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How would you handle this Ebay buyer?--Updated 4/7 pics

Looks like I'll get my first neg on this one......

Ken, with all respect and apreciation for the break in price, this is a piece of junk. When you get it back, please put a loupe to it. I didn't need to- I saw all I needed with my poor naked eye. There is a scratch through the top of Liberty's head, multiple bag marks on the neck and cheek, and it has obviously been dipped and improperly rinsed, retoning in the holder. None of this was mentioned in the description and I find it offensive and wasteful to sell garbage like this without at least describing it online. This was abviously one of those 'favors' that PCGS is famous for, but in my humble but very experienced opinion, it is nothing more than a nice looking MS60, period. It will go out today 1st class insured. Please reimburse return charges as well as my full payment, because nothing could be more unfair than selling me a coin that you should know as a professional was NOT properly graded, even IF by the coin gods at PCGS. Thank you abd best regards...

He is correct, I didnt put anything in the description, I let the pics speak for themselves. Big pics with zoom feature. I know not perfect but......dont really like his tone though. I dont know what "favor" he is implying either, I bought it slabbed. I personally thought is was graded properly. I have no problem having someone returning a coin.

Ken
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    airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,703 ✭✭✭✭✭
    First, can we at least see the photos?
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
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    "I bought it slabbed. I personally thought is was graded properly. I have no problem having someone returning a coin."

    That's what you tell him...appologise, and refund his money.


    Anyone that buys on ebay, should know the risk...if he is mad at anyone it should be the grader. You should be fine.
    Jake Blackman
    blackman.jake@gmail.com
    704-719-6866
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    USAFRETWIUSAFRETWI Posts: 464 ✭✭✭
    I'll add pics tonight, it is a MS-63 Barber Half sold for 200.00 under PCGS price. Auction states return postage paid by buyer. I again have no problem paying for that either.....but it's the tone of the email. Over 1000 transactions. Think I've had less than 10 returns. Oh well.

    Ken
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    OPAOPA Posts: 17,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Must be one of those "dreck" coins in a slab.image
    "Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
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    MeltdownMeltdown Posts: 9,247 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'll add pics tonight, it is a MS-63 Barber Half sold for 200.00 under PCGS price. Auction states return postage paid by buyer. I again have no problem paying for that either.....but it's the tone of the email. Over 1000 transactions. Think I've had less than 10 returns. Oh well.

    Ken >>



    It does seem like a smug response and I can see you being rubbed the wrong way. I'd write him back with exactly what you've stated here and block him from further transactions.
    I can't see you getting neg'd over this but it does seem unfortunate. He should have seen the issues with large photo's and the zoom feature.
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    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,530 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Who was this buyer? I'm sure more than a few eBay sellers reading this thread will want to block this guy.

    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

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    erickso1erickso1 Posts: 1,706 ✭✭✭
    Boy, that's a toughie. A lot of unpleasant scenarios, especially with him calling into question your judgement/grading abilities. Probably the only solution would be to refund his money, but not the return shipping charges. Per his email, details need to be listed in the auction, and return shipping by buyer is expressly stated in the auction. Then I guess cross your fingers and hope he doesn't neg.

    Nick

    image
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    USAFRETWIUSAFRETWI Posts: 464 ✭✭✭
    I'll out him when the transaction is complete...... he has 99% feedback and some of his replies to his negs are pretty colorful image
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    LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Make the full refund and block.

    It's too bad that all those professional graders were never hired by the grading services. In reality he's probably teed because the coin was not good enough to upgrade like he hoped.

    BTW would you please PM me his eBay ID so I can put him on my list.

    image
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    johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 32,381 ✭✭✭✭✭
    make a refund and block the person forever and a day. no harm done really
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    BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,790 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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

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    BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,790 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looking at the pictures, the way they are lit and taken, I probably wouldn't have seen the scratch in the head either.....I only found it because I was really looking to see what the buyer was commenting on. Looks pretty long as well. I can understand how, if it is really visible inhand, one wouldn't want to have it in their collection, imho.

    The bag marks on the neck and cheek that are called out by the buyer aren't as easily seen, by me at least, in the pic. Maybe inhand?

