The "I don't buy Coins from coin dealers at shows and stick to online buying" thread

So it looks like we need our own thread for this discussion. I'll start by resurrecting my deleted post.

Let's start by adding negotiations. I have never tried to negotiate for a tire.

Second, while some of the analysis is indeed off the table it still has to look appropriate for the grade. I don't just close my eyes and only see the label. Especially with market analysis math of value of toned coins. That is an art to itself.

But more importantly I think of it like this. No matter how you evaluate a coin either you buy it or you don't. And either it is a good buy or not. Let's go back to our apparent favorite SQL example. I don't care how much skill or analysis it took to either agree or disagree with the grade. Was it a 55 or a true 58? You can use your coin skills all you want but how are you going to feel when I flash you my nice white problem free ms 63 slabbed coin that was $100 less? Going to grade my coin down to a 61? Go right ahead. Sometimes I personally think while grading skill can be very important in determining the worth of a coin that there are many times where I, the novice with excellent shopping skills, can run circles around the good grader. This example is a fantastic example of this. If the guy in the other thread had actually bought the au 1876s trade dollar for $850 that would have a great second example.
Welcome to the Information Age.

Given my prior hobby of buying toned coins from eBay and selling them at shows for a slight but consistent profit I would argue that shopping skills are critical, and sometimes in today's world more valuable then grading can be with the crutch of tpg's. And also, given many of the coins I buy are toned that while I'm not necessarily grading the coin to exact ms/pr grades that "grading" the value of the color is a significant skill in its own right that exceeds "shopping" skills.

Coin for the thread. I felt that the most appropriate coin I would use would be my pcgs thick Norse ms 63 that I bought for $210 in front of the dealer selling the coin at the last show I was at for $310, while even using ebucks to do it. While I will agree with Doug's comment (from different conversation) that this does not prove anything but simply illustrates the point, the fact that a novice like me could do it shows you don't have to have a degree from cointalk university to be able to make good purchases.

 

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Good write up and nice coin Vic.

 

This part has me confused. you bought the coin for $210 from a dealer and then went to a show and sold it for $310? or did you buy the coin for $210 off ebay using ebucks and then sold it for $310?

 

I don't understand what point(s) you're trying to make in this thread. Best of luck with whatever it is you are trying to clarify for members here.

 

Dealer at the show wanted $310 for the exact same coin. Pulled out my iPhone paid $210 with ebucks and left the show with a better deal in the mail then the show offered.

 

He doesn't have a point. He is just bragging about how smart he is, does it all the time.

 

We were going off topic on a thread so I moved the deleted post over to continue on our tangent. But the topic is about buying coins at shows vs online.

 

Aren't you a peach. Are you going to accuse me of stealing money from a thief next? It sure is one of your favorites. Maybe comment again about my fingernails?

 

I have not seen this.

The point of getting a better deal on line is unusual.

I usually do better the other way around

 

Why would I want to limit myself to just buying online? I do just fine using both. With early proofs and matte proofs, I would rather see the coin in hand. I trust my eyes more than I do someones images. I hate having to return stuff. It's a waste of time.

 

I have bought coins from both venues successfully. Just Sunday I went to a local show. I found a AE30 roman provincial coin. I paid $35 for it, and I have found two online in lesser condition for $85 and $110. Should I come on to CT and say "I don't need no CT University degree to buy cheaper in person than online"? But, I have bought coins online some in person dealers want 4 times as much for. What does this prove? Nothing of course. If it proves anything, it proves knowledge is power in this hobby. The more you know about coins, the market, and different types of sellers, the better you will probably do long term. However, as a generic statement, no one source is by definition better or cheaper than the other.

 

What if it were the other way around? I guess you would buy it at the show.

 

I get to attend 1 coin show a year and it's like Christmas. I prefer shows over online, but obviously there's more available on the web

 

I don't get it. I had a tough time online a few years ago attempting to fill out the rest of my 2011 five coin ASE sets. Did much better at the Whitman show.
I prefer buying at shows.

If you prefer to buy online that's great for you.

 

exactly what I was thinking... genius points like always.

 

Sometimes one does better, and sometimes one does worse online. There is an implied general condemnation of dealers and pricing that doesn't appeal to me in this post. I have had extremely positive experiences with some dealers, both in person, at shows, and online. One can't assume that this experience you had speaks for all relationships with dealers, and the fact that all coins are cheaper online--that simply isn't true. In fact, usually coins on Ebay are often inflated in price due to excessive fees from both Ebay and Paypal (in order to survive, dealers must pass along some of this to customers, or go out of business in terms of an Ebay store). I am not a dealer, and not a broker--I am a collector, who buys from various sources. I've gotten "bargains" from many sources as I mentioned, and sometimes, I just simply had to pay the "going rate" if I wanted a specific coin badly enough. As regards bargaining--I bargain for EVERYTHING I buy--coins, (you mentioned tires,and yes I have bargained for those), electronic gear, musical instruments, books, digital media, and even some consumer goods. It doesn't hurt to ask the sales person "can you do better?" Sometimes they can, and sometimes they can't, but life is a series of bargains, and there is room for negotiation in most things.

 

I also think this depends on what you are collecting. Some of the coins I like for my set can have prices all over the place. I am talking same grade - at a dealer or even on ebay. I decide if the coin is at a price I can live - so yes I might over pay some, but it gets me a coin I like and a grade I agree with.

 

I never said anything about not buying from a coin dealer. My point is about buying online where I can compare prices to get the best deal. Dealers are great when I can compare prices but at shows it seems prices are inflated.

 

Actually I can use this. In post after post I describe my self as an amateur. As a novice.

Yet I feel like I have gotten some good deals. Every time I discuss this I make very clear it is not me being smart. Not me being awesome. Not me being an expert in coins. It is about using the tools available in the Information Age that anyone who knows how to Google, eBay and surf through ha and coinsfacts can do.

I don't need to be smart to buy coins in today's world. I just need to know how to use informatics and rely on my tpg crutch. Which is what the first post is explaining.

And you are unpleasant.