1909 S VDB Question

Hi. Beware of their fine print, which states that ALL of their photos are considered stock photos unless otherwise stated. Not an honorable way to conduct business, especially if you have to click on a link to read the terms and conditions. They're not glaringly obviously. Or even slightly obvious.

 

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They might try and give you a partial refund ($100) or something to keep the coin. I wouldn’t do it.

 

I don't know what he paid but PCGS has it at $850

 

I would avoid this shop in the future. If they can't be bothered to list actual photos of the actual coin you are buying (especially a higher value coin like this one), they don't deserve your money.

 

I totally agree with this line of thinking.

 

Some people like woodgrain coins. Others don't. Bottom line is..if you don't like the coin, return it. I'm not a fan of companies using "stock photographs" rather than true photos of the coin you are buying. Not too many dealers do that, but there are a few. You found one.

 

Thats what I paid....well, actually $851

 

Thats one thing I absolutely despise...dealers using stock photos..I made the mistake of not reading the fine print and I'm paying for it now.

 

Here's a teeny bit of good news:

Aside from the spelling error, it seems as though they have a no-questions-asked return policy within 15 days.

I'd be calling for an RMA, and off to the post office. Then never look at their site again.

 

How can you call a photo of a coin in a particular PCGS holder with a particular PCGS number a "stock photo?" That is not stock - unless he has multiple coins with that particular PCGS number (LOL). It could just be a shipping error - some underling grabbed the wrong coin. Seen it happen. I would contact them and ask them to send the coin in the holder that they pictured, or refund your money.

Oh, and I agree with others. I have owned many, many, 1909-S VDBs over the years, and a few had grain patterns. But what you have here is particularly unattractive, IMO. I wouldn't want to own that coin at any price. YMMV.

 

If you're returning it You should start the process ASAP. Don't wait until you communicate with the seller. I usually like the woodies but I think the one they sent you is very unattractive. They're a very big outfit so hopefully they won't give you any problem on the return.

 

Based on everything you've said @Indianhead65 I'd absolutely be returning that coin. If they give you any pushback I'd be contacting my credit card company and initiating a claim that you didn't receive what you paid for.

A stock photo by a coin company might be a raw coin. Once the coin is slabbed with a specific ID # it is no longer a stock photo. IMO the slabbed coin with the exact identifying ID # implies you are paying for that exact coin pictured. Any credit card company can easily be 'guided' to see it that way.

Again, I'd attempt the easy route of return to the seller, but I'd dispute it with your CC company if they so much as mention a 'restocking fee'. FYI, if they don't pay for the return postage and reimburse you for the initial shipping I'd dispute the charge as well. You should be made 100% whole financially for that transaction. The coin you received has horrible eye appeal and more importantly, that's not what you paid for.

GL

 

Id return it. The other a nice looking example. This one not. I don’t mind wood but this coin just ugly

 

In my mind, stock photos are for commodity items like ASE’s or generic slabbed Morgan dollars. A slabbed svdb in a specific grade is not that type of item imo.

 

What's wrong with APMEX? I have a friend who buys bullion from them all the time. I've only bought from them once but had no issues. Did you have a bad experience with them?

 

Not the one you wanted, send it back, it's ugly.

 

What happened to the FB thread on this coin?

 

Wow. Return that sucker and get an actually good looking one lol. That’s lame of them to sell a different coin than pictured, especially such an iconic coin like the 1909 S VDB. They likely sold you that one on purpose because of the scratches on front. Hope you can get your money back.

 

"Lets start a Revolution. Got to Revolution."

 

A reasonable person would expect a stock photograph of a coin to be representative of the coin that will be received. This coin has improperly mixed alloy. A woody is a desirable error coin but a coin with improperly mixed alloy is not. The coin you received is not representative. I think that is your best argument.

Eye appeal is subjective so saying the coin is "ugly" may or may not get you very far. I say may or may not because "beauty is in the eye of the beholder;" but I also find it outrageous that a dealer (or employee) could hold that coin in hand to place it in an envelope and mail it and not realize that he was sure to have an unhappy customer. Send it back.