eBay makes me sick.

Shipping can be expensive, but if the item is a low value coin, it doesn't have to be. If you are buying a $100 coin, you want it packed nicely. If I am buying a common world coin that's worth a dollar that I need to complete my set, I want it shipped economically and I want the savings passed on to me. When I sell coins, I charge 75 cents for the first item and 25 cents for each extra item. I put the coins in a 2x2, print out the paypal slip and wrap it around the coin. This works great for up to 4 coins. After that I bought some small envelopes for cheap on Amazon, and I will ship it the same way in those. This keeps my costs down and helps out the buyer too, so they can buy more coins from me. I would like others to do the same for me. Recently I bought a coin with a $4 shipping charge, and it basically arrived the same way I ship mine for 75 cents. I didn't give him negative feedback, but I did mention it in my comment and gave him a low score on shipping cost, because he clearly didn't spend what he charged.

The non-paying bidder is a big problem for me too. If they have a high rating, they always seem to pay, but sometimes not for three or four days. I've noticed a lot of people wait until Friday, so I figure they're waiting for pay day. The ones who never pay usually have less than 25 feedback, but invariably if you read their other feedback, every one says how lightning fast they pay. I don't know why they don't pay me. I have a claim going right now for someone who bought two coins and didn't pay.

 

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I really dislike the overcharging on shipping or handling fee's with shipping which allows higher shipping charges. Most of the time the coins I get which aren't anything really expensive as I would buy locally are shipped as cheap as possible often with a stamp only. This bugs me to no end when I paid $2+ for shipping costs. Your not supposed to be making money off shipping costs but many many people try and pull this by adding into shipping a handling fee when setting up the listing which only shows as the shipping cost to buyers. I don't sell much on Ebay due to the crazy fee's charged first by ebay, then paypal, then shipping which leaves too little to be desired in my opinion. Although I do sell a lot of items on gaming/blu ray sites and using paypal to pay/print postage can really save you some money. Flat rate boxes are also very good for cheap shipping of higher value items the small box paid for online is like $5 and you can pack items really well inside depending on what you're shipping.

 

If I bid on something with shipping costs, I always factor that into my bid. If I know a coin is only worth $20 and the seller is charging $4.00 shipping, you wouldn't catch me bidding more than $16. More likely a couple dollars less. If I don't win, so be it. I won't bid on anything for more than it is worth. Another chance will come around soon enough.

 

Remember though, it's Shipping and Handling costs, not just shipping. It use to irk me a little when I'd pay $2 and end up getting something shipped with just a first class stamp but then I also realize, a lot of sellers are dealers or do this for a living, so charging some for extra handling (handling is time spent making sure correct coin is being mailed, dropping off at post office or carrier, etc) isn't really that bad if it's still in a reasonable range. The only time it irks me is when I see outrageous shipping and handling costs.

Say for a one coin auction, not slabbed and you know it's gonna cost them just a stamp and they're asking for $4.95 shipping and handling, that's just nonsense and I just avoid these sellers anyways. If everyone avoided them, they'll eventually get a clue and drop their shipping costs, but remember, those that continue to keep their shipping prices high to make a little extra are doing it for a reason, because ignorant buyers aren't paying attention or they just don't care.

 

Maybe you should go buy coins at a shop or show then.

 

Also don't forget Ebay fees include shipping so you need to charge atleast 5-10% to cover that.

 

I love Player11's calm persistence. I prefer shows and shops and will visit them frequently. However, as a way to enjoy coins and perhaps find a deal or something specific that might be hard to find, I will peruse Ebay frequently. I'm much more annoyed as a seller by the (excessive) percentage taken by Ebay and Paypal.

 

It is one trading venue that many of us can still use. For myself, there are only a couple of dealers in town. One is iffy for me and the other is far away. So I mess around with eBay a bit, between coin shows. Where else is there ?

 

Very true. Its much worst for ancient collectors, since almost no shops carry ancients locally, and if I am lucky one dealer will attend a local show that carries ancients, though his prices tend to be high. Even for "normal" ancient collectors, Ebay is a godsend due to ability to buy at all. For me its worst, since I tend to specialize in areas even other ancient collectors have never heard of. I basically am on the fringe of the fringe.

Player though is right to push shows. Even if you do not buy anything, what you can learn at a good show by seeing the coins all together, talking to dealers, etc. is an invaluable experience that you do not get online.

Chris

 

Though there are bad auctions there are good one as well. Its a good place to buy coins. You need to find good sellers & just ignore the bad auctions/sellers. I have seen hundreds of "shady" auctions. We all have the advantage of knowing the bad auctions & know not to bid on them. If you get sick on ebay, maybe your local coin shop is the place for you. Just do not visit ebay!