Ontario man buys $1,800 rare coin in online auction and never receives it
A Scarborough man who collects NFL and boxing memorabilia also invests in rare coins as a hobby and for investment purposes.
When Cresent Chew saw a rare 1948 Canadian silver dollar in an online auction, he decided he had to have it.
“The 1948 Canadian silver dollar is a wonderful coin and when I saw it I decided to bid on it and I was the winner of the online auction,” Chew said.
Chew said after he had the winning bid, he agreed to send the seller Impulse Fine Art Auctions $1,813.
But he has now been waiting for four months and the 74-year-old coin still hasn’t shown up.
"It’s really hard to get a hold of these guys. They had a false phone number on their invoice and I have emailed them about 25 times and they won’t get back to me,” he said.
Chew became concerned when the phone number on the invoice was 123-456-7890 and the Mimico address also on the invoice was a post office box.
Chew used the website HiBid, which is an online auction hosting platform, but the coin was purchased from Impulse Fine Art Auction.
CTV News Toronto reached out to Impulse Fine Art Auction by phone and email but our messages were not returned.
CTV News Toronto also contacted HiBid and while the company did not return our messages, the company told Chew in an email that, “Impulse Fine Art Auction is no longer on our platform. We recommend that you contact local authorities and file a dispute with your bank. We apologize for any inconvenience and stress that might have caused you.”
Chew had been holding out hope he would receive the coin or his money back, but now he says he's not sure he would ever use an online auction again.
"It's an expensive lesson to learn, but what can I do?"
The largest company for online auctions is EBay, which has a good reputation for selling items and collectibles, but no matter which site you use you need research the seller, check their feedback and reviews to try and make sure you'll get your item.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America announced after 114 years that it will change its name and will become Scouting America in an effort to emphasize inclusion as it works to move past the turmoil of bankruptcy and a flood of sexual abuse claims.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.