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
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.