Interesting Question from eBay Bidder... how would you respond?

airplanenut · February 20, 2008 8:27AM

I just got this question for a toned mint set I have listed, and am curious as to how you would reply.

hello
I am totally new to coin collecting and love these coins and thank you for offering them. I am cautious as a beginner but wonder can you guartanteed I get get them graded by pcgs or NGC and that they are not at [AT] toned. Thank you and apologies for my stupid beginner question but if I win and they are rejected by the grading companies I would most likely never collect coins again.
thank you

Now, I am 100% certain the coins and their colors are legit, and every one of them will slab. However, at the same time, the question seems to be setting me up for:
A- Buyer's remorse
B- Some dissatisfaction because of a misunderstanding

My gut was to reply that while I'm sure the coins are legit, this eBayer shouldn't be buying if he is that unknowledgeable about the items. The coins are textbook examples of NT mint set colors, and something just seems fishy here. The buyer has 100% positive (278) but I don't see any coins in his feedback.

Jeremy

ArizonaJack · February 20, 2008 8:29AM

thats a toughie....pics would help US see the coins, but I have done that with Rpm's and Omm's before.......never had a problem

Russ · February 20, 2008 8:29AM

You should also explain the subjective and frequently inconsistent nature of third party grading.

Russ, NCNE

ahooka454 · February 20, 2008 8:31AM

This is tricky. Id say to the buyer if he or she is not fimiliar with TPG standards for toning, and thats their intent(slabbing), maybe they should go another route. Even if they dont bid you may get them as a customer for your honesty. Im not saying they are AT, but it may be easier, safer in the long run instead of a potential problem.

LindeDad · February 20, 2008 8:32AM

I see no way that you can guarentee what a third party grader will do.
And I would tell that to the bidder, and recomend to him to look for coins that allready graded if that is what he wants.

PerryHall · February 20, 2008 8:34AM

Tell the bidder to take up stamp collecting. Trust your instincts. This guy will cause you trouble if he wins.

Mercury10c · February 20, 2008 8:36AM

Block him.

mrearlygold · February 20, 2008 8:36AM

Add to the blocked bidder list then reply by saying it would be better of that "buyer" purchases slabbed coins by pcgs and ngc .

seatedcoins · February 20, 2008 8:37AM

<< I see no way that you can guarentee what a third party grader will do.
And I would tell that to the bidder, and recomend to him to look for coins that allready graded if that is what he wants.

>>

derryb · February 20, 2008 8:37AM

"To the best of my knowledge these coins have not been AT'd. Since they are a sealed set, it would be virtually impossible to AT them without removing them. However, I cannot guarantee what another person's opinion will be on any coin I sell. You are smart to be cautious buying raw coins on ebay. When doing so, your best bet is to stick with a seller who, like me, is honest with you, and who has demonstrated trustworthyness as reflected in their feedback."

BASEagle · February 20, 2008 8:39AM

This is no beginner.

DorkGirl · February 20, 2008 8:40AM

<< I see no way that you can guarentee what a third party grader will do.
And I would tell that to the bidder, and recomend to him to look for coins that allready graded if that is what he wants.

>>

I agree.

pontiacinf · February 20, 2008 8:42AM

My gut was to reply that while I'm sure the coins are legit, this eBayer shouldn't be buying if he is that unknowledgeable about the items. The coins are textbook examples of NT mint set colors, and something just seems fishy here. The buyer has 100% positive (278) but I don't see any coins in his feedback.

best advise you could give, short sweet and to the point

doh · February 20, 2008 8:44AM

I wouldn't even bother responding. Might even add him to your blocked bidder list. If your gut is right and he has buyers remorse or some other dissatisfaction you'll be wishing you had avoided him in the first place.

BECOKA · February 20, 2008 8:44AM

I agree, explain the potential issues of grading and tell them to buy coins already graded if they are worried.

tmcsr69 · February 20, 2008 8:44AM

<< I see no way that you can guarentee what a third party grader will do.
And I would tell that to the bidder, and recomend to him to look for coins that allready graded if that is what he wants.

>>

I agree that this would be his best route to follow.

derryb · February 20, 2008 8:47AM

<< The buyer has 100% positive (278) but I don't see any coins in his feedback. >>

Buyer has probable been burned like the rest of us and is trying a more cautious approach to buying on ebay. Just looking for some assurance from the seller. Just the fact that you reply will put most buyers at ease. (I would advise not wording your reply in broken english

)

crispy · February 20, 2008 8:48AM

<< This is no beginner. >>

I agree. He understands and is just giving himself a way out if they don't slab. He's a beginner that's going to start submitting to a TPG right off the bat? Tell him no guarantee.

Russ · February 20, 2008 8:51AM

This sure is a cynical bunch.

Russ, NCNE

derryb · February 20, 2008 8:54AM

<< This sure is a cynical bunch.

Russ, NCNE >>

Not all of us

droopyd · February 20, 2008 8:55AM

Tell him you are not making any guarantees that the coins will slab, and that you will accept returns within 7 days (if this is your policy) if the coins are not removed from the holders they were sent in.

planetsteve · February 20, 2008 8:55AM

I dunno... I think sometimes people say exactly what they mean. It sounds to me that this buyer is simply looking for a certification guarantee, which isn't unheard of. It's a reasonable buyer that understands they need to ask first due to the time involved to get the item reviewed by PCGS or NGC.

