Exonerating Centsles

gamer1958 · December 16, 2006 8:03PM

I started a thread about Centsles almost 2 yrs ago, and its still being resurrected almost 2 years later.

I could just keep my mouth shut, but to set the story straight, I ordered a coin from Centsles in Jan 2005, and the coin hadn't shown up by February. I negotiated with Centsles, up into March or April (he kept telling me to be patient, etc). Since the coin was shipped insured, he told me he would file a claim with the US Post Office and send me my money back. I accepted that offer, and he sent me a check. End of the story, or so I thought. The coin finally showed up -- Memorial Day weekend, of 2006!!!

Now, how to settle this -- Centsles (presumably) got his money back from the post office; I have the coin PLUS my money back. It would seem that uncle sam is out the money...so what should I do? There was no negative feedback, anything like that.

The coin was a silver Ike in MS-67. Maybe it should be a giveaway or something (who'd want it?). The real point was that Centsles, in this case, at least, was NOT at fault.

Stork · December 16, 2006 8:14PM

Send it back to Centsles and he can settle up with the post office.

"Uncle Sam" (aka the taxpayer, or in this case, the postal service consumer) doesn't deserve to be out cash either. This assumes Centsles ever got paid out any insurance of course. If not, then it really is his coin.

Either way, it's not your coin.

JMHO

Cathy

Cameonut · December 16, 2006 8:14PM

gamer1958 · December 16, 2006 8:19PM

<< I think you owe the Post Office a refund - immediately. I suspect they don't look kindly upon being ripped off. >>

I ripped them off? The coin was lost in limbo-land for 16 months! How'd I rip them off?

Cameonut · December 16, 2006 8:25PM

ttown · December 16, 2006 8:31PM

He ripped him off? I think not, the coin was lost for 16 months and I think it WAS the PO the delivered it to him, right? He just needs to return the money to the PO and it's even, it foolish to even claim he ripped off the PO.

Cameonut · December 16, 2006 8:39PM

ttown · December 16, 2006 8:47PM

I think gamer1958 is trying to do the right thing here, after all most people would have kept there mouth shut and enjoyed the windfall.

Cameonut · December 16, 2006 9:00PM

And so far the replies point toward a refund to the post office.

PerryHall · December 16, 2006 9:11PM

gamer1958---Considering the time the USPS caused you to waste due to their gross incompetence and the emotional distress they put you through, I wouldn't do a darn thing and I would sleep well at night. Almost a year and a half late is outragous.

Coxe · December 16, 2006 9:16PM

Everybody did what was expected in this case. The coin actually being delivered over a year later was not expected by anyone. The right thing to do would be to refund the money to the USPS. However, I suspect it wouldn't be easy to do. Probably would be a fun exercise to report on too. If it wasn't too much money (under a couple hundred bucks), it probably isn't worth opening the can of worms and sort of pays for the time and trouble in getting your money back and all that. Maybe donate the proceeds or a fraction of it to a worthy charity and just feel good?

bluespaceant · December 16, 2006 9:20PM

Sell the coin and give the proceeds to your favorite charity.

Stork · December 16, 2006 9:45PM

Are you sure that the USPS paid Centsles anything? He may indeed have taken a loss on this coin.

If the USPS did pay up, then it (not you) is the owner as they paid out on the insurance policy. If not, it's still Centsles' coin.

You owe Centsles the courtesy of asking if he was paid. If he was, then you should make an attempt to return to the post office the amount of the insurance claim paid (or give them the coin if you've already purchased another in it's place). Alternativley, you could send the coin back to Centsles and let him deal with the post office return.

The only person I'm sure doesn't own the coin is you.

ttown · December 16, 2006 9:54PM

So what's the odds of Centsles taking care of the issue? Or would it be up for sale rather he got paid or not...I don't know.

Stork · December 16, 2006 10:02PM

You can only live your own life ethically, not force it on others...of course if you hypothetically think someone needs 'help' in that area

, then a hypothetical option could be to check and see if the post office would tell you if there was a paid claim on the item or not. Not-- send the coin back. Yes-- pay the claim off.

If the post office won't tell you, well then go back to the original idea, and very clearly note that copies of the communication have been sent to the USPS as well--so no force, but strong encouragement

TorinoCobra71 · December 16, 2006 10:21PM

Seems that the right thing has been done. You have let everone know about the situation. A Giveaway would be cool. I am currently running one myself for my 6000th post!

