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Missing Coins Can Return

GregsonVaux

By GregsonVaux
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GregsonVaux

GregsonVaux

Posted
Posted

I have written in the past that what excites me about geocoins is their potential to gain a long history that could realistically span hundreds of years. The limiting factor will be how long the Groundspeak database is maintained. I have also written here that when a coin goes missing in a cache, I don't consider it to be gone, just temporarily unaccounted for. I now have my first example.

 

I have wanted a Sputnik geocoin for a while, but they have always been too expensive on eBay, so I decided to wait until a cheap one came along. Yesterday, I noticed one on eBay for a good price and put it on my watch list. This morning, I saw that the price was still low, so I placed a bid. Right after confirming the bid, I looked more closely and saw that the tracking number was clearly visible on the coin. I decided to type the number into Groundspeak and see what came up. The coin had been activated in March of 2008 and had gone missing the same month after visiting only two caches. Now someone was selling it on eBay!

 

I contacted eBay, the seller, and the owner. I also told the seller everyone that I had contacted. I really do not know if the seller knew that the coin had been stolen because it seems to me that no one would be foolish enough to try to sell a stolen geocoin and especially to include the tracking number. Maybe we can assume that the seller just didn't know. However, what made me suspicious was that the seller described the coin as "shiny gold with Blue enamel". That terminology makes me think that the person knows coins. However, I gave the seller the benefit of the doubt as well as the owners e-mail address. He told me that he sent her his contact information including his phone number.

 

The lesson to be learned is that all of those missing coins are out there waiting to show up again. The more beautiful and interesting they are, the more likely they are to survive through time. Some of these coins might just lie waiting for 50 or 100 years before they resurface. Here is one that will return to its owner after just two years.

 

If you want to see the logs for this coin, here is the information:

 

TB1ZPT7

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Team kizb

+Team kizb

Posted
Posted

Since i was the High bidder on the said Geocoin I contacted the seller after seeing this thread. Here is the reply I just received:

 

"It was found at a park here in Hayden, ID in October by a friend who goes metal detecting.

He asked me to try to sell it on ebay. A person contacted me saying it was his/hers I don't know much about this geo stuff and personaly, I don't care. If you wish I will refund your money, and give the coin back to my friend. I sell a lot of things my friend finds in the ground. When I tell him what he has found and the BS it has stirred up, he will probily toss it into the river. Sorry for any inconvenience. Please let me know if you want a full refund or shippment to you."

 

I'm also in contact with the owner of this Geocoin and forwarded this information to them. Interesting twist to add to the history of this coin.

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RedShoesGirl

RedShoesGirl

Posted
Posted

Since i was the High bidder on the said Geocoin I contacted the seller after seeing this thread. Here is the reply I just received:

 

"It was found at a park here in Hayden, ID in October by a friend who goes metal detecting.

He asked me to try to sell it on ebay. A person contacted me saying it was his/hers I don't know much about this geo stuff and personaly, I don't care. If you wish I will refund your money, and give the coin back to my friend. I sell a lot of things my friend finds in the ground. When I tell him what he has found and the BS it has stirred up, he will probily toss it into the river. Sorry for any inconvenience. Please let me know if you want a full refund or shippment to you."

 

I'm also in contact with the owner of this Geocoin and forwarded this information to them. Interesting twist to add to the history of this coin.

 

in essence the coin is stolen - and i am pretty sure ebay frowns on selling stolen property and probably this should be reported to them. be sure to keep track of the transaction number.

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GregsonVaux

GregsonVaux

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I found a pair of coins not too long ago, same story. Visible tracking number, two different unsuspecting owners who simply thought their coins were lost.

 

I don't buy the guys story for a second.

 

No, I don't buy it either. The eBay seller told me that he had contacted the coin's owner, but then he sold it anyway.

 

I reported the item as stolen on eBay. The question is whether they will do anything about it. Perhaps the most effective thing is for Team kizb to give the seller a poor rating, but that is up to Team kizb because it could create a hassle.

