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What would you do?

coolestcoolest Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭
If you were auctioning a coin that you know is worth $2500 and the closing bid was $300.
Would you ship the coin to its new owner with a thank you?

Comments

  • jonathanbjonathanb Posts: 3,764 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Cry?
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    I would have used a reserve, and would NEVER be facing the dilemma.

    EBAY is a broken-market, and it is dangerous to price anything for less
    than the amount you will happy to sell the item for.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • BlindedByEgoBlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Find another venue in the future. Oh, and honor my commitment.
  • PlacidPlacid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭
    No I would not take that big of a loss. I would take the negative and keep the coin.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,903 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What if it got lost in the mail and you have to refund his $300? imageimage

    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

  • Placid, I can appreciate now why you use the description "Certifiable".image Sincerely, John Curlis
  • dohdoh Posts: 6,457 ✭✭✭
    I would say that you're wrong, the coin isn't worth $2500. Or I'd learn to take better pictures....
    Positive BST transactions with: too many names to list! 36 at last count.
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,710 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The "market" just set its new value at $300. Ship promptly and say thank you.

    Why do you think it is worth $2500?
    All glory is fleeting.
  • Raybob15239Raybob15239 Posts: 1,359 ✭✭✭
    You have an obligation to ship the coin. Of course, you better insure it in case it gets lost in the mail, then you would have the money to refund him his entire purchase price.

    Seriously, why did you list a $2500 coin with a low enough starting point for it to close at $300? If you did it to save listing fees, then I'd say that you screwed yourself. Should have used a reserve. As the Slick one once told Juanita Brodderick, "You better put some ice on that."
    Successful B/S/T transactions: As Seller: PascoWA (June 2008); MsMorrisine (April 2009); ECHOES (July 2009) As Buyer: bfjohnson (July 2008); robkool (Dec 2010); itsnotjustme (Dec 2010) TwoSides2aCoin (Dec 2018) PrivateCoin Jan 2019
  • WalmannWalmann Posts: 2,806
    Sounds like keeping the coin is not the question, but if you ship it with a thank you. A thank you with a mention of what a great buy the bidder got would be fine.

    If you're asking if you should keep the coin and then end keeping it instead of sending the coin, you will have to at the very least change your user name on the forums as it would not seem applicable any longer.
  • If I want a minimum price, I pay the Ebay reserve fees. In fact, I sell BIN or Best Offer because of this issue. I've been surprised a few times when an auction ended miserably low.

    No offense intended at all, but you listed it, the buyer just got what appears to be a deal. Not his fault.image
  • GoldenEyeNumismaticsGoldenEyeNumismatics Posts: 13,187 ✭✭✭
    This really never happens with mainstream US coins on ebay, unless it was raw and the discrepency between grades is large.

    Was it a kinda oddball item you were selling?
  • coolestcoolest Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Sounds like keeping the coin is not the question, but if you ship it with a thank you. A thank you with a mention of what a great buy the bidder got would be fine.

    If you're asking if you should keep the coin and then end keeping it instead of sending the coin, you will have to at the very least change your user name on the forums as it would not seem applicable any longer. >>



    Just to clarify this has not happened, to me anyway. But I am currently selling a 1911-D quarter eagle that I sure is worth $1500++ and the current bid is $305 with only 10 hours left. It could conceivably close at the current price if the few buyers looking happened to get busy when the auction was closing.
  • guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,290 ✭✭✭


    you can't go by the "current highest bid" anymore on auctions. With so many last minute bidders and snipers these days, you might as well forget to try to tell about the final price until it's over. Hardly anybody bids "normal" these days.......and wins.

    -wes
    @ Elite CNC Routing & Woodworks on Facebook. Check out my work.
    Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭


    << <i>If you were auctioning a coin that you know is worth $2500 and the closing bid was $300.
    Would you ship the coin to its new owner with a thank you? >>

    If you were auctioning a coin that you know is worth $300 and the closing bid was $2500, would you expect the coin's new owner to send payment along with a thank you?
  • dohdoh Posts: 6,457 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I am currently selling a 1911-D quarter eagle that I sure is worth $1500++ >>



    Is the coin certified? Lots of fakes out there...that's probably why there aren't many bids.
    Positive BST transactions with: too many names to list! 36 at last count.
  • PlacidPlacid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>If you were auctioning a coin that you know is worth $2500 and the closing bid was $300.
    Would you ship the coin to its new owner with a thank you? >>

    If you were auctioning a coin that you know is worth $300 and the closing bid was $2500, would you expect the coin's new owner to send payment along with a thank you? >>



