What should be done is contact the vendor directly to determine what kind of proof exists and then you make a judgement call if further proof/ verification is required.
Had this happened in this case the party would have been very satisfied with the information presented.
The "decent vendor" you refer to is eBay's leading dealer of Canadian Paper Money and runs a flawless feedback record and has the best return policy I have seen.
He also has extraordinary access to information and does everything possible to ensure claims are accurate.
I am not sure where you would like to take this thread but it definitely has my full attention.
Troy.
Troy, I don't mean to offend. I apologize if I have in anything I have said thus far.
My entire point: There is nothing wrong with checking things out in whatever way one wants to. As a buyer, you are doing what is in your best interests. Sellers should not take offense to this, and in fact should encourage it.
This is not a debate about the seller. I have said nothing that was intended as or should be interpreted as a remark against the seller, or sellers in general. I harbour no grudges against this particular seller, nor would I have a problem recommending him to others.
This thread began as a question into whether or not the claim made in the auction posting was accurate. I never implied anything regarding the accuracy of the claim. You seem to be of the opinion that third-party verification is an indication of mistrust. I contend that it is merely acting in the sellers best interest.
It's called shopping around, checking things out and making an informed decision. When you make a large purchase, say for a car, the advertisement might say it gets 43 miles to a gallon, or has a better reliability rating than its competitor. Would you not want to perhaps check out the manufacturer's website for details of the vehicle? Maybe look at one of those car buyers guides at the bookstore? Or would you just go by what the dealer, even the guy who has owned the dealership for the last 45 years, is good friends with your brother, and a member of your coin club, says?
I myself sell items on eBay. In some auctions, I might make a claim about the rarity of the note. For example, I have one auction listed currently in which I state that this note had a quantity printed of a mere 920,000. I also state that this was confirmed by the Bank of Canada. Will I care if someone asks about the quantity printed on this site? No. Will I care if they email the Bank of Canada? No. I encourage them to do so because when they do, they will realize that I am correct, and this serves to establish or enhance the level of trust between buyer and seller.
Darcy: I don't know the number of RS $5s outstanding. I imagine Bob would know, but I haven't bothered to email him on the matter.
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Logged
BWJM, F.O.N.A.
Life Member of CPMS, RCNA, ONA, ANA, IBNS, WCS.
President, IBNS Ontario Chapter.
Treasurer, Waterloo Coin Society.
Show Chair, Cambridge Coin Show.
Fellow of the Ontario Numismatic Association.