BAD BAD BAD experience buying coins online

silvereagle · October 20, 2007 7:49AM

Well I bought a 1909 O quarter from letchworth coins at www.letcoin.com. I paid $39 plus $5.99 for shipping/insurance etc. When I get the package its a 1909 D quarter so I emailed them several times with no response, then I sent the coin back and waited and waited. Then I paid to call them 2000 miles away on a number that was not a 1-800 but a call I paid for. They said they were sending a refund, it was all their fault and all that. So I get the refund check and its for $39. Their website does say that refunds are less shipping but this was their mistake not a situation of buyers remorse. I even told them instead of the refund I would take the 1909 O but they didnt have it, so clearly I wasnt just looking to backout. To make it worse, my coin was sent to me through regular US mail with 2 forever stamps on it. I got it in my mailbox, no insurance, not certified mail. Nothing. So I paid them $5.99 shipping on an item that cost them 82 cents to mail and they still hold the shipping ??? It was their mistake. So their mistake ended up costing me about $25 because I paid for a money order, the $5.99 shipping they charged, the phone call, and my cost to send it back. Their mistake cost me $25 and they made a profit off of their mistake. Never would I buy from them again. To me if you cant even ship the right coin and if you're advertising a coin you dont even have and you dont have strong enough ties in the industry to find that coin than you sure dont deserve to hold my shipping charge which was 7 1/2 times more than actual shipping anyway. JMO

StampAlarm · October 20, 2007 7:58AM

These people sound like they just earned an 'Oink Oink Award'

I'm not even going to look at their site.

Jerry

Michigan · October 20, 2007 7:59AM

So I paid them $5.99 shipping on an item that cost them 82 cents to mail and they still hold the shipping ???

That is just plain dirty.

Unknown · October 20, 2007 8:00AM

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Shamika · October 20, 2007 8:02AM

I would certainly steer clear of these guys in the future. There's a BIG difference between a 1909-O and a 1909-D quarter.

silvereagle · October 20, 2007 8:04AM

Thats exactly how I felt. I understand them saying refunds are less shipping if I am just asking for a refund but when yoy send the wrong coin and dont even have the right coin you shouldnt be holding the shipping. I mean, the buyer has money locked up in this transaction as well and the costs shouldnt be all on the customer when its the dealers mistake. Not to mention, its so hard for me to understand making a mistake like this considering how important condition is. I mean they have to look at that coin very closely to determine a grade for it, the idea of not knowing what the mintmark was is kind of hard to understand. In any event, I just wanted a full refund including shipping.

Bochiman · October 20, 2007 8:05AM

Sorry for the frustration and the jerks on the other end.
I do thank you for outting who it was (unlike some of the posters here that have problems but won't mention who it was, which leads to others not knowing and perhaps using the offending party).

silvereagle · October 20, 2007 8:07AM

Thanks everyone for the support. It was a cheap lesson for me. At least it wasnt an $800 gold coin which would have been about $50 shipping. I am almost surprised they didnt charge a restocking fee.

Petescorner · October 20, 2007 8:08AM

Thanks for the heads up. I was just considering a coin on their site, too!

(not really, but maybe someone will send them a link to this thread.

)

alpha480v · October 20, 2007 8:41AM

Thanks for the warning! I will definately not buy from a dealer like that.

roadrunner · October 20, 2007 8:49AM

The time it takes to package the coin, drive to the PO, and come back is certainly worth $5 in labor/expenses. In fact most people could not even do it for that amount. You should have told them the coin was never received. I've had similar experiences where I didn't feel the seller was above board (ie Harbor Coin ignoring emails and failing to honor a return privilege). Therefore I did not even dare to send the problem coin back for fear of losing much more. While it took me a year and a few grading fees to finally get out from under this coin, it felt infinitely better than continuing to do business with a deadbeat seller.

roadrunner

TomB · October 20, 2007 8:56AM

That is truly a poor experience, but how do you figure you lost $25 on the exchange? If it cost you the $6 shipping that you initially paid them in order to return the coin then total shipping costs would have been $12 ($6 each way) along with a phone call. Did you spend $13 on the phone call?