    No I dont belive in ripping people off or letting people rip me off. Guess I am the odd one.
  • coolestcoolest Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I am currently selling a 1911-D quarter eagle that I sure is worth $1500++ >>



    Is the coin certified? Lots of fakes out there...that's probably why there aren't many bids. >>



    ANACS AU-50, cleaned
  • dohdoh Posts: 6,457 ✭✭✭
    I just checked out your auction...the pics are good, so it's not that. I'm sure the fact that it's a weak D is hurting it though...Who knows, I've had coins double in the last 20 seconds of the auction. Good luck! image
    Positive BST transactions with: too many names to list! 36 at last count.
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    The tribe has spoken. It's a $300 coin.
    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)
  • PlacidPlacid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭
    image


    Sold for: $1,265.00 May 29, 2008

    Why didnt you put a picture of the slab in your auction? I always like to see the whole thing.
  • With these sniper programs, who knows what'll happen in the last 30 seconds. There is no indication anymore until it's too late.

    ....seen it a thousand times.image
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>If you were auctioning a coin that you know is worth $2500 and the closing bid was $300.
    Would you ship the coin to its new owner with a thank you? >>

    If you were auctioning a coin that you know is worth $300 and the closing bid was $2500, would you expect the coin's new owner to send payment along with a thank you? >>



    No I dont belive in ripping people off or letting people rip me off. Guess I am the odd one. >>


    I guess I don't understand- if you're just going to ignore the results if you don't like them, what's the point of using an auction to sell your coins?
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Might as well just send the buyer a refund for $300 and the coin and write it off as a $2500 charitable donation! image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • PlacidPlacid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>If you were auctioning a coin that you know is worth $2500 and the closing bid was $300.
    Would you ship the coin to its new owner with a thank you? >>

    If you were auctioning a coin that you know is worth $300 and the closing bid was $2500, would you expect the coin's new owner to send payment along with a thank you? >>



    No I dont belive in ripping people off or letting people rip me off. Guess I am the odd one. >>


    I guess I don't understand- if you're just going to ignore the results if you don't like them, what's the point of using an auction to sell your coins? >>



    To get a fair price as a seller or as a buyer to pay a fair price within reason. Getting 15% of what something is worth or paying 10 times what something is worth is not within reason imho. To each their own I guess.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,903 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>To get a fair price as a seller or as a buyer to pay a fair price within reason. Getting 15% of what something is worth or paying 10 times what something is worth is not within reason imho. To each their own I guess. >>



    I don't understand your logic. Why would anyone bid 10 times what a coin is worth?

    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

  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 13,113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Add a photo of the slab to the auction -- that, snipers, and this thread should get it up to $1,500+. Link

    It's up to $510 already because of greedy forum members! image
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭


    << <i>To get a fair price as a seller or as a buyer to pay a fair price within reason. Getting 15% of what something is worth or paying 10 times what something is worth is not within reason imho. To each their own I guess. >>

    How do you know your assessment of the value of the coin is the reasonable one? By suggesting that you'd ignore the results of an auction, you're claiming that you know something the other party doesn't. Is it possible that maybe the other party knows something you don't?
  • Honor the winning bid and ship it. Or find a cheaper version and send that one to them. If you cant part with such a loss.
    In the time of Chimpanzee's
    I was a Monkey
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You takes your chances.... the winning bid gets the coin... tough if it is a low bid. Your problem. Learn business. Cheers, RickO
  • coolestcoolest Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭


    << <i>You takes your chances.... the winning bid gets the coin... tough if it is a low bid. Your problem. Learn business. Cheers, RickO >>



    Would an expert entrepreneur such as yourself ever start an auction with no reserve?
  • TavernTreasuresTavernTreasures Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭
    You could cancel all bids and then end the auction. Then you have time to reevaluate on how to sell it.
    Advanced collector of BREWERIANA. Early beer advertising (beer cans, tap knobs, foam scrapers, trays, tin signs, lithos, paper, etc)....My first love...U.S. COINS!
  • I'd ship it, no problem, and say thanks for the smooth transaction. By selling it and putting up for bid with no reserve, it is your obligation to fulfill the your end of the bargain, even if it sells for 99 cents. Do unto others, IMHO.

    Phoenix image
    "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is."
  • coolestcoolest Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I'd ship it, no problem, and say thanks for the smooth transaction. By selling it and putting up for bid with no reserve, it is your obligation to fulfill the your end of the bargain, even if it sells for 99 cents. Do unto others, IMHO.

    Phoenix image >>



    Where is Cool?


