The only source I have for coins in the internet, because there are no coin shops close to me. The closet coin shop would take $20 worth of gas. As I have been working on my Roosevelt dime album, I have had to sell 9 coins (too much hassle doing a return). I also incur a loss when I do so. There are things on a coin that cannot be seen due to the poor photos many sellers have. These are not something that you need a microscope to see, but stuff you can see a foot away. I have bought several coins that looked blast white in the photo, only to have toning, coins that had small nicks in them, yellow splotches etc. For this reason I think any more coins I collect are going to be circulated examples, instead of BU. There is just too much hiding in a photo on a BU coin. Either that or it's going to be slabbed, where sellers usually have much better photos.
If you had any idea how many dealers in just this area just use ebay for their problem/unwanted/sliders coin dumping ground you might understand more of why your getting such items. If your stuck in an area that is like you say.. find a dealer on ebay that will stand behind what they sell and use them. There are several of them out there that I know of and I am sure with a little research you too can find some. Here is one that is a member here that would never do you wrong. Bedford aka budgood. Send him a PM and see what he has..
I'm starting to wonder if some dealers take poor pics on purpose. I've seen one seller with loads of silver sell. Surely they can spend $150 on a decent camera. However it's kind of a double edged sword, coins with super clear pics tend to bring more. If I do any more albums it's going to be just plain 'ol circulated coins. BU is kind of a pain and expensive. I kind of like slabbed coins because if the photo is poor, you don't have to worry much about it being a problem coin unless the slab says so.
IMHO Detecto, you could easily acquire a gem BU set of Roosevelt dimes fairly easy even on a tight budget you will just have to be patient.
A complete date and mint mark PCGS MS65 set of Roosevelt dimes is valued by PCGS at $407, which most people agree is a bit on the high side....
http://www.moderncoinexpress.com/roosevelt-dime-mint-year-sets/ All in OGP. And don't forget the arrangement you and I made privately for that 46D either.
Someone who seeks out blast white coins to put in an album may be disappointed later when the album causes them to turn colors.
Some people wait a lifetime for a coin that meets all the requirements of there collection and some never even find it...
I don't think a month is a very long time Detecto. The hunt for the right coins should be part of the enjoyment. That's the difference between collecting the coins,and just having the coins imho.
I don't think raw vs slab is your problem. Just because it's in a slab doesn't automatically make it an attractive or problem free coin. If your only venue is internet, find a reputable dealer to work with. JMO
I've been working on my Jefferson album and I only have about 12 coins in it. When I I come crossed a nice example I pick it up. The coins will come to you when you slow down and take your time
Waiting a month isn't patient. I've been waiting for years to fully complete a set and for most of my collections, they never will be complete. I find the hunt more fun than actually completing it.
A month is nothing. I know some collectors working on a large cent collection (Canadian) who have spent 50 years searching for perfect coins. I just spoke to a collector yesterday who started a collection of Canadian banknotes when he was 14. He's 66 now and still goes to shows looking for notes he still needs. You... patient? phhhhtttt!