Anyone have any input on using Teletrade as opposed to Ebay? no difference, is one better than the other?
Teletrade is very easy to do business with, and they have a well-run company. No complaints there. However, their coins in their auctions mostly suck, are stongly priced, and their return policy leaves much to be desired. I prefer an e-bay seller with good feedback and a return policy. I find many more "keepers" there. All IMHO...Mike
Mike,it is a real pity that Teletrade only allows Americans & Canadians to register on there.There's a lot of older U.S. coins that turn up over here in New Zealand,especially the Walker $1/2 coins from the 1940's & Kennedy $1/2 coins. Aidan.
You don't have to worry about buying altered or fake coins on Teletrade. You don't have to worry about the seller not shipping you the coins. And you'll always get the coin that was pictured in the auction. As for the coins themselves - I'd say it depends on the individual coin. Yeah there are plenty that are so-so for the grade. But I have seen some very nice ones as well - bought some too. It's like anyplace else - you have to use your eyes, your head and know what you are doing - before you do it.
I've only won maybe three or four auctions there, but each time I've been pleased with the transaction. It's like buying slabbed coins anywhere else. Buy the coin, not the plastic. Their pics are usually decent so you've got a pretty decent idea of what you're getting ahead of time.
Same as what Doug and AnemicOak say, I've bought several coins and have been happy with the transaction. Unlike eBay, bidding doesn't get frantic in the last 30 seconds. Non-copper coins are easy enough to view in detail, I hesitate with copper because the pictures may be too dark to really give it a good inspection. But even the darkest photo is better than the blurry-two-feet-away picture I often see in eBay.
With all the scam artist on EBay and it's reputation for rip off's..the majority of my AGE ASE and APE collection has come from Teletrade, Heritage and a few others. I never have to worry about quality...I always get the coin I bid on and verify its serial # with the grading company! EBay is full of deceit and trickery, while there are a few honest folks trying to work there as well..but they are the minority!! RickieB