Lately I've had a streak of buying coins on eBay and then finding there's a problem with them when they arrive, and it's usually my fault. I tend to browse the listings quickly and then when I see a date I'm looking for put in a bid with only a glance at the photo, and I've been getting burned. Today I got a lot that was advertised as a 1988 and 1991 Australian 10 cent, and I needed the 1991. It arrived and it was a 1981 instead. I looked back at the photo and it was obviously 1981. Since no one knows how to type anymore, I don't know why I take their word for it. On other ones, I assume that if the seller only shows one side of the coin, they'd surely tell me if there was something wrong on the other side, so I don't ask. Then the coin arrives and the other side is totally green. Yes, these sellers should pay more attention to what they're doing and be honest in their listings, but I'm really failing to do my due diligence and that's what makes it frustrating.
I guess your getting what you sow.. You expect more but I don't know why. Most dealers that use ebay use it for a reason.. To unload items they can not sell in their store or at a show. ie.. problem coins. I have been on ebay since 1997, used to do a fair amount of back and forth transactions. Found some good dealers, found some not so great. Seems the tide has turned and its a shark tank now. There are deals, There are good dealers on ebay, Don't get me wrong. The waters are murky, so when your swimming in murky waters keep your eyes open and proceed with caution. If you question a coin, PASS on it. If you can not see what your buying, WHY BUY IT? (This should get me flamed big time but its the truth)
If there is one thing that chaps my a** it is when sellers juice their photos. I do not believe in photo editing whatsoever. Any listing that I put up on ebay usually consists of 6-12 photos. I was burned by a "top rated" seller on a toned Franklin that was in the hundreds of dollars. Fool me once.
You're right, and that's kind of my point. I realize that I'm being sloppy and it's costing me money. I don't have a lot of money to spend on coins, so I'm always looking for a deal, but so often when I get that coin that seemed like it was sold way below the value, it shows up and I see exactly why other people didn't bid on it. It really pays to take your time and make sure you're buying what you think you are.
I know what you are describing. You can retract a bid if you discover your mistake with more than 24 hours left in the auction. You have no idea how many times that has saved me from a coin that wasn't what it first appeared. Nothing worse than bidding a coin, then discovering details in the description buried 5 paragraphs below stating that it is a "genuine copy with hairlines, PVC damage, and other problems not evident in the photo" --or some description to this affect.
Also, if the listing stated 1991 and you rec'd a 1981 you could file a SNAD report with eBay and return the coin for a full refund. Or eBay might just refund your money and tell you to keep the coin. However, the best thing do in cases like this is to contact the seller. Most of the time they'll give a partial or even full refund. Remember, the threat of negative feedback is a powerful tool, and remains exclusively in the hands of the buyer.
It really is a case of not knowing how to type! I see this ALL THE TIME on Ebay nowadays. Is it on purpose? The pic shows one kind of coin, but the item description says another.
Sometimes I contact the seller and they offer a refund, but I kind of feel bad asking for it when I'm the one who didn't pay attention. Maybe I'm just taking too much personal responsibility, but I know that sellers get screwed over by a lot of eBay policies so I don't want to contribute to that if I don't think the seller did it on purpose. And yes, I often don't even really read the description because I've gotten so used to sellers not putting anything useful in there. Usually they say nothing or they have an 800 word essay on all the countries they don't ship to and why not, and I don't have the patience for that.
I would go to coin only auctions. As others have said eBay is risky; there are many others that aren't; as well as coin shows where you can inspect the coin before you lay down your hard-earned money. You should have return privileges on auction lots, as far as I know every auction company permits this; otherwise you may be stuck in the greater fool paradigm when you go to sell, looking for a gullible dupe to buy your problem lots.
Trust eBay. :hail: There can only be One! :devil: :welcome:to higher prices and brass coins described as "gold colored"
