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eBay Customer of the week! Time for a drink!

jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 31,611 ✭✭✭✭✭

I'm getting a return this week for a set of stamps. The listing read:

Canada - Scott# 249-262 - 249-261 (MNH), 262 (used)

The customer emailed me to tell me that he got 14 stamps, but they are all Canadian and but is no 249-262.

I responded to inquire if I might have sent the wrong set and asked if the stamps he received did not match the photo and why he was saying they weren't 249-262.

He responded that they were Canadian stamps and not U.S. stamps and I'd see when I got them back.

I responded that, if he looked at the very email he sent me - he sent it through eBay so the Item Description was attached - that he bought CANADA 249-262 not the U.S. And if he looked at the photo, all 14 stamps in the photo were Canada.

He responded: Oh, I didn't notice.

LMFAO

Comments

  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 5,758 ✭✭✭✭✭

    why would they say that? did you have them in the wrong category?

  • SweetpieSweetpie Posts: 465 ✭✭✭

    Question is at what price range would it worth the hassle to fight the return vs a refund even when the customer is CLEARLY in the wrong?

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 31,611 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @davewesen said:
    why would they say that? did you have them in the wrong category?

    Nope. Listed under Canada - Mint. In my store under "World Stamps". Just crazy

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 31,611 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinpalice said:
    DWB-drinking while buying

    Maybe, but also drinking while emailing. LOL. I mean, when you message through eBay by going to the item, the FIRST word in the item title is Canada.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 31,611 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Sweetpie said:
    Question is at what price range would it worth the hassle to fight the return vs a refund even when the customer is CLEARLY in the wrong?

    He actually didn't file a return. He just mailed it back.

    On items under $5 like this one, I don't fight the return. I just refund the money and tell them to keep the item. I only get 3 or 4 per year. Not worth the hassle. Of course, I also block them to prevent a repeat.

    I just think it's the funniest return I've ever gotten.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 31,611 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    Playing devil’s advocate...

    “Canada” wasn’t written in all caps. And the listing did not state “Not U.S.” or “Please read item description”. So I can certainly sympathize with the buyer’s confusion.

    😉

    LOL. I take full responsibility.

    The weird thing is that he must not have looked at the picture either. I know it was an inexpensive item, but if you are neither reading the description or looking at the photos, you must get disappointed a lot.

  • mustangmanbobmustangmanbob Posts: 1,890 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    Playing devil’s advocate...

    “Canada” wasn’t written in all caps. And the listing did not state “Not U.S.” or “Please read item description”. So I can certainly sympathize with the buyer’s confusion.

    😉

    If you write "Not" in the title, the listing gets tossed, and you can be put in the ebay penalty box for 3 days.

  • CoinstartledCoinstartled Posts: 10,135 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Late night libel.

    :#

  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,159 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mustangmanbob said:

    @MFeld said:
    Playing devil’s advocate...

    “Canada” wasn’t written in all caps. And the listing did not state “Not U.S.” or “Please read item description”. So I can certainly sympathize with the buyer’s confusion.

    😉

    If you write "Not" in the title, the listing gets tossed, and you can be put in the ebay penalty box for 3 days.

    Has anyone tried the Isn't instead? :D

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 31,499 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @privatecoin said:

    @mustangmanbob said:

    @MFeld said:
    Playing devil’s advocate...

    “Canada” wasn’t written in all caps. And the listing did not state “Not U.S.” or “Please read item description”. So I can certainly sympathize with the buyer’s confusion.

    😉

    If you write "Not" in the title, the listing gets tossed, and you can be put in the ebay penalty box for 3 days.

    Has anyone tried the Isn't instead? :D

    Or "Ain't"?????

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 31,611 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @CaptHenway said:

    @privatecoin said:

    @mustangmanbob said:

    @MFeld said:
    Playing devil’s advocate...

    Or "Ain't"?????

    Related true story. We have 2 instruments at the University that need to be left on at all times. There is a note on them that says: "PLEASE DO NOT TURN THE INSTRUMENT OFF" People keep turning them off. LOL.

    I finally told the instrument guy that he needs to change the sign to "LEAVE ON" because people don't read all the words and they were ignoring the "NOT" in the original sign and thought the sign wanted them to turn it off.

    Reading is fundamental...

  • toyz4geotoyz4geo Posts: 1,467 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @CaptHenway said:

    @privatecoin said:

    @mustangmanbob said:

    @MFeld said:
    Playing devil’s advocate...

