Dealers--how do you feel about returns?
logger7
Posts: 9,050 ✭✭✭✭✭
When you sell a numismatic item, later a customer returns or asks to return it, how does that make you feel? Is it a necessary part of doing business or cause for a headache? http://i.imgur.com/7SK49.jpg
2
Comments
With the good dealers, the heart sinks a bit but they never let on to the customer.
Nobody likes allowing returns. It's both a part of doing business and a headache.
With a few rare exceptions, nobody is going to be happy that that $3k that just hit their account is going to have to be returned.
I am not a dealer but do sell stuff on here and Ebay occasionally and it is just a cost of doing business. I take returns since if I don't Ebay practically makes me but I also do because it is something every buyer likes to have. When I buy I like to have the return policy even if I don't need it just as added assurance. Also if you don't accept returns that buyer who isn't satisfied will never buy from you again and it will prevent people from buying in the first place.
It upsets me because I don't feel I have done my job well enough.
It doesn't happen very often, but it does happen. Not a big deal to me. I know folks are not buying pictures of coins and that they may see something they don't like once they get it in hand. Would hate to sell a coin to someone that they didn't like.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
Interesting comment. Certainly each collector has a different criteria as to what is acceptable and what is not.
It happens. Even the most honest and knowledgeable dealer and collector pair may find themselves in the return process since coins in the flesh are different than coins on the net.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I only sell occasionally, but I'm never upset about a return. I want someone who buys something from me to be happy.
http://www.shieldnickels.net
there is more than one way to look at this:
customer buys off the net from a photo and the other is a customer that buys the coin in person and examination is in hand.
I do not do business on the net so the first does not apply to me.
On the other hand once one sees the coin what grounds does one have?
Is a restocking fee fair?
It's very rare for me (online). The last one I believe it was some guy just shopping for upgrades and made sure block him. It later sold to somebody else no problems. Beyond the return period no returns accepted. As far as shows all sight seen transactions final.
I don't sell to minors. I have given kids inexpensive coins however.
It's a necessary part of the business. I think people who have crummy or sleazy photos have more returns than me. Don't refund their money until you have received the item and verified no breakage in transit or removal from original holder.
I sell on amazon but not coins. And I have average of 3 return requests per days with all kind of reason, lies and fraud. But it's just a part of business. Back when I dealt with BM retail stores by time square, I had to deal with counterfeit bills, stolen credit cards, thieves, drug dealers, homeless and lot more each day.
Back in the dark ages of "trust me, you'll like it", I had returns and heated discussions with 2 dealers I still won't do business with.
Not so much lately - accurate photo's and going to shows to buy in person are a big help.
I never like returns, but I accept them "happily" like sellers should. I've only had to block one person for abusing returns. Was basically buying coins to see them in hand, then returning MOST of his purchases, and just keeping the ones he got great deals on.
As a seller, always try to accurately describe items and returns are few.
A notable exception was a consignment I sold on eBay - low grade coins in an album - blew it out cheap and turns out the coins were glued into the holes. Got a neg. feedback w/o even the courtesy of the buyer asking for a refund.
I'm okay with returns. I've never had one but I tend to downplay.
Lance.
Back to my original comment, I had a return request for suit one time as "no longer needed". As I received the return, there was clearly a tire mark at the bottom/rear of the pant. At least, you guys haven't have a teeth mark on the gold coin to test if it was real. Or have you? lol
On eBay I I have listed no returns accepted. But if a customer ever contacts me unhappy, I have done a few returns. It depends on the items selling.
As far as using returns on eBay, I hate to do it but occasionally I do. Sometimes a coin in hand is just disappointing and I can't convince myself to like it or want to keep it. It's 99% bad photos when it is a return.
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
As a dealer Ive only had two returns in the retail store. On my ebay store I have a 3% return rate. 11% of the jewelry I sell, which is a PITA category, but only .05% of my numis sales. Not bad for 100 sales a week over all.
1) customer bought a 95$ barber quarter in a slab. Two days later wanted to return it due to unforeseen car repairs. I accepted the return and was fine doing so. He came back 2 months later and rebought the coin at the same price.
2) This was today actually. Customer bought the wrong head phones for his metal detector. I don't like that they still use the many 1/4 inch jacks, makes no sense not to let people use any headset they like.
Out of the hundreds of Walker coins that I have purchased; I can honestly only think of four coins that I had to return. They were because of bad pictures. A 17 S reverse 63 with dull Luster and a big fingerprint. A 41 d 66 with a giant fingerprint. A 45 66 with a bad carbon spot and another 45 66 with a white cloudy area. Many other times, I have purchased coins I didn't like and then sold them to different dealers and I usually break even but once or twice I have made money and a few times I have lost some. It is easier for me to just sell it to another dealer rather than having to fool with returns, so I go this route, when it is economically feasible. It is quicker too. I also know that dealers don't like returns, so I try to avoid it whenever possible as a courtesy.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I have made some coins purchases on ebay within past couple months. If it was a private/small seller intentionally lied about description, I would message them that negative feedback is coming. And I won't bother with return nor accepting full or partial refund. If it was a dealer with honest mistake, I would requested a full refund plus return label/postage. And feedback would be based on their customer service.
