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Sometimes things are not as they seem - a public apology to MrD (Greattoning).

RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
I posted a thread a while back about this bidder and asked if it looked like shilling:

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidItems&userid=9colors&completed=1&all=1&rows=200&sort=3

I thought it did. Many other forum members thought it did. Frankly, it does. But, it is not shilling. It really is a legitimate customer who has focused in on Greattoning as where he wants to do business. I now know this for a fact. How? When he was brand new on eBay (under a different handle), I was the very first seller he ever purchased from. He bought several expensive toned coins from me on a couple different occasions.

Let me repeat, HE IS THE REAL DEAL.

To both he and Dick, I apologize. I was dead wrong on this issue.

Russ, NCNE

Comments

  • ERER Posts: 7,345
    imageimage
  • ccrdragonccrdragon Posts: 2,697
    did ya pluck it first or do ya like the texture that the feathers add to the crow?!?!?!


    all kidding aside - it takes a very big man to make a public apology like this!!!
    Cecil
    Total Copper Nutcase - African, British Ships, Channel Islands!!!
    'Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup'
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    Russ-- classy post. Thanks for posting it. I wish we had more of this sort of stuff.
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • image
  • You are a big man, Russ.
  • WWWWWW Posts: 2,609 ✭✭✭
    Good for you, Russ. image

  • GandyjaiGandyjai Posts: 1,380 ✭✭
    image

    Brian
  • BubbleheadBubblehead Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭
    image

    Bravo Zulu, Russ!
  • pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355
    I can identify, because I emailed Dick more than once with doubts about the bidder. He was nice about explaining the situation, and I came to see that the bidder usually bids early, at a low price, to get it on his list, then only bids again with seconds left, always to win. Always. As Adrian discovered. Always. Well, beat him once, and it really cost me. A competing bidder's nightmare, a seller's dream, and becoming a legend, in a forum near you.

    Edited to add that my concerns and communications with Dick occurred last October.
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
  • BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,789 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good for you to keep watching and then stand-up and apologize and admit when wrong.
    Wish that would rub off on so many others on these boards....

    Oh man...I just realized, I just suggested Russ as a role model!!! image

    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

  • MrDMrD Posts: 2,589 ✭✭✭
    Russ
    It took a brave man to admit he made a mistake and I really appreciate it.. There is one other who should join the thread that made far more extreme comments but I don't expect to hear from him.
    Thank you so much!
    Dick
  • JrGMan2004JrGMan2004 Posts: 7,557
    Russ has great lobes image He knows when to apologize, when not doing so could hurt his profit... imageimage
    -George
    42/92
  • ERER Posts: 7,345


    << <i>Russ has great lobes image He knows when to apologize, when not doing so could hurt his profit... imageimage >>



    Capitalist pig!image
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Russ has great lobes He knows when to apologize, when not doing so could hurt his profit... >>



    It has nothing to do with profit, and everything to do with doing the right thing. It's been over a year and a half since I've done business with this bidder.

    Russ, NCNE


  • << <i>Let me repeat, HE IS THE REAL DEAL. >>



    Dick is the real deal, thanks for your help greattoning
    Mike Bottos
    coinpage.com
  • You are a class act for an old guyimage



    image


    RJ
  • coinguy1coinguy1 Posts: 13,484 ✭✭✭
    Good for Russ for being a stand up guy and apologizing publicly. And, good for Dick for being gracious about it.

    Sadly, this thread might die a quick death due to all of this good/decent behavior being exhibited.image
  • ERER Posts: 7,345


    << <i>Good for Russ for being a stand up guy and apologizing publicly. And, good for Dick for being gracious about it.

    Sadly, this thread might die a quick death due to all of this good/decent behavior being exhibited.image >>

    imageimage
  • FatManFatMan Posts: 8,977
    image
  • pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355
    Well, I'll be, mystery solved. Nice coins, thanks for sharing.
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
  • Russ...you're a class act all the way. Too bad a few of the others on this message board don't try to emulate you.

    Mike
    DE FALCO NUMISMATIC CONSULTING
    Visit Our Website @ www.numisvision.com
    Specializing in DMPL Dollars, MONSTER toners and other Premium Quality U.S. Coins

    *** Visit Mike De Falco's NEW Coin Talk Blog! ***
  • Way To Go Russ,,image
    Collector Of Indian Cents!
    Fly-In Club
    My PCGS Registry Sets
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295
    In the past 30 days greattoning has ran 299 eBay auctions, 9colors has bid on 182 of them and on no other seller. Something is still fishy here in my opinion, and this is why I won't bid on his auctions.
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Eric,

    There really is nothing fishy. It is all about the mentality of this particular bidder. I went back through my eMail correspondence with him and he is very skittish, and very concerned about his privacy. After checking in to it, it all makes sense, including his decision to use only one seller and making his feedback private.

