I think I have been ripped off by a forum member!- UPDATE!

darktone · June 15, 2004 9:06AM

A few months ago a forum member offered to help me with some coins that included opinions and dipping modern proofs and also sending the ones he deemed worthy to PCGS for grading. I did not know this fellow to well so I asked other forum members and they said he was not well liked by many but he was very trust worthy and one of the best at 50's and 60's proof coinage. I was still kind of leery but after talking to him in PM's I was compfortable with the situation and sent him the coins that I valued at a $1,000+. I tried PM'ing him and calling him on the phone several times but with no answer. 19 days ago I started a thread asking forum members for contact info this person and I was given his ebay ID and I emailed him through EBAY. I later recieved an email from someone who said he was this persons nephew and that he had been sick and that my coins were locked in the safe and that the one coin was on it's way to PCGS. I asked that the others be returned right away and I have had no response since that time. I see that he has 37 auctions running on ebay right now so I emailed him through ebay with no response again. I emailed him through a different ebay ID asking about one of his coins and he responds right away- even signing his name in the email. I think I have given the guy every chance I could have- is it time to call his local police department? I hate being forced to do such things but I see no other choice?

mike

ksteelheader · June 15, 2004 9:08AM

Hey, if he lives near me, I'll personally pay him/her a visit for you....Ken

Russ · June 15, 2004 9:10AM

Mike,

I sure hope there's some explanation and you get made whole on this. I know who you're talking about and I really hope your fears aren't realized.

Russ, NCNE

BAJJERFAN · June 15, 2004 9:10AM

I would post here that he has 24 hours to respond to you and arrange to return your coins. I would then post his name here and if no response in 24 hours I would sig the fuzz on his azz.

RKKay · June 15, 2004 9:12AM

Send him a letter via certified mail, delivery and signature confirmation. Lay out the facts from start to finish. Then demand he return the coins withiin a finite time frame. If he doesn't, go all out. Get everything in writing. Don't take phone calls, if possible.

TUMUSS · June 15, 2004 9:15AM

I would not even give him 24 hrs. I would post his name...call the poice!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

relayer · June 15, 2004 9:19AM

You should use the ENTER key more. Your post looks like doop(s) wrote it.

(I'd take RKKay'ss advice)

darktone · June 15, 2004 9:20AM

He actually put a value on one of my coins- a 1954 proof dime of up to $2,000. I don't know about the state he lives in but in WI. that amount is a Felony

.

Peaceman · June 15, 2004 9:20AM

I'm the kind of person who'd get on a plane and go for a "little visit"........

DAM · June 15, 2004 9:23AM

I HATE reading about things like this. Hopefully there's a logical explaination (although from what you've said so far, it doesn't sound like there is).

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!

wjd283 · June 15, 2004 9:25AM

The fact that he responded when you used a different ID would definitly make my suspicious.I'd email him again with the same ID and say "SUPRISE Wher the Fs my coins?"

Shamika · June 15, 2004 9:28AM

Name names!

XpipedreamR · June 15, 2004 9:32AM

<< Name names! >>

puff · June 15, 2004 9:34AM

<< He actually put a value on one of my coins- a 1954 proof dime of up to $2,000. I don't know about the state he lives in but in WI. that amount is a Felony

. >>

I'm not an attorney but I am quite sure since these coins were sent to him via u.s.p.s. this would constitute mail fraud which would definately be a felony......

At any rate it sucks bigtime and I think you have already given this bastid more than enough time especially after the ebay e-mails!

darktone · June 15, 2004 9:35AM

<< The fact that he responded when you used a different ID would definitly make my suspicious.I'd email him again with the same ID and say "SUPRISE Wher the Fs my coins?" >>

That's exactly what I did! I was told no names for now. mike

KlectorKid · June 15, 2004 9:36AM

I hope everything works out for you. I would'nt recommend sending coins to anyone besides perfessionals.

ColonialCoinUnion · June 15, 2004 9:37AM

I hope this is a simple misunderstanding. And if its not, I hope you fry his fat ass.

DHeath · June 15, 2004 9:45AM

Mike,

I know who you're talking about, and I'd be surprised if it was a money issue. I'd bet he is indeed sick, with family running the show. I've sold him some pretty nice stuff on his word, and the money always showed up exactly as promised. Still, I would think someone could ship back your coins. I'm sorry to hear about the trouble, and I hope it resolves itself. The lack of communication would make anybody nervous.

darktone · June 15, 2004 9:54AM

Don, answering emails and returning phone calls would really have put me at ease but it's a little late for that now. mike

Wolf359 · June 15, 2004 9:54AM

Sounds bad. I'd get on the phone with the guy/family now if possible. Take immediate police action if that fails.

kenoshapete · June 15, 2004 9:58AM

What part of Wisconsin does he live in? I live in Kenosha. Will try to help if at all possible.
~KenoshaPete

darktone · June 15, 2004 10:01AM

Pete, I am the one that lives in Wisconsin

.

