One of the coins I got today was perfect, but the flip reeked of shower curtain, meaning it contains PVC. I want to inform the seller of this, but on the other hand I don't want to come off as a know-it-all. So should I keep quiet?
I think a lot of the bulk sellers use PVC flips for shipping out coins. You *could* tell them. They'll say "thank you" and do what they've always done. Most dealers view PVC flips as "they're okay for short term (shipping) purposes, but not long-term storage," so it'll be tough to convince them to increase the cost of the flips by 15-30% when they assume they'll be thrown away. Also, you missed both questions/comments about whether the coin was from eBay.
It has never stopped you before. I know that you're heart is in the right place with this, but you really have to stop looking for faults in everything. You claim that the "coin is perfect", so just be happy that (in your opinion) things worked out well this time. Unless your coins shows any evidence of having been in the flip long-term, the seller is likely using them because of - as others have already mentioned - the fact that they are comparatively inexpensive, so don't assume he is in need of the education. Also, if the coin was very low-dollar, even with good intentions, this would probably come off as a petty complaint, so it may be wise to just leave well enough alone.
Coming up on "Tales from the Detecto Crypt".. It's "seller doesn't contact Tim back on PVC, the seller must be a crook!"
No - because the seller won't care and neither do I. Just toss them like I do and put it in a new flip.
that depends on whether or not you want to buy anything from that seller again. if you complain to a seller, then that seller will probably put you on his do not sell to list.
How do you now what flips contain PVC? The ones I use are from the lcs and cost like 4 cents each. They are cardboard 2x2s.
I believe there is no danger of that happening. With that said, I order coins from an on-line retailer. He ships all his coins in plastic flips. I have never taken the time to smell those flips. My shower has a sliding glass door. I always remove the coins from those flips simply because I prefer cardboard 2x2s. It is simply easier to store, whether in a box or binder pages. I also don't like the flips because each one has a large sticker with the retailer's name in addition to the identity of the coin. Like others have said, PVC is bad for long-term storage, but is harmless in the short term, such as shipping to a buyer. What I see here is you got a good deal, coin as described, yet you find something to pick on anyway.
For the record major auction houses such as Stacks and Heritage send coins out in PVC flips and tell you explicitly to remove them from the flips and put them into non-PVC holders. The first order of business is to remove the coin from the auction house flip when I receive them.