    Russ, NCNE
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295
    Okay Russ, for the sake of the argument let's say 9colors isn't a shill. What about the documented cases where other board members bid on their own coins that they consigned to him? I know what he's said about it in the past, but still, when it comes to my money I'm not taking a chance.

    No one can ever be totally positive, but I'm voting with my money. Have I seen coins he is selling I would like? Yes, but I'm very paranoid when it comes to buying on eBay, and in this case I've seen too much to ever bid on his auctions.
  • BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,789 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Eric,

    There was a time when I was starting out with coins that I bid randomly, got nailed once or twice, and then focused on 1 seller for awhile.
    I certainly wasn't a shill, nor was there anything fishy.

    The seller I bid from is no longer selling (I still check as he had some good items I liked) but he probably did 50-75 auctions per week for a few months, and I bid on a lot, and only won a few.

    It happens, and sometimes it is a shill, others it isn't. No need to always think the worst. You either bid and get it, or you don't.

    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

  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295
    Am I overly cautious? You bet, and I readily admit that. But the benefit of being so paranoid is I've never been ripped for a coin.
  • LALASD4LALASD4 Posts: 3,602 ✭✭✭
    In the past 30 days greattoning has ran 299 eBay auctions, 9colors has bid on 182 of them and on no other seller. Something is still fishy here in my opinion, and this is why I won't bid on his auctions.

    Strange:

    http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidItems&userid=9colors&sort=3&page=1&rows=25&completed=1&all=1


    He won 23.


    And why did he only bidded on error coins by him??

    I am not implying anything, it is just strange.
    Coin Collector, Chicken Owner, Licensed Tax Preparer & Insurance Broker/Agent.
    San Diego, CA


    image
  • MrDMrD Posts: 2,589 ✭✭✭
    Eric
    I'm am truly sorry you feel that way but the truth of the matter is that I have had the good fortune to find that special customer that is so pleased with my service and the merchandise I have sold him that he doesn't want to buy from anyone else. I know it looks funny but sincerely there is absolutely no funny business whatsoever going on and anyone that isn't buying some of the beautiful coins that I sell (many of which come from board members) is cutting off their nose to spite their face. Be that as it may, I prefer not to fight with people but rather stay in the background and let my satisfied customers advertise for me. Russ was a true gentleman and I appreciate immeasurably this thread.
  • MyqqyMyqqy Posts: 9,777
    I find myself bidding on greattoning coins again and again, almost compulsively...... image
    My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295
    I understand what you're saying Dick, but as I've said I tend to be very cautious about things. Even not considering 9colors, there is the other issue with consignors. Maybe at some point I will give in if you have something I really, really want. We'll see.
  • MrDMrD Posts: 2,589 ✭✭✭
    Eric
    Its interesting that you are so concerned with shills on ebay (owners protecting their own items) and yet on Teletrade its much worse because you never know who is bidding. To me thats far more scary
    Dick
  • XpipedreamRXpipedreamR Posts: 8,059 ✭✭


    << <i> Maybe at some point I will give in if you have something I really, really want. We'll see. >>






    Geez...don't do him any favors now image
  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Coingame 2000 (Mike DeFalco) says.....

    << <i>Russ...you're a class act all the way. Too bad a few of the others on this message board don't try to emulate you. >>



    Mike, Darn it, I've tried and I've tried to emulate Russ. Even though I believe we were born in the same year I just can't (and won'timage)
    be like Russ. He is everyones hero no doubt, but there is only ONE Russ!!!!!

    He even sent me my most sentimental Franklin (and one of the only ones I have) for free and paid for shipping. I plan on holding this close
    to my heart?? forever.
    Once again.... A big public THANK YOU RUSS!!!! (there goes the tears again)
    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295


    << <i>Eric
    Its interesting that you are so concerned with shills on ebay (owners protecting their own items) and yet on Teletrade its much worse because you never know who is bidding. To me thats far more scary
    Dick >>



    There's a big difference Dick. On Teletrade, it's called a buyback bid. It's not permitted under any circumstance on eBay.
  • I have bid against 9colors on many other auctions.......he has an almost limitless supply of money and I typically just give up rather than being dissapointed when I don't win an item............................and Dick is not the guy image
  • dizzyfoxxdizzyfoxx Posts: 9,823 ✭✭✭


