Question for Dealers/Ebay Sellers

Cockney

I recently purchased a 1953 unopned proof set on ebay. When it was opened it proved to be a 1954 set (the date was written in pencil). I have emailed the seller the following:
"Let me say first that I am not suggesting in anyway that you could have been aware of the error. The box is clearly unopened and original. If you would like I will send it back for you and you can inspect it yourself. Whoever wrote that it contained a 1953 set on the outside was wrong. However if you do not believe that, then I propose to do nothing and simply take the loss. If on the other hand you accept that what I am telling you is true, it would very unreasonable of me to simply expect to return it for a refund, since you will be getting back an OPENED set which is clearly unfair to you. I have checked the difference in the price of proof sets on the PCGS website and there is quite a difference in price. A 1953 set is 250.00 and a 1954 set is 145.00 a difference of approximately 40%. I propose that you refund 40% of what I paid ($156.00.) This will leave you with $235 dollars for a 1954 proof set....I believe this is fair to both of us, however, I must say again that if you think I am trying to scam you (and I would'nt blame you for that since you do not know me) then I will just accept the loss. I will leave it to you to decide. I can appreciate that you dont want to be in this position any more tha I do.. Thanks"

Is this a reasonable solution, has this happened to any of you? How did you resolve it.. I appreciate any feedback.

Russ

Cockney,

I think that is very reasonable and, even as cynical as I am, if I were the seller I'd be inclined to believe you.

Russ, NCNE

BigE

What does the sellers feedback look like?-BigE

coinguy1

Very nicely done, even with an omitted word : "be" should follow "would" in your sentence below :

"If on the other hand you accept that what I am telling you is true, it would very unreasonable of ..."


And, I would believe you, too. Please keep us posted and good luck.

Cockney

Thanks Russ.. BigE, sellers feedback is fine. Seller could not have know what was in the box. It was definately still sealed.

BigE

Maybe he had other sets that were mismarked also, I hope he works it out with you--------BigE

ksteelheader

Very well written. Good luck.....Ken

Fairlaneman

It would be Soooooo nice if more Ebay buyers would take your truthful approach for a problem instead of just demanding satisfaction on the next day.

Great approach for a problem. Hope everything works out nicely.

Ken

BigD5

You know, if I was the seller, and I KNEW the set to be unopened, I may be inclined to believe you.
BUT! How would the seller know you aren't just trying to scam him/her (telling them you received the lower valued set, when in fact you didn't) and are just emailing them with a false claim?
That's a tough call.

NoGvmnt

You paid $391.00 for a $250.00 proof set?

I propose that you refund 40% of what I paid ($156.00.) This will leave you with $235 dollars for a 1954 proof set.

Jim

ms71

If I were the seller & you (the buyer) had good feedback, I'd accept your compromise. I'd also probably avoid future sales of sealed sets.

sinin1

If I was the seller, you have just put me in a squeeze because I had bought that set as an unopened 1953 (unless I was an old fart and bought it 50 years ago from the mint).

Got any DCAMs or PR68 or PR69's in there? I would be more inclined to refund the entire set upon return than just send you money and take your word for it. Margins are small selling on eBay. And then I had something to possibly go back to my source with.

I assume you got the item pictured (where someone penciled on 1953)


How much different would this be than buying an unopened GSA box expecting some nice CC dollar and getting an 1879-S ??????

Didn't the government write anything on those little boxes? (I'm not that old or experienced)

Boy, I am glad you did not put me in that situation because I would have to think about it for awhile.

fairtraderzz

Just reading your email anyone can tell that you are a very honest man. I would ask you to please return the set and I would remit a full refund, including shipping both way's!

You handled it very nicely!

Gary

fairtraderz ebay auction's

Cockney

Thanks for all the advise:
BigD: Thats my concern, I would rather give up the refund than have the seller think I was scamming him.
NoGvt: Yes, I paid that because its worth the fun of opening the set for the first time.
Sinin: Your right, thats part of my dilemma, when I purchase these I guess I take the risk that whats offerred is whats in the box
Fairtradz: TYhanks I appreciate that....

So heres what I did to resolve the issue, sent the following e-mail this morning:

"I have given some more thought to the problem and discussed it with others. I would like to propose a solution that hopefully would convince you of my integrity and at the same time leave us both reasonably content with the outcome. Therefore instead of refunding any money to me, would you be willing to donate the value of the refund in coins to a local coin club in your area (hopefully one with younger members.) Again I shall leave this decision entirely to you. For myself I shall consider this an end to the matter. I have left positive feedback for you. I do not question your integrity in this at all..."

Cockney

UPDATE: Have not recieved any response from seller. Seller has left no feedback

ohbaby

C ockney, name some names and will will pressure him the ole CU way and he will succumb!

BTW, you handled it very well.

P.S. I miss your old icon!