    For the description, you actually did put something in: "Nice higher-grade Barber Half, forget the price guides, no international shipping."

    With the scratch and neck bag marks and on the cheek, going by what the buyer has written, not sure I would have written "nice higher grade". I probably would have said something more like "has the look of a higher grade coin but some bag marks that keep it at this grade".

    I think the buyer went a bit out of line in their response once they received it, and you do have a 7 day return, so they should have left it at that. They could have, politely, asked for a refund on their return shipping and, if questioned, given the above reasons, but I still think they went a bit off in their reply.

    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

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    PinkFloydPinkFloyd Posts: 1,762
    If this is the coin in question: The pics are typical for the slabbed coins I've seen on the bay. You didn't really make any big claims. As a buyer, I don't read much into claims anyway if there are pictures and a grade from a TPG like PCGS. But he might be able to claim something by the "high-grade" wording.

    His message was definitely out of line. However, he looks like someone who might not be easily pleased...I would refund including return shipping. Then block and out here.

    I will be curious to read whether other folks here would choose to refund or not refund shipping.
    Successful transactions with keepdachange, tizofthe, adriana, wondercoin
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    TomBTomB Posts: 22,974 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The note from the buyer was a little more aggressive than I would have liked to have seen, but I doubt you will get a neg on the sale.
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
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    nencoinnencoin Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭✭
    Looking forward to his eBay id so we can block him.
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    renomedphysrenomedphys Posts: 3,941 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>How would you handle this Ebay buyer? >>


    How about with a very long pair of oversized tongs.
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Is that message the first contact from the buyer? Or, is it a response to a message you sent after an initial contact from the buyer? If so, what was your initial contact?

    Russ, NCNE
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    USAFRETWIUSAFRETWI Posts: 464 ✭✭✭
    Russ, thats the first message from the buyer.....

    Ken
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    If it is the coin Bochiman linked, your images are inadequate without a more detailed description of the coin. There is nothing wrong with relying on the images to tell the tale, but they need to be much larger and much clearer than those you provided.

    Russ, NCNE
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Russ, thats the first message from the buyer.....

    Ken >>



    Okay. I'm curious about the "appreciation for the break in price" line. Was this a best offer sale?

    Russ, NCNE
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Oh, and I agree with Tom. I don't see a neg coming out of this. This is probably a buyer who has adopted a stern tone because of past negative experiences with other sellers.

    Russ, NCNE
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    messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,742 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If your auction states return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer and he's demanding that you cover it, could that not be seen as feedback extortion?
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>If your auction states return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer and he's demanding that you cover it, could that not be seen as feedback extortion? >>



    Only if the buyer explicitly states that they will leave a negative if the seller doesn't pay return shipping.

    Russ, NCNE
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    USAFRETWIUSAFRETWI Posts: 464 ✭✭✭
    I had it listed for 995.00 or Best Offer and agreed to go 895.00 and then he used MR rebates or something to get it cheaper.
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    USAFRETWIUSAFRETWI Posts: 464 ✭✭✭
    Russ, When I refund him if I pay the return shipping as he requests and he leaves a neg anyway do I have any recourse to get it removed?

    Ken
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Russ, When I refund him if I pay the return shipping as he requests and he leaves a neg anyway do I have any recourse to get it removed?

    Ken >>



    Nope. He has to come right out and state that you'll get a neg if you don't pay the return shipping.

    Russ, NCNE
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    lcoopielcoopie Posts: 8,875 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "If you are not happy with the coin, please return it. I want all my customers to be happy with their purchases."
    Sincerely
    ....

    LCoopie = Les
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    MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 39,461 ✭✭✭✭✭
    those are fair pics for any eBay auction, however for lower grade coins even fair pictures can sometimes hide what makes them low in grade.

    maybe it is MS63 and not MS60, but it's hard to tell from the photos. What is clear in the photo is the PCGS grade. One has to expect plenty of marks on a 63, which puzzles me why the guy mentioned them as if he were surprised that coin had any (???). And that brings me back to the photos. Perhaps what he didn't see in the photos had his hopes up.

