A brief, shameful eBay tale

gyocomgd

I have a boatload of Buffalo nickels up for sale. One of them is a nice AU and will likely sell in the $150 range. Anyway, a fellow (maybe one of you, gulp) messages me and wants to know about (1) The originality and "porosity" of the coin's surface, (2) Can I identify a possible planchet defect and (3) Whether a dark line near the bison's face is dirt, corrosion or "verdegris."

I gave him the same answer Jon Voigt gave the inquisitie sheriff at the end Deliverance: "I...don't....know." Grading I can ballpark. Originality, I can detect an abrasive cleaning. Planchet defect, porosity and verdegris, no way. The upshot is, I have a hunch that if he wins, that coin will sprout wings and fly back to my mailbox.

That will be all.

Myqqy

The upshot is, I have a hunch that if he wins, that coin will sprout wings and fly back to my mailbox.

I'm having a hard time reading a lot of posts tonight! What exactly do you mean?

XpipedreamR

As long as you remember to brush your teeth before bed, everything will be all right

gyocomgd

<< <i>The upshot is, I have a hunch that if he wins, that coin will sprout wings and fly back to my mailbox.

I'm having a hard time reading a lot of posts tonight! What exactly do you mean? >>



Lol, I'm not sure. Let me see....what I'm saying is, I like a knowledgeable buyer, but the nature of those penetrating questions suggests a buyer who will reject it for an imperfection in one area. On one hand that's fine--it's why I offer a return policy, no questions askd. On the other hand, I think that when you're buying a raw coin on eBay on the basis of a description and a photograph, you need to allow a little leeway or breathing room on the little things--if there's such a thing as "little things." Asking me about whether the dark border in front of the buffalo's face is dirt, corrosion or "verdegris" is beyond my ken. It doesn't hurt to ask, but....oh, forget it. I can't articulate it at all.

Here's the coin, by the way:

D

If he's going to complain it'd be pretty hard, but I'd say the complaint would be contained to the spot above the Buffalos tail, or the slight mash in EPU.

Edit: The coin is being marketted as an AU right?

-Daniel

gyocomgd

Yes--"solid AU." I'm very comfortable with that. And I feel that if the coin is problem-free, my description is honest and accurate, and my grading is sound, a return is disappointing. It would make me wonder why he's buying raw on eBay to begin with--I'm out the listing fees and he's out shipping.

seatedcollector

just tell him that because he may not be happy with the coin, he should keep looking. odds are he's looking to get it for 50% of value, which means he'll be outbid early. im not into buff's but that looks like a nice coin. a little weakly struck as im sure most of the early ones were. but still a beautiful coin. are you aware of the Final Value credit for returned items ?

fullerfun4

I think I'd rather answer questions to the best of my ability before a sale rather than wait and get into a pissing contest later. Once you give it your best, that is all anyone can ask for, especially with your return policy, IMHO.
Regards
Gary

Coinhusker1

The image appears to show some possible verdigris or PVC spotting on Iron Tail's forehead. If you think something is there, you may want to cancel the listing and give the coin a soak in acetone. Then you might want to get it slabbed on your next submission to make sure there is not a problem.

Otherwise, as you say, this coin might behave like a homing pigeon.

jdsinva

With that picture, the coin looks good to me. If the buyer is looking for guarantees, then he should consider slabbed.

Gemineye

Your saying the coin is Au.....???

BAJJERFAN

The guy is looking for perfection in a used coin which is next to impossible. Save both of you the hassle and ask him not to bid OR take the coin along with his questions to a local dealer and provide him with a second opinion. As you know there are some people who are impossible to please.

Gemineye

True Au is a pretty wide range................................

roadrunner

Ask him to retract his bid, you will not be able to please him. He will find something wrong with the coin. Be aware that a large # of ebay sellers sell coins with such defects and try to get full value for them. And when you try to return the coins to those sellers even after you asked about defects (and were told "none"), they will ignore your requests or tell you to get lost. Bottom line is that ebay is a revolving cesspool where no one's word is worth much of anything unless they already have a name in the main coin hobby. As sad as it is, it's better to sell on ebay to people who know too little about what they are buying. That's what most sellers seem to count on.

If you don't want trouble and possibly a neg, don't send the coin to the bidder you mention.

roadrunner

BAJJERFAN

If you left feedback and called someone a scumbag seller would eBay likely remove it?

BobaFett72

I dont think he's worth the hassle....

Verdegris...A green patina or crust of copper sulfate or copper chloride formed on copper, brass, and bronze exposed to air or seawater for long periods of time.... UMMM....no.

