This man, 92, thought he ordered a collector's coin. $1,000 later, the coins kept coming

For months, Lloyd Walker would regulary get a new coin in the mail. Eventually, Walker says he didn't bother to look — he already knew what was inside the padded white envelopes.

The packages from the Bradford Exchange, an American company that's been selling collectibles, trinkets and jewelry since the 1970s, had been coming to his St. John's home since July.

"I think this is outrageous. That shouldn't be. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with that sort of a thing," Walker, 92, said in a recent interview at his St. John's home. 

Walker said he didn't knowingly sign up for any subscription program, nor does he want the coins he received. But despite writing to the company to cancel, Walker continued to be charged.

Waker's story points to a widespread issue in Canada, according to a national advocacy organization for older adults.

Both Walker and CanAge CEO Laura Tamblyn Watts says his experience shows a weakness in the laws that protect consumers in Canada, and are calling on companies to be held accountable for what they consider to be questionable business practices.

It started in July when Walker says he believed he ordered a single Platinum Jubilee coin of Queen Elizabeth II as a keepsake for his great-granddaughter's birthday, after spotting it in a brochure from the Bradford Exchange among other flyers in the mail. 

He said nothing in the flyer led him to believe he would be signing up for anything. 

Soon after placing his order by mail, he received an invoice suggesting he pay the balance by credit card — which Walker did. 

Two weeks later, Walker said he received a coin collector's box in the mail with a note saying it was a free gift — a foreshadowing of what was to come. 

"I put the box down on the floor alongside of the China cabinet and thought about it a little bit," Walker said.

"And then about a week or two after, another coin shows up and no invoice, just the coin. So then next thing I got another coin, no invoice."

The Bradford Exchange website is currently advertising a platinum-plated Queen Elizabeth II collection. 

The website says the coin is $69.99 plus $12.99 shipping, or available in two installments of $34.99. In smaller letters it reads, "each issue."