Buyer says they received wrong item.

[artie43]

I sent buyer 1 oz gold coin 3 to 4 weeks ago. They opened case today saying they just got around to opening today and they say and show pictures that they received a regular Kennedy Half dollar in the box. The way I see things with everything I read is that I am out of Luck with this. Any tips or is a waste of my time trying to do anything. Thanks

[auctionpet]

If this is the $1449 coin, signature confirmation would have been required. See who signed for it. USPS should have this on file. If the buyer signed, then it would be totally ridiculous they didn't open the package right away! If it was someone else in the household, then as I stated in my prior post, that person may have opened the packaged put in another coin and resealed it. But I still feel it's ridiculous buyer didn't open the package immediately. Anyone living with the buyer would surely know they purchase coins.

Also see if you can tell from the buyer's feedback if they're a regular purchaser of coins. This would validate my theory more so about an inside switch. Read their feedback left for others, if there is any, and see if there's an indication of problem with other sellers or how sellers 'worked with' the buyer. If they really don't buy coins regularly, I'd be apt to believe they pulled the switch.

Also suggest the buyer file a police theft report, just to see how they respond. You, as seller, can only file one when you've been out the monies. But you can immediately file the Postal fraud. The more eyes that will be on the buyer, the better. Maybe they'll figure out if they truly didn't receive the coin and it was switched at their home, they need to look within. Or they may already realize this and are trying to make you pay the price since the culprit won't fess up or give them coin back. It's not uncommon for family members to steal from other family.

Many police reports can be filed online. I had to file one this week when a large donation I left for a Children's Hospital was stolen, despite being boldly labeled 'Hospital Donation'. A truck picks up every few months on designated dates and ask items be left for them outside. I donated previously without incident. There are way too many despicable people with no morals and no conscience!! I spent hours putting things together and got up after dawn, only to end up having some lowlife thieves take nearly everything. They were even picky thieves, as they left 2 items! I had items sealed and covered too! I filed the report as it automatically alerts local pawn shops and I have now a theft tax deduction rather than a donation. This is also why the buyer needs to file a police report, in case the coin ends up at a pawn shop!

OP, please update us. Very sorry this happened to you. Your brave to sell coins here!

[luvin2009]

Thanks all for your reply

[emerald40]

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@18704d wrote:

I agree that the OP should file for the insurance on his package with the USPS.

It's "obviously" been rifled during USPS handling, the contents stolen and switched.

Lynn

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Why do you think someone at USPS stole it,

If you were expecting an expensive item, would you take 3 eeks to a month to open the package?

[luvin2009]

I need to get eBay to see it my way. I don't think anyone at post office stole and I will tell you why. The Kennedy half was a 2010. These were only sold by the mint and not released into circulation. The chances of someone doing a switch and them having a 2010 Kennedy in their pocket to switch out with would have been very slim. I can't prove that though.

[emerald40]

What does his feedback left for others indicate.

Look him up on social media.

Anything that he has done this before?

[femmefan1946]

Why do you think someone at USPS stole it,

I think her use of scare quotes is meant to indicate a joke.

We really need a graphic designer to develop a sarcasm font.

USPS workers are pretty unlikely* to jeopardize a secure job with union pay and benefits to steal a random package that is just as likely to contain beloved family photos or someone's divorce papers as a commercially valuable item. Domestic mail does not disclose the contents, unlike customs labels. 

*Short of mental illness.

[18704d]

"If you were expecting an expensive item, would you take 3 eeks to a month to open the package?"

That's a moot issue, in my opinion. 

The MGB allows 30 days of protection, regardless if a buyer is perceived to have opened the package "quick" enough.

"Why do you think someone at USPS stole it."

Based on the evidence the OP's buyer claims.

 And I Would file for the postal insurance.

Now, I'm not saying I believe this happened.

I'm saying the buyer has made a legal claim (imo) that a different item was in their package.