Wolf-I only get an answering machine when I call.

Shamika · June 15, 2004 10:03AM

Any chance he lives in Mississippi?

nwcs · June 15, 2004 10:06AM

As others have said, documentation is key. The more you have supporting you, the better you'll fare in getting renumeration.

Placid · June 15, 2004 10:09AM

Maybe do print screens of your and their pm's about it and if the person has their email address in their profile that might help.

Sounds bad if they respond to a e-mail from another account right away but not when they know it is you

kenoshapete · June 15, 2004 10:12AM

Oh, sorry... thought you meant that he lived in Wisco.... By the way, do you sell coins? I'd like to maybe get together sometime..... I can't get enough of them myself!
~KP

FrattLaw · June 15, 2004 10:32AM

Is he in California?

I'm pretty sure I could help if he is.

Michael

CharlesDarwin · June 15, 2004 11:03AM

I run an extortion racket. So, if he lives in Michigan, I'll brake his ankles with 9 iron.

Just kidding.

CD

MadMarty · June 15, 2004 11:05AM

<< I'll brake his ankles with 9 iron. >>

3 iron works better!

eagle7 · June 15, 2004 11:17AM

Im quite sure he is sick and his nephew is running the show. Im also sure that the nephew is telling you the truth. It is my understanding that he is very ill. The nephew is the one answering the emails when you use the other ID's. You know his hometown. Use directory assistance and talk to another coin dealer in his home town and see if he knows about him. Im sure he will. In fact I will happily give you a dealer. Bill's Coin and Stamp comes to mind. I think he is on wilmington street. Its been about two years since Ive been there but I think Bill is still in business. I would try that.

grayroads · June 15, 2004 11:21AM

Time to provide some specific info. I'll gladly check on him if he is in the NY area. Send me a message.

razorface1027 · June 15, 2004 11:24AM

If he's in the southern part of New Jersey, talk to me.

puff · June 15, 2004 11:30AM

<< Im quite sure he is sick and his nephew is running the show. Im also sure that the nephew is telling you the truth. It is my understanding that he is very ill. The nephew is the one answering the emails when you use the other ID's. You know his hometown. Use directory assistance and talk to another coin dealer in his home town and see if he knows about him. Im sure he will. In fact I will happily give you a dealer. Bill's Coin and Stamp comes to mind. I think he is on wilmington street. Its been about two years since Ive been there but I think Bill is still in business. I would try that. >>

I would say from looking at eagle7's profile the guy must live in Mississippi.

Neptune · June 15, 2004 11:36AM

Since you have the email address, then email and request that your coins be sent back to you immediately, and wish him well in his healing recovery. Also request that someone call you immediately regarding this situation. And I would also stay on the horn. Be sure to include your mailing address and phone number. If no reply - resent with big red lettering at top:

SECOND REQUEST - if no reply then

THIRD REQUEST

Keep all documentation.

darktone · June 15, 2004 11:37AM

<< Im quite sure he is sick and his nephew is running the show. Im also sure that the nephew is telling you the truth. It is my understanding that he is very ill. The nephew is the one answering the emails when you use the other ID's. You know his hometown. Use directory assistance and talk to another coin dealer in his home town and see if he knows about him. Im sure he will. In fact I will happily give you a dealer. Bill's Coin and Stamp comes to mind. I think he is on wilmington street. Its been about two years since Ive been there but I think Bill is still in business. I would try that. >>

If this is the case the nephew could easily take care of this matter- all he has to do is send my coins back. Heck they are running 37 auctions at one time so I think they could take care of my problem or at least respond to me? mike

RYK · June 15, 2004 11:43AM

I am sorry to hear this, Mike. I think you are handling this situation with good sense.

Good luck, and keep us posted, if it is appropriate.

darktone · June 15, 2004 11:48AM

Thanks Robert

, I am trying to handle this level headed but when they don't respond it really makes it hard. mike

PutTogether · June 15, 2004 4:28PM

The people posting that say they this guy has done good business before would put me at ease a little if i were you.

But if this goes on, by all means name names.