    Or "Ain't"?????

    Related true story. We have 2 instruments at the University that need to be left on at all times. There is a note on them that says: "PLEASE DO NOT TURN THE INSTRUMENT OFF" People keep turning them off. LOL.

    I finally told the instrument guy that he needs to change the sign to "LEAVE ON" because people don't read all the words and they were ignoring the "NOT" in the original sign and thought the sign wanted them to turn it off. Hi

    Reading is fundamental...

    It's not what you say, it's how you say it.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    These ebay stories are interesting. I know the retail business can be frustrating (as many here have recounted), but dealing with people through the internet seems to be even more exasperating. Cheers, RickO

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've received a couple of returns on world coins with the comment "It's not as big as I thought it would be. It looks bigger in the picture", even though all listings include date, denomination and catalog number. Of course, the only thing visible in the image is the coin.

  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:
    I've received a couple of returns on world coins with the comment "It's not as big as I thought it would be. It looks bigger in the picture", even though all listings include date, denomination and catalog number. Of course, the only thing visible in the image is the coin.

    That can be a problem. I always like listings (on ANY coin) that include images of the coin IN the slab.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 31,611 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:
    I've received a couple of returns on world coins with the comment "It's not as big as I thought it would be. It looks bigger in the picture", even though all listings include date, denomination and catalog number. Of course, the only thing visible in the image is the coin.

    The most important things when buying a coin are SIZE, SIZE, SIZE.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 31,611 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @topstuf said:

    @MasonG said:
    I've received a couple of returns on world coins with the comment "It's not as big as I thought it would be. It looks bigger in the picture", even though all listings include date, denomination and catalog number. Of course, the only thing visible in the image is the coin.

    That can be a problem. I always like listings (on ANY coin) that include images of the coin IN the slab.

    What if it's raw? Can I do an APMEX photoshop deal where the coin looks bigger? :)

    What if the buyer has never seen a PCGS slab? Should I include a ruler? Calipers for thickness? I may just retire... LOL

  • BillDugan1959BillDugan1959 Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 22, 2019 8:22AM

    I almost always sell U.S. coins in my eBay ventures, but would definitely include the diameter for a world coin.

    I find myself comparing the World coins to the nearest sized U.S. coin, because so many people simply can't function in millimeters.

    I subscribe to the "bigger is better" formula when it come to the coins that I purchase for myself.

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @topstuf said:
    That can be a problem. I always like listings (on ANY coin) that include images of the coin IN the slab.

    I include images of the slab when the coin is slabbed. Not all coins are.

  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    @topstuf said:
    That can be a problem. I always like listings (on ANY coin) that include images of the coin IN the slab.

    I include images of the slab when the coin is slabbed. Not all coins are.

    I....know....that.

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BillDugan1959 said:
    I almost always sell U.S. coins in my eBay ventures, but would definitely include the diameter for a world coin.

    I sell inexpensive coins and do not include extensive descriptions. I note the catalog number, anybody who's interested can look up the coin's specifications if it's important to them.

  • BillDugan1959BillDugan1959 Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    @BillDugan1959 said:
    I almost always sell U.S. coins in my eBay ventures, but would definitely include the diameter for a world coin.

    I sell inexpensive coins and do not include extensive descriptions. I note the catalog number, anybody who's interested can look up the coin's specifications if it's important to them.

    A fair percentage of the possible buyers don't have catalogs. Some are not internet search savvy. I rarely rely on Catalog numbers, except as a double check that the seller isn't somehow kidding themselves - and I have most of the commonly encountered books.

    The eBay seller wants an immediate bid, not an excuse for not bidding, however plausible.

  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,331 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I had an eBay buyer return a couple raw 3-Cent Silvers once.

    Reason: Because they were 'Too small.'

    Dave

    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BillDugan1959 said:
    A fair percentage of the possible buyers don't have catalogs. Some are not internet search savvy. I rarely rely on Catalog numbers, except as a double check that the seller isn't somehow kidding themselves - and I have most of the commonly encountered books.

    The eBay seller wants an immediate bid, not an excuse for not bidding, however plausible.

    You can make all the excuses for a buyer that you like, I'm not taking the time to look up and write up specifications that are readily available for the one in a thousand buyer who is not savvy enough to find them himself, but is somehow able to find my listing. :)

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 31,611 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 22, 2019 9:50AM

    @MasonG said:

    @BillDugan1959 said:
    A fair percentage of the possible buyers don't have catalogs. Some are not internet search savvy. I rarely rely on Catalog numbers, except as a double check that the seller isn't somehow kidding themselves - and I have most of the commonly encountered books.

