Hypothetical #11 - Staple Scratch
MrEureka
Posts: 24,252 ✭✭✭✭✭
You're a well respected coin dealer showing some new purchases, all raw, to another well respected dealer. You price a gorgeous mint state 1879 dime at $2000 and the other dealer buys it, writes you a check and returns to his table. Less than FIVE MINUTES later, the dealer rushes back to your table, shows you a bad staple scratch on the coin that you both missed, and asks for a refund. Even though you missed the scratch at first, you have no doubt that it was there when you sold the coin. Will you give the requested refund?
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
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Yes, but I don't see how both of us could have missed seeing the scratch.
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
however every rule has an exceptions
<< <i>If I want to keep the business relationship with the dealer, I refund the money. As we learned on the board long ago, if the words "done deal" were uttered, then who knows? >>
Point well taken. May I please change my answer?
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
I'd also file a mental note about my trading partner to make sure they don't make a habit of this.
I firmly believe in numismatics as the world's greatest hobby, but recognize that this is a luxury and without collectors, we can all spend/melt our collections/inventories.
eBaystore
<< <i>You're a well respected coin dealer showing some new purchases, all raw, to another well respected dealer. You price a gorgeous mint state 1879 dime at $2000 and the other dealer buys it, writes you a check and returns to his table. Less than FIVE MINUTES later, the dealer rushes back to your table, shows you a bad staple scratch on the coin that you both missed, and asks for a refund. Even though you missed the scratch at first, you have no doubt that it was there when you sold the coin. Will you give the requested refund? >>
some responsability has to fall to the buyer to inspect the coin before purchase.
I would be reluctant to give a refund.
That's up to you. Should you? I don't know. Do you have to, legally? No.
Tiger trout, Deerfield River, c. 2001.
<< <i>If I want to keep the business relationship with the dealer, I refund the money. As we learned on the board long ago, if the words "done deal" were uttered, then who knows? >>
good answer.
I hate staples
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Good point. Professional courtesy is optional. No professional courtesy is warranted unless it is a two-way street.
That said, in most cases I'd choose to refund the money. I want to preserve my relationship with the buyer and, more importantly, I want a reputation as somebody with whom people do not have to be overly cautious.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i> I want a reputation as somebody with whom people do not have to be overly cautious. >>
On a scale of 1 to 10 how much caution is needed before one reaches the overly cautious level?
CG
Edited to add given the level of beligerance that has permeated this forum of late, and noting that Andy has been unfairly on receiving end of some of that as a result of his posting these interesting hypotheticals.
I REALLY hate staples anywhere near coins
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<< <i>Will you give the requested refund? >>
Yes, AND it shouldn't and wouldn't matter who the buyer was.
Why would you as a seller, be ok with someone (who has just done business with you) feeling the way that buyer would feel if you stuck him with the coin? 1) Intense dislike for the buyer and 2) money are the only two reasons that come to mind, and neither is satisfactory/acceptable to me.
Mark - For the sake of simplicity and symetry, what if the buyer had in a previous deal refused to give you a refund on a similar deal?
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
EDIT:
<< <i>Mark - For the sake of simplicity and symetry, what if the buyer had in a previous deal refused to give you a refund on a similar deal? >>
Then screw 'em--although he'll still probably stop payment on the check =(
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
Newmismatist
<< <i>Mark - For the sake of simplicity and symetry, what if the buyer had in a previous deal refused to give you a refund on a similar deal? >>
Andy, I might not do future business with such a person (as described in my previous quote below).
<< <i>Why would you as a seller, be ok with someone (who has just done business with you) feeling the way that buyer would feel if you stuck him with the coin? 1) Intense dislike for the buyer and 2) money are the only two reasons that come to mind, and neither is satisfactory/acceptable to me >>