Michigan · October 20, 2007 9:00AM

The time it takes to package the coin, drive to the PO, and come back is certainly worth $5 in labor/expenses.

I'm heard that song and dance before and I don't buy it. The time it takes? Please, pro-rated at what per hour?
Coin dealers always have a "cry me a river" spiel about their "expenses".

a039 · October 20, 2007 9:13AM

<< The time it takes to package the coin, drive to the PO, and come back is certainly worth $5 in labor/expenses.

I'm heard that song and dance before and I don't buy it. The time it takes? Please, pro-rated at what per hour?
Coin dealers always have a "cry me a river" spiel about their "expenses". >>

I agree, mailing the coin is your JOB if you are coin dealer and choose to do business over the internet and should be factored into the profit of the coin.

DennisH · October 20, 2007 9:39AM

I've made a mental note to never do business with them.
Thanks for the heads-up.

TwoSides2aCoin · October 20, 2007 9:41AM

I wish I could make mistakes and profit off them

Mine always cost me.

roadrunner · October 20, 2007 9:44AM

The time it takes to package the coin, drive to the PO, and come back is certainly worth $5 in labor/expenses.

I'm heard that song and dance before and I don't buy it. The time it takes? Please, pro-rated at what per hour?
Coin dealers always have a "cry me a river" spiel about their "expenses".

I lived that in the late 1980's with sending packages to the mail.
Trips to the PO and Bank are not "free." You can bet dealers as a rule just don't assume all their expenses are part of the the cost of doing business. It's reflected in their sell prices whether you wish to believe it or not. Do you cross country flights and hotels are not reflected in coin prices from your favorite retailers? And if you pro-rated the labor per hour you wouldn't even get close to $5. Figure an average 6 miles roundtrip at 44.5c/mi, a total of 30 min, and you're in $5/hr labor range. That's really scamming the buyers.
Anyone want to run errands for their local dealers at $5/hr.

roadrunner

Kip · October 20, 2007 9:48AM

Yes, Terry is a A H I hear. Best to stay away from them.

rec78 · October 20, 2007 9:57AM

The seller should have covered the costs and send you $39+5.99+5.99+1.00(for the phone call.) or $51.98 IMO beings as it was their mistake. It may just have been an honest mistake as sometimes the d and o mint marks appear quite similar if glanced at quickly. They apparently do not care about their business if ignoring emails is a part of their MO. Not for me. Bob

edited to add-->> i have just checked the website and the 1909-O is still listed at $39--judging from some of the pictures a lot of the coins seem overgraded and they only show you one side of the coin. i will not order an unforseen coin from such a website. You should have asked for pictures before sending them an order in the first place. I will not be ording anything from them. Thanks, Bob

MFH · October 20, 2007 10:11AM

There is nothing worse than getting poor customer service.

You are entitled to the postage back and forth as it was their mistake.

The phone call is not worth discussing, its just part of doing business.

I checked out their web-site; nothing could convince me to buy anything from them.

Cameonut · October 20, 2007 10:12AM

Well, their customer service certainly rates a zero. Thanks for outing them, I won't be buying from them.

IRCWCoins · October 20, 2007 10:23AM

I once cherrypicked a very expensive variety from them for less than $5 at a show.

Goldbully · October 20, 2007 10:27AM

<< Well, their customer service certainly rates a zero. Thanks for outing them, I won't be buying from them. >>

Can't say much about their photography dept.

Would you pay $4995 for this ANACS PR64 judging from this photo????

Letch Link

oxy8890 · October 20, 2007 10:46AM

<< So I paid them $5.99 shipping on an item that cost them 82 cents to mail and they still hold the shipping ???

That is just plain dirty. >>

This entire transaction is very unprofessional on the part of the dealer. If as a seller I make a mistake I do not expect some else to pay for shipping. It comes out of my pocket and I make it right.

