What would you do in my shoes?

Background: I won a bid on Germany's eBay for 8 silver nickels and 4 buffalo nickels. One silver coin was described as uncirculated and the others were listed as in "great shape." Now, I knew none of the silver coins were uncirculated, but I was bidding on the coins because they were silver. I ended up spending 4.50 euros (about $5) on the coins and received them in the mail. The problem? They were all taped. I messaged the seller and asked him how he could call a coin uncirculated and then tape it and he basically told me he doesn't have time for me since I received the coins.

The question I have: would you give neutral or negative feedback or just let it pass because it was a cheap purchase? Personally, I'm of the impression that all customers should be treated well regardless of price of coins sold, but I want to hear from you guys/gals.

Here is the link: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Verschiedene...fxvWOUgPQcWHyWHJndGAk%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
And photo:

 

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What would I do in your shoes? Wince, unless you have really big feet.

In this case? I don't usually blow my top when I get taped coins -- first, it's easy to remove any persistent stickum with acetone, and second, it's a lot better than having them loose in an envelope. I do sometimes send a polite note back to the seller pointing out that it's not a good idea to tape coins, especially if they're in nice condition.

I don't think it's worth negative or even neutral feedback.

 

Give a negative. For comments say "I don't have time to leave positive feedback".

 

Neutral or positive. Was the packaging method of the shipment discussed ahead of time or just an assumption on shipping practices, and afterwards, disagreement?

Did you receive what was in the actual auction?

Doesn't sound like they failed on their end. Just weren't trying to have a debate on the subject.

 

on a related note the label heritage puts on their coins overlapped the CAC sticker on a coin I just got Monday. Taking off their label pulled off the portion of the CAC sticker that was overlapped along with it. Wasn't thrilled about that and assumed a company selling so many slabbed coins would know better.

Still love Heritage tho

For OP's situation for such a small sale I would just let it go. I'd leave positive feedback and maybe make a note about the tape in the feedback comment.

 

Jeff, I had a similar experience, I purchased a lot of 2 silver dollars, 1 morgan (unc) and a peace$ (circulated), got them at a pretty reasonable price as well. I could see the seller was fairly new only had a dozen or so sells. Long story short, got the coins in the mail in a padded envelope. While walking from the mail box I could hear them banging together Opened the envelope and both coins in the same baggy. I pondered on giving them negative feedback but didn't. Actually gave them positive with a tip, "Tip, package coins separate to min damage and you'll keep your pos FB",

 

There's your answer, Seattlite... you bid for the stated reason and got exactly what you paid/bargained for, so going back after the fact to complain about or punish for something that was a non-issue at the time of purchase would be an unfortunate display of pettiness on your part. Don't lower yourself.

That said, if you'd like to make note of the poor customer service shown in his response, it would be most understandable, but again, no negative or neutral feedback is warranted by your own admission.

 

My two cents:

The coins shown in the photos were not even close to uncirculated, nor in great shape, so the seller either doesn't know how to properly describe their items or doesn't care.

You did receive the coins in the photos, so the seller did send the right item in a timely manner.

Seller taped the coins for shipment, which would be an issue if any of the coins would be more valuable based on condition. In their current state, the taping didn't really devalue your coins in any meaningful way. However, anyone selling coins on a regular basis should know not to tape coins...but then, I've seen plenty of local coin shop owners put their big 'ol thumbprints on an UNC coin I was trying to buy from them. So, either the seller doesn't know better or doesn't care.

We can't see the seller's full reply to you, so it's difficult to tell if their response was indifferent, hostile, etc, or if that was merely your reaction to it (which might have been tempered by your annoyance with the taping of the coins.) If it's like you said, they don't care.

I would personally only give a negative in a situation where someone really deserved it. In this case, I don't think the seller really went out of their way to be awful...but was ignorant. Long story short, you did receive the coins shown in the seller's pictures, and you weren't caused any significant damages to the value of the coins, so I'd leave a positive feedback - but knock them on the DSR (detailed seller ratings) as you see fit. I might also mention the other issues (the taping and rudeness) in the text portion of your feedback. First, I might try contacting the seller to say something to the effect of:

"I don't mean to be a pain, and I have already left you a qualified positive feedback for this purchase, but in the future, applying tape to a coin damages the surface. It would be in your best interests if you plan to continue selling coins to amend this habit before it ruins a valuable coin and you are held accountable for it by another buyer."

Of course, this is all up to you. If you leave a negative, chances are you will be blocked and might not get a chance to bid on other lots from this seller. JMHO. As primarily an eBay seller, when someone approaches me in a calm and reasonable manner, I am much, much more likely to respond in a friendly way. If someone starts right off the bat ranting at me, "yelling" in all caps, or accusing me of tricking them or trying to cheat them...hoo boy...that person is getting exactly what my stated policies state and no more.

When I was just starting out, I used to put a 2x2 straight into the sticky-backed hobby foam (for protection) - but it ended up sticking to the cardboard 2x2 (of COURSE it did, what was I thinking?) Someone politely notified me of what was happening, and I made an immediate change to that practice.

 

I would probably leave neutral. His comment is pushing a negative though. At the very least, hit him pretty hard on DSR shipping, and item description. I've received Unc GOLD COINS shipped like that. Blows my mind.

 

Just because of his "I don't have time" comment--

a neg, and as

said, you don't have time for a positive.

 

Just Neutral.. maybe the seller thought they would sell for more and is just a bit sour about the final bid

 

I could play this either way a neutral or negative feed back.... the attitude in itself is a neutral, here's why....you're the customer you deserve quality and respect for the money spent.
Also knowing you.....as a friend, my judgment is that you are a cool temper ,and would rather settle this in a mature fashion as any gentleman would.
But ...a neutral with an explanation of why is my thoughts.
In all my years of retail,as well as the wholesale side of the food industry I can tell you that even when a customer is 100% wrong they are right....not always lol but no matter what they deserve to be heard and respect.

 

Give neutral and refer to seller's negative reaction in the comment. People do look specifically at the neutrals. For the detailed ratings give what you think appropriate for the details.

 

Here is the thing though, you got a pretty good deal even with postage from Germany. None of the coins were damaged, none are really uncirculated. I'd clean the coins with acetone to remove any glue from the tape and move on. The fact that the seller has 7 feedbacks says they don't seem to have a lot of experience with selling.

 

He is stationed in Germany

 

Wrong or right, the customer is always the customer.

 

Neutral with an explanation is sufficient. Stand tall and be the better person.

 

Or just give no feedback at all since a positive doesn't seem right.

 

I know what Fat Freddie's Cat would do in your shoes...

 

Negative for not hearing your voice, and opinion. Neutral for the coins and their packaging, and in all fairness 1 uncirculated coin taped to cardboard, the rest were in mediocre shape, not so great condition.