This story is painful and makes my innards twitch in agony, but yes, you learned a lesson the hard way. Owch. But at least you didn't keep it to yourself. Anyone could make this mistake and this helps remind all of us to use caution. Sorry about your lousy experience.
My time wasn't either and your post is just a reminder to all of us. I've had a similar experience years ago because I expect people to be as honest and trusting as myself. You just chalk it up to a life lesson and move on.
Really? I'm the opposite as I somewhat expect someone I don't know to be dishonest and am pleasantly surprised when things turn out well. In my book trust is earned. Only a modicum is blindly given at first and is either built up or destroyed from there. That said though I'd have checked the bag for at least what was offered if I were the op. The modicum in that situation for me would've been not scrutinizing them for 10 minutes looking them over for fakes but I definitely would've checked to see that I was getting everything. A lesson learned is correct
I don't think you wasted anyone's time either. If that's all that was lost on the deal, this was a cheap lesson and a valuable one to share with the forum. I appreciated your post. Better luck next time.
Sorry about what happened. A useful cautionary tale for those who may be tempted to engage in similar transactions. FWIW I think it takes a fair amount of intestinal fortitude to make a post like the o.p., as invariably there will be those who will respond harshly, perhaps in an (unconscious?) attempt to bolster their own fragile egos.
QFT. I think this thread does a valuable service to the community. Let's all learn from @StashTreasure's mistake and not criticize. What's done is done.
What's interesting about threads like this is that if the seller (instead of the OP) had come telling a story of selling to a guy who handed her money and took off as quickly as possible, everyone would question his motivations and wonder what she had actually sold him. Why in that situation would it be perfectly acceptable to question someone's eagerness to get the coins in his hands and leave, or his willingness to pay such a premium for (what was presented as) junk to near junk level material, but not now? The OP may be telling the absolute truth, but the fact is that there's nothing wrong with reasonably questioning stories/claims presented here, especially when they don't quite sit right. If not blindly buying in is a sign of a "fragile ego", then so be it.
Thanks for sharing your story and the warning. We all need to be reminded that many view coin collectors with a big SUCKER stamped on their foreheads.