Returns are just part of the business. I usually ask customer about the reason for a return, because if there is some issue on our end, like images not matching well, then I try to address it. I want to know that we are doing our part.
I monitor our overall return rate as well. Overall, it is very low. However, I recently had one individual who had returned 3 low value coins in a row (all sub $200 white dollars that sold within a day of relist the second time).
I did have a friendly talk with that individual about what he was looking for and not wasting each other's time.
For a large selection of U.S. Coins & Currency, visit The Reeded Edge's online webstore at the link below.
The Reeded Edge
That is a smart policy since minors can rescind a transaction up until the age of majority.
It is especially risky with cars and motorcycles.
I sell mostly coins on eBay, I don't offer returns on bullion because market forces can change quickly.
Out of thousands of numismatic items I've only had a handful of returns. It usually doesn't bother me except on free shipping items since that costs me money.
With non-numismatic items I charge a 20% restocking fee on eBay. When I sold it, it was a brand new item and when it gets returned the box is opened and the parts have been unpacked. I can't sell it as new anymore.
I sold a bathroom faucet with all of the specifications listed in the auction and I get a message 2 months later the buyer wants to return it. He said when he tried to install it, he found out it didn't fit his sink.
I just told him sorry, but it has been too long of time elapsed and I can't sell it as new anymore and he should list it on eBay as "Link New"
Sometimes I get free products to review and if I can't use it, then I'll sell it on eBay. One was an automated WiFi sprinkler system I sold for $100 and with the 20% restocking fee, I refunded him $80. I'm not Sears so when I relisted it as "Like New" since it had been opened, it got bid up to $28. So I lost $72 on the second auction. Because it had been opened and wasn't new anymore.
Returns are just a cost of doing business. I wouldn't buy from a dealer who didn't offer returns, and I wouldn't sell coins without offering a reasonable return policy. I sell strictly via my website and want lists, however, so I set my own rules. And that's the way I like it.
Kind regards,
George
I have once returned a Proof ASE to the mint... it had an obvious scratch in the field when I received it. I have never had the need to return a BST purchase... always been satisfied with purchases there. (Have a couple in progress right now). I rarely buy coins on ebay... so far, I have not had an issue... perhaps because I do it so rarely and when I do, I know the series, the pictures are good - and once - had communication with the seller that answered the question. I have always been happy with show or shop purchases. I am not a dealer, however, I believe taking occasional returns is part of doing business. Dealing with the public is hazardous duty. Cheers, RickO
I had a guy buy a low grade (vg) Seated Dollar on ebay 8 weeks ago. Came back and said he took it to another dealer and they told him it was fake. I said its not, but if you feel that way, send it on back. So I get it back, refund him and have it checked by another dealer I know that used to work for one of the grading services years ago and he said its good, I thought so. also sigma said its ok. Relisted it back on ebay, same damn guy starts bidding on it again, I tell him this is the coin you sent back, and said was fake" his reply" well I thought I would get it cheaper this time around" BLOCKED
I have never returned a coin but I would not buy high value coin from a small seller unless it was face-to-face. Period I have taken back a few coins I don't have an issue with it. But read too many post on here that I will make sure I protect myself. If you sell the coin once you shoulda be able to sell it again so other than a little time you shouldn't be out much but you're living that close to the edge I don't want to deal with you
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
Returns don't bother me, but it does bother me when the reason for the return is that the buyer sees the coin differently than I do. Not that he can't be right and I can't be wrong, but that has yet to happen.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
What do you know, I got notification of the first one I've had in months today, guy said too many marks for his taste. No problem.
If the buyer has a legitimate complaint about the coin - maybe an issue neither of us noticed until the sale was made, I would expect & accept a return. I recently had a guy return a PCGS gem buffalo on ebay because "he didn't want it" .. that's annoying.
I've had one return.
Feedback of 8 and a pure jerk.
Googled his name and addy and found a sex offender.
Figures.
His reason was he changed his mind and eBay forces returns.
Sure wish I hadn't left positive for him in a misguided try to get some from him.
Will NEVER leave feedback again til 15 days pass!
Business days.
Grrrrr
Well they say to leave feedback right away to get things off to a good start. I'm not sure that is always the best advice especially with potential nitwits. I like a rough and tumble honest and transparent society not a bunch of political correctness and fake attitudes. Personally if I got critical feedback on a site that didn't kill my business I wouldn't mind as long as I was able to work it out with the aggrieved individual.