What would you have done?

[wildmaven]

I'm a member of a coin collector's group and one of the members went to a garage sale and found the item pictured below. He knew exactly what it was. The seller asked what it was and the buyer said, "it's a graduation thing," so the seller said, "how about fifty cents." 



What would you have done? Would you now be the proud owner of the silver bar, or would you have told the seller what it was they were selling? 

[Pearson]

My conscious would not let me do what the collector has done. It would weigh on me and I hate that feeling!

[HoudiniDerek]

Since I have no idea what it is or why it is valuable, I am hard-pressed to say what I would have done. However, I likely would have told them that they had something valuable there, if indeed they do.

[Pearson]

Aug 9, 2022 9:45:02 GMT -8 HoudiniDerek said:

Since I have no idea what it is or why it is valuable, I am hard-pressed to say what I would have done. However, I likely would have told them that they had something valuable there, if indeed they do.

It looks like a silver graduation bar to me Derek.

www.ebay.com/itm/294719332581?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=294719332581&targetid=1529314445910&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=9022889&poi=&campaignid=15428210793&mkgroupid=129606026639&rlsatarget=pla-1529314445910&abcId=9300764&merchantid=6296724&gclid=CjwKCAjwi8iXBhBeEiwAKbUofatTHhgrcG7Xx7ev-mamuMbO-2D0MDtiPhVrBNtZTxKStUnhKoLu0RoCAUUQAvD_BwE

[Shady]

I think the seller has some responsibility there, as if you’re selling something without knowing the value and have to ask a buyer what it’s worth, you’re putting yourself in a position where you’re likely to be scammed. I don’t know what the value of a small silver bar like that is, but it does sound to be like the buyer has knowingly deceived the seller. Doesn’t sound like a good thing to do.

I buy and sell trading cards, and I’ve sometimes come across someone who doesn’t know the value of what they have. I’ve always been honest and usually got a bargain because of that, as they appreciate the honesty. Obviously on an online marketplace like eBay you can’t do that, but if someone is listing their stuff for sale on a marketplace like that without researching the price then again, they have to take some responsibility for that.

[bigballofyarn]

After researching, that exact thing appears to be only $35 brand new in an overpriced retail store. People are selling it for $5 used. It's no golden ticket. People sell more valuable things for around a $1 at garage sales. However, I can't tell silver from metal or diamonds from shiny plastic.

[Knightly Celt]

One troy ounce of .999 fine silver (as stated on the bar) has a commodity price of 20.50 USD.

[wildmaven]

When I go to thrift stores and garage sales, I'm constantly turning silver items over, looking for marks that indicate they're made of pure silver. If I found one, I doubt I'd say anything.

I do, however, take items up to the seller if I see that the items contain personal information. Sometimes families are in such a hurry to put stuff out to sell that they don't go through them thoroughly and they've included binders with tax documents, account numbers, etc in a pile of other stuff. 

Aug 9, 2022 9:45:02 GMT -8 HoudiniDerek said:

Since I have no idea what it is or why it is valuable, I am hard-pressed to say what I would have done. However, I likely would have told them that they had something valuable there, if indeed they do.

Oops, did the photo not show up for you? It says that it's 0.999 pure silver and one troy ounce. 

[Scott]

I expect a thrift store to vet items before making them available for sale. I mean someone has to determine a value to set the sale price. If they sell a silver bar for 50¢ then so be it, whether I'm a collector or not.

At a garage sale, as a lay person I'd probably buy the bar thinking it'd be an interesting gift to give to a graduate and not give it much thought beyond that. However, if I was a collector - as in knowing exactly what an item was, I would feel obligated to say something to the seller.  

[🎶Sossity🎶]

I’d have to do the right thing. Damn conscience!😀

[HoudiniDerek]

Aug 9, 2022 11:06:20 GMT -8 wildmaven said:

When I go to thrift stores and garage sales, I'm constantly turning silver items over, looking for marks that indicate they're made of pure silver. If I found one, I doubt I'd say anything.

I do, however, take items up to the seller if I see that the items contain personal information. Sometimes families are in such a hurry to put stuff out to sell that they don't go through them thoroughly and they've included binders with tax documents, account numbers, etc in a pile of other stuff. 

Aug 9, 2022 9:45:02 GMT -8 HoudiniDerek said:

Since I have no idea what it is or why it is valuable, I am hard-pressed to say what I would have done. However, I likely would have told them that they had something valuable there, if indeed they do.

Oops, did the photo not show up for you? It says that it's 0.999 pure silver and one troy ounce. 

Oh.  I see it now.  I just wasn't sure what I was looking at.  I'm not much of a collector. 

[Linette]

I would tell the seller and if they still couldn't be bothered I would continue buying it but if they showed interest I would suggest they keep it.