Best to not bid sight unseen - my SB experience.
Lakesammman
Posts: 17,563 ✭✭✭✭✭
In August of 2024, there was an old holder auction at Stacks Bowers. There were quite a few David Hall flips with many generations represented.
I liked one lot in particular as the old brown labels are harder to find. I decided to bid in spite of the seal being described as broken. Description stated it comes in the original flip.
When the lot arrived, there was no flip, just the brown labels and the coin. It was in the sort of "flip" you would use for coin grading submissions.
I called Stacks shortly thereafter. The woman I spoke with was clearly not interested and pretty much blew me off. She said she would check with the cataloger and get back to me, which she never did.
I decided to follow up in person at the 2025 FUN show. Spoke with a cataloger who I thought I knew well, but was pretty much blown off, being told that, "If you want to be known as a pain in the a$$ at SB, then return it".
Decided to sleep on it before posting anything and, after 300+ nights, decided to post as a cautionary tale to others. No more bidding sight unseen for me!
Comments
“Decided to sleep on it before posting anything and, after 300+ nights, decided to post as a cautionary tale to others. No more bidding sight unseen for me!”
No one can fairly criticize you for posting in the heat of the moment.😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
It is what it is 🙂
I understand that many of these old dealer flips had the coin in a Kointain capsule. Was that not included either?
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled
I had same type of experience with Stacks many years ago. I don’t even check their auctions anymore.
Just not what it said.
"To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
"If you want to be known as a pain in the a$$ at SB, then return it".
I would have immediately returned it after that comment.
I think they would have tried to make it right. That's why I don't work with them.
I don't see the problem. Isn't that how you're already known everywhere else?
I had the opposite experience with Stacks. I bought some 40% silver halves in a bulk pile. When I got them, there were half as many a it said. It said $200 when it was 200 pieces. I emailed them, they got back to me in 24 hours and gave me a credit within 48 hours.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
"Contained in a David Hall certified flip with the seal broken"
If it came in a regular 2.5x2.5 flip then you got something other than what you purchased, and the cataloger described it inaccurately. It should have read "Comes with a David Hall certified label, unknown if it truly belongs with this coin."
I'd be a little salty too, an auction house that deals in coins should fully understand the issue here.
Collector, occasional seller
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All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
I'm noticing a lot of companies are slipping to poor customer service techniques or no customer service at all. Adobe being the worst in my opinion. Sad, but keeps me going back to where I was best treated.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Don’t they already know like the rest of us that you’re a PITA?
😆
Lol
You win some, you lose some with online auctions.
Two instances where Stacks contacted me in relation to an auction item.
-I was underbidder on a nice Jefferson nickel collection being sold as part of the Pogue collection. I was informed that the top bidder was out and ultimately purchased the collection.
-I was at my bid limit for an 1855 dollar. Stacks called and offered to raise the limit. It was ultimately necessary in order for me to secure the dollar.
I wanted to join the other poster in throwing in a thumbs up for Stacks.
That’s strange. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with Stacks. They’re pretty awesome.
I’d be happy to fix it for you on behalf of them. Dm me your Venmo or PayPal.
SB customer service is not good. Last month I won some cons, so I called customer service and asked her to use my consignment balance to offset my purchase invoice (I have money in my account). To my surprise, she refused to do that, telling me that some of the auctions are still ongoing. I need to wait for a week or two after all the auctions end. So I used a credit card to pay for the invoice and wrote to the CEO to complain about it. I think it is time for me to stop buying and selling from SB for a while. Bad customer service really hurts.
I'm very surprised to hear this. While I think GC's customer service is the gold standard, I've had nothing but positive experiences with the people at SB (and HA for that matter).
SB's software, auction publishing process, and proxy bids are not my favorite but that is not on the front line people.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
In 1959-60 Stacks held, as I recall , the spiral bound purple cover Chas Neumoyer Sale. As a 1st time auction bidder I won a “ proof” 1829 half dime for $50. Upon receipt, I found it to be a cleaned bright About Unc. But who was I to dare to return it and challenge this leader of the hobby ?
It was that day , with a $50 lesson, I decided never to bid at auction without seeing the lot in hand, and that goes for a slabbed coin too. I found that guidance to be very reliable over these many decades.
The calibre of collector you are Tim, and the other high end collectors you know, they ought to think twice before blowing you off, id say!
He's known in these parts as "Rip Van LakeSammWinkleman"
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
I love Stack’s!
That being said I NEVER bid on ANYTHING unless I have trusted ‘eyes on’ the coin before I bid.
Great point. Without being specific, who would you use for trusted eyes?
I'm sure some people are wondering what the big deal is - others know that I want the plastic more than the coin!
Obviously, someone at SB must have thought they were doing the right thing replacing the broken flip with a fresh new one. Oops! BTW, are the DH plastic flips so unique that they can’t be replaced? Out of production or custom designed or what?
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
I believe the sealing machine had his name embossed on it.
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
I feel for you but we all may bid in the heat of the moment. I prefer GC.
"I decided to bid in spite of the seal being described as broken. Description stated it comes in the original flip."
"When the lot arrived, there was no flip"
Successful BST transactions- Bfjohnson, Collectorcoins, 1peter223, Shrub68, Byers, Greencopper, Coinlieutenant, Coinhunter4, SurfinxHI, ProfLiz
@Cougar1978 makes a habit of posting without paying attention.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Surprised you would write this about him; his version of events does help others.
As opposed to the other major auction houses, being able to ask a question about a coin at auction appears to be hit or miss at Stacks.
I like SB but I’m biased living close by and having a very good relationship with them. I’m able to view coins and also pay by check and pickup auction winners together.
And with those few words, GC began its fall from grace...
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
I'm quite sure it was a joke, probably between friends
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Oh good, I’ll assume that instead.
The part that would bother me the most is the treatment by the cataloger who you thought you knew well. That personal slight would hit harder than the faceless companies stance.
Latin American Collection
Hard for anyone but Tim to know exactly what was said, how it was said, and how it came across. That said, I can certainly imagine it not being a slight in the least, and just a somewhat glib and candid answer from someone who thought he could speak freely. Especially if the cataloguer did not recognize or appreciate the value of the broken plastic flip.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Not surprised that a lot of people recognized this as playful ribbing with someone I’ve known half of my life.
Indeed, it’s very disappointing to hear the guy spoke to you that way… That would be it for me!
My YouTube Channel
i'm glad you finally got this off your chest.
@Lakesammman,
I am sorry to hear about your experience and believe there must have been some misunderstanding by our customer service department. Last week, Julie, who you have a relationship with at our firm reached out, but I dont think has heard back from you. Feel free to contact her or me and I will happily facilitate the return.
Stack's highly values our customer experience and strive to go above and beyond to provide a great experience. We regularly are provided feedback that we excel in that area. In the event we fell short in this instance, please accept my personal apologies and contact us to make it right.
Brian
"If you want to be known as a pain in the a$$ at SB"
Achievement unlocked.
Brian - your offer is much appreciated.
If they said you can do it in two weeks why didn't you just ask again at that point? Doesn't really seem to be poor customer service, just seems like you didn't get what you wanted. I know for most auction houses you need to wait for funds to clear before they can pay you out or even use funds for consignments.
I don't think you know what you are talking about. Yes, if you want the fund send to you by check then you need to wait for settlement day but not for offset the purchase balance.
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Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
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All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
I deleted my comment before your reply because I realized I wasn’t sure what actually happened. The post was just too ambiguous.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
I understand exactly how you felt