Status of Vcoins seller?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by ValiantKnight, Aug 18, 2019.

  1. ValiantKnight

    ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

    Has anyone bought anything from/been in contact recently with the owner of Traianvs Coins? I’ve sent an email a week ago and the another one a few days later regarding a coin I’m interested in, but he still has not responded. I don’t see any notice on his Vcoins page saying he’s on a trip or anything. I totally understand if he is sick or something (hopefully not); just would like to know if he’s still available right now and shipping coins/taking inquiries. Thanks.
     
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  3. ValiantKnight

    ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

    Bump in case anyone missed this.
     
  4. TTerrier

    TTerrier Well-Known Member

    I bought something in the last week of July - it took about 10 days until it got shipped but its on its way now with a tracking number.
     
  5. Kiaora

    Kiaora Active Member

    I paid for a coin on 15 July, and received advice it was shipped on 5 August. Coin still in transit according to the tracking information. Fingers crossed it arrives soon. I initially sent some direct emails about the coin to which I did not receive any replies
     
  6. ValiantKnight

    ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

    Thanks @TTerrier and @Kiaora . If I do buy the coin I want, I’m worried that they might just forget to ship it since they are taking a long time just to ship stuff. I’ll have to think about this. Thanks again.
     
  7. CTL

    CTL Member

    Has anybody had any issues with agora auctions? I recently won several coins and paid the invoice immediately. It’s been almost 3 weeks and I haven’t gotten any updates about shipping. I emailed them last week and still no response.
     
  8. Bob L.

    Bob L. Well-Known Member

    Sadly, yes...several. And, in my experience, they never reply to inquiries submitted on their online form. To get any action on my long delayed shipments over several auctions, I needed to write to Matthew Richter (matt@agoraauctions.com). Multiple prior emails to Alfred had gone unanswered. I could say more - but I will keep things objective here - just the facts.
     
  9. CTL

    CTL Member

    I see. Thanks for the heads up. They are the first auction house I have used and it is very disappointing.
     
  10. Nathan401

    Nathan401 Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    No problems here. I’ve had several Agora wins, all small purchases.
     
  11. ValiantKnight

    ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

    Sorry to hear about this. Not a paid spokesperson or anything for them, but I can vouch for Roma Numismatics. This year was my first time using an auction house as well, and it was a pleasant experience with them.
     
    Orfew likes this.
  12. Nvb

    Nvb Well-Known Member

    I can't help with the OP's seller but I'm in the same situation with Agora Auctions, it's been 2 weeks with no response.
    I guess we do need to understand that these are small businesses, often run by a single operator and at times life just happens, people get sick etc etc. I try to give the benefit of the doubt and not jump to conclusions.
    @ValiantKnight I hope you get your coin in the end.
     
  13. CTL

    CTL Member

    Agreed. I’m hoping this is just a random slip up. I was really excited about their coins (actually have my eye on some stuff in there current auction). Just seems less than ideal to move on to the next auction before completing the prior. Anyway, hopefully the coins will be sent soon.
     
  14. CTL

    CTL Member

    Tha makes for the recommendation. I’ll definitely check them out.
     
  15. Nvb

    Nvb Well-Known Member

    I did speak with Alfred of Agora and he alluded to being not well at the time, and last week his email auto-responded as on vacation Aug 5-12th.
    This probably explains the delays you and I are experiencing.
     
  16. Nathan401

    Nathan401 Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    I’d be extremely surprised if you didn’t get your coin(s). From what I’m told, some auction houses have very long shipping delays. Especially if shipping out of the country.
     
  17. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    I am not at all surprised by the difficulties a variety of posters here have had with Agora. You may read about my bad experience in this thread in which Bing tells about his bad experience with them.
     
  18. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Sorry to hear that Agora ended up being your first auction house experience. I participated and won coins in about ten Agora auctions between 2014-2017, and unfortunately, my experience with them echoes Bob's, Roman Collector's and others'. Ultimately, the repeated delays and bewilderingly blase attitude towards customer service/communication just ended up being too frustrating for me. As a result, they're one of just two auction houses that I no longer patronize. On the other end of the spectrum, there is no lack of auction houses in both North America (CNG, Triskeles, AMCC, Frank Robinson),and UK/Europe (Nomos, Leu, Naville) that are able to offer great coins as well as good, if not excellent, service. I hope you won't let this experience discourage you.
     
  19. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    I've dealt with them many times and had many successful experiences, but alas, I, too, have also had some problems. I think that Agora sometimes fulfills their auctions themselves but other times are just the storefront for independent collectors, so that you send your money to Agora, but the coins are shipped by the original owner. Why anyone would want their professional reputation dependent on the actions of other people is beyond me, but the result it that it can take a long time to resolve issues, if at all. A couple of times I have gotten a response along the lines of "Sorry about the problem. I will pass your comments on to the owner," and that was the end of it. No resolution.

    On the plus side, they are more trustworthy and reliable than many of the sellers on eBay, and their coins tend to sell for less than they do at other auction services like CNG or Roma. (Both of which are outstanding and worth the somewhat higher closing prices, in my opinion.)
     
    Roman Collector likes this.
  20. Andrew McCabe

    Andrew McCabe Well-Known Member

    You realise that all of Europe is on vacation for all of August? Seller is from Spain which has a five week minimum vacation, and doubtless many take more. He probably shut down his lap top two weeks ago and will reboot it in a week or two. Expect same from France and other countries. Perhaps he will check his email occasionally but he may be in a holiday home with no internet for prolonged periods. Just saying, manage expectations when chasing European dealers in August. Some have website notices. Some assume you will kinda realise that its August
     
  21. BenSi

    BenSi Well-Known Member

    Sadly my experience as well. I have two coins paid for a never received. Alfred said great things publicly on this board but privately via email no response.
    I thought I was the only one that had issues with them, I see now I am not.
     
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