Sivereagle and Michigan,

There is one other thing here: Is it safe to assume that the two stamps and the address were not directly placed on the coin? I am not saying that $6.99 is a fair amount for S&H, in fact for a raw coin like that I feel it is excessive but let's call it what it is. There is a cost for handling, postal supplies as well as stamps. If packed correctly (and that seems to be a large if with this seller) it may not be $7 but it is more than $0.82. JMHO

bestday · October 20, 2007 10:48AM

<< Sorry for the frustration and the jerks on the other end.
I do thank you for outting who it was (unlike some of the posters here that have problems but won't mention who it was, which leads to others not knowing and perhaps using the offending party). >>

ARCO · October 20, 2007 11:05AM

ARCO · October 20, 2007 11:05AM

I have purchased from Letcoin and the coins were nice and the service A-OK. The sign of a good dealer / seller is the customer service especially when the fault lies with the seller. As for shipping, well, that was the price they asked even if they only put a .82 cents worth of stamps on the holder.

I usually do not make purchases with online coin dealers unless the total is going to exceed a couple of hundred dollars. The added cost of shipping $50 items just isn't worth it to me. I guess it is just part and parcel with this hobby. It takes a lot of time to find coins, and it also takes a lot of time to get money when a seller requests a M/O, ship, return them and resolve issues surrounding their purchase / exchange.

Collecting coins is a real pain in the ass if you ask me!

Tyler

SeattleSlammer · October 20, 2007 11:16AM

I'm not surprised that they didn't choose to insure a $39 coin. While it may not be cool to charge the $5.99 shipping, it seems that as the buyer, you should also be considering that charge when you're buying a $39 coin. Who chooses to pay $5.99 shipping on a $39 coin?

In all honesty, I'm not trying to be a pain. But I'm always a bit surprised when people air their Poor Me stories when such small dollar amounts are involved.

In any case, I hope you have better luck in the future.

rec78 · October 20, 2007 11:29AM

If packed correctly (and that seems to be a large if with this seller) it may not be $7 but it is more than $0.82. JMHO
To me a s/h charge of $5.99 indicates at least priority shipping in which the PO gives you the mailer for FREE. There is no expense except for maybe some packing materials and a holder and the cost to mail somehing priority is $4.60..The cost of the rest of the materials is certainly not over $1.39. The $5.99 shold also include the delivery confirmation which costs 75 cents. Thus, Postage cost $4.60+75 cents for delivery confirmation=$5.35 which still leaves 64 cents for packing materials. Bob

Bochiman · October 20, 2007 11:35AM

I don't get it when people focus on the dollar amount nor the shipping amount.
To me, when I hear something like this, it tells me I would never want to do business with the offending company because of how they are handling THEIR mistakes.

If they had resent the CORRECT coin, and not refunded anything (other than return shipping for the wrong one), I wouldn't care about the story. They didn't though. They ignored the buyer. They jacked him around. They don't care about the buyer. That's what I hear.

I started small with $10-$30 purchases. I have done $500-$2500+ purchases now. If any of the sellers of the smaller amounts had jacked me like that, they would have lost out on further sales.

If someone jacks me, regardless of the amount, I will be on the boards and warning everyone who it is. I won't be scared to mention the name or claim "well, they are my friend, or I thought they were, so I won't name them" or "I may want to buy something from them in the future so I won't name them". That's bs.

Barndog · October 20, 2007 12:54PM

dollar values here matter not. Bottom line is very bad customer service. I've removed Letchworth from my bookmarks.

SeattleSlammer · October 20, 2007 1:07PM

dollar values here matter not. Bottom line is very bad customer service. I've removed Letchworth from my bookmarks.

yes, dollar values do matter here. he knew $5.99 was the shipping cost, then he was upset it was sent regular mail with no insurance (not a shocker on a $39 coin!). it's true that it wasn't A+ customer service, but that doesn't mean that this seller is a total dog for all time does it?

so many here are so righteous about nixing this seller forever that I'm amazed you all even make it out your doors in the morning in such a big, bad world. i'd like to hear the seller's side of things, too.