    << <i>In the past 30 days greattoning has ran 299 eBay auctions, 9colors has bid on 182 of them and on no other seller. Something is still fishy here in my opinion, and this is why I won't bid on his auctions. >>



    Well I MUST reply here. Eric, even though I don't know you or have never spoken to you, I have respect for you and your very nice Morgan collection as well as your ability to capture the essence of a coin with photography. That being said, I think Dick of Great Toning is a class act and a standout dealer in terms of professionalism, friendliness, and with incredible toned coin inventory. Everybody certainly doesn't have to like everybody else, but common respect for fellow coin enthusiasts should certainly be shown in my opinion.
    By the way Dick, I'm looking forward to the Lincoln and my icon photo below is still my favorite coin... Thanks!image

    P.S. You seem like a good man Russ!image
    image...There's always time for coin collecting. image


  • << <i>But the benefit of being so paranoid is I've never been ripped for a coin. >>



    Yea...sure. I have some ocean front property I'd like to sell you. I really don't believe you've never been ripped for a coin....ACG thanks you.
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295


    << <i>

    << <i>But the benefit of being so paranoid is I've never been ripped for a coin. >>



    Yea...sure. I have some ocean front property I'd like to sell you. I really don't believe you've never been ripped for a coin....ACG thanks you. >>



    There's been countless posts here about people getting screwed, and not one of them has been from me because I have never been screwed. Please prove otherwise.
  • DHeathDHeath Posts: 8,472 ✭✭✭
    image
    Developing theory is what we are meant to do as academic researchers
    and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor


  • << <i>There's been countless posts here about people getting screwed, and not one of them has been from me because I have never been screwed. Please prove otherwise. >>




    Really now...after reading your posts on this board, you would never admit to getting screwed..That's like someone here buying raw gold coins on eBay..You KNOW he got screwed somewhere along the way..but the way you see it, if he never "admits" it here on the forum, it never happened. yea....sorry..I don't believe you....I'll bet you've been screwed somwhere along the way....you just keep it to yourself to protect your "smarter than everyone else image"........
  • coinguy1coinguy1 Posts: 13,484 ✭✭✭
    Gentlemen, I had forecast that this thread would die quickly because both its originator and the subject person were exhibiting good/decent behavior. And, had the tone of the thread remained as it began, it probably would have died by now.

    Can't we have and enjoy an occasional pleasant thread, without accusations, arguments, etc.? I know you have it in you.
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295


    << <i>

    << <i>There's been countless posts here about people getting screwed, and not one of them has been from me because I have never been screwed. Please prove otherwise. >>




    Really now...after reading your posts on this board, you would never admit to getting screwed..That's like someone here buying raw gold coins on eBay..You KNOW he got screwed somewhere along the way..but the way you see it, if he never "admits" it here on the forum, it never happened. yea....sorry..I don't believe you....I'll bet you've been screwed somwhere along the way....you just keep it to yourself to protect your "smarter than everyone else image"........ >>



    You're full of crap. Trust me, if I had gotten screwed by anyone I would have posted it here for all to see.
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295


    << <i>Gentlemen, I had forecast that this thread would die quickly because both its originator and the subject person were exhibiting good/decent behavior. And, had the tone of the thread remained as it began, it probably would have died by now.

    Can't we have and enjoy an occasional pleasant thread, without accusations, arguments, etc.? I know you have it in you. >>



    Mark, here's some news for you. When I first saw this thread, I planned to not comment in it. That was until Dick made the post about someone else (probably me) that he thought should apologize.
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Gentlemen, I had forecast that this thread would die quickly because both its originator and the subject person were exhibiting good/decent behavior. And, had the tone of the thread remained as it began, it probably would have died by now.

    Can't we have and enjoy an occasional pleasant thread, without accusations, arguments, etc.? I know you have it in you. >>



    Mark, here's some news for you. When I first saw this thread, I planned to not comment in it. That was until Dick made the post about someone else (probably me) that he thought should apologize. >>



    And you should apologize. >>



    For what?

    He was caught red handed having consignors bidding on their own coins. Do I need to start mentioning names?
  • LOL....I rest my case......."smarter than everone else"........
  • rainbowroosierainbowroosie Posts: 4,875 ✭✭✭✭
    K6AZ --- you were NOT the one Dick was referring to -- that person has yet to join in this string --
    I doubt he will.

    Russ, classy post!
    "You keep your 1804 dollar and 1822 half eagle -- give me rainbow roosies in MS68."
    rainbowroosie April 1, 2003

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