Aloha. I have decided that I will start buying from Heritage Auctions again and accept that I ate bad eggs the first time I bought from them. I still wonder if they examine the coins before they put them up for grabs. Can anyone post their experiences with Heritage? Like any problem coins you have received? Thanks!
I don't know if they look at them closely or not. They really have no reason to. Read the terms of sale! You will find in there that certified coins are not returnable for any reason. If you have a problem with a certified coin it is between you and the TPG. (While this IS in their terms of sale they will still sometimes allow a return.) If you want to make a return you have to request permission in writing within three days and get approval. Coins removed from the holders are not returnable. Coins that have been inspected in person at the lot viewing are not returnable. They tell you up front that it is an auction not an approval sale. For the most part if you buy a coin at auction it is yours! And this isn't just Heritage, ALL of the major auction houses have similar terms of sale.
I have only gotten a few pieces from HA and my dealings with them went on without a hitch. IMHO, of the auction sites in action, HA probably has the best pictures.
Yes, most of their sales may be retured, although signsature auctions will present a problem. see "Terms and Conditions" under each auction.
To clarify -- "No certified material may be returned because of possible differences of opinion with respect to the grade offered by any thirdparty organization, dealer, or service. No guarantee of grade is offered for uncertified Property sold and subsequently submitted to a third-party grading service." The comment about requests for returns needing to be in writing has to do with gross cataloger error; we try to be perfect, but every once in a while something slips through. For other items, there is a 3 day return privilege after your receipt of the lot, unless you or your Agent bid on the lot in person or personally inspected the lots.