Goldbully · October 20, 2007 1:09PM

<< dollar values here matter not. Bottom line is very bad customer service. I've removed Letchworth from my bookmarks.

yes, dollar values do matter here. he knew $5.99 was the shipping cost, then he was upset it was sent regular mail with no insurance (not a shocker on a $39 coin!). it's true that it wasn't A+ customer service, but that doesn't mean that this seller is a total dog for all time does it?

so many here are so righteous about nixing this seller forever that I'm amazed you all even make it out your doors in the morning in such a big, bad world. i'd like to hear the seller's side of things, too. >>

Swampboy · October 20, 2007 1:09PM

<< But I'm always a bit surprised when people air their Poor Me stories when such small dollar amounts are involved. >>

Small potatoes? Is that the problem?
I think a lot can be learned about a business by observing how mistakes are handled.
The dollar amount is not the point at all.

SeattleSlammer · October 20, 2007 1:15PM

I think a lot can be learned about a business by observing how mistakes are handled.

I also think a lot can be learned from people that jump and sell the farm when one row of corn goes bad.

Swampboy · October 20, 2007 1:16PM

<< I think a lot can be learned about a business by observing how mistakes are handled.

I also think a lot can be learned from people that jump and sell the farm when one row of corn goes bad. >>

Potatoes.

And a small row at that.

Bochiman · October 20, 2007 1:20PM

<< I think a lot can be learned about a business by observing how mistakes are handled.

I also think a lot can be learned from people that jump and sell the farm when one row of corn goes bad. >>

I'd prefer to jump and sell the farm than stick around and keep going back for water from a poisoned watering hole....sheeesh!

StampAlarm · October 20, 2007 1:32PM

The wrong coin was sent. Shipping fees to/from should be on the
seller. That's what I see the whole point being. Not the s/h paid
cost versus received service.

Jerry

yellowjacket · October 21, 2007 11:15AM

I don't see where this business made ANY profit considering the negative comments on these boards. The lifeblood of any business is word-of-mouth. And this business is taking a pounding in this thread. For a few dollars spent in customer service, many dollars can be earned over a period of time by building good business relationships. And a customer shouldn't have to beg for these services!

Successful businesses always work through customer service. Someone should clue in this business to this thread for their own sake.

Garrow

BlindedByEgo · October 21, 2007 12:08PM

<< I think a lot can be learned about a business by observing how mistakes are handled.

I also think a lot can be learned from people that jump and sell the farm when one row of corn goes bad. >>

Why don't you contact your friends there and have them respond to the situation?

sweetwilliet · October 21, 2007 12:23PM

silvereagle,

First of all, I completely agree with you that they should have refunded your shipping/handling in full. Did you ask for a refund of s/h when you called on the phone? I know it's a pain and it was all their mistake, but they may not realize what they were doing, they may be high volume and just not think about it. I agree it is bad customer service and should have been refunded without you having to ask for it, but not everyone thinks about these things, even though they should.

57loaded · October 21, 2007 12:33PM

<< The time it takes to package the coin, drive to the PO, and come back is certainly worth $5 in labor/expenses. In fact most people could not even do it for that amount. You should have told them the coin was never received. I've had similar experiences where I didn't feel the seller was above board (ie Harbor Coin ignoring emails and failing to honor a return privilege). Therefore I did not even dare to send the problem coin back for fear of losing much more. While it took me a year and a few grading fees to finally get out from under this coin, it felt infinitely better than continuing to do business with a deadbeat seller.

roadrunner >>

good comments and strategy

silvereagle · October 22, 2007 10:40AM

My coin was sent through regular mail. There is no driving to the post office involved, you wait for the mailman to bring your mail and he picks up the outgoin mail with it.

silvereagle · October 22, 2007 10:47AM

<< I'm not surprised that they didn't choose to insure a $39 coin. While it may not be cool to charge the $5.99 shipping, it seems that as the buyer, you should also be considering that charge when you're buying a $39 coin. Who chooses to pay $5.99 shipping on a $39 coin?

In all honesty, I'm not trying to be a pain. But I'm always a bit surprised when people air their Poor Me stories when such small dollar amounts are involved.

