Anyone have a trick to getting coins cheap off eBay?

Well every once in a while, you will find a really great bargain. I've seen plenty of coin lots close at the beginning bid price without a single bid, from sellers with good reputations. Sometimes auctions will slip through the cracks. But in general, that's the exception. Just brows through the coins a couple days before they close, watch them, and see what they do. That's all you can do really.

Another thing, be warned that some sellers will refund you, and refuse to send the item if you win it at too low a price. Granted, they're not supposed to be able to do that, but none the less.

 

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I'm kinda embarrassed to admit this publically but I have such a lack of a life that I recently spent a whole evening making 0.99 cent bids on newly listed US and Commonwealth coins. I didn't win a single one of them but I did get a total of 7 Commonwealth silver coins for just under $9 including shipping. I liked them so I went back and upped the bid just a little. This was a total of 3 lots with $4 S&H each which probably deterred many bidders but the seller offered combined shipping. Of course I could have spent 4 hours flipping burgers at Mickey D's and bought the same coins several times over.

But that ain't sexy.

 

This attitude personifies the lack of ethics and morality in the world. It's NOT OK just because you can get away with it. You can be assured I would not deal with you,

 

Yes. Those were the rules that were agreed to when you signed up with eBay. Going outside of ebay like that is a violation of that agreement which could get your ebay account, and theirs, cancelled.

And I would have to say that if I knew a person had a lack of ethics such as this, it would make me not want to do business with them. If they aren't going to honor their obligations to one person or company, what makes me think they will honor them with me?

 

There is no binding contract. I'm 17. I don't know better

 

Interesting attitute. "I don't have to have ethics or follow the rules! I'm a minor" Of course next year you won't be a minor anymore, but people will still remember the lack of ethics.

 

Of course, Tyler, you can always purchase an item from a seller on eBay legitimately, pay for it, receive it, exchange feedback with the seller, then afterward ask the seller if you can send them your want list and keep you in mind for the future. They'll often offer you the same coins they would list on eBay for a 10-15% discount because you'd be saving them time and money by not having to list future auctions. As far as I'm aware, this doesn't violate any of eBay's rules, and it saves both you and the seller money down the road.

 

There is a basic principle of law that ignorance is not an excuse for breaking the
Law. Claiming ignorance won't get you far.

 

Best way: Borrow the "Wayback Machine" from Mr. Peabody & Sherman, go back 5 years, & scoop up all the bullion-related coins you could afford (wish I could do that!).

But seriously, I've found just getting decent or nice coins at a fair price has gotten harder on fee-bay. If you're getting a decent price (not overpriced) on as-described coins you're lucky nowadays. And it takes a lot of time & work. Getting any kind of bargain--look for "lots"--I snagged 40 Proof Franklin Half Dollars maybe 5 years ago for $152--& all nice coins. Even then, that was a great deal. I think it was b/c the seller didn't advertise them as "rolls". (Not that buying "lots" is any kind of guaranteed way to get a good deal, but it's a strategy).

 

Yes, but eBay provides a service in listing the item and hosting the image, etc. It's pretty similar to the realtor in this example.

This is kind of like going into a bookstore, reading 3/4 of a book while sitting in their armchair, and then buying a copy off of Amazon.

 

There will always be those who have this false sense of entitlement, think the rules don't apply to them and look for the easy way to make a quick buck.

You can try to bring them around but most are bullheaded and stubborn so they will have to find out on their own that in the end, they aren't above the law and karma is a biyotch. You get what you give and they will get theirs in time.

Sadly, most still won't learn their lesson. That's why the prisons are full of repeat offenders.

 

For me, I just figure out what the melt value is and bid accordingly. If somebody outbids me then they can have it. I don't win many, but the dog gets a bone every once in awhile.

This only applies to coins I am looking to resell or invest in. Coins I really want, well you probably won't outbid me.:devil: