An Attributer gone bad???

Bob P · Site Admin

Ken was indeed sick during the end of last year. He has NOT been sick for two years. He had computer problems too. No one has ever disputed those as good reasons for falling behind. He must also continue to make a living. He does that by writing these articles and running his auctions.
One of the points I had made from the very beginning was that he would tell you you would get your coins back within a week or two, and then 6 months later...they are still in his possession. He told Mike Diamond (The CONECA President), that he would return all coins and fees. This was almost 3 months ago. He did return some of mine, just not all of them. I have not heard from anyone else who has had their coins returned thus far. How long does it take to address an envelope or package?
Then, he gets so frustrated, that he completely ignores emails, phone calls, and personal letters. He will not communicate with anyone, and his blanket statement is that people will get their coins back in the order received. Unfortunately, no one knows when that is. I amnot the worst off either. There are a couple of people who have had coins in his care since the end of 2005!

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

Well the 31 of Oct. has come and gone. Did anyone fair better than I did in getting their coins back?

BJ Neff

Bob P · Site Admin

The 31st of October was the end date for the grievance I filed. I did finally get my remaining 3 coins back on the 29th. Even after he was given an ultimatum, he still milked it for almost the entire 6 weeks he was given to comply. The grievance committee considers my case closed because I finally got my coins back. However, in my mind, they did nothing to address the issue at hand, and that was that he has had people's coins for 2 years in some cases. He ignored emails, phone calls and personal letters. This was hardly a slap on the wrist for all the anguish folks have gone through. So the score tends to heavily favor Ken, and all the collectors out there have to resort to BS like this to get their coins back. It should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER get to this point. If they wish to damage the reputation of the hobby, then this is definitely a way to do it. I wish they would consider some sort of action against him to implore him to send back EVERYTHING like he said he would months ago. Whether this is the 'Good old boys' network working here, or if people are just plain afraid to deal with him in a more straight forward and serious manner... I just don't know.
I strongly suggest that if you still have not received your coins, that you too file a grievance. All it does is guarantee that he will get a letter, and he might make good on the returns. Of this, there is no guarantee, but in my case, after 14 months, I finally got back what I paid for.

Doug · Advanced Member

Hello Bob. I'm pleased to hear you got your coins back and absolutely agree you shouldn't have had to fight so hard for their return.

I must say, that in the past, I had many positive experiences with Ken through communications and purchases as did others. To read this on going thread has been sad in the fact that Ken has let his public credibility lapse so blatantly.

Damned sad to read considering all his past efforts. Hopefully, he can overcome his problems and join us again.

It will be interesting though to hear who hasn't recieved returns after today?

Steven · Expert Member

Glad to here the coins made it back home Bob.

Steven

Gabe · Senior Member

Bob.. glad you got your coins. I have pretty much accepted that I will never get my coins, and have cut my losses. I will contact CONECA and file a complaint, but I don't really expect much out of it.

Russellhome · Veteran Member

Well, two years have come and gone. Still have not got my coins back. The USPS delivery confirmation data only stays on line for 6 months. It's been so long since I sent them, I don't even remember if I checked to verify he received them - but I probably did.

I read in another thread that KP's attribution backlog is on display in NYC. Here is the link again...

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/making-cents-for-children-at-rockefeller-center/

My coins gotta be in there somewhere.

Bob P · Site Admin

That's pretty funny Ken Laughing

But...on the serious side, you are one of the folks who should be screaming the loudest. As I mentioned in an earlier post, most people are afraid to say anything, or have just written off their coins. This is just plain WRONG and in my humble opinion, the longer it goes on without some sort of public backlash, the more it looks like he can just take your stuff (THEFT in my book).
Don't just let it sit Ken. It's been two years now. I think that's 23 months too long.

Russellhome · Veteran Member

I did plenty of screaming a year ago. I didn't do any good. I do consider the whole situation kind of a joke. The value of the coins is not an issue -- but to provide such ridiculously bad attribution services is. I guess posts like this are my way of warning people about what they might expect from KP.

I did become a member of CONECA a few weeks ago, and I may very well take the issue up with them eventually. But frankly - it is not really a CONECA issue, other than the embarrassment of having one of their prominent members behaving so badly. However, if it takes complaining to CONECA to get my coins back, that may just be what I have to do.

Ziggy9 · New Member

I didn't say anything earlier but I am very grateful for this thread. Back when the info about my 1982-ddr was first hitting the press I was told that Ken Potter was interested in seeing the coin for himself. If it wasn't for this thread I probably would have sent it to him!! Thank you!!

Richard

Bob P · Site Admin

Ken did bring up a valid point folks. If you sent Ken Potter coins thinking they would be listed for CONECA (like the Minnesota doubled dies), then you can file a grievance with CONECA. However, if you sent coins to Potter for attribution under his variety coin register (VCR) program, or he requested to see them for an article or something, then CONECA may not be able to help you out. Ken is a board member for CONECA.

smed · Senior Member

It shouldn't make a difference what the purpose was. You don't hold on to someone's property for months and years without their permission.

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

If you are a CONECA member and sent coins to KP for ANY purpose or reason and have not had then returned in due course, you have the option of filing a grievence.

BJ Neff