Dealer refuses to provide photos?
RyGuy
Posts: 1,464 ✭✭✭
I recently came across a few listings on a dealer's website that interested me and there were no pictures available, although other coins in his/their inventory did so obviously pictures could be had. I assumed that by politely asking via e-mail if a few quick pictures or scans could be provided, it would not be a big deal but apparently I was wrong.
An e-mail from the dealer arrives in my inbox later that day simply stating, "I don't do pictures by request." That's it, nothing more and clearly nothing less. Heck, if you're not going to provide an image, at least give a much more detailed description of the coins I inquired about.
Alas, my money will be spent elsewhere. Anyone else have a similar story to share?
An e-mail from the dealer arrives in my inbox later that day simply stating, "I don't do pictures by request." That's it, nothing more and clearly nothing less. Heck, if you're not going to provide an image, at least give a much more detailed description of the coins I inquired about.
Alas, my money will be spent elsewhere. Anyone else have a similar story to share?
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If the coin is common, I would not respond or apologize to the dealer, but simply move on to another dealer.
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>If it is a coin that you really want or it is hard to find, I would grovel to the dealer, apologize, and then politely ask if he would allow the coin to be viewed on an approval basis. If he cannot do that, you need to decide to take a gamble or not.
If the coin is common, I would not respond or apologize to the dealer, but simply move on to another dealer. >>
They are not frothy frenzy™ inducing.
Or perhaps they could be, but I wouldn't know as pictures can't be provided nor a description!
<< <i>Or perhaps they could be, but I wouldn't know as pictures can't be provided nor a description!
So you want a photo AND a description? I think you are being extreeeeeemely demanding.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
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"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>Is it possible he doesn't have physical possession of the coin? It may be at a show with another dealer or out on approval with another collector. >>
Or the OP's dealer may be listing it on behalf of another dealer, and may not have ever taken physical possession of it.
<< <i>Is it possible he doesn't have physical possession of the coin? It may be at a show with another dealer or out on approval with another collector. >>
If that were the case, why not just state that?
Some web site are managed outside the owners store.
I used to be famous now I just collect coins.
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<< <i>i ask people all the time on ebay for a reverse picture and i even asked one dealer if they had to pay extra to show the back and his reply was yes but most people i ask will send me a picture and sometimes they add the picture, i would think most people buying coins want to see both sides. If i don't hear back from them i just move on.......................
Yes, but the extra fees are nothing to seriously gripe over, what are they, like $0.15 to include an additional photo? I understand that eBay can be a mixed bag but this dealer is from the Master List!
<< <i>If they did, it would be the end of the subject. I'd never bother to contact them again. >>
I do agree with that.
<< <i>
<< <i>i ask people all the time on ebay for a reverse picture and i even asked one dealer if they had to pay extra to show the back and his reply was yes but most people i ask will send me a picture and sometimes they add the picture, i would think most people buying coins want to see both sides. If i don't hear back from them i just move on.......................
Yes, but the extra fees are nothing to seriously gripe over, what are they, like $0.15 to include an additional photo? I understand that eBay can be a mixed bag but this dealer is from the Master List!
You can also add pictures in the item description using html code without having to pay extra. They just need to be hosted on Photobucket.
Franklin-Lover's Forum
<< <i>If it is a coin that you really want or it is hard to find, I would grovel to the dealer, apologize, and then politely ask if he would allow the coin to be viewed on an approval basis. If he cannot do that, you need to decide to take a gamble or not.
If the coin is common, I would not respond or apologize to the dealer, but simply move on to another dealer. >>
I hope you were kidding. Apologize for what?
<< <i>Simple... just move on. Why even post such an issue? Cheers, RickO >>
At least post the name of the seller - I might want to ask about seeing some images.
<< <i>
<< <i>Simple... just move on. Why even post such an issue? Cheers, RickO >>
At least post the name of the seller - I might want to ask about seeing some images.
I'd like to, but he appears to have a strong following. I don't want to burn any bridges.
<< <i>An e-mail from the dealer arrives in my inbox later that day simply stating, "I don't do pictures by request." That's it, nothing more and clearly nothing less. >>
To which I would respond, "I don't buy coins from dealers absent in customer service."
Eric
OP's dealer was too blunt and doesn't deserve his business, I agree.
Lance.
<< <i>Is is possible that the dealer outsources the photography, and really doesn't have the capacity to take photos on request? It doesn't excuse the tone of the email, but it could explain the answer. >>
Based on the quality of the images posted, I sure hope not!
j/k
<< <i>If he is like me I don't own a digital camera and maybe he doesn't either.
Some web site are managed outside the owners store. >>
If you don't sell online you don't need a camera or scanner.
If you sell online you should have one or both.
Here are a few reasons why one coin is not imaged where others are.
1) It is not worth the effort.
2) it is a bullion item where the quality of the coin is not in question.
3) as CRO said, it is listed elsewhere and not in the dealers possession.
4) it is an upgrade from a public auction and the dealer doesn't want you to know that.
