What would you do?
Coinhog
Posts: 1,336
I recently sold a PCGS 1/4 ounce proof platinum Proof DCAM69 on ebay to a buyer with zero feedback. The buyer used Paypal for an instant payment by declined to purchase the optional insurance. I mailed it Priority Mail with delivery confirmation AND signature required. The buyer just notified me that when he recieved the coin, the slab was cracked in half and he stated that it looked like the Priority Mail box had been stepped on. He informed me that he would return the coin and broken slab to me so that I could file an insurance claim.?????
At this point my simple response to him was: "Did you purchase the optional insurance?"
At most, I think I should offer to send in the broken slab and coin to PCGS for him to get it reholdered. Of course there is no guarantee that it will come back proof 69 DCAM.
I have a feeling this might result in my first negative, although i think I am covered under the seller protection policy because I did require signature confirmation.
What would you do in this situation?
At this point my simple response to him was: "Did you purchase the optional insurance?"
At most, I think I should offer to send in the broken slab and coin to PCGS for him to get it reholdered. Of course there is no guarantee that it will come back proof 69 DCAM.
I have a feeling this might result in my first negative, although i think I am covered under the seller protection policy because I did require signature confirmation.
What would you do in this situation?
Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.
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Comments
You should simply inform him that since he failed to do so, you are under no obligation to fix any damaged caused by USPS.
However, if you are worried about negative feedback, you might offer to refund him the cost to get it reholdered, however, I do not think that you should do it for him.
Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns
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Russ, NCNE
From your point of view you offered insurance and he declined. Was the coin damaged? Or just the slab?
I'd offer to pay for HALF of the reslabbing fees OR have him send it back for a refund.
Keep talking to the guy. If it was me I'd keep the coin and strike my head against the wall for being an idiot and not buying insurance.
John
Never view my other linked pages. They aren't coin related.
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
The name is LEE!
<< <i>The loss, if any, is borne by the Seller ! >>
I would agree with this and that is why, if I am unwilling to cover the cost myself in case something happens, insurance is mandatory on any of my auctions.
I have also decided at the last minute to include it, paid by me, if I thought it needed it but wasn't part of the deal.
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>The loss, if any, is borne by the Seller ! >>
Why is that? The buyer declined to purchase insurance. I am not sure that it was damaged in transit or even at his home if one of his young children got a hold of it. Perhaps an irate wife smashed it when she found out what he spent on a coin that only has a face value of $25.
Did you state any kind of "return policy" in the auction?
<< <i>... I am not sure that it was damaged in transit or even at his home if one of his young children got a hold of it. Perhaps an irate wife smashed it when she found out what he spent on a coin that only has a face value of $25. >>
Those and other unknowns are among the reasons why it is best to make insurance mandatory.
My suggestion would be to offer to reimburse the buyer for re-holdering (and possibly postage) fees after he has left positive feedback (since you technically did nothing wrong), with an assurance that you will do the same.
He must understand, you are not at fault, however... there's a major lesson in your post. Thanks for sharing it. The seller is at a disadvantage in a situation like this.
Joe
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>
<< <i>... I am not sure that it was damaged in transit or even at his home if one of his young children got a hold of it. Perhaps an irate wife smashed it when she found out what he spent on a coin that only has a face value of $25. >>
Those and other unknowns are among the reasons why it is best to make insurance mandatory.
My suggestion would be to offer to reimburse the buyer for re-holdering (and possibly postage) fees after he has left positive feedback (since you technically did nothing wrong), with an assurance that you will do the same. >>
Thank you Mark, that makes the most sense to me. Although I am not sure that you are able extort feedback like that. If I offer to work with him on the reholdering and he leaves me negative feedback, so be it. My response should clear up any questions for future buyers. I may even be able to get it mutually withdrawn since there was no breach of contract with this buyer.
My concern is a paypal chargeback. I am not sure on which side of the fence paypal will fall on this one.
Unfortunatly, if the coins were swapped, theres a good chance you could be out the coin, and the money.
<< <i>Insurance is for the sellers protection, not the buyers. Heres the deal, if the buyer files a SNAD, they will be required by paypal to ship the item back with insurance and tracking. Upon proof of return, paypal will refund the buyer his money. Unfortunatly, paypal will side with a zero feedback buyer over a 5000 feedback seller.
Unfortunatly, if the coins were swapped, theres a good chance you could be out the coin, and the money. >>
Whats a SNAD?
<< <i>I'd make it a learning experience, try to make it right by offering to try to get it reholdered, and make insurance mandatory in the future. >>
I agree. That's why I include insurance in the shipping and handling fee in my auctions or whenever I sell something.
I considered the feedback extortion issue, but feel you'd be offering something (re-holdering and possibly postage reimbursement) which you are not obligated to offer. You'd in essence be offering a favor for a favor.
You sound as if you are fair and reasonable. If he is too, it should work out fine. If not, invite him to join the forum and we'll deal with him properly.
<< <i><<You sound as if you are fair and reasonable. If he is too, it should work out fine. If not, invite him to join the forum and we'll deal with him properly.
ain't that the truth ?
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
1) zero feedback buyer
2) high dollar item
3) received but not as described
4) paypal
I hope for the original poster that this is not the case.
<< <i>Sorry guys, call me cynical but I smell a scam in the works.
1) zero feedback buyer
2) high dollar item
3) received but not as described
4) paypal
I hope for the original poster that this is not the case. >>
that was my initial assessment.
I have offered to reimburse the buyer for having the coin reholdered. I also asked him about the extent of the damage to the cracked slab. I am trying to determine if the coin was damaged at all. I am getting ready to submit a bunch of AGE sets, so I could send the coin along with them for reholdering at a minimal expense. I am just waiting now for the buyer to get back to me.
I appreciate all of your responses, both for and against the buyer. It has really allows all of us to see the different points of view, pretty much all of which are valid.
Since I asked him for a picture, I haven't heard a word from him. Right now I am not sure if he thought I would just originally refund him the $380 cost. When that didn't work he was accepting of a $30 grading fee. When I asked him for pictures of the damage, he disappears.
I don't know, I hate to block zero feedback buyers. Everyone has to start somewhere, but on ebay you never know if it is just a new ebayer or a naru'd scammer with a new id.
I still don't know about this guy. Its a terrible thing to have to go through life distrusting people. Distrusting, is that a word?
Yes and hopefully the buyer will eventually send you a picture. If not, no harm done anyway, and you will know YOU acted fairly and honorably.
He didn't, his loss.
Jim
<< <i>If the package did have delivery and signature confirmation, and it looked as if it had been stepped on when he rec'd it, he should have opened it in the presence of the letter carrier to check for damage and then refused the package if there was infact damage.
He didn't, his loss.
Jim >>
Exactly! delivery and signature confirmation was purchased by me. If in fact the parcel arrived damaged to the pint that it looks stepped on and the contents were broken, he should have refused signing for it.
<< <i>This is why insurance is not optional in my listings.
Russ, NCNE >>
Even on the $10 Kennedys I've won from you. But your shipping charges are reasonable and you ship fast so I think including insurance is a good idea.
Millertime
Complete Dime Set
You'll probably have to eat this one. Next time require the insurance in the shipping, handling and insurance fee.
Jonathan
If by chance it is a scam and the buyer returns a broken holder, with say a penny in it, paypal will give back the money. In a dispute, paypal will side with a zero FB buyer over a 10000 fb seller.