Got some things from the mint, very disappointed

I have to say, I'm not happy at all with my recent order from the mint. I ordered a bunch of things because I was waiting for the buffalos, and I saved a ton on shipping

I'll start with the Buffalos. One was beautiful, the other seemed to be damaged... It's hard to tell, but it's either a dent on the edge or some kind of grease. So looks like I'll be returning it....I dare not open the lens. Either way, I shouldn't have to keep it...

Then I also received the LP3, LP4 and LP5 rolls. Every set had a problem. The coins showing on each end were spotted. Also, 5 of the six rolls were heads/heads or tails/tails! Is it unreasonable for me to expect heads/tails rolls and no spots at 8.95 a roll?!! Have any of you experienced this? Am I just lucky with my LP1 and LP2 rolls?

Then I got two silver America the Beautiful quarter proof sets. One set is ok, but has quite a bit of cardboard fibers in it, the coins are pristine though. The
other set is the same, but the Mount Hood quarter is turned at a 90 degree angle, it just smacks you in the face when you look at the set!

Then two 2009 mint sets. These aren't so bad but one cent in each set is on about a 20 degree angle. I can live with that, but after having all these other problems and having spent so much money, I think I'm even more sensitive to this clearly careless work!

Lastly, I purchased two 2009 silver proof sets. From what I can see there are no issues! Finally!!!

That being said, are these common problems? Do I have enough of a gripe to be able to exchange all of these without additional cost to me? I'm certain I'll be ok with exchanging the buffalo, it's definitely damaged.

It love to hear other experiences with these types of things.

 

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Don't sweat the small stuff. Send the Buffalo-a-packin' and keep the rest.

 

Take a pic of the buf. Would be interesting if another CT'er gets it in the mail.

 

You're being too picky. Return the Buffalo for an exchange since it will always bother you if you don't. The Lincoln's are rolled by a machine and there is no guarantee how the end coins will be positioned. You just have to accept that or stop buying rolls of any kind. The fibers in the lenses are a common occurrence from the holes being cut. If the Mt. Hood AtB bothers you, send it back for an exchange, too.

Chris

 

Yeah, I think because I spent so much, and everything starting with the buffalo had some kind of "problem" I was being more picky than I normally would. Going to return the buffalo and the proof set for an exchange. I think going forward I may buy the rolls on eBay and just make sure I get heads/tails rolls by asking the questions first...

It would be a nice touch if they could sell the rolls head/tails though. Would make the premium seem more worth it...

 

you are dealing with the government... you expected what?..

 

Oh! and hear I always thought it was the GovernMINT :hammer: that was shucking product nearly devoid of Quality Control and who hired a fulfillment center that would sooner be shipping footballs than fine collectible products in need of care and crating for safe delivery.

 

Yep, although some of the new mint products are welcome after the old days of practically nothing, they could do a better job. It appears they have a bunch of new hires or over worked employees with all the new programs. Look at all the DD's in the state quarter and Lincoln cent series (well yeah, I welcome that poor quality work). Look at the poorly packed products and poorly designed coins, the list goes on and on. They've yet to come up to speed with their new mission, that of producing a complete line of collectables and being a profit center (although their profit is outrageous and takes advantage of the collector).

My worst experience was with the Franklin commem dollars, which sold out. My first return of five of each poor quality dollars, produced replacements that were even worse ( proof in my mind, they send out previous returns). When I returned the replacements, the mint lost my order. Thankfully, I insured them, so after about six months I received the insurance money. I was happier with the insurance money because none of the coins would have graded over 63 (and that’s probably a record low for a modern commem dollar).

 

I just received my Jane Pierce First Spouse coins from the Mint yesterday. I ordered two (2) of each (Unc/Proof). I order them on the first day specifically to avoid problems I've had in the past...of buying coins returned by others. That strategy has served me well...until yesterday.

The problem I usually encounter are with the Unc coins; they don't see to be handled with the same care as the Proofs. This time all my coins have "issues".