TorinoCobra71

gamer1958 · December 16, 2006 10:27PM

Jeez, ya try to right a wrong...all I wanted was to clear Centsles name in this, and I consider that done.

As for who owns the coin, and how to square that:

1. I don't keep any paperwork from that long ago.
2. As someone pointed out, we don't know if Centsles ever filed a claim with the P.O.

BUT -- I have the coin AND I was re-imbursed, so I need to square this one.

And cameonut, go make a purple fighting sword for Barney or something, ok?
Like if I really tried to rip anyone off, I would come back in here and spread the news about it.

I will send the P.O. the money and a letter of explanation and let them figure it out; if Centsles was indeed
paid, then its all square. If not, that's his problem; he should have filed the claim long ago.

PS. We are talking about a grand total of $35.

Coxe · December 16, 2006 10:39PM

<< PS. We are talking about a grand total of $35. >>

Forget about it! You'll waste $100 of taxpayer money just having a civil servant trying to figure out what to do with a check you send them. If centsles paid you and was not reimbursed, return the money to him. If not, leave it be or (if it is a matter of conscience) donate $35 to a charity or do a YN giveaway.

BTW, I did business with centsles one time on eBay and had no problems with the transaction or the coin. Your setting the record straight here was a noble thing. It's nice to see people give credit and not always blame.

goose3 · December 16, 2006 10:43PM

Ripped off? HUH? Could you please elaborate on how you came to this conclusion? I assume that you have direct knowledge of some elaborate 16 month plot on the part by Gamer to get a free IKE.

You should really edit out your ridiculous, unwarranted, and inflammatory comments.

First thing. Contact Centsles and see if he did indeed receive a settlement from the USPS or if he ate it. Either way, mail it back to him. It's not your coin to do anything with.

Barry · December 16, 2006 10:59PM

If that happened to me, I would take the COIN back to the P.O. and tell them I believe an insurance settlement has already been made and offer to give them the coin to settle it up. I would not give them any money, nor would I keep the coin.

mayor1 · December 16, 2006 11:25PM

Had the same thing happen to me as a seller. Coin was a no show to buyer, I paid him and successfully filed with the P.O.
17 months later buyer received coin and was honest enough to send it back to me. I took it to the P.O. and explained the situation and was told to keep it.

Bill.

mozeppa · December 16, 2006 11:36PM

hows about this...

(1.) you keep the ike ...(as this was your objective anyway.)

(2.) send back the exact amout of money that centsles refunded to you.

at this point your conscience should be clear, putting the clearing of conscience "ball" in centsles's court.

you do the right thing...now its up to him to do the right thing.

TAClough · December 16, 2006 11:39PM

Just my two cents worth, Centsles could have been "self insured" on this small dollar amount, if so they are the ones out the money. You recieved the coin six months ago? Have you contacted Centsles yet? Sorry, the coin is Centsles' and if they filed a claim with the Post Office it is their responsibility to make it good with the Post Office. Either way, the coin should be returned, as you were paid.

The only thing I don't understand is if you recieved the coin in May of 2006 (Memorial Day Weekend), why do you still have it on December 17, 2006 nearly six months later?

Petescorner · December 16, 2006 11:42PM

Write an email to centsles. Tell them coin arrived. Have a good laugh over it. Offer to reimburse them for half the refund they sent you. Screw the Post Office for taking 16 months to deliver your coin.

edit: this assumes Centsles received a claim from the PO.

BobaFett72 · December 17, 2006 12:25AM

<< "Uncle Sam" (aka the taxpayer, or in this case, the postal service consumer) doesn't deserve to be out cash either >>

your joking right?

its payback for the slow service, awful customer service and general apathy they have for customers. screw the post office.

TwoSides2aCoin · December 17, 2006 12:27AM

If you send it back to Centsles, it could magically become an MS68.
Send it to PCGS and get it graded properly.
In fact, the first order of business is to determine if it was mail fraud since the coin probably is an MS63 and probably was that in the beginning.

Stirrin' the soup !

