Very interesting Ebay situation (update)
Torey
Posts: 354 ✭✭✭✭
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.
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Comments
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...
Oh, that’s my coin, glad it finally turned up! Will DM my new address.
All jokes aside, I think you’ve done what you can do in this situation and done a lot more than others. It is now your coin again.
Since you know the name, city, and time frame you could check obits. Most newspapers allow that without an online subscription.
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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.
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
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.
I’d send a letter (asking that you be contacted and stating why), hoping that it gets opened and read.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Yes, I have tried social media.
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Great idea, will send one in the morning.
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If you really want to make sure it gets read, maybe send it Certified?
Sean Reynolds
"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
or you could get their attention with express mail
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.
First the lady that sold the silver too cheap, now this
Clearly being tested this month lol.
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send a SASE in there with it
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
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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