doesn't cave in and kiss your a$$.............
And after some of the truly "ruidiculous" stuff some of you post and reply to..........................
And after some of the truly "silly" inquires you make of eBay sellers and post here..............
And all the eBay auctions that you make fun of...............
And accuse of shilling without proof............................
And accuse of being a ripoff because you never heard of that varity or saw an error like that..................
I think Gilbert's question about the seller's wording was worthwhile.
Gilbert is a man of the highest rank & caliber and is a very sincere in his posting here.