So Im just curious on this for a few reasons. I consider myself a pretty honest and straight shootin kinda guy when it cones to dealing with others. Now I see this 2 different ways. #1. Theres "cherry pickin" which is you using your skills and knowledge to aquire something more desireable than whats presented because they dont know better or dont care. Example, a 35 Buffalo nickel DDR maybe out of a junk bin. #2. You get something unexpected and are unsure if its a screwup or they dont know better. Example, a 1916 D mercury where you ordered a 1916. What is considered the right thing to do? What Ive seen is that its usually a, if you miss it or mix things up too bad for you, attitude which i understand. Just curios. Had somethin happen and just dont know how i feel bout it..... Thanks guys!!!
How was it bought (Ebay, friend, private party, large company, etc?) And is it a the same coin in the photos or a complete mixup in the item shipped?
Two years ago on Christmas Eve my wife purchased some last minute gifts at Wal-Mart. One was a small TV for our son. After she walked out of the sea of humanity that was also doing their last minute Christmas shopping, it occurred to her that she didn't think she paid enough. She reviewed the receipt in her car and the TV was not on the receipt. Well, she marched back in the store and again waded again through the sea of humanity to make the thing right and pay for the TV... On Christmas Eve in Wal-Mart!!!!..... I always admired her for that. Would I have done the same? I would like to think I would.... I have always held that one incident in my mind as the divining rod of true integrity in my mind.... I suppose it all comes down to what will let you sleep comfortably at night I suppose. Good luck.
It really depends on the specifics of the situation. I have no problem with getting a great deal from a dealer based on having more knowledge of the coins than they do, because that's their business. They set the prices and it's up to me to pay those prices or not. On the other hand, if there's a little old lady who has some coins she doesn't know anything about, obviously you want to give her a fair price because she's not an expert or a dealer. If you buy something by mail and you get the wrong item sent to you, I'd say you should at least tell them about it. Just seems like the right thing to do.
Everyone in the coin industry for the last 80 years has realized a 16d is not the same coin as a 16. I would say inform them of their error, and if they wish to charge you more or return the 16 d in return for the 16 I would do it. Life is way too short to feel guilty about cheating someone over an honest mistake. Now, put me at a coin show and tell me I pick up a 16 and turn it over and notice a faint d on the reverse, I am more torn. In this case, most likely the dealer did NOT pay the seller for a 16d, but rather a 16. So it was the original seller, whom I do not know, that is out the money and nothing I do now would change that. That would be a harder scenario for me to guarantee I would tell the seller of the error.
Will the thought keep you up at night tonight, tomorrow and years from now? The heart knows the right thing to do but, the brain... sometimes not so much.
Once when I was much younger I came into a few hundred bucks. I knew who misplaced it but denied finding it. They were on the hook for it and was a nice person. I still feel bad. Once when I was just a little bit younger I could have come into a few hundred bucks... I saw it fall out of this person’s pocket who was unaware. I notified them and they were grateful but they turned out to be a jerk. I should have pocketed it in hindsight of their jerkiness but am glad I didn’t!
I voted in your poll, and I see that two people disagree with my decision. These are the sort of people who prefer to call themselves "cherrypickers" when it goes in their favor and "victims" when it doesn't. Do the right thing! Chris
In example 2 you should inform them the wrong thing was sent, there’s a difference between cherry picking because they couldn’t be bothered and them making a shipping mistake
I agree with the multitude here that the dime should be noted to the shipper........he didn't send out the right coin, and at the discretion of the seller, it should be returned. However, if I found such a coin in a dealers junk bin, the situation becomes entirely different. If they don't have the wherewithal to check their inventory, why should I inform them of their over site? They are the professionals (so called). I'm not on their payroll, so why should I point it out to them? Actually, I probably would do it. I don't think I could justify such a coup........stuff like that don't happen to me and I think that Jesus might be chuckling somewhere in the background......getith thee behind me satan, and don't push.
We ordered a hibachi grill online because you couldn't get one in town. Had to have it shipped in to the local store. When it came in we went to pick it up. Paperwork was sketchy at the store and they had 2 grills come in on the same paperwork with our name......we paid ahead of time so our part was done, just the pick up remained. We took the best looking box and left the other one at the store. The counter guy expressed interest in getting a hibachi grill and I'm 100% sure the counter guy 2 to 5 minutes after we left was going to put his free grill in his car.
Something like this happened to me twice in my life. Both were at local shops. Returning the coins created a great trust and friendship with the dealers that lasted over 30 years. They paid me back in many ways for my honesty.
Years ago I was at a show and asked to look at a coin that was way out of my league based on the date. Guy handed it over and gave a price (even though I wasn't asking). I handed it right back and said he made a mistake. He looked again and turned green as he had forgotten a zero. He thanked me for being honest, and all I can say is life is too short to take advantage of a guy busy at a show and who gave me the price of the coin sitting next to the one he handed over. Not that I won't buy a nice coin someone has missed something on, or that I value and they don't. But not when it was a mistake. Mailing the wrong coin, handing over one coin thinking it was another...nope. Me doing my homework and making a wise buy is one thing, taking advantage of an honest error, not so much.
Why are you even asking for our opinion? Are you hoping the majority of us will say not your problem, keep it! For pity's sake, notify the seller.