The first Proof coin had light abrasions on the cheek and chin...just enough to put a noticable sheen on the frosted device. My eye is drawn to it and it negatively affects the eye appeal of the coin.

The Second proof seems to have had a problem with the planchet. Instead of Jane Pierce's forehead being smooth, this one has a big bump that's quite noticable.

Those problem pale in comparison to the Uncs I received. They both have scratches in the Obverse field to the right of the bust (as you look at the coin). These scratches are very noticable...as though someone wiped them with a coarse rag.

However, I looked at both of them side-by-side tonight and I see the strangest thing...all the scratches on both coins are exactly the same! The only conclusion I can come to is that the damage is on the die itself and not PMD. If I can get the damage to show up on a photo, I'll post some pics.

I may just wait to see if there are some MS70/PF70 offered on eBay at reasonable prices. Buying directly from the Mint is becoming a dicey proposition. Moy says he emphasises "design excellence" when he should be emphasising "production excellence"...imho.

 

The miracle is that the mint can put out so many millions of near perfect coins every year. Amazing technology! We dont always get a PF70 when we go to the mailbox. Sometimes we get lucky.
Unfortunately the Mint is surely like much of American industry. They have to be pushed to the max much like the Treasury printing presses are. You've heard how 'worker productivity" has been at an all time high for several years? That means mandatory overtime fulfilling unrealistic production goals and workers stressed out and always in fear of bankruptcy if they dont hang on to that crappy job. Even worse in the last couple years.
Thank goodness Im retired.

 

I have been lucky with the quality of the items received and have never had to send anything back. Send back the buffalo though. Way too expensive not to get the quality you deserve. TC

 

Yeah, I'm definitely going to exhange the buffalo and hope they don't send me another problem coin. I'm probably going to try to return the silver quaters proof set as well. That sideways quarter is annoying the hell out of me.. Hahahah

 

I don't think your being picky. If a person orders a mint or proof set one expects all the coins within to be in the correct alignment not floating around. The mint is like everything else these days, its about how fast they can shove them out there doors into collectors hands. Don't be surprised if your replacements are worse than what you have now...

 

Sucks, quality has gone down. Maybe they are secretly being made in China.

 

So open the set and straighten the quarter.

 

My exact feeling. The lenses are not sealed and while you're at it, you could get an ear syringe and blow them pesky cardboard fibers out of it!

As for the heads/tails Lincoln rolls...........you are aware that these are not hand rolled?

If you are not then know it now. The US Mint coin rolls are not hand rolled but machine rolled. It's a flip of the coin on whether or not a roll gets a heads/tails which is why most roll dealers only buy heads/tails rolls for resale. Some of the end coins also receive roller damage due to the tightness of the rolls.

For the Lincoln cents, spotting is an issue and always has been which is what delayed the cents release.

However, if you insist, the US Mint has a nice return policy. Simply return what you don't like within 7 days of receipt and indicate on the supplied return form whether or not you want a refund or replacement. They even provide a return shipping label on each packing slip.

 

Do you believe the quarter was an error in handling, or perhaps a mistake in the minting? I know I read at least one report of a possible error in the set. http://numismaster.com/ta/numis/Article.jsp?ad=article&ArticleId=11334

 

These sets are packaged by machines which accounts for the commonality of some coin placements.

 

So, I spoke to the Mint, and sent back the Buffalo. Fingers crossed, I hope I get a flawless coin in return.

I have to say, the customer service person was very considerate, knowledgable and much more helpful than I could have imagined. I felt as if I was dealing with a private company. It was not what I would have expected from a government agency.

When I get a problem free coin back, and I am refunded for the return postage and insurance, I think my faith in the Mint may be restored....

 

That is actually a post I brought up a week or two ago! I was quite disappointed in the Hot Springs quarter. I felt they could have given that a mirror finish. IMHO I feel it detracts from the set....