I had previously read that the U.S. Mint was clamping down on returns unless they were truly defective but this does not appear yet to be the case. This past week showed a return of 4,084 Proof 2018 ASE's, 682 bags of Kennedy half dollars and additional World War 1 coin and medal sets. It would seem that they should do what they say they will do or drop the new policy if they are not going to enforce it. Some of this may have something to do with the drop in the price of silver for those that are made of silver or cancelled orders because of lack of interest or no immediate profits to be made because of a slow market but what do you think of all of this?
I think their lack of quality control also may have something to do with it. Mostly I think it is people trying to make a quick buck and not realizing that so thus returning what they bought....BUT I have seen a lot of garbage quality stuff coming from the mint lately.
I can also picture people getting their proof coins and seeing they would not make the PF DCAM/UCAM 69/70 possibilities and doing a return but that would fly in the face of the defective coin return policy. Unless some are allowed to do this and others not? The returns of the bags of half dollars, I imagine, should not be possible if they have been opened, unless those were cancelled orders.
The policy was never directed at the big returners who spend millions with them year. It was always just directed at the individual who buys 2 or 3 things and returns some of them for a better one. It was just to scare collectors into accepting whatever quality they got
I am a firm believer that if you price something right you will sell much more than if you price it at what you want. I do understand you need to make a profit but you also need collectors to buy the stuff you make!
So true. And the half dollars and dollar coins are a good case for this. The Mint is already making a profit on these and they are rarely used. Sell them at face value plus reasonable shipping costs and I'm sure sales would increase.
Myself included but I'm done with most Mint products this year with the exception of the ATB quarters which I want to finish off the set. The rest will come from circulation if I can find them, with the exception of the halves. That collection is finished for me. For me there is no further value in moderns at my age and I intend to stay focused on filling holes in my classics series with a special focus on Liberty Seated Dimes which I believe are still an under rated series and still readily available in mid grades at an affordable price. There are still keys which I cannot afford in these but I'm going to give it my best shot.
The only recent things I want from the mint are the Liberty medals. Unfortunately I missed the first one while I was stationed in Korea. I really can't justify spending $120 plus for it. I did get this year's though.
Used to be it was exciting to see a new and innovative design from the US mint. It’s getting a bit ordinary and mundane now to see a continual flow of new designs and offerings. Perhaps many are like myself and a bit worn out with it.
I agree with the prices issue. It doesn't matter how low silver gets, their silver products are always high priced. Not sure how their prices reflect the gold products as I can't afford those. I have subscriptions on some stuff but have also cut down on the number of them that I get.
It's more that the new designs have just gotten so bad overall. I don't think anyone's ever said I'm so sick of all these wonderful well executed designs. The complaints always start when the designs get repetitive/boring/just flat out bad