In any case, I hope you have better luck in the future. >>

I had no problem paying $44.99 for the coin. The reason I was OK with the $5.99 shipping was that I wanted the coin and couldnt find it anywhere around here - guess where ? Seattle/Tacoma area. I am not complaining about the shipping charges, I am complaining that they didnt follow through with this and it was 100% their fault, yet they still keep shipping charges that they didnt even spend. As someone else pointed out earlier, they still have that coin listed as 1909 O. They can do this over and over until someone just decides to keep the 1909 D

silvereagle · October 22, 2007 10:51AM

<< dollar values here matter not. Bottom line is very bad customer service. I've removed Letchworth from my bookmarks.

yes, dollar values do matter here. he knew $5.99 was the shipping cost, then he was upset it was sent regular mail with no insurance (not a shocker on a $39 coin!). it's true that it wasn't A+ customer service, but that doesn't mean that this seller is a total dog for all time does it?

so many here are so righteous about nixing this seller forever that I'm amazed you all even make it out your doors in the morning in such a big, bad world. i'd like to hear the seller's side of things, too. >>

Yes I would like to hear their side to. I emailed them and asked them to come give their side. Go ahead and emiail them and ask them to give their side. It has nothing to do with the $5.99 shipping. It has to do with the fact that it was their mistake and they still profit off of it ? Please. I had no problem paying the 5.99 shipping provided I actually get the right coin.

silvereagle · October 22, 2007 10:54AM

<< I don't see where this business made ANY profit considering the negative comments on these boards. The lifeblood of any business is word-of-mouth. And this business is taking a pounding in this thread. For a few dollars spent in customer service, many dollars can be earned over a period of time by building good business relationships. And a customer shouldn't have to beg for these services!

Successful businesses always work through customer service. Someone should clue in this business to this thread for their own sake.

Garrow >>

I agree. Someone else should let them know as well. I would love to hear what they have to say. I have emailed them about this but they arent responding

silvereagle · October 22, 2007 10:57AM

<< silvereagle,

First of all, I completely agree with you that they should have refunded your shipping/handling in full. Did you ask for a refund of s/h when you called on the phone? I know it's a pain and it was all their mistake, but they may not realize what they were doing, they may be high volume and just not think about it. I agree it is bad customer service and should have been refunded without you having to ask for it, but not everyone thinks about these things, even though they should. >>

No I should have. But they were like it was all out fault, it was our mistake. I just assumed they would send a full refund because I know I would have. I should have just straight out asked but I also feel that it would be obvious kind of like not charging me a restocking fee.

silvereagle · December 18, 2007 9:03AM

OH MY, I ALMOST WISH THIS GUY DIDN'T GET CAUGHT.

A man was shot about 8:35 p.m. yesterday in the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Ave. and was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Police said the victim was not cooperating and that details were not available.

Theft/arrest // A 65-year-old Ohio man was detained Friday by a security officer during a coin show at the Baltimore Convention Center, held for police and then charged with stealing at least $12,000 worth of collectible coins from at least four displays. Taken from Letch Worth Coins were 14 coins from 1800 to 1900 valued at $5,327 ; seven coins from 1854 to 1926 valued at $4,950 from collector Brian Kuszmar; 43 coins between 1800 and 1900 from P. Silverton valued at $1,875 and seven buffalo nickels valued at nearly $300 from Bach's Coin Box. Held at Central Booking and Intake Center was Keith Lucas of Euclid.

BECOKA · December 18, 2007 9:06AM

Well, on the bright side you actually got a refund. There are a few e-bay sellers that may never have replied.

silvereagle · December 18, 2007 9:10AM

They are still scammers and I would have LMAO if they never got their coins back.

sonoranmonsoon · December 18, 2007 9:12AM

I did not read all the responses to this thread, but ageed with most of the ones I read. The Seller is a jerk and will never be able to grow a loyel clientle becauise of it. He does not care, he just looks at the money. Luckily you got $39 back. It could have been worse. I sure wish ebay would allow us to block bad sellers, like they do bad buyers.

BAD BAD BAD experience buying coins online

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