What would be the right thing to do...

Hey all,

Recently I sold one of my Morgans for about 20 dollars, buyer sent check, and today I get a message saying that there was a slit in the envelope and that the coin fell out. I check these kinds of things thoroughly and I don't believe the buyer. It was in a nice envelope, not one of the cheap flimsy ones, and a hole just doesn't appear. If a postal worker were to take it, wouldn't they take the whole envelope? Should I send the check back? I am really doubting the authenticity of his claims.

Thanks,

CoinBreaux

 

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Did you send the coin with any protection? Padding, bubble wrap, paper?
You need to put the coin inside some kind of protection.

As to the claim that the coin was missing that's a tough one. Sucks

No way to prove that the Mail carrier took it but there have been cases involving stolen coins by dishonest postal workers.

 

If it were me I would send the money back. Especially if you sold it on Ebay. Not worth the risk of a negative feedback.

 

It wasn't on eBay. @paddyman98 , the coin was in a slip tapped closed.

 

If it was me I would say that I will be happy to look into it with the postal inspectors and ask him to send you a copy of the police reports he filed about it.

It is possible it could have happened though highly unlikely. I am always speltical of claims like this since there is no way to verify and would never use cheap packaging to send something. I would wait for a reposnse for requests for a copy of postal inspector reports. Generally scammers get very quiet when you ask for those

 

That's what I was planning on doing. Some scammers won't go all the way through a process like that.

 

@CoinBreaux exactly and at that point they're committing a felony if they file a fake report. I wouldn't ever refund for something like that without a report though

 

Luckily, at the very worst you would only be out $20 and a boatload of annoyance. Good luck!

 

If you bought something from Amazon in an envelope, and the envelope arrived empty, you'd go through the roof if they didn't refund you immediately. You'd file a BBB complaint. You paid for the product and it's their responsibility to get that product to you, plain and simple.

I'm always amazed when people think that changes when they're the seller.

 

True. But if you bought something from Amazon in an envelope, and the envelope arrived full, and you emptied it and claimed it arrived empty, you'd be a dirty scamming thief, trying to get the item for free, plain and simple. That's the issue here - the OP is asking a valid question of what to do when they greatly suspect this situation.

 

The thing is I KNOW I put it in the envelope. Sure, Amazon is a huge company and make mistakes, but comparing it to a guy who sells 5-10 coins a year is absured. This is far from my fault. The seller doesn't even claim he didn't receive it, just that there was a rip in it. If there was a rip wouldn't USPS check it out? I asked for advice not a snooty remark.

 

I have spent a lifetime in retail. You obviously haven't. In retail, we know that 80% of such claims are "dirty scamming thieves." That's the reality of the buying public. Welcome to reality.

You're still the seller. You're still responsible, whether you're being ripped off or not. And yes, you're being ripped off.

Count your blessings. I lose a thousand dollars a week to theft, where I work.

 

I know what you mean, it is a real pain in the butt. I do work some in retail, but not directly. I am happy that it is just 20 dollars, sucks that you get stole from. If the buyer goes through with the claim I may call what ever branch delivers to that area and ask to talk to the manager.

 

UPDATE: After asking the buyer to file a complait and create a police report he abruptly let me keep the money. Thanks @baseball21

 

@CoinBreaux glad to hear it worked out for you.

 

Glad it worked out, but I just wanted to point out that I'd rather let someone keep $20 than try to fill out a police report because I don't have time for that. Just because he said you can keep the money, doesn't mean he's a thief or a liar. I've had things I've shipped to family get ripped open and stolen through the post; it happens, though likely not as often.

 

I realized that, but regardless I still offered him a "coupon" to the things I sell on that site. The main reason I didn't believe him was because I added a bonus wheat cent in there and he said thanks for the wheatie, but then claimed the Morgan wasn't there.

 

Tell your buyer that you will be happy to return the check and apologize for any inconvenience. Then state that first, he needs to contact a Postal Inspector in his area to report the theft. After he has done so, you will need a copy of their report and your mailing envelope returned to you. Once you receive it, you will also offer to not only return his check but you will pay him for the postage to return the report and envelope back to you. If he is dishonest this should be enough to make him cancel his request. If he argues with you, tell him it will be more difficult but you will contact a Postal Inspector in your area and file the report.

For a small item like that it is easier to take the entire package but then if it's in the employee's possession, it's difficult to explain as the employee's name is not on the package. Some are willing to take the chance and others just want the item. Theft is harder to prove and the employee did the right thing by delivering the package with the contents missing.

 

Just curious because I'm new at this but why wouldn't the coin be sent registered mail so that way the seller knows that the buyer received the coin because they have to sign for it I know there's an extra expense but one of them should pay it just my thought

 

Didn't think it was worth it for a coin only worth 20 dollars.