Return item after 4 Months

[magicbuy2]

Okay this is a new one on me. Yesterday I had a buyer what purchased a coin in September 2018 contact me for the first time ever after the sale. There had not been any communication at all before. His message was polite asking if he could return the item for a full refund. He did explain why he did not contact me sooner and why he wanted to return the item. Just wondering if that has happened to anybody else. I going on my 4 th year selling on ebay.

[*madison]

Why does the buyer want to return the coin?

If the buyer is saying the coin is not as described, the buyer still has time to file a claim with paypal.

Yes, this has happened to other sellers, but I don't think it's common practice.

[magicbuy2]

He had the coin graded. We sold this coin as an uncirculated coin. NGC graded uncirculated cleaned. He stated he only collects flawless coins and since he travels he does not have time to sell it himself. He wanted to return the coin for us to resell it.

[penguins_dont_fly]

@magicbuy2

It happens occasionally ... more often in January than any other time of year.

1) People who have bought early Christmas gifts that either didn't inspect the item prior to giving the gift or whose gift recipient didn't like/want/need the item.

2) People whose credit card bills are coming due from overspending at Christmas who are trying to mitigate that by returning earlier personal purchases.

It's up to you to decide whether or not to accept the return, if you feel that their circumstances ring true.

After 90 days, I don't think the return can be done through the eBay Returns system (I may be wrong).

If you wish to allow the buyer to return the coin, they can purchase their own label and send you the tracking #. You can issue a refund through PayPal when you receive the coin back ... making sure that the notes on the refund refer to a successful return of the item.

..... or .... You can deny the return politely 🙂

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@magicbuy2 wrote:
He had the coin graded. We sold this coin as an uncirculated coin. NGC graded uncirculated cleaned. He stated he only collects flawless coins and since he travels he does not have time to sell it himself. He wanted to return the coin for us to resell it.

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Ah ... never mind my previous reasonings ...  🙂

If he only collects "flawless", why did he buy "uncirculated, cleaned"?

Sounds like he may have tried to sell it himself and couldn't, so is trying to mitigate his loss. Or, he has found one in better condition and doesn't need yours anymore.

For the really paranoid, I will add: He found one in worse condition and that is the one he will send back.

Still ... up to you ...

[*madison]

since he travels he does not have time to sell it himself. 

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Same old excuse, can't do it because I travel, or I'm out the country. Are any buyers ever at home?

I think the buyer is lying, but it's up to you how you want to deal with the issue.

[magicbuy2]

Thank you *madison for your help

[adkhighker]

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@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

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@magicbuy2 wrote:
He had the coin graded. We sold this coin as an uncirculated coin. NGC graded uncirculated cleaned. He stated he only collects flawless coins and since he travels he does not have time to sell it himself. He wanted to return the coin for us to resell it.

---

Ah ... never mind my previous reasonings ...  🙂

If he only collects "flawless", why did he buy "uncirculated, cleaned"?

Sounds like he may have tried to sell it himself and couldn't, so is trying to mitigate his loss. Or, he has found one in better condition and doesn't need yours anymore.

For the really paranoid, I will add: He found one in worse condition and that is the one he will send back.

Still ... up to you ...

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In message 3, it sounds like he did not buy the coin as "uncirculated, cleaned." The OP said he sold it as "circulated."  It sounds like the buyer didn't know it was "uncirculated, cleaned" until NGC graded it that way for him.

[*madison]

The OP said he sold it as "circulated." 

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No, the op didn't say that.

The op said " We sold this coin as an uncirculated coin"

[papermoneyforme]

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@*madison wrote:

The OP said he sold it as "circulated." 

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No, the op didn't say that.

The op said " We sold this coin as an uncirculated coin"

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Selling cleaned coins without describing them as such can lead to a lot of issues.

4 months to have it graded is not exessive.

Where did you get the coin and did you know it was cleaned?

If the buyer is correct, you should accept the return but you are not required to unless he goes through Paypal.

If he is correct, you should learn how to recognize cleaned coins and describe them as such.

I really don't think this is a scam because he very politely asked and gave the reason why.

[mg152]

The buyer was nice and polite so if it were me I’d take the coin back and refund the buyer.

[juststuffisell]

I used to buy coins on eBay a number of years ago and I feel for the guy. I won't buy these types of items on eBay any longer because of this situation.

You sold the coin as uncirculated. When I was buying as your buyer did, I would buy over a couple of months and then have a large enough grouping of coins to send in to graded at a discounted price.

Nothing stinks worse than getting back a flawed coin that was misrepresented. I always had them slab everything as the cost was basically the same whether they encased it or not. I had them slabbed so when I got rid of the flawed bits, hopefully they stayed in the slab. The worst are cleaned coins and former jewelry coins - I was buying gold and silver coins. Grading itself, while there are standards, is subjective to the eye of the grader. While you may think it is a PR70 proof, it can come back just as easily as a PR69 and a huge hit on value.

Anyway, I understand the time aspect of it from the buyers perspective as the accumulating and then sending out to be graded can take 90 plus days (grading, depending upon how busy and how much you sent in can take 30 to 45 days there and back).

As you stated, you sold it as uncirculated. Turns out the coin was cleaned. If you can buck up to the costs (you did not say how much it sold for), I'd take it back if it is slabbed. (Professionally graded), if it just a report, I would probably still take it back just because I have been in those shoes. If you don't take the item back, be prepared for the potential paypal dispute - which is fine as the buyer will have to send the item back before any refund is issued.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Cheers

[juststuffisell]

I did want to add:

If this guy is a regular collector and you are a regular seller of coins, you may want to work out the situation with the buyer only so he knows you back up what you sell and let them know on future transactions you'll back what you sell...well... you may get some additional sales from this buyer in the future.

Cheers

[hillbillymedia]

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@magicbuy2 wrote:

Okay this is a new one on me. Yesterday I had a buyer what purchased a coin in September 2018 contact me for the first time ever after the sale. There had not been any communication at all before. His message was polite asking if he could return the item for a full refund. He did explain why he did not contact me sooner and why he wanted to return the item. Just wondering if that has happened to anybody else. I going on my 4 th year selling on ebay.

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The way I see it.....you sold an uncirculated and ungraded coin. I`m assuming you didn`t guarantee a grade. Grading is highly subjective. It`s sooooo subjective that if you unslabbed a graded coin and resent it back to the same company to have it re-graded the likelyhood the grade would be the same as the first time is slim.

It`s my opinion that the buyer got what he paid for. The grading company he used confirms it was an uncirculated coin. If you want to humor the buyer and take it back, that`s up to you, but I wouldn`t feel obligated to do so.

[monster-deals]

Tell him to spend it.