I am thinking of selling some of my better ungraded coins on eBay. Has anyone done this with a return policy, gotten a return, and had it be a different coin? I am just curious. I know there shifty sellers out there, but what about buyers. I have 100% feedback, and want to keep it that way. I have sold everything from cars, chainsaws, toys, antiques, pottery, clothing etc... I want my buyers to be happy with what they get, but a coin makes me nervous. I am relatively new to the coin world, but not new to antiques & eBay. I am not talking big dollar graded coins, just some decent ones without a holder & serial number. How do I protect myself? Thoughts?
Thoughts: Control what you can control. You can't make your crazy buyers sane, you can't make your unhappy buyers happy, you can't make your shifty buyers reputable. You also can't control eBay's return policies. I might send them a note and say that you are considering selling more items, but their absolutely one-sided return policy loopholes regarding SNAD returns are keeping you from further participation. Maybe suggest they look into this, as it is a deterrent from making you a more involved seller. Treat your buyers with respect, but hold fast to your return policy. To me, that's how you respect yourself. There will be people who try to whine, threaten, and circumvent their way around every policy they can - but this is just them being selfish. You're not doing this to give coins away and be a doormat. Take good photos. IMO, this is why I don't have many returns - or any "switcheroo" returns. I also videotape myself opening every return package to make sure it's the same coin. Just a few thoughts. Hope they help in some way.
I purchased a French 5 Centimes from an ebay seller named pinkhaloangel. The coin in the auction was beautiful, shiny brass and uncirculated. The one he sent was heavily circulated, scratched and dark black/brown in color. When I wrote to him about it he denied it and said he sent the right coin. He's an unscrupulous seller who has 37 negative feedbacks, many for the exact same "Bait and Switch" activities. He also sells a lot of German coins. Brothers and sisters, avoid this seller at all costs. My ebay name is the same that I use here. If you look up my feedback you'll see the coin that I ordered and didn't receive. Jack
I implicitly state NO Returns on coins removed from 2X2's or flips that have been stapled, and of course I would send neither unstapled. On slabbed coins I do offer returns but only if the holders have not been tampered with so it's always imperative that you package them very securely to avoid damage during transit. I will also only use Priority mail to insure I have at least $50.00 in insurance and always use tracking, it's free. Yes, it's expensive for the buyer if you charge for shipping but it's also peace of mind for both parties. The process is not infallible but it helps. And lastly, make sure you describe your offering properly, noting any defects no matter how insignificant they might be. It will help your cause in a SNAD case. Not everyone will agree with my process but it works for me. Good luck.
Wow! Significantly not as described. As opposed to "kind of" not as described. This is a new concept to me with eBay. I hope I don't ever have to deal with it as a seller or buyer. The most I had to do was refund the $$ for a teapot that somehow got chipped (according to the buyer, anyway!) in shipping. I refunded all her money including shipping and told her to keep the pot.
Absolutely shifty buyers are well. More shifty buyers than sellers at this point, but the buying pool is so much larger than sellers that most buyers are still honest for now. If a buyer does that to you prepare to have a refund issued to them and just prey they even bother returning the coin. That feature is by far the most hated by sellers and probably the single biggest reason why people make the decision to stop selling there.
Has any one ever used one of these to seal mylar saflips? They make them in 4", 8" & 12" Do they work? This would be a good way to seal a coin before you send it to the buyer, and it could be examined without removing from flip. Then if the item were returned, it could be in the same package with your label or some unique thing that you add, therefore having a better chance of getting your own coin back if the buyer decides it is SNAD. Not foolproof by any means, but it would help. http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Heat-Seal...576614?hash=item566b313da6:g:R0wAAOSwcwhVKBr2