    Let him slide, be nice to him, show your sympathies that he didn't get what he expected and be aware that how you respond RE: MS60 vs. MS63 may get put into feedback, as it seems this guy is calling you out for selling an (what he is sure to be) over graded coin (I can't tell from those pictures). I do think you need to address the 60 vs 63 issue when you issue a refund. Be clear that you have no problems with the refund, tho.

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
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    USAFRETWIUSAFRETWI Posts: 464 ✭✭✭
    I sent him a email saying I was sorry he didnt like the coin and as soon as it arrived I would refund. Then I get this...... Now your questioning my integrity??????? I don't try to screw anyone........I just returned a raw 93-S myself to someone on Ebay and told him I would pay his initial shipping costs to make it right......

    Hi Ken- thanks for the reply. It's in the mail as I type this. I do want to stress that just becasuse it was in a PCGS holder, it doesn't relieve a professional dealer such as yourself of the responsibility of describing the coin when it is as obvious as this one that it is grossly overgraded. I have been a collector for 47 years and was taught by 'old school' dealers who were very knowledgeable, dealers very much like David Bowers, Richard Nachbar and Julian Liedman, dealers who would be vocal about such practices. Without meaning to get personal, I think too many of today's dealers have lost what those old-time dealers had- integrity. You can make this right by reimbursing my return postage and insurance costs and describing it properly if you relist it. Thank you for hearing me out Ken. Have a nice day...

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    CoinlearnerCoinlearner Posts: 2,579 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Handle Buyer?.........Would be as nice as possible ,refund all costs,keep messages short and to the point. Would not get into a conversation with buyer, just the facts, totally business......Then Block him.
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    BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,790 ✭✭✭✭✭
    So, any other update today?

    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

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    telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,966 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That email would definitely rub me the wrong way as well... but he wants a refund and he's doing so within your posted 7 day timeframe. It would be counterproductive to get into a dialogue with this guy. Bite your tongue, tell him to return it, refund him (after making sure you're getting the same coin back), and if/when you relist use better pics and a thorough description. And block this jerk.
    Good Luck.

    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
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    MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 39,461 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Interesting reply.


    I figured he was calling you out on the 60 v 63 thing. It's hard to say what to do. I'd be careful relisting, though!


    I must say, while I call the pictures fair, that is only in relation to what I've seen on other auctions. They definitely are not good enough to tell that coin is even a 63. "Good pictures" would show the hits and marks.


    Since this is a grade and description and picture issue going forward, I don't have enough expreience to advise you from here. I'll let the hard core eBay sellers advise you how to handle that whole 60 v 63 thing and relisting.


    Yikes. Potentially ugly.
    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
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    If the buyer is not comfortable with PCGS slabs, perhaps he should not buy them. The seller had it independently graded. If the buyer does not like the grading style of the chosen company, he should look elsewhere. Seller, in my opinion, did nothing wrong.
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    USAFRETWIUSAFRETWI Posts: 464 ✭✭✭
    This guy is the biggest jerk in my 12 years on ebay, I refunded the coin plus his return shipping. His response after I asked him about the claim to get my fees back:

    Did you see the scratch and all the bag marks that I mentioned? Now that you have it in hand, do you agree it is a bare MS60, 61 at best? It is shameful what PCGS will grade some coins, it looks like rank amateurs graded this piece, and it should have been described regardless of the grade on the insert. As for the claim- please waste your own time, I think you've wasted enough of mine on this one already. I'll sign off on it when I see it. Thank you...

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    LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I really think this guy is just trying to make it so that he gets his rebate bucks back into his PayPal account rather than having to buy something to claim them.

    And he really needs to look at more MS63 coins so he can learn how to grade.

    Put in the claim for the fee refund and keep us informed about what happens.
    image

    BTW in case he looks in here is a MS63 that I feel he needs to see.
    image
    Lets see not the sharpest strike plenty of bag marks and handling marks that look like scratches and still makes 63 in any bodys holder.Used this one as I just imaged it today.
    image
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    drwstr123drwstr123 Posts: 7,053 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>This guy is the biggest jerk in my 12 years on ebay, I refunded the coin plus his return shipping. His response after I asked him about the claim to get my fees back:

    Did you see the scratch and all the bag marks that I mentioned? Now that you have it in hand, do you agree it is a bare MS60, 61 at best? It is shameful what PCGS will grade some coins, it looks like rank amateurs graded this piece, and it should have been described regardless of the grade on the insert. As for the claim- please waste your own time, I think you've wasted enough of mine on this one already. I'll sign off on it when I see it. Thank you... >>


    Who is this pompous sot???
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    USAFRETWIUSAFRETWI Posts: 464 ✭✭✭
    idonails95

    He did close the case now, got me fees back. Didn't leave feedback. Once case is closed can he still leave feedback?

