BackyardBullion

3 minutes ago, ArgentSmith said:

I had similar but Im sure tracking history said item had been destroyed. After emailing CEO office @arphethean kindly supplied email addy the package turned up a few days later. Probably paranoid but I wonder if these parcels ever arrive without chasing up.

I honestly don't know. 

I had another package similar dely, tracking said it went to Bristol mail centre. 

When I quizzed my escallations lady about this she said it never actually went to Bristol, it was just a scan of a giant bag that had everything in it and then my parcel was put into a different bag to come to Southampton. 

They don't know their arses from their elbows. 

Also, "special" delivery - they have no idea where things are at any given time beyond it was checked in at a certain place and then checked out. 

Whilst "in transit" their answer to everything is, we don't know where it is and have to wait for its next scan. 

Total joke. 

At this point I also have to ask myself if King Charles is trolling me.

Royal Mint 

And now

Royal Mail

Just now, treetop1280 said:

@BackyardBullion , think you might have to take a trip over  for the day ,  if it goes sour ??? I’m sure one of us will look after you , 

Well, I hope not. 

Lovely country, I have family ties in NI and love coming over but I really don't want to go over and sort this out.

I just want common sense to prevail and people to do their job correctly.

Just now, James32 said:

I'd just keep on top of CEO office and explain how much you line their pockets yearly. Also mention the video 😆 

Ha, thanks. I will publish the video on Sunday.

Last year I spent £8000 on special delivery postage.

13 minutes ago, James32 said:

I'd bet this just means lost.

Well, I have had communication from the escalations team that it has been sent to dangerous goods.

So now it just goes in the black hole for 8-10 weeks.

I can't even claim for the loss as it's not lost.

1 minute ago, treetop1280 said:

Do you know where the items are , as in the address??

No idea. 

One was last scanned at Edinburgh Mail Centre and I have now been told its on its way to Northern Ireland Dangerous Goods Centre.

The other one was last scanned at Stanstead Air Hub and then got that Dangerous Goods designation.

22 minutes ago, treetop1280 said:

@BackyardBullion,  I have a good relationship with my local post office , ( I’m allowed in through the security doors and  the back of the counter ) because I’m special???😀👍, do you mind me showing them the above message??? They might have half a idea about it ???, I’d rather have your permission??? Thanks 

Please feel free. 

I will be doing a video this weekend going into a lot more detail on this whole stupid situation. 

I have basically no recourse but to wait for their ineptitude to resolve itself. 

Remember this is all amongst the backdrop of the massive price hikes of special delivery, 70%+ on some packages. 

Just now, James32 said:

Email the CEO office of royal mail personally ( @arphethean have you still got the email adress?

they are usually pretty good and efficient in sorting out blunders.

I'd take that update with a pinch of salt, I've seen people's items apparently getting destroyed because of dangerous goods. Big load of b#llocks and items returned unopened after contacting the CEO office. 

Thanks, I have already emailed a bunch of people at the CEO office and have had a reply from one person today. 

I am hoping common sense will prevail and someone will help.

4 minutes ago, Darr3nG said:

@James32 @HonestMoneyGoldSilver @treetop1280

Can you make a few phone calls, get this sorted?  

Yes, please!

I have one for certain and possibly up to two more £2500 value packages being sent to Northern Ireland for an 8-10 week stay at the dangerous goods centre. 

Long story short, silver being sent to and from Edinburgh Assay Office. 

The packages got there all OK, no delays. 

Coming back to me, they get pulled out by the Civil Aviation Authority and normally this would then go through the road network. 

This did not happen. 

What I have been told is that the sorting centre/CAA people check it once, if unsure they put it to one side to look at again. If they still cant work it out, off to Ireland it goes. 

Their turnaround is 8-10 weeks to check these packages. 

Totally c**p. 

Royal Mail, putting the special back into special delivery.

3 minutes ago, SimplySilver said:

Lot 1 if still available please

All yours.

PM incoming 

1 minute ago, goldenharvest said:

Lot 3 please if still available. Thanks.

Yep, yours PM'ed

10 minutes ago, sellerstacker said:

Silver Proof £2 coin 1807 Abolition of slavery.  If available

Also lot 4 please

PM'ed

30 minutes ago, Allgoldcoins said:

So the coin struck to celebrate the work of Pistrucci, can't even manage to strike his name on the coins :

Shocking, truly shocking and it's not just one of them either!

Oof, that's terrible 

@COBRASTACKER

6 minutes ago, timsk said:

Many thanks BYB for doing the digging.

"This innovative, five-year series will feature 21 monarchs in total, featuring iconic kings and queens from four royal houses: Tudor, Stuart, Hanoverian and Windsor, formerly known as Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Each year will see the launch of several new coins, released sequentially in January, March, June and September*.

*Please note: All the information provided regarding dates and launch order of the monarchs are all subject to change across the five year series."

These are the two key sentences which form a clear statement of intent and makes clear that while the Mint will not be held to specific dates or releasing  coins in the order listed, they are committed to producing 21 coins over a five year period. No caveat that they may cancel ('pause') the series at any time without even having the courtesy to inform their customers of their decision. Collectors are given every reason to believe that this "revolutionary" and "landmark" series "celebrating some of the most iconic kings and queens in British history" will form the bedrock of all commemorative coin collections produced by the Mint for a long time to come.

The Mint has a clear case to answer for grossly misleading their customers and encouraging them to spend large sums of money without following through on their end of the bargain by producing the coins they said they would.

You're not wrong, but that doesn't mean the mint will care enough to refund customers.

Another question is that a few of these in recent auction results are actually achieving above issue price. 