5) it look "different" than it's offering in the recent auction and the dealer doesn't want you to know that.
6) it's ugly, has problems or is overgraded.
7) being that most dealers are very busy right after a show, there is not enough time to make the image.
<< <i>I think Legend will not hold a coin until they can provide photos. You must trust their descriptions. >>
They offer an unconditional return privilege and will provide detailed information about their coins over the phone. So "you must trust their descriptions" only in so far as deciding whether you wish to view an item through the mail.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
<< <i>The seller sounds like Dick Osburn. Great seller, great guy. I know of two dealers who choose not to image their coins. The other guy has a mailer with a pamplet. Either way, not a big deal! It takes a shoot load of time to constantly shoot all your inventory. Just send the coin back if you don't like it. I have never met a good dealer who would not honor a return policy especially with no images available. >>
It's not Dick Osburn and you're right, he's a heck of a great guy!
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<< <i>
<< <i>I think Legend will not hold a coin until they can provide photos. You must trust their descriptions. >>
They offer an unconditional return privilege and will provide detailed information about their coins over the phone. So "you must trust their descriptions" only in so far as deciding whether you wish to view an item through the mail. >>
Agreed...but you can't describe eye appeal over the phone. I can't understand why someone can't wait until a photo is posted: a photo potentially saves unneeded shipping & return costs (and risk of loss) both ways, not to mention tying up someone's inventory unnecessarily.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
<< <i>I can't understand why someone can't wait until a photo is posted... >>
I think the idea here is that waiting for a picture can mean that other buyers who aren't insistent on seeing pictures and willing to rely on the dealer to provide good descriptions have already passed on the coin by the time the dealer gets to taking and posting pictures. So- if you want "first shot", you might have to do without them.
If I could sell coins without investing the time needed to photograph them, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I imagine I'm not the only one who thinks this way.
<< <i>If I can't see a clear image of the item offered, I'm gone. I provide good pics of everything we offer and expect the same. In this day and age you can buy an passable quality point/shoot digital camera with a macro feature for less than $50 so it's not like they can't afford one. Pig-in-a-poke sellers should cause an instant tap of the BACK button; I don't care how big of a following they have. Also...if he is the kind of seller that can't be bothered to provide pics then I SERIOUSLY doubt that he will want to send you the item on approval.
Some dealers are busy enough that they can't photograph everything (or take the time to hone in on the skill), and their reputations are enough to sell a coin. If Mark Feld called me up and said he had something perfect for me but couldn't get to a camera, I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up. There are some dealers which you can, indeed, just trust.
<< <i>Some dealers are busy enough that they can't photograph everything (or take the time to hone in on the skill), and their reputations are enough to sell a coin. If Mark Feld called me up and said he had something perfect for me but couldn't get to a camera, I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up. There are some dealers which you can, indeed, just trust. >>
Well duhhh, its Mark Feld.
Some people just don't do images. Sorry to say.
If I were the dealer, I would not send such a short answer. I would simply state that it is corporate policy and there is nothing that he can do about it (I frequently use that excuse at work-- I simply say "I would love to help you, but The Man has my hands tied and there is simply nothing that I can do", or something like that).
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)
Sure, although it's harder to initially get interested in a coin w/o a photo available, the actual buying decision isn't too much different. I've had to return a few coins to dealers in the past who have posted photos that didn't match up to the coin very well as the photos hid minor problems (most likely unintentionally) that I just didn't like. So even with photos, the final purchase decision isn't made by me until the coin is in hand for an inspection anyways.
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pictures do not tell the entire story, as usually something is hard/difficult to photograph
-either luster, color, eye appeal, contact marks
there is usually something that is a surprise when buying off of pics
- frquently with better dealers the surprise is pleasant, as they do not carry garbage
some dealers are very good at verbal descriptions and answers about specific coins over the telephone
- and can answer specific questions better than typical pics/scans can
If the dealer has coins that may interest you, I would suggest a telephone call
(to give the dealer another chance), especially if they carry the coins you like
<< <i>
<< <i>If I can't see a clear image of the item offered, I'm gone. I provide good pics of everything we offer and expect the same. In this day and age you can buy an passable quality point/shoot digital camera with a macro feature for less than $50 so it's not like they can't afford one. Pig-in-a-poke sellers should cause an instant tap of the BACK button; I don't care how big of a following they have. Also...if he is the kind of seller that can't be bothered to provide pics then I SERIOUSLY doubt that he will want to send you the item on approval.
Some dealers are busy enough that they can't photograph everything (or take the time to hone in on the skill), and their reputations are enough to sell a coin. If Mark Feld called me up and said he had something perfect for me but couldn't get to a camera, I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up. There are some dealers which you can, indeed, just trust. >>
I don't disagree with that statement...however it was my understanding that this discussion was about sellers on online venues like ebay and I stand by my statements in that regard... good people like Mark, Julian, and a few other high end and trustworthy dealers I can name are exceptions.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
<< <i>I am surprised the dealer even had email...or knew how to use it. >>
Why? Email is far easier and less time consuming than imaging is.