How I Forced Great Southern Coins to Refund My Money (A Collector’s Step-by-Step Guide)

I Woke Up to an Empty Bank Account – My Coin Dealer Ghosted Me

Let me tell you about the week my $2,800 vanished into thin air. There I was, a lifelong coin collector, staring at my bank statement wondering how Great Southern Coins could simply keep my money hostage. After three sleepless nights and enough coffee to fuel a small army, I cracked their refund resistance. Here’s exactly how I made them return every penny.

The Collector’s Nightmare: When Trust Shatters

It started like any other transaction. I spotted what looked like the deal of the decade:

• A gorgeous 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent graded MS65
• Listed at what seemed like a fair market price
• Paid instantly with my debit card (rookie mistake!)

Then came the waiting game. Three weeks of “shipping delays” turned into radio silence. When I finally requested cancellation, GSC’s customer service played hot potato with my refund:

“Check your bank in 7-10 days” → “Our system shows it’s processed” → “Not our problem – call your bank”

Why Your Debit Card Is a Collector’s Worst Enemy

Here’s what every numismatist needs to know about payment methods:

• Debit cards offer near-zero fraud protection
• Banks treat disputes as “customer service issues” not fraud
• You could wait 45+ days for resolution

How I Forced Great Southern Coins to Pay Up

Step 1: The Paper Bombardment (Days 1-3)

I became a documentation machine:

• Sent certified letters to both HQ and legal department
• Filed FTC complaint using their online portal
• Logged every call with names, times, and promises

Key Insight: In Texas, dragging out refunds counts as deceptive trade practice under §17.46. I printed this statute in bold on every document.

Step 2: The Bank Takedown (Days 4-7)

Here’s where I turned the tables:

1. Submitted formal Regulation E notice citing 15 USC §1693f
2. Demanded provisional credit within 10 business days
3. Provided notarized statement of unauthorized charge

This forced my bank to stop treating it as a “merchant disagreement” and start investigating as fraud.

Step 3: The Police Power Play (Day 8)

Most collectors don’t know this ace up their sleeve:

• Texas Penal Code §31.04 defines withheld refunds as theft
• Filed detailed report with Boerne PD Financial Crimes Unit
• Highlighted email evidence showing intentional delay

The result? A detective called GSC’s legal team. My refund landed in 72 hours flat.

What I Changed Forever in My Collecting Habits

My New Ironclad Protection Rules

Now I operate like a collector with something to lose:

• American Express only – their buyer protection is gold standard
• Recorded calls (legal in Texas with one-party consent)
• Written shipping guarantees before any payment clears

The Collector’s Escalation Timeline

72 hours: Certified demand letter
7 days: FTC + State AG complaints
10 days: Police report + bank regulation demands

When to Call the Cops: A Collector’s Guide

Based on my experience, law enforcement helps when:

• Dealer admits they owe you money in writing
• They violate their own published refund policy
• Amounts exceed $1,500 (felony territory)

Pro Tip: Always bring three printed copies of:
1. Transaction proof
2. Refund policy
3. Their admission of debt

From Burned to Empowered: My Collector’s Manifesto

This battle taught me what really matters:

1. Credit cards aren’t optional – they’re body armor for collectors
2. Your paper trail is your ammunition – document everything
3. Know your state’s commerce laws better than your favorite coin specs

While some forum trolls claimed I went nuclear, here’s what mattered: My $2,800 reappeared, my collection kept growing, and I sleep better knowing I can protect my numismatic passion. In this hobby, the best defense is a prepared offense.

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