Some, definitely not making money and go under issue price...Others are making a little money assuming you sell with a sellers fee offer and don't get scammed!

To clarify, these screenshots are of sold listings on ebay, not just buy it now's unsold.

20 minutes ago, timsk said:

Does anyone have access to The Royal Mint's original announcement about the series before the first coin was released? I joined the party late - long after any reference to it on their website was long gone. Depending on what it says, it may form a good faith contract between the Mint and prospective collectors.

Certainly, I would never have started collecting the series had I known the current situation was even a possibility, save for force majeure, nuclear armageddon or some such. As I've said before, but is worth repeating I think, the coins released so far don't form any kind of coherent set - they're a mishmash. The collection 'works' by having all the coins in one of the four houses and, ultimately, having completed all four houses. As things stand, there's no reason for the six coins released so far to even hold the price paid for them - let alone increase in value over time.

I think that's a strong case and one which the Mint is morally and ethically bound to address, even if there isn't a legal requirement. The damage to their reputation and credibility has taken a major hit following the recent scandals surrounding the historic sets and (not so) silent auction - that I would think they would want to do the right thing and offer some form of compensation to everyone who bought into this series with the hope and expectation of collecting the complete set.

I don't have a screengrab of the original product release. 

BUT, I did copy and paste all the information on the first coin into my YouTube video description: 

The British Monarchs Collection is a revolutionary new coin series celebrating some of the most iconic kings and queens in British history.

Naturally, such a landmark collection deserves a worthy introduction and there is arguably no better place to start than with one of the most famous regal families in British history – the House of Tudor.

SPECIFICATION VALUE DENOMINATION £2

MAXIMUM COIN MINTAGE 1260

ALLOY 999 Fine Silver

WEIGHT 31.21 g

DIAMETER 38.61mm

REVERSE DESIGNER Alexander of Bruchsal

OBVERSE DESIGNER Jody Clark

QUALITY Proof

YEAR 2022

PURE METAL TYPE Silver

EDGE Milled

Beginning with the founder of the Tudor dynasty, the first coin in The British Monarchs Collection features a classic portrait of Henry VII as it would have appeared on the coinage of the time. As one of the most iconic kings in British history, this design provides a fascinating glimpse into the rarely seen coins of his reign, whilst also presenting a unique prospect for would-be collectors and history aficionados. As one of the oldest working mints in the world, we have produced coins for a plethora of regal dynasties throughout our 1,100-year history, including some of the most legendary monarchs to wear the crown.

The British Monarchs Collection uniquely celebrates these iconic kings and queens by providing a numismatic snapshot of their reign through coin designs of yesteryear. Utilising genuine historical samples coupled with state-of-the-art technology and numismatic processes, our master craftspeople have faithfully recreated these classic designs just as they would have appeared during each monarch’s respective reign.

This innovative, five-year series will feature 21 monarchs in total, featuring iconic kings and queens from four royal houses: Tudor, Stuart, Hanoverian and Windsor, formerly known as Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Each year will see the launch of several new coins, released sequentially in January, March, June and September*.

Whilst the designs remain true to the originals, the coins in this new collection are finished to Proof standard, which provides a clearly defined finish that accentuates the details and enhances the overall aesthetic of each one. Available struck in 999.9 gold or 999 fine silver, the first release in the range celebrates Henry VII. Featuring a Tudor design, it is available in a variety of sizes, ranging from one ounce to five-ounce editions.

Here is also the original mint schedule too: 

1 minute ago, NGMD said:

The Monarchs were good quality,well designed and packaged collectables. I never returned a single coin in the series. They’ll probably agree to a return for silver ‘spot’ price because somewhere in their T&Cs will mention that can stop a series without warning or compensation. I’ll be stuck with my last three for the melting pot.

I know there has been some very effective videos calling them out, but they really do not care because there is enough ‘satisfied’ customers🤷‍♂️#mugs

Oh don't worry I will be holding them to task on this. 

Our voices won't be ignored. 

So, I can just about see a small scenario where if you can demonstrate you were collecting the whole run of a particular coin type you MIGHT get a return refund IF they were acting in good faith and practice. One off coins I think that is a much harder argument to make. 

The big IF here is that The Royal Mint would act in good faith and "do the right thing" and we all know just how much that is likely to happen. 

The good news is that my request for a return refund has not been declined yet. They ARE considering it (or so I am lead to believe).

2 minutes ago, tpcob303 said:

This apology is really only for the silent auction, it hasn't explained the other issue regarding the pricing of products that are not worth the money they are asking. 

Half way there don't back down now regarding this. Did you manage to speak with your local MP? 

They are taking this more seriously now. I hope for more information to share around historics soon enough.

I have a meeting with my MP scheduled for late April!

2 minutes ago, AndrewSL76 said:

I didn’t even get the ‘up your bid, mate’ email. Not a peep….!!!

You're just not special enough buddy!

Just now, AndrewSL76 said:

Yes, it would be interesting. I placed a bid and have not heard anything at all from them. Not a peep……

Did you have a winning bidder email? 

I think they have basically assessed all the bids before and after the emails and have then got in touch with the 23 people that were winning when the emails went out. 

Just now, AOB said:

Great work @BackyardBullion, first proper message indicating they were at fault and understanding their customer base is vital to the operations.

Would be very interested on how they resolve the affected customers..?

That's going to have to come from those that were affected. 

They told me there were some that were directly affected by the emails and had impacts on the bidding. 

Good to know they have been trying to resolve this on a case by case basis though.

Should never have happened in the first place, but its good to get some accountability from them.