Is it time to contact states attorneys general re: US Mint product releases?

Weiss

There may be nothing *illegal* in the mint's business practices. But if a private company released a special edition product with a drop-dead order date or an implied limited edition, and then extended the date, re-released the product after said date had been and gone, or created more of the same product past its expressed production limits, it would certainly bear scrutiny, wouldn't it? The mint has done all of these within the last couple of years.

Grey area or not, technicalities or vagaries, the mint's business practices have shifted to the point that they routinely include willfully deceiving the buying public.

Is it time for an investigation?

thecointrader

It's likely that there are no violations of law here. For example, the consumer protection laws that require delivery of mail order products within 30 days, specifically exclude the US Government, if I'm not mistaken. In all probability, the Feds are exempt in other areas as well. That having been said, NY Atty. Gen. Spitzer seems to be the most agressive of the 50.

On a less serious note, the US Mint could always issue a "Consumer Alert" on itself.

thecointrader

(Edited to correct my usual typo)

aficionado

With the 2005 sets, Congress passed a law saying they can sell the rest of their on-hand stock.

Not much you can do, if it looks like they might get sued, Congress can pass a law saying the Mint can't be sued. There's no hope.

Bochiman

Write your lawMAKERS not your attorney generals!
If you want the mint to act a certain way then have the lawmakers do something about it, instead of their stupid proposals (like the presidential dollars and spousal aberrations).

The AGs aren't going to be able to do anything and it is a waste of taxpayers' money to even have anything tried.

BlindedByEgo

TwoSides2aCoin

Rather than ask one arm of government (dept of justice) to investigate another arm of government (dept of treasury), it would probably be more prudent to get rid of two arms of government and save a whole lot of money. Right now it's costing us an arm and a leg for government... so what's another arm ?

.... we still got a leg to stand on unless someone shot us in the foot


speaking of foot.... let me get mine outta my mouth.

Coindexter

They certainly tick me off. Don't take this as a cut on moderns (because I thoroughly enjoy moderns), but I handle this situation by not buying things directly from the U.S. Mint and hardly ever during the year of issue.

FullStrike

Legal action against the US Mint? Give it up. You'll have an easier time going after the Earl Shiebs of the Numismatic world ( those who refinish Coins with chemical vapors and such ).