Its a nice circulated coin....If he's this much trouble now, he will be 10 times worse after he buys the coin, wants a discount after the fact or wants to return it....

originalisbest

I think that's a little cynical roadrunner - I've asked just that question before (no, not in this case.) There's a definite difference in desirability to me depending upon the clarification. Dirt just "sitting on" the surface is neutral to a plus (non-wiped, non-cleaned coin.) On the other hand? A little corrosive spot that has eaten into the surface is a definite no-no, and not for me. Simply answering the question (is the surface eaten into, or is the dirt just "sitting on top") should suffice.

Just recently asked a question of a seller about a low-grade Barber key date dime - the coin has no-question original surfaces that are evident from his pic, BUT it is in a kointain and, in one particular area, the rim appears flat/out of round. The only problem that would nix it for me. So I politely asked if the rim was slightly flat in that area actually, or if it was the image playing tricks on me - and would it be possible for him to send me a larger photo? Mind, this is a $450 coin.

His terse answer:

"can't make picture larger"

- nope, not even a period, and oddly, not a reference or mention of my reason for asking. His lack of response told me all I needed to know, and reassured me that there are more slimebag sellers of junk on eBay than there are tire-kicker buyers. However, I'm sure that some unfortunate soul will one day enjoy this "problem free" rarity - until they try to sell it. Oh well...

originalisbest

Hey boba, the point of detecting verdigris (starts as a small, insidious green tiny corrosiveness) is that if it's gotten to the point where it covers the coin's surface, you'd have to be a knucklehead not to see it. It's when it's just starting out that you have to be careful - take a very careful look at coppers and nickels you own and you just might be unpleasantly surprised, particularly with high grade, delicate surfaces.

Gemineye

Let's not get too critical........that's not too bad a coin............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

originalisbest

I agree, the coin in question is nice. But, I do feel the questions are reasonable - simply take a look at the feedback/recent purchases of the questioner and see if they're a "tire kicker" or have recently spent some $$$ with positive results. Pretty straightforward.

Bochiman

I'm with OriginalIsBest on this.
Nothing wrong with getting questions as the person will either buy or not. As long as you answer to the best you can, if you care about the potential bidding, then nothing wrong if you, as the seller, aren't an expert.

So many people so quick on the "block the bidder" function......paranoid?????

Block them if they ask questions.
Block them if they have ever retracted a bid.
Block them if they dare to retract a bid on your auction.
Block them if they are new to ebay.
Block them if they breathe.

Where does it end?

Gemineye

Do you have the link to the auction of the coin....??????

Shamika

Frankly, I think Guy's coin looks great! It appears to be very original and has a great obverse strike.

A little verdegris on circulated nickels isn't a bad thing in my opinion. Although I would rather not see it, it's often a testiment to the originality of a coin.

For the record, there is some verdegris near the Buffalo's face and just above his tail. Also, the "porousity" that the buyer is asking about is most likely die erosion. 1917-D Buffalo nickels suffer from severe die erosion.

For a circulated piece, your inquisitive buyer is asking a lot if he thinks he can find a better piece than this one.

originalisbest

Thanks Bochiman, I was just voicing my support for what may be a legit question from potentially a serious buyer? If one took a look at their bidder history and saw all sorts of red flags, then by all means, block them. But the question itself, I don't feel is out of line.

originalisbest

"Dirt on" the surface is good. Verdigris "eating into" the surface and a breathtaking shade of green, is not.

Gemineye

<< <i> Verdigris "eating into" the surface and a breathtaking shade of green, is not. >>

Shamika

<< <i> "Dirt on" the surface is good. Verdigris "eating into" the surface and a breathtaking shade of green, is not. >>


I would say the same thing about wear (not good). This is a circulated coin, not a MS66 piece. The buyer is asking a bit much if he/she demands a piece much better than this. He/she should just move on, stick with mint state pieces, or put in a low bid.

If the verdegris was severe, I'll admit I would pass on the coin. But in this case, it's not.

Gemineye

Don't talk about that mean green.............
I gotta have some lunch..........!!!!...................

gyocomgd

<< <i>I agree, the coin in question is nice. But, I do feel the questions are reasonable - simply take a look at the feedback/recent purchases of the questioner and see if they're a "tire kicker" or have recently spent some $$$ with positive results. Pretty straightforward. >>



Please note that I said, "It doesn't hurt to ask." Again, my concern lies partially in my inability to answer. If he gambles on that many concerns, one of the concerns may very well manifest as real. And back the coin comes.

I am not knocking the fact that he asks questions about the coin, per se. Heck, I ask questions all the time. They just aren't on a PhD level.

Gemineye

I suppose if your your going to sell a raw coin on e-bay you will take the risk of your merchandise being returned for one reason or another.That is not to say that your coin is or isn't worth the asking price............................
Hope you have a good sale....BTW...........