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Very interesting Ebay situation (update)

ToreyTorey Posts: 343 ✭✭✭✭
edited March 27, 2025 6:49AM in U.S. Coin Forum

I went to check my mail a few weeks ago and received a package that I had clearly packed (from selling on ebay). My initial thought was it's a return. I went through my ebay selling accounts and couldn't find a filed return, odd.

I drove home, opened the package, and was rather puzzled. This was a coin that I had sold back in 2024, and it's not a cheap one (rare holder + Gold CAC). Tracking shows that it was never signed for and sat for a period, then it was returned to the sender. It seems to have been lost on its way back, and somehow arrived months later.

There was never a message from this buyer, or a return, etc.
I reached out but have had no response. I tried refunding, but there is no option on ebay after this long. I then called Ebay, and they said since they didn't sign for it after that long, they count it as delivered, and legally you keep the contents. They stated they will not process a refund (What?).

I've tried the other obvious ways, looking up the individual's details online. Still no response yet.

What do you do in that situation? The person could have died (I hope not), but I would still like to get it to the spouse if there is one.

Say I can't get ahold of anyone, wait a few more months, and decide to sell it (donate the proceeds). They could contact me much later, and I guess I would be out of the money then if I refunded them.

Not sure what to think.

Successful BST transactions- Bfjohnson, Collectorcoins, 1peter223, Shrub68, Byers, Greencopper, Coinlieutenant, Coinhunter4, SurfinxHI, ProfLiz

Comments

  • gtstanggtstang Posts: 1,766 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Some years ago, my stepfather was in the hospital and was ordering lots of stuff on ebay and lots of packages were being delivered to my parents house.
    Sadly he didn't make it home. My mom didn't know what to do with all the stuff and told the mail person to return to sender on a lot of the stuff before I could tell her the correct way of doing returns on ebay.
    I did try to contact as many sellers as I could to let them know the situation. Some were kind and some were just plain jerks about items being sent back.

    So maybe the buyer passed away and their family just did a return to sender like my mom did...

  • Dug13Dug13 Posts: 281 ✭✭✭

    Since you know the name, city, and time frame you could check obits. Most newspapers allow that without an online subscription.

    Wall of HONOR transaction list:WonderCoin, CoinFlip, Masscrew, Travintiques, lordmarcovan, Jinx86, Gerard, ElKevvo

  • pmh1nicpmh1nic Posts: 3,302 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Have you tried Linkedin, Facebook or other social media. If we are talk serious money there are companies that do background investigations that can probably track just about anyone down.

    The longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice is it possible for an empire to rise without His aid? Benjamin Franklin
  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,627 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm guessing he or she passed away. It happens. Hard to fathom what else could be going on here. I'd personally put the item away, and wait another 6 months before deciding what to do.

    Dave

    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • logger7logger7 Posts: 8,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Years ago I sold a proof silver eagle if I remember right; the buyer left immediate positive feedback before receiving it; it came back to me for whatever reason. No communication from the buyer but refunded him, I'm hoping he's ok. This hobby is a brotherhood and I believe we should be honorable people, honoring our word and taking nothing unless we give the customer what they ordered.

  • ToreyTorey Posts: 343 ✭✭✭✭

    @pmh1nic said:
    Have you tried Linkedin, Facebook or other social media. If we are talk serious money there are companies that do background investigations that can probably track just about anyone down.

    Yes, I have tried social media.

    Successful BST transactions- Bfjohnson, Collectorcoins, 1peter223, Shrub68, Byers, Greencopper, Coinlieutenant, Coinhunter4, SurfinxHI, ProfLiz

  • ToreyTorey Posts: 343 ✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    I’d send a letter (asking that you be contacted and stating why), hoping that it gets opened and read.

    Great idea, will send one in the morning.

    Successful BST transactions- Bfjohnson, Collectorcoins, 1peter223, Shrub68, Byers, Greencopper, Coinlieutenant, Coinhunter4, SurfinxHI, ProfLiz

  • seanqseanq Posts: 8,711 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    I’d send a letter (asking that you be contacted and stating why), hoping that it gets opened and read.

    If you really want to make sure it gets read, maybe send it Certified?

    Sean Reynolds

    Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.

    "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 33,990 ✭✭✭✭✭

    or you could get their attention with express mail

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,965 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The original package was returned because no one signed for it. I'm not sure sending another item that needs to be signed for is the best option. I might send a regular letter and see if it gets returned to sender.

  • JimTylerJimTyler Posts: 3,547 ✭✭✭✭✭

    First the lady that sold the silver too cheap, now this

  • ToreyTorey Posts: 343 ✭✭✭✭

    @JimTyler said:
    First the lady that sold the silver too cheap, now this

    Clearly being tested this month lol.

    Successful BST transactions- Bfjohnson, Collectorcoins, 1peter223, Shrub68, Byers, Greencopper, Coinlieutenant, Coinhunter4, SurfinxHI, ProfLiz

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 33,990 ✭✭✭✭✭

    send a SASE in there with it

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,505 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I always wondered what happened to my coin. ;)

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • sellitstoresellitstore Posts: 3,029 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Yes, death is a possibility but so are severe injury, prison and/or deportation. If it's the first, you might still have to deliver the coin someday but if it's either of the others, I wouldn't worry about it for now.

    Collector and dealer in obsolete currency. Always buying all obsolete bank notes and scrip.
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,174 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @gtstang said:
    Some years ago, my stepfather was in the hospital and was ordering lots of stuff on ebay and lots of packages were being delivered to my parents house.
    Sadly he didn't make it home. My mom didn't know what to do with all the stuff and told the mail person to return to sender on a lot of the stuff before I could tell her the correct way of doing returns on ebay.
    I did try to contact as many sellers as I could to let them know the situation. Some were kind and some were just plain jerks about items being sent back.

    So maybe the buyer passed away and their family just did a return to sender like my mom did...

    Isn't there something on the package to indicate that it was a RTS? Really all you have to do is write the the word REFUSE on it and put it back into the mail.

    But yeah, it's best to do it the proper way.

    theknowitalltroll;
  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 2,235 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Torey said:
    Update: After all that time, I received a message last night from the owner via ebay messages. Either by coincidence or maybe the owner is a CU member.
    The coin will be heading back and will hopefully get signed for this time.

    Since you piqued our curiosity, did the owner provide an explanation?

  • ToreyTorey Posts: 343 ✭✭✭✭

    @oldabeintx said:

    @Torey said:
    Update: After all that time, I received a message last night from the owner via ebay messages. Either by coincidence or maybe the owner is a CU member.
    The coin will be heading back and will hopefully get signed for this time.

    Since you piqued our curiosity, did the owner provide an explanation?

    Yes, it was rather vague but said he unexpectedly had to be out of town for a period and apologized.

    Successful BST transactions- Bfjohnson, Collectorcoins, 1peter223, Shrub68, Byers, Greencopper, Coinlieutenant, Coinhunter4, SurfinxHI, ProfLiz

  • HarlequinHarlequin Posts: 138 ✭✭✭

    @Torey said:
    What do you do in that situation? The person could have died (I hope not), but I would still like to get it to the spouse if there is one.

    A couple years back I had a situation whereas the buyer had passed. I found out about the passing by reaching out to friends on his Facebook page after receiving the coin back through post. I eventually was put in contact with his son and offered to re-send the coin to him but he said that he was not interested as he was "not into coins" and that he actually thought that coin collecting was "silly" and not worth his time! Go figure........ I was pleasantly shocked as the selling price of the coin was around $5,200 at the time! :#

    🇺🇸 Harlequin
    harlequinnumismatic@gmail.com

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