  • << <i>

    << <i>I'd ship it, no problem, and say thanks for the smooth transaction. By selling it and putting up for bid with no reserve, it is your obligation to fulfill the your end of the bargain, even if it sells for 99 cents. Do unto others, IMHO.

    Phoenix image >>



    Where is Cool? >>



    I have no idea, just saw the pic as a choice for avatar, and thought it was, well, cool. image

    Phoenix image
    "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is."
  • pb2ypb2y Posts: 1,461
    Keep it or send it; so what. The true value of anything is
    what it will bring on the auction block, Your personal idea
    of worth counts for nothing.
    image

  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>If you were auctioning a coin that you know is worth $2500 and the closing bid was $300.
    Would you ship the coin to its new owner with a thank you? >>



    Yes.
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • johnsim03johnsim03 Posts: 992 ✭✭


    << <i>No I would not take that big of a loss. I would take the negative and keep the coin. >>



    Kudos - at least you are honest about it.

    There are many, many sellers who feel the same way. They feel no obligation to let something go
    for a song. Fact is, eBay is a venue to sell, and there are buyers and sellers who do not follow
    through with transactions.

    This type of situation would make an excellent "what if" for an ethical situation in The Numismatist.
    People feel strongly about it, one way or the other. Some folks believe that it is a legal contract,
    and others realize that this is hardly practical, in the legal sense. What is it, exactly, which "forces"
    the seller to take a huge loss on an item, for whatever the reason.

    I don't know all the answers, but I can appreciate the seller's viewpoint about not wishing to part
    with an item at a ridiculous price.

    John
    John C. Knudsen, LM ANA 2342, LM CSNS 337
    SFC, US Army (Ret.) 1974-1994
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Closed for $1000.05

    Nice comeback! >>



    Better then $300 image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • dac076dac076 Posts: 817
    There are many, many sellers who feel the same way. They feel no obligation to let something go for a song. Fact is, eBay is a venue to sell, and there are buyers and sellers who do not follow through with transactions.


    Can you imagine this happening in a live auction? Just as the hammer is about to fall, someone whispers in the auctioneer's ear, and he says "I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen but the seller has decided not to sell the item at that price."
  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 13,113 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Closed for $1000.05

    Nice comeback! >>



    Better then $300 image >>



    Compared with the NCS coin that sold for $1,265 on Heritage, that price is about right, given the following:

    1. It is in ANACS plastic, not NCS
    2. The coin appears much more harshly cleaned than the NCS one (literally looks like a Brillo pad was used)
    3. The "Weak D" is barely visible.

    No way that coin is worth anywhere near $2,500.
  • PlacidPlacid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭
    Glad your coin sold for more than $300, please set a reserve or a start price that is close to the minimum you are willing to sell for next time.


    Here is a hypothetical for you.

    If you have a coin that is worth $100,000 by every guide and sales history for an identical item.
    You decide to sell the coin in a small towns coin auction and set no reserve.
    200 people show up at the coin auction all of them have $5,000 to spend on coins.
    Your coin sells for $5,000.
    Was your coin only worth $5,000?
  • coolestcoolest Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Glad your coin sold for more than $300, please set a reserve or a start price that is close to the minimum you are willing to sell for next time.


    Here is a hypothetical for you.

    If you have a coin that is worth $100,000 by every guide and sales history for an identical item.
    You decide to sell the coin in a small towns coin auction and set no reserve.
    200 people show up at the coin auction all of them have $5,000 to spend on coins.
    Your coin sells for $5,000.
    Was your coin only worth $5,000? >>



    My original question assumes that you could take the coin to any coin shop and the owner would be happy to give you $2500 cash.
    In reality we know a coin is only worth what sonone is willing to pay. But how many VAM collectors have paid $20 for a coin that regularly sells for several hudered. Or how about full step Jefferson collector that pays one dollar for a 1953-S Nickel that just happens to be" worth" $5000.

    About e-bay auctions: I think all auctions should be of this type. I don't like it when people tell me how much their coin is worth and I don't want to do that others. But I would consider advertising to increase value.

  • coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭
    Moot point in my case, as I don't do auctions, just fixed price with Best Offer. I set the minimum price my material sells for. Sure, I miss out on the moon money auctions, but I'm also protecting myself... and with the crapshoot environment eBay is becoming as sales decline and policies change, along with the state of the economy, I'm much more concerned with the latter than the former.

    It's the very possibility of the OP's situation that would keep me up nights...
  • ccrdragonccrdragon Posts: 2,697
    just to drag this off-topic - there is a Cool, TX located between Weatherford and Mineral Wells (west of Ft. Worth). It's not much more than a wide spot in the road, but it is an incorporated town.
    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'

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