RotatedRainbows · December 17, 2006 12:30AM

Donate the coin to Jeremy's upcoming charity auction.

gamer1958 · December 17, 2006 12:33AM

<< The only thing I don't understand is if you recieved the coin in May of 2006 (Memorial Day Weekend), why do you still have it on December 17, 2006 nearly six months later? >>

I'm one a' those lazy gov't officials.

gamer1958 · December 17, 2006 12:34AM

<< Send it to PCGS and get it graded properly. >>

It's one of those rare Centsles coins that was PCGS-graded...

19Lyds · December 17, 2006 12:41AM

Wow! You dang near got shot on this one!

The more I think about it, the more confused I get.

Contact Centsles, explain what happened, provide a scan showing the actual delivery date (if possible) and send him a check for the amount you were reimbursed.

If he filed a claim with the PO, he'll have the necessary paperwork to square up with the PO. Regardless, you will have cleared yourself from any monetary or ethical obligations in this matter.

Edited to add: And NO, you didn't rip anybody off as a ripoff is an intentional attempt to defraud someone!

TwoSides2aCoin · December 17, 2006 12:42AM

<< 

<< Send it to PCGS and get it graded properly. >>

It's one of those rare Centsles coins that was PCGS-graded... >>

I shoulda known ... LOL

mackdriver · December 17, 2006 12:49AM

Keep the sucker.$35 bucks,it's only chump change and we don't owe the goverment anything for all the years they have been ripping us off as taxpayers.I believe Centsles is self insured and they paid them selves off.To me all the aggrivation you went thru because of the post office the coin is yours for restitution for your time put in trying to locate it.

AuldFartte · December 17, 2006 12:54AM

It's really quite simple: Contact Centsles and tell him what happened, then ask which he wants returned - the coin or the money. The seller, not the buyer, is the one who files the insurance claim with the P.O. (or whatever), so it's the seller's option at this point.

TwoSides2aCoin · December 17, 2006 12:57AM

<< It's really quite simple: Contact Centsles and tell him what happened, then ask which he wants returned - the coin or the money. The seller, not the buyer, is the one who files the insurance claim with the P.O. (or whatever), so it's the seller's option at this point. >>

It really isn't the seller's option, it's the buyer's at this juncture, but in actuality, everything before that statement is PRECISE.

braddick · December 17, 2006 1:05AM

We're also assuming Centsles followed through with a claim for his funds returned from the post office.
An MS67 silver Ike might not have been of a value for Centsles to have taken the time.

Just speculating, but it sounds like Centsles cut you a check and possibly just wrote it off as a loss witout messing further with the post office.

-Contact Centsles and be prepaired for him to either tell you to keep the coin or to send it back. It wouldn't surprise me if he suggested the former before he demanded the latter.

gamer1958 · December 17, 2006 1:53AM

I was going to place it in a parcel of coins for Jeremy's charity auction, but now I have doubts, because there is very conflicting advice on this situation; true ownership of the coin is in question, and I do not want to donate a tainted coin to a noble cause. No need for further replies until I hear back from Centsles:

Dear Sir:

I won an auction with you back in January 2005. The coin was a 1974-S SIlver IKE $1 Silver in PCGS MS67. I believe I won the auction for approx. $35, but its been so long ago, I would have to dig through my checkbook to find out the exact price.

In late February, 2005, I wrote you and said the coin had not been received. In March, 2005, you agreed that the coin had been lost, and you sent me a refund check.

Well, lo and behold, the coin was delivered this year, and I have it sitting in front of me. Now I have a dilemma. I received a refund from you, and I now also have the coin.

What would you like me to do? And, if I may ask, were you ever reimbursed for this by the US Postal Services?

Sincerely yours.

flaminio · December 17, 2006 1:59AM

Your deal is with centsles. You have nothing to do with the Post Office.

As of right now, you have both the coin and the money. IMHO, your next step is to contact centsles, explain what has happened, and offer to send either the money or the coin back to him. That makes you square, and your part in the matter is completed.

Now, if centsles filed a claim with the USPS and received a settlement, it is now his responsibility to go back to the USPS and work that out. His, not yours.

TwoSides2aCoin · December 17, 2006 2:01AM

I know you said no need for further replies, but I, as a business man would have been offended to receive the last two questions you posed. You got the coin and the reimbursement. So with all due respect, those two questions were centsless in my opinion. You know what to do

Do it.

