General Forum

Not a big deal; just feel like sharing. Bought a 1971 Phil Niekro coin from a guy for $1.84. I knew it was coming in a PWE from a newish eBayer, but its a dollar eight-four, so I didn't sweat it. Mailed instantly, even marked as shipped the day I paid. Got here in two days. Nice work across the board. Envelope feels light and smooth. Certainly no coin in it. See slit at end of envelope. Open envelope and find card saver in a plastic bag. All with a nice slit at the bottom. I suspect the suspect was disappointed. Probably thought s/he was getting a $100 gold coin. Got an excellent condition Niekro coin. At least it was Phil. Sorry. 

Lesson: if you mail a coin, don't make it obvious that it's a coin. 

I've contacted the seller. I'll probably just let it go, but we'll see how he responds. Not that I didn't know, but I'm sad that there are thieves working in the United States Postal Service. 

Sigh. 

v3

V3, sorry to hear it.  At least it is <$2 out of your pocket.  Not the first time I have heard of an envelope being opened before delivery (happens here in Canada too).  That is why I use packing tape to cover all four sides of an envelope for trades.  I haven't been a victim of card theft through the mail as of yet, but I have seen many times where birthday cards have been slit open.  Someone got a surprise a few years ago when my mother sent me a birthday card filled with confetti.  The card was empty by the time I picked it up from the mailbox.  I suspect postal employees looking for untraceable cash. 

Yeah, just sad. Seller offered a full refund. I offered to split it. No one's fault (but the thief's). I've never had a problem with cards. I think the coin was just too tempting. Just one other little disappointment with the world, more than made up for by the Pay it Forward movement here. 

v3

Sorry, to hear about the coin, but more disturbed the way it probably occurred.

Something like a coin should never, ever be mailed pwe. There's about a 90% chance or higher that the rollers that mail goes through will catch and mangle it. 

I first had a card stolen by me from my 6th grade teacher. He confiscated them because "I was too slow to get up for recess" and when I got them back at the end if the day, he had kept the 1995-96 Upper Deck Special Edition Shaquille O'Neal card I had traded for earlier that day. In retrospect I should have threatened a lawsuit. (other things had gone missing from thd classroom as well) I didn't think like that back then. 

That sucks! I had that happen to me once also. Wasn't a big value card if I remember correctly but really disturbing that Postal Workers do this, and it is pretty much untraceable. 

That's exactly why I don't use PWE anymore!!! I sent 4 base cards with maybe a 50 cent/each BV to someone as freebies to help him complete a set. He got everything except the cards. How stupid of someone to slit open the envelope, steal the cards and put the toploaders (and team bags) back in there?! They stole cards and left the protection. Just stupid. Therefore, I don't sent out freebies without using a BM and tracking anymore and I also won't make trades that aren't worth the time and money to ship that way.

Out of all the PWE I have sent out only 1 has not made it to the person.   He understund and did not want me to send other cards.  We have had several trades and have sent a few freebies to each other.

spazmatastic

I understand your point about trades have to be worth your time and money to do.  I have no problem with traders having this view.  I myself  when buying try very hard to buy enough cards from the seller to make it worth it . (Per postage cost)     My issue is I would not be doing any trades here if that was the case for every one here.  

It is sad that things like this are a serious concern when we (collectors) ship things. 

   I also, have paid(credit to seller, I did receive a refund) to experience the mysterious "Disappearing Cards From The Plain White Envelope Trick". Precision slice down the side, cutting both the envelope and team bag just enough to get the cards out. 

   On the other side of the spectrum, I received a card just this week. That I purchased, and was shipped(according to tracking) in mid-June, and received a refund for in July. Seems to have gotten lost in the South Jersey Distribution Center. The bubble mailer looked like hell, but the card was intact. I contacted the seller thru eBay, to get his email so I could send payment back to him. He seemed a little shocked to hear from me, but thanked me, and gave me his email.