Since the OP put in the proper item, an insurance claim will mean that .. the onus will be on the USPS, and it's postal inspectors, to investigate and validate that claim.

Lynn

[ted_200]

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@artie43 wrote:

I sent buyer 1 oz gold coin 3 to 4 weeks ago. They opened case today saying they just got around to opening today and they say and show pictures that they received a regular Kennedy Half dollar in the box. The way I see things with everything I read is that I am out of Luck with this. Any tips or is a waste of my time trying to do anything. Thanks

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I only read the first few replies, which aren't particularly helpful...

For about $1,200, I'd be willing to waste some time, but your odds are not good here.  He's going to return a Kennedy Half Dollar, eBay is going to refund him.  This has happened before, there was a topic several years ago with a $20 Saint, the buyer returned an Ike Dollar, the seller was out $2K. 

Inform the buyer you will notify the Postal Inspector to open a mail rifiling/theft investigation, please save all packaging and the item for them to inspect, as they will be contacting him.  It might dissuade them.  Probably not.  Also offer to contact their local police to open a stolen property investigation.  If they're in a big city, that isn't going to work either, but if they're in a smaller jurisdiction it might dissuade them (it's doubtful the local police will actually help either way, but I'd probably try). 

Even if they have timed out on the eBay MBG program, eBay might extend the deadline for them (they do this!), and it is likely they can open the same deal at PayPal for 180 days (you don't know if they paid w/ PayPal or not, of course). 

[ted_200]

Just got around to opening up a $1400 coin? I don`t buy that for a minute.

LOL.  No one really buys that the seller sent a 50 cent piece anyhow.  Except for eBay, of course.

Yes, report to IC3 as well. 

[artie43]

I discovered today in looking at the paypal transaction that there is a name associated to the ebay account another name under who paid for the item and yet another name in the ship to address which is where it was received. The buyer tells me they live alone so nobody else could have took the coin. All these names associated with this transaction raise some flags to me. Will find out if it matters

[emerald40]

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@femmefan1946 wrote:

Why do you think someone at USPS stole it,

I think her use of scare quotes is meant to indicate a joke.

We really need a graphic designer to develop a sarcasm font.

USPS workers are pretty unlikely* to jeopardize a secure job with union pay and benefits to steal a random package that is just as likely to contain beloved family photos or someone's divorce papers as a commercially valuable item. Domestic mail does not disclose the contents, unlike customs labels. 

*Short of mental illness.

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I saw no hint of a joke, and her subsequent post proves she was serious.

[bubbleman2010]

Quick flip on a high demand high fraud item normally backfires on ebay and you can bet your buyer won't make the same mistakes...

[bubbleman2010]

Had gold prices went the other direction,buyer would have never said anything,but they've already lost $300.00 so they are just passing the burn back to the seller...

[dirk12955]

Don't get all worked up with the details. Who cares if this person waited 29 days and 23 hour plus 55 minutes to open a case. The sellers on the hook and looking at a Grand or more loss.

Telling the "Buyer" that the seller intends to file a theft report with the buyers local PD and have the postal inspector investigate for inside theft might just motivate the "Buyer" to email the seller,

"Oops, Found the coin, My mistake, Sorry"

Push that "Buyer" as hard as you can.

[ted_200]

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@emerald40 wrote:

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@femmefan1946 wrote:

Why do you think someone at USPS stole it,

I think her use of scare quotes is meant to indicate a joke.

We really need a graphic designer to develop a sarcasm font.

USPS workers are pretty unlikely* to jeopardize a secure job with union pay and benefits to steal a random package that is just as likely to contain beloved family photos or someone's divorce papers as a commercially valuable item. Domestic mail does not disclose the contents, unlike customs labels. 

*Short of mental illness.

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I saw no hint of a joke, and her subsequent post proves she was serious.

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You mean this?

Now, I'm not saying I believe this happened.

She is serious about having USPS investigate via claiming the insurance.   If the buyers story is correct, postal employee theft/switch is the only possibility.  But no one actually believes that.