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RedShoesGirl

RedShoesGirl

Posted
Posted

I found a pair of coins not too long ago, same story. Visible tracking number, two different unsuspecting owners who simply thought their coins were lost.

 

I don't buy the guys story for a second.

 

No, I don't buy it either. The eBay seller told me that he had contacted the coin's owner, but then he sold it anyway.

 

I reported the item as stolen on eBay. The question is whether they will do anything about it. Perhaps the most effective thing is for Team kizb to give the seller a poor rating, but that is up to Team kizb because it could create a hassle.

 

i do hope ebay follows through. 'bout time one of these bums had their ebay privileges suspended for selling stolen property.

 

wish i had known about this while the auction was still happening, i would have added some "BS" to the seller's mailbox.

 

rsg

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GregsonVaux

GregsonVaux

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Posted (edited)

I wrote to the seller again and asked him if he has succeeded in contacting the owner. I also told him that a large group of people are following this story (that would be all of you) and hope that the coin gets back to its rightful owner. I was polite, but I suspect that he is beginning to feel some pressure.

 

He knew before the sale had ended that the coin has a rightful owner and that he had the contact information. Surely he must realize that he is knowingly selling property that does not belong to him.

Edited by GregsonVaux
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Tonyalynnm

+Tonyalynnm

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I have been watching this and can't believe that the seller wont just return the coin to the owner. I could understand if he doesn't know anything bout Geocaching, but if someone contacts you about someone already owning it, then maybe they could offer to send shipping cost and get their coin back. It has a unique # on it and is registered, so you know they are not fibbing about being the rightful owners. I hope that this can come to a conclusion that is agreeable to everyone, however I will be sure that I do not buy coins from this person!

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GregsonVaux

GregsonVaux

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If anyone want to contact the seller and urge him to do the right thing, here is his contact information. Please be polite, but insistent that the coin does not belong to him and should be returned to its rightful owner.

 

http://myworld.ebay.com/footballclone/

 

This needs to be addressed by the coin owner. You should not be advocating mass contact,

 

Shouldn't I? This person sold property after he knew the ownership was in serious question. Not only that, he sold it at an international auction with a viewership in the hundreds or thousands, perhaps higher. This is already public. Besides, people are always complaining about coins being stolen, how else can this be addressed other than public pressure. A very good way to stop coins being stolen is to remove the monetary incentive.

 

It is quite possible that we have publicly seen a crime in action. Will you be one of the people who says nothing? People who do ill deeds always count on the public keeping quiet.

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GregsonVaux

GregsonVaux

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The coin is now showing as shipped so I should have it within the week. I am in contact with the owner and the coin should be out traveling again soon.

 

I am satisfied enough and will drop this. I will take no further action. However, there is still a man with money in his pocket that should not be there. Perhaps he did not understand geocoions, but he still went ahead with the sale after he knew that the coin had an owner.

 

What should I do next time? Should I let the next seller profit too? Won't this create an incentive for other people to take coins and sell them in a public auction?

 

Team Kizb, Thanks for doing the right thing.

Edited by GregsonVaux
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Team kizb

+Team kizb

Posted
Posted (edited)

The coin is now showing as shipped so I should have it within the week. I am in contact with the owner and the coin should be out traveling again soon.

 

I am satisfied enough and will drop this. I will take no further action. However, there is still a man with money in his pocket that should not be there. Perhaps he did not understand geocoions, but he still went ahead with the sale after he knew that the coin had an owner.

 

What should I do next time? Should I let the next seller profit too? Won't this create an incentive for other people to take coins and sell them in a public auction?

 

Team Kizb, Thanks for doing the right thing.

 

I feel GregsonVaux has done the right thing by bringing this issue to the attention of our community. Isn't that what we always say should be done? Keep a watchful eye for stolen Geocoins. Thank You GregsonVaux!

 

Having communicated with the seller of this coin I believe he is a muggle that was just asked to sell the coin. How his friend came to have the coin is the big question that may never be answered. Yes its wrong that he knowingly processed to sell the coin after being told it in fact had an owner. The feeling I got from the seller was that if I had not processed with paying for the the coin it would again be lost to be never seen from again. Hopefully ebay will follow up the complaints against him to ensure he doesn't do this a second time.