You may be 100% certain about the legitimacy of the coins, airplanenut, but I wouldn't be so sure about whether they will all be slabbed. I don't think I would go out of my way to guarantee a common mint set, but I certainly wouldn't run this buyer off either. Just explain what others have already suggested.

Is every newbie a babe in the woods?

FilthyBroke · February 20, 2008 8:55AM

I wouldn't want to assume responsibility for any coin passing the grade at a TPG. It's too risky to accept this, and I'd explain that to him, and then would put him on to slabbed coins. The cost is a bit higher, but for the novice it could mean a world of difference in the hobby.

Moki · February 20, 2008 8:55AM

I would tell the bidder that although in your experience you feel confident that these coins are naturally toned, you cannot guarantee that the coins will grade by PCGS or NGC, and since he is new to collecting, he would be much better off buying slabbed coins. Although he will probably pay more money for certified coins, he will have the peace of mind knowing they are naturally toned. Only after he has purchased and examined enough coins to be able to competently determine AT from NT, would it then be advisable for him to bid on coins which are not certified. Otherwise, he will almost certainly get it wrong a good part of the time. That's the best advice you can give him. Thank him for his interest and wish him good luck in his collecting endeavors, but you do not think bidding on this auction is the right thing for him to do at this time.

chiefbob · February 20, 2008 8:55AM

He's probably on this board, reading the responses right now.

planetsteve · February 20, 2008 8:57AM

<< This sure is a cynical bunch.

Russ, NCNE >>

Sure seems that way.

derryb · February 20, 2008 8:58AM

<< He's probably on this board, reading the responses right now.

>>

Bet it's Russ

blueifalcon · February 20, 2008 9:02AM

I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole, but what do I know?

CarlWohlforth · February 20, 2008 9:09AM

I would advise him to buy coins already slabbed. I would say that in my opinion the coins were naturally toned but I couldn't and wouldn't guarantee what a 3rd party might think.

bestday · February 20, 2008 9:11AM

<< This sure is a cynical bunch.

Russ, NCNE >>

What that saying..twice burned.....

ahooka454 · February 20, 2008 9:11AM

<<Bet it's Russ>>

mirabela · February 20, 2008 9:14AM

While certification guarantees are not unheard of, that is the kind of service you pay for when you buy retail.

Cynic though it makes me, I think I'd come down with those who would not reply -- and block the bidder. Some hassles you just don't need.

DeusExMachina · February 20, 2008 9:17AM

Perhaps you take this opportunity to educate a new collector. Maybe you can agree on a price provided the coins are slabbed. Or you can offer a buy back if the coins come back AT. PCGS offers a service where the grader will provide the submitter with notes.

I tend to be cynical too and would most likely tell the would-be buyer to learn more about toning before buying raw coins.

I guess it all boils down to your gut feeling and how much potential grief you are willing to endure.

habaraca · February 20, 2008 9:25AM

what a bunch of arrogant posters..

always looking at the negative sure a lot of that these days here.

try this one.................................

Welcome a new collector and invite them to the boards, to learn.
Never know may even make a friend.

Course maybe reading some of the posts here will really turn them off.

messydesk · February 20, 2008 9:45AM

The "I would most likely never collect coins again" part of the question seems like a veiled ultimatim. Simply state that due to the unpredictable nature of grading services, there's to way you or any other seller would be able to guarantee how a mint set would grade. Reiterate your return policy and recommend they study lots of toned coins already in slabs before blindly investing in plastic.

clarkbar04 · February 20, 2008 9:53AM

I'd tell him/her that if they are that concerned about it to only buy certified coins.

From ACG.

nankraut · February 20, 2008 10:00AM

<< You should also explain the subjective and frequently inconsistent nature of third party grading.

Russ, NCNE >>

Fairlaneman · February 20, 2008 10:12AM

Treat him/her as a newbie collector and advise that eBay is the worst place for a new collector to buy coins. Expond on the fact that it would be better to go to shows for a period of time to gain experience. Then tell him/her to come back and see you when the experience level gives him/her the confidence to buy without a total guarantee from you.

Ken

BlindedByEgo · February 20, 2008 10:20AM

A gentle word turns away wrath. Be kind, but firm.

YaHa · February 20, 2008 10:20AM

Tell him to buy the book "Coin Buying is for Dummies" read it and then consider bidding on your auctions. I smell trouble!

DJCoinz · February 20, 2008 10:29AM

<< I'd tell him/her that if they are that concerned about it to only buy certified coins.

From ACG. >>

Seriously, I would probably block him and then respond telling him he should only buy slabbed coins.

bumanchu · February 20, 2008 11:16AM

I don't know how much the set you are talking about will sell for, but methinks his grading fees and associated costs would cost him more than the set you are selling.

That said, he is foolish to threaten you, as his bigger loss would be the costs of submitting if they weren't slabbable. So what is his recourse and just how much effort and energy is he willing to expend to prove your coins are the ones that "didn't" get slabbed?

I say your chain is being jerked.

Interesting Question from eBay Bidder... how would you respond?

Comments

Leave a Comment