Grateful that you posted

Joe

flaminio · December 17, 2006 2:04AM

Giving the seller the option on what to do seems nice, IMHO. However, asking if they were reimbursed from the Post Office is out of line. It's really none of your business.

lordmarcovan · December 17, 2006 2:07AM

<< gamer1958---Considering the time the USPS caused you to waste due to their gross incompetence and the emotional distress they put you through, I wouldn't do a darn thing and I would sleep well at night. Almost a year and a half late is outragous. >>

19Lyds · December 17, 2006 2:50AM

I'll stand by my original reply. Sedning the money refunded to you by Centsles with an explanatory email is, to me, the only correct option.

rec78 · December 17, 2006 3:13AM

I have the coin AND I was re-imbursed

You bid and won the coin and paid for it. You own the coin. You were re-imbursed. You owe the re-imburser a refund. Simple as that. Simply explain what happened and refund the $35 to whoever sent you it. Bob

crito · December 17, 2006 3:19AM

<< Your deal is with centsles. You have nothing to do with the Post Office.

As of right now, you have both the coin and the money. IMHO, your next step is to contact centsles, explain what has happened, and offer to send either the money or the coin back to him. That makes you square, and your part in the matter is completed.

Now, if centsles filed a claim with the USPS and received a settlement, it is now his responsibility to go back to the USPS and work that out. His, not yours. >>

nankraut · December 17, 2006 7:30AM

<< It's really quite simple: Contact Centsles and tell him what happened, then ask which he wants returned - the coin or the money. The seller, not the buyer, is the one who files the insurance claim with the P.O. (or whatever), so it's the seller's option at this point. >>

I agree with Aldefarte on this one

lathmach · December 17, 2006 7:44AM

Fact:
Most everybody here would keep the coin and the money in spite of what they say.
Fantasy:
Losing sleep over a $35 undeserved gain.
Truth:
This ain't gonna get you sent to hell if you keep it.

Ray

PerryHall · December 17, 2006 8:11AM

<< Fact:
Most everybody here would keep the coin and the money in spite of what they say.
Fantasy:
Losing sleep over a $35 undeserved gain.
Truth:
This ain't gonna get you sent to hell if you keep it.

Ray >>

Best response so far.

flaminio · December 17, 2006 8:21AM

<< Fact: Most everybody here would keep the coin and the money in spite of what they say. >>

No way. My sense of ethics would not permit it. Somebody besides me is going to get the money, whether it's the seller, the USPS, or a charity. I have no right to that money.

<< Truth: This ain't gonna get you sent to hell if you keep it. >>

Typical Xtian. It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong; only if it keeps you out of "heaven". Sickening.

billboat · December 17, 2006 8:31AM

Just let it go! Also I like that you have exonerated Centsles as a seller!

ksteelheader · December 17, 2006 8:41AM

<< 

<< "Uncle Sam" (aka the taxpayer, or in this case, the postal service consumer) doesn't deserve to be out cash either >>

your joking right?

its payback for the slow service, awful customer service and general apathy they have for customers. screw the post office. >>

You must go to a different post office than I do. It's run by human beings. Of course, you may be one of those perfect people we sometimes hear about.

And, no, I don't work for the USPS or am I in any affiliated with them.

I just hate "Holier than thou" attitudes.

leothelyon · December 17, 2006 11:53AM

<< Donate the coin to Jeremy's upcoming charity auction. >>

Throw in the check as well!

I have several lost packages out there. If any of them ever happen to show up........their mine and sois the cash!

Treat the windfall like a wrong shelf price freebee........take it and run!

Had a similar situation occur with a prioity package that was "returned to sender" (that's me), but yet the buyer had somehow managed to view the coin without damaging the box too much when opening it. The buyer had managed to return the coin in it's original box without paying postage. Like a good samaritan, I took it back to the PO and let them know and they did not give a rats arse about it.

If you actually send back a check to whomever, I guessing you're a YN collector. If true, perhaps a few years down the road, you won't give a rats arse about it either.

Regards, Leo

TwoSides2aCoin · December 17, 2006 12:04PM

<< 

<< Donate the coin to Jeremy's upcoming charity auction. >>

GOOD IDEA

Throw in the check as well!
THAT IS NOT HIS MONEY !

If you actually send back a check to whomever, I guessing you're a YN collector. If true, perhaps a few years down the road, you won't give a rats arse about it either.

>>

RIGHT and WRONG are not based on experience they are based on principle.

Exonerating Centsles

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