 

Rest assured as long as I do in fast receive this Geocoin there will be a happy ending to this thread.

Edited by Team kizb
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BlueDeuce

+BlueDeuce

Posted
Posted (edited)

The coin is now showing as shipped so I should have it within the week. I am in contact with the owner and the coin should be out traveling again soon.

 

I am satisfied enough and will drop this. I will take no further action. However, there is still a man with money in his pocket that should not be there. Perhaps he did not understand geocoions, but he still went ahead with the sale after he knew that the coin had an owner.

 

What should I do next time? Should I let the next seller profit too? Won't this create an incentive for other people to take coins and sell them in a public auction?

 

Team Kizb, Thanks for doing the right thing.

 

I feel GregsonVaux has done the right thing by bringing this issue to the attention of our community. Isn't that what we always say should be done? Keep a watchful eye for stolen Geocoins. Thank You GregsonVaux!

 

Having communicated with the seller of this coin I believe he is a muggle that was just asked to sell the coin. How his friend came to have the coin is the big question that may never be answered. Yes its wrong that he knowingly processed to sell the coin after being told it in fact had an owner. The feeling I got from the seller was that if I had not processed with paying for the the coin it would again be lost to be never seen from again. Hopefully ebay will follow up the complaints against him to ensure he doesn't do this a second time.

 

Rest assured as long as I do in fast receive this Geocoin there will be a happy ending to this thread.

 

Absolutely, Looks like the two of you have it worked out. Perfectly fine to bring it up in the forum, but not to mount a mass email attack.

Edited by BlueDeuce
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Team kizb

+Team kizb

Posted
Posted
Will you be one of the people who says nothing?

 

See that post count over on the left there? Most have to do with travelers.

 

I'd be happy to help out where I can. Try it sometime.

 

This thread was started to bring attention to a "stolen Geocoin", not to give the OP grief. GregsonVaux's should not be getting beat up over what he felt was an appropriate and proactive way to handle this situation.

 

I can only hope that a fellow Cacher like GregsonVaux might in the future spot one of my stolen Geocoins on ebay and bring it to the attention of the community.

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BlueDeuce

+BlueDeuce

Posted
Posted (edited)
Will you be one of the people who says nothing?

 

See that post count over on the left there? Most have to do with travelers.

 

I'd be happy to help out where I can. Try it sometime.

 

This thread was started to bring attention to a "stolen Geocoin", not to give the OP grief. GregsonVaux's should not be getting beat up over what he felt was an appropriate and proactive way to handle this situation.

 

I can only hope that a fellow Cacher like GregsonVaux might in the future spot one of my stolen Geocoins on ebay and bring it to the attention of the community.

 

And I responded by giving some direction. I didn't question someone's integrity.

 

 

Edit: borked the quote.

Edited by BlueDeuce
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GregsonVaux

GregsonVaux

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Perfectly fine to bring it up in the forum, but not to mount a mass email attack.

 

You'll have to be more specific than that. Yes, you have a high post count, but why are you an authority that should be trusted over my own judgment? My skin itches when people just say "trust me" and nothing else.

 

I personally believe that public pressure can be very effective. I did contact eBay, and the automatically generated message told me to contact the police. I do not know if eBay will follow up beyond that. I have read several times that eBay does not follow up on illegal actions. You suggest contacting the coin manufacturer, That is your advice?! What does that do?!

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Droo

+Droo

Posted
Posted

Perfectly fine to bring it up in the forum, but not to mount a mass email attack.

 

You'll have to be more specific than that. Yes, you have a high post count, but why are you an authority that should be trusted over my own judgment? My skin itches when people just say "trust me" and nothing else.

 

I personally believe that public pressure can be very effective. I did contact eBay, and the automatically generated message told me to contact the police. I do not know if eBay will follow up beyond that. I have read several times that eBay does not follow up on illegal actions. You suggest contacting the coin manufacturer, That is your advice?! What does that do?!

