Sad Tale

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Mojavedave, Jan 21, 2009.

  1. Mojavedave

    Mojavedave Senior Member

    Just bought a 1889-O silver dollar off E-bay. Not too bad. But my wife unknowingly to me, slit open the large envelope mailer and when I picked it up the bare coin fell on the tile floor. Guess you know, with the nick in the edge now, I just lost my complete investment. I'm not sure who to be mad at, me, my wife or the idiot packer.
     
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  3. Harryj

    Harryj Supporter**

    Ouch! I always open a package over a towel or at least carpet. Who would ship a somewhat rare coin not in a flip or at least wrapped in a piece of paper?
     
  4. mgChevelle

    mgChevelle AMERICAN

    dumb seller. I bet your gonna be extra careful next time. What is the coin's grade? Do you think it hurt the value pretty bad?
     
  5. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor Supporter

    I would certainly contact the seller. I have never received a coin loose in a package. A coin in a 2x2 loose in a package ~Yes, but It was only worth $2. I think he has a responsibility. I have though of selling "ebay seller voodoo dolls" on ebay of course, for such sellers!

    Jim
     
  6. Speedy

    Speedy Researching Coins Supporter

    I wouldn't suggest the wife--she has the "key" to make you very un-happy if you get mad at her...
    soooo...I would suggest the guy that packed the coin :D I don't know him, so why not! LOL!

    Speedy
     
  7. borgovan

    borgovan Supporter**

    Ouch...What a drag.

    The seller probably won't do much, if anything, but it doesn't hurt to question their packing methods.
     
  8. grizz

    grizz numismatist

    ...........sure i'd be mad at the seller and his idiotic packing methods but i always suspect the unexpected and would have been extra cautious in opening the package.
     
  9. pghpanthers2

    pghpanthers2 Resurgent Collector

    I can relate:

    One time a bought a few PERFECT silver eagles at a flea market. Being the idiot that I am, I took one out of the bag and proceeded to drop it on the stone walkway. When it hit, it made the most beautiful ring I have ever heard but it was left all scratched and the edge was nasty. My silver eagle was reduced to spot value. I guess thats not as bad as a real old coin but it still left me with that disgusted feeling in my stomach for being a moron and getting my coin out before I got home.

    Needless to say, I learned my lesson.
     
  10. Just Carl

    Just Carl Numismatist

    What grade was or is it? How much is your investment?
    Not sure how much a nick could or would effect the value and of course that would depend on the original value or cost. That coin lists for anywhere from $25 to $5,000 so if it's on the low end, not much difference. If way up there in grade, yeah, you could have lost quite a bit.
    The problem here is the seller just didn't care. Your wife just didn't know. And if you were the purchaser and it was addressed to you, you should have opened that package.
    Things just happen. I once purchased a 1921S Lincoln Cent in about MS-65 but it was in a 2x2. I used a screwdriver to pry up the staples and it slipped and ran accross Lincoln's face. Things just happen you know.
     
  11. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    He wasn't opening the package. He just picked up the package not knowing it had already been opened.

    You can get mad at the seller for his shoddy packaging but he can't really be blamed, or held responsible, because you dropped it on the tile.
     
  12. Peter T Davis

    Peter T Davis Hammer at the Ready Moderator

    I don't think you really blame anyone when something happens accidentally. But, there is no excuse whatsoever for anyone to package a coin like that loose in an envelope.
     
  13. HandsomeToad

    HandsomeToad Urinist

    I dropped a high end MS coin on the sidewalk, when I took it outside to take a pic of it, and it left a ding in the rim also. :headbang: It was less than a 2 foot drop but it still damaged the coin and since, I've been much more careful. ;)

    I also know of someone that received an old paper bill in a normal envelope and he tore the end off of the envelope, as he usually does, to find it with the end torn off and the missing piece in the piece of envelope he tore off. :headbang: He is also more careful now (he knows who he is)! :secret:

    I agree the coin should have at least been in a flip or in a little ziplock bag tape to a piece of cardboard in the envelope but there are some sellers that shouldn't sell coins. :whistle:

    All we can do is live and learn! ;)

    Ribbit :)
     
  14. borgovan

    borgovan Supporter**

    I did this. I tore up an "empty" white envelope, only to discover a red seal $5 that I had placed inside long ago.

    Guess what? I look inside envelopes now, even if I suspect they're empty!
     
  15. Vess1

    Vess1 CT SP VIP Supporter

    Yeah, in my adventures on ebay, sellers never want to take responsibility for anything most of the time. Everybody is very defensive. No sense going to battle over this one but nothing stops you from leaving a negative feedback for the poor packaging which is what I would do.

    Even if it hadn't dropped on the floor, it could have got beaten up in the mail. I've had <$1 coins shipped better than that.
     
  16. Mojavedave

    Mojavedave Senior Member

    I agree Jim, and I did contact the seller. His reply was that he was sorry, but he ships all his coins this way. Yipes ! This was an 8x10 mailer for one silver dollar. I am surprized it didn't tear throught the envelope before it got here.
    I tried to give the person a nutral feed back on E-Bay, but the site won't let it send for some reason.
     
  17. Mojavedave

    Mojavedave Senior Member

    Oh Man ! I thought I had a sad tale, but this beats me Carl.
     
  18. Mojavedave

    Mojavedave Senior Member

    Quite right CONDER, I did tale the seller I damaged the coin, so couldn't return it. But I also tried to explain that his packing is not common practice and was very unsatisfied.
     
  19. Indianhead65

    Indianhead65 Well-Known Member

    Yes, poor packaging by the seller. First, I would have been upset if it was my wife opening my mail. Second, I would have been very upset at the seller for the poor packaging and Third, I would have been the most upset with myself for not being more careful. The other day while I was taking some pics of my coins I rolled my 1931-S Lincoln across the dining room table and over the hardwood floor to finally rest underneath the baseboard heater. Man, I was irrate!! But, its alright. :whistle:
     
  20. Mojavedave

    Mojavedave Senior Member

    Looks to me like there are some lessons posted here for all of us to consider.
     
  21. djbuna

    djbuna Member

    here you go!!
     

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