    The eBay seller wants an immediate bid, not an excuse for not bidding, however plausible.

    You can make all the excuses for a buyer that you like, I'm not taking the time to look up and write up specifications that are readily available for the one in a thousand buyer who is not savvy enough to find them himself, but is somehow able to find my listing. :)

    Actually, there are a lot of internet resources that will give the size, if they care. I'm guessing they had some kind of artsy project or something and weren't really interested in collecting coins of that type.

  • sparky64sparky64 Posts: 7,025 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Darkside and stamps?
    Wrong forum by a mile! 😉

    "If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"

    My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:
    Actually, there are a lot of internet resources that will give the size, if they care. I'm guessing they had some kind of artsy project or something and weren't really interested in collecting coins of that type.

    Exactly. There's a reason Heritage and Stacks don't list $20 coins in their auctions, and why I don't type up the specs for every coin I list for sale on eBay.

  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 6,292 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @MFeld said:
    Playing devil’s advocate...

    “Canada” wasn’t written in all caps. And the listing did not state “Not U.S.” or “Please read item description”. So I can certainly sympathize with the buyer’s confusion.

    😉

    LOL. I take full responsibility.

    The weird thing is that he must not have looked at the picture either. I know it was an inexpensive item, but if you are neither reading the description or looking at the photos, you must get disappointed a lot.

    Maybe the cat did it.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 22,297 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It was entirely your fault in not anticipating that your customer would overlook that the stamps are Canaduh. You need to brush up on mind reading as well.

    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • SweetpieSweetpie Posts: 465 ✭✭✭
    edited October 22, 2019 10:20AM

    Speaking of cat...

    I once had a buyer msg me back an hour after an Ebay sale and paid for thru PP wishing to-cancel the transaction. Saying his daughter did an unauthorized purchase from his computer.

    I then knew his daughter's name must be Buyer Remorse.

    :*

  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Foreign coins should be measured in the metric system. :#

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 31,611 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @topstuf said:
    Foreign coins should be measured in the metric system. :#

    LOL. U.S. coin weights are usually expressed in grams....

    Of course, bullion is in troy ounces which is about as unmetric as you can get.

  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Drams and scruples, please. :D

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @topstuf said:
    Foreign coins should be measured in the metric system. :#

    They are. Just like US coins are. :)

  • OldhoopsterOldhoopster Posts: 2,930 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @topstuf said:
    Drams and scruples, please. :D

    I think there're a lot of people on ebay that don't have any scruples. :D

    Member of the ANA since 1982
  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,208 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Crown Royal or sour mash?

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Dog ate it.

  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,159 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Smudge said:
    Crown Royal or sour mash?

    The poor man route, Canadian club... :D

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • REALGATORREALGATOR Posts: 2,581 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Once again, Blame It On Canada!

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,208 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @privatecoin said:

    @Smudge said:
    Crown Royal or sour mash?

    The poor man route, Canadian club... :D

    But but but, aren't all coin dealers rich? Maybe not.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 14,637 ✭✭✭✭✭

    So the buyer in the OP "didn't notice".....

    It is not like there was a discrepancy between the description and the photos. . He "didn't notice" both the text AND the photos. Exactly what did he notice? :/

    For such a small transaction you'd think he'd just let it go rather than proclaim his total ignorance.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 31,611 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @JBK said:
    So the buyer in the OP "didn't notice".....

    It is not like there was a discrepancy between the description and the photos. . He "didn't notice" both the text AND the photos. Exactly what did he notice? :/

    For such a small transaction you'd think he'd just let it go rather than proclaim his total ignorance.

    When he contacted me to tell me he sent it back, he still hadn't noticed that the listing said Canada. It wasn't until I highlighted it and increased the font size did he say, "Oh, I didn't notice".

    That's why it's so odd. He went into his purchased items (which said Canada) and clicked on "contact seller" which generates an email with the Item title (which said Canada). I asked him specifically if the stamps didn't match the picture (which said "Canada"). But he never noticed until I clipped the text, blew it up and highlighted it.

  • CCDollarCCDollar Posts: 717 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Congratulations...you've livened up the Stamp Forum. ;) Take care...
    CC

    Nickel Triumph...My Led Zepps
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