This is starting to get personal and probably not appropriate for a public forum.

 

GV... you did good. You contacted the owner, Ebay and the seller - good on ya. You brought it to other coiners' attention and they'll do what their consciences or whims dictate.... fine. Now let it go! It is now the business of the buyer, seller, rightful owner and those that facilitated the sale to handle the consequences. :)

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hiker6699

+hiker6699

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Hello All,

 

I am the owner of the geocoin in question. I would like to take this opportunity to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all who contacted me about this.

 

I was traveling over Thanksgiving weekend & had no internet access until I got home. When I opened my e-mail, I found several from fellow cachers asking if I knew 1 of my coins was for sale on ebay. I checked out the listing & Yes, It was my coin. I sent 3 e-mails to the seller before getting a reply to the 4th email. His response came less than 1 hour before the end of the auction. He made it clear he didn't want to deal with me or return my coin. He said something about "tossing it in the river" for all the trouble it was causing. At that point, I figured that the best way to get my coin back would be to work with the "winning bidder". I will continue to work with Team Kizb until my coin is back traveling again.

 

I have also contacted e-bay about the seller.

 

Again, I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all who have rendered assistance in this matter.

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GregsonVaux

GregsonVaux

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This is starting to get personal and probably not appropriate for a public forum.

 

 

All is well that ends well. Droo you are right that this topic is beginning to generate more heat than light so this is my last post in this thread. Although stealing coins makes me angry, there was some good that came from this. The owner got a far more interesting caching experience than anyone would have expected from the average coin.

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the4dirtydogs

+the4dirtydogs

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We just had one of our coins come back to travel. It went missing for a year and a couple months. We were surprised to see the coin pop-up again. We wrote it off as another loss. The cacher had some trauma in her life and finally was able to get the coin to a cache to get moving again. So we decided to send her an unactivated coin like the one she moved for us, so she could have one to move around. We don't release coins anymore, way too many taken already. So yes they do come back at some point, just hope not on ebay :laughing:

 

Thats pretty cool that you spotted the tracking number and contacted the coin owner. We would have done the same thing. Not buying the sellers story either.

Edited by the4dirtydogs
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Maine Family

Maine Family

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Posted
We just had one of our coins come back to travel. It went missing for a year and a couple months. We were surprised to see the coin pop-up again. We wrote it off as another lose. The cacher had some trama in her life and finally was able to get the coin to a cache to get moving again. So we decided to send her an unactivated coin like the was she moved for us, so she could have one to move around. We don't release coins anymore, way too many taken already. So yes they do come back at some point, just hope not on ebay :laughing:

 

Thats pretty cool that you spotted tracking number and contacted the coin owner. We would have done the same thing. Not buying the sellers story either.

That was nice of you to send her an unactivated coin. Glad your coin is moving again and hope it keeps traveling.

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the4dirtydogs

+the4dirtydogs

Posted
Posted
We just had one of our coins come back to travel. It went missing for a year and a couple months. We were surprised to see the coin pop-up again. We wrote it off as another lose. The cacher had some trama in her life and finally was able to get the coin to a cache to get moving again. So we decided to send her an unactivated coin like the was she moved for us, so she could have one to move around. We don't release coins anymore, way too many taken already. So yes they do come back at some point, just hope not on ebay :laughing:

 

Thats pretty cool that you spotted tracking number and contacted the coin owner. We would have done the same thing. Not buying the sellers story either.

That was nice of you to send her an unactivated coin. Glad your coin is moving again and hope it keeps traveling.

Thanks. She had been through some tough times. We hope the coin keeps moving as well, it's my now 7yr old daughters coin. She was excited to see the coin active again. Sheez I need to proof read before sending :laughing:

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Team kizb

+Team kizb

Posted
Posted

so, uh... what was the return address? <img src="http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ph34r.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blink:" border="0" alt="ph34r.gif" /> j/k

 

So how'd this work out in the end? I'm looking for the happy ending <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

 

The happy ending is that its traveling again! TB1ZPT7

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