    Ken
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    USAFRETWIUSAFRETWI Posts: 464 ✭✭✭
    Here is the coin in question, on the obverse to the left of Liberty's head is a scratch on th slab. The cloudiness on the top of her head is on the slab. There is a scratch running to the left of her eye.

    image

    image



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    WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    I just love buyers that tell sellers how they should run their business.

    IMO all you should have done was reply 1x to him. "Yes I'll refund you."

    I'd not worry about a negative.

    Even with the case closed he can still leave feedback.



    Good for you.
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    WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Anyone check this guy out on toolhaus?


    14 Negative
    5 Neutral
    4 Withdrawn (4 removed by eBay)
    23 Total


    Good for you.
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    LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I see no problem with the grading of your coin Ken.
    Adding him to the list now.
    image
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>idonails95

    He did close the case now, got me fees back. Didn't leave feedback. Once case is closed can he still leave feedback?

    Ken >>



    Yes.

    Russ, NCNE
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    USAFRETWIUSAFRETWI Posts: 464 ✭✭✭
    Look at his feedback on toolhaus he left for others.......I didnt argue at all with him, said I was sorry he wasn't happy with it and to return it. I would pay as soon as it arrived which I did...plus return shipping.
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    pakasmompakasmom Posts: 1,920
    I hope he leaves you alone. You certainly don't deserve a neg, especially after paying for the return shipping!

    I-do-nails. What a tool...
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    Wow, what a know-it-all, condescending jerk.

    Your coin looks fine as a 63 to me.

    You went above and beyond by refunding postage too. Probably best, though.
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    GrumpyEdGrumpyEd Posts: 4,749 ✭✭✭
    What a pain over nothing.

    I wonder how he reacts when he gets a truly bad deal. image
    Ed
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    darktonedarktone Posts: 8,437 ✭✭✭
    That clown doesn't know what he's looking at. Your coin has original skin and got the grade because of it. Let him buy all the cleaned dreck that looks flashy and gets into a slab. He will probably never know he passed on a good one.
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    leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,542 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Here is the coin in question, on the obverse to the left of Liberty's head is a scratch on th slab. The cloudiness on the top of her head is on the slab. There is a scratch running to the left of her eye.

    image

    image >>



    And all the way up into the cap!


    Leo

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

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    19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,503 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I just love buyers that tell sellers how they should run their business.

    IMO all you should have done was reply 1x to him. "Yes I'll refund you."

    I'd not worry about a negative.

    Even with the case closed he can still leave feedback. >>

    I can't stand buyers who think they know it all and then lay it all back on the sellers.

    "There is a scratch through the top of Liberty's head"
    Obviously PCGS didn't think so. Is it really a scratch or possible a planchet flaw? Perhaps a pressure mark from another coin?

    "multiple bag marks on the neck and cheek,"
    It's a freeking MS63! SHeesh!

    "and it has obviously been dipped and improperly rinsed, retoning in the holder."
    Pure judgement call based upon what the buyer thinks he see's. PCGS obviously didn't think so and no attempt to be passing out koolaide but this "dipped, improperly rinsed and retoned argument is just so friggin WEAK!

    USAFRETWI: Are you really a professionasl or just an eBay seller? I'm thinking eBay seller.

    "This was abviously one of those 'favors' that PCGS is famous for, but in my humble but very experienced opinion, it is nothing more than a nice looking MS60, period. "
    What a dolt.

    This dude needs to quit shopping on eBay since its obvious he has anger issues with PCGS!

    Refund him his BO Price and ket him suck up his own return shipping charges. If he negs you, do what you can to get it removed but IMO this buyer is a name dropping arrogant LOSER who deserves to be blocked.
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!

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