DCAMFranklin · June 15, 2004 4:36PM

<< I see that he has 37 auctions running on ebay right now so I emailed him through ebay with no response again. I emailed him through a different ebay ID asking about one of his coins and he responds right away- even signing his name in the email. >>

LINK

pontiacinf · June 15, 2004 7:44PM

ebay signs the persons names in email corespondence...and if this is pepperdooddlehead i cant believe half the board is protecting this clown, period, and go ahead, flame me, the guys a creep

razorface1027 · June 15, 2004 8:03PM

Welp, all I know is, if he is sick or hospitalized; whatever the case may be, he should be directing his nephew to take care of his priorities (making sure his customers are appeased, in this case Mike) first. When I was in the hospital a couple of monthes ago, after about a week, and I was off of heavy sedation, I instructed my son via telephone to take care of some unfinished business I had with a customer on ebay who didn't receive his $800 item after a monthes time had elapsed. He was emailing me and we were getting the proper papers filled out for the claim b-4 I went into the hospital. To make a long story short, and render a opinion, I don't care what malady has stopped this fellow, but i'm certain, short of death, that I'd make sure business was conduted and customers satisfied even amidst a hospital stay. All it takes is proper direction with a person you trust (in this case this guy's nephew) and email the person in question (this case, Mike), and keep everyone happy until he/she gets home to take care of unfinished business. This man's actions are by no means prudential in his business practices. So, he knows what he has done and in my opinion he's F***ing Mike...Period. (JMHO).

Sorry to hear this Mike. You're an A+ fellow in my books.

kranky · June 15, 2004 8:26PM

Assuming illness is the cause, I would understand a delay. But, once email contact was made, there should have been an effort on their part to take care of the situation. Maybe they didn't know exactly what coins were yours, or why they were in the safe, but they could easily have tried to get things straightened out.
Or they could have returned your phone messages.
Or they could have not completely ignored your emails.
Or they could have told you they can't do anything until he gets better.

But to keep running auctions and responding to emails unless they know it's you, and not even offering an explanation? Not OK in my book.

bushmaster8 · June 15, 2004 9:06PM

A former forum member (Gembens), who has since been ousted for bad language, tried to warn everone on the boards about Pepperdoodles. He is simply no good.

UncleWiggly · June 15, 2004 9:41PM

I'm so tried of being ripped off as a newbie that I'll do anything (just about) to help.

kenoshapete · June 15, 2004 10:19PM

I'd say forget all the nice stuff now. You've been patient too long. Call the Police, that's what they are there for.
~KP

EVillageProwler · June 15, 2004 10:51PM

I don't what's real and what's not in this whole affair. I do know two things though...

First, Mike should be getting some sort of a response from whomever is minding their eBay stuff.

Second, there *appears* to be two people involved over there: an ill pepperdoodles and some nephew. *If* that's true, then that can only complicate matters -- especially if the nephew is particularly irresponsible, incompetent or immature.

My opinion is that it doesn't matter what's going on over there so long as they're able to mind their eBay activity.

BTW, are we absolutely certain that pepperdoodles is the person with whom Mike is having this problem? All we know is that DCAM pointed at pepperdoodles, but there's no solid verification of this identification.

(No offense intended, DCAM, but I don't know how you came up with pepperdoodles and I wouldn't want to see the wrong person get slammed.)

EVP

fishcooker · June 15, 2004 11:03PM

It is imaginable that the ill person has items in the safe that he does not want the Nephew to see.

The linked Ebay auctions are all items, IMO, that wouldn't require storage in a safe.

DCAMFranklin · June 16, 2004 6:59AM

<< (No offense intended, DCAM, but I don't know how you came up with pepperdoodles and I wouldn't want to see the wrong person get slammed.) >>

Russ and Eagle7 (Mississippi seller) say they know who it is. Why don't you ask them EVP? Afraid of the answer?

mrearlygold · June 16, 2004 7:11AM

<< 

<< I'll brake his ankles with 9 iron. >>

3 iron works better!

>>

Jeez doesn't anybody play baseball anymore?

Tom

Neptune · June 16, 2004 7:20AM

I have an idea .......... you or someone who he would not suspect is you (possibly another forum member) - email him at the address he responded from (the seller and dude with coins in his safe), stating that you had viewed his auction number blah blah, and was wondering if he may possibly have a "BLAH BLAH" for sale as well - ie. ONE of YOUR coins in his safe! - or you may even mention two of them - "do you happen to have a BlahBlah1/date or a BLah Blah2/date for sale - and see what he/or lil nephew has to say to that! That right there will give you the answer you need.

Then, I would look his address up on Mapquest, and possibly have a forum member from that area stop by and say they are there to pick your coins up ----- don't call first - have them stop by unexpectedly without warning. If nobody is IN that area, then call him and leave a messsage such as the following:
I see that you live near blah blah street off of blah blah street, and I am going to have my blah blah stop by to see you regarding my coins - and see if he responds to that!

darktone · June 16, 2004 7:29AM

I am pretty upset with myself for falling for this scam

. I hate to do this but I don't see myself ever sending coins to forum members again accept for the few I trust completely.

mike

I think I have been ripped off by a forum member!- UPDATE!

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