What way do you prefer to sell your coins?

Out the return shipping on buying grossly overstated items cost. Then I had one 171 dollar item of which the post office said was delivered. Delivery conformation only from seller. PayPal ruled in sellers favor. Out 171. It was never delivered in my mailbox. Postal inspectors no help. The coin doctor crap so many sell to the unknowing seems a risk in buying and so much more. I can't say buying is basically no risk.

 

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If the item is to far off you aren't responsible for the return shipping.

I had the opposite happen with the post office, mailed something signature confirmation got positive feedback but the employee never got the signature or marked it as delivered. Buyer noticed two weeks later and eBay refunded them. Luckily it was insured or I would have been out a couple hundred dollars.

Things will happen but the risk of the post office messing up is generally very low risk unless you have a problem with your local branch

 

I sell desirable coins at eBay net prices (i.e. usually ~spot) in 4 figure lots.

I've found Craigslist to be my best sales source. Never even in the same town. Having been robbed in the "big city" (in a gas station with a parked police car), and having "drive-offs" after allowing inspection, I have my conceal & carry, a "sharp-shooter" companion that's dropped-off on the property before parking.

Banks, security "check-out stations" at building material establishments, police stations, are very desirable meeting locations.

EBid is a possible source for sales if your pricing is ~"Grey Sheet" or less. No fees, and a few frugal buyers for small lots.

JMHO

 

It depends what you have to sell. You will get the best price by matching what you have to offer with someone who really wants it.

As an example, since I don't collect any US coins and what I collect is presumably considered specialized by US collecting standards, it would be pointless for me to walk into a local dealer shop to sell what I own because they are unlikely to have any walk-in retail buyers and will only be able to auction it off or sell it to another dealer.

I haven't sold anything in years but when I did, I used a combination of eBay and direct sales to collectors I know. eBay for the stuff I wanted to dump in larger quantities and direct sales for most of my better coins.

The problem with eBay now is that the fees are higher and my suspicion is that the pricing environment is also weaker or much weaker for a lot or most of everything.

 

I hate to admit but I use E-bay...although the seller's fee's are horrible. Simply put, E-bay provides the largest audience for my coins to sell. Other than that, I usually sell to my LCD but I don't usually make too much of a profit. Now I like to buy "junk" silver from him as he usually gives $1 off of face.

 

Only in California - which ironically has a significantly high rate of crime. Most states have laws regarding protection of person AND property when you are on home turf. I know Nevada does.

Shooting a criminal that is actively committing a crime against you should never put the shooter in jeopardy. Laws like this only embolden criminals.

 

Depending on the material, I will sell it either through an LCS, at a show, or on eBay. All are good for different types of things. For common material, an LCS is just fine.

For more specialized stuff you need to either sell online or to a dealer that specializes in the material. They can pay higher prices since they are familiar with the material and may have a buyer in mind already. The nice things about selling to dealers or an LCS is also the ability to trade, and to get cash in hand. No worries about shipping or loss.

For low dollar items or lots, eBay works best. Most dealers wouldn't be able to pay much because of the amount of work involved in selling it.

 

USAcoinbook.com. The fees are much lower than Ebay but it takes longer to sell your coins since there are not as many eyes as there are on Ebay. They also give you the option to "bump" you to the head of the line every thirty days.

 

Actually my favorite way depends on my needs. If I don't mind how long it takes I can consign to a seller, if I want cash fast to the local dealer. If I can wait and the coin is nice enough off to heritage it goes. The middle option usually nets the least amount of money. I did pretty good in my opinion with Heritage and consigning coins.

 

Here's my 2c. Selling coins on ebay is the best way to get the most for them. But there's a lot of stuff that goes along with that. Listing, photos, answering emails, fees, time, time, and more time. Then shipping, time at the post office waiting inline. And there's always the chance the item will be lost or stolen and ebay does NOT have your back, despite what they say. Luckily it doesn't happen too often but it does happen.
Local coin shops can be a great friend and source of info, as well as a place to sell to. I think generally speaking (and this is a sweeping generalization) coin shops are honest since they want to be there in years to come. Of course there's bad ones too, but normally the established shops will give you a fair price. It helps to know them and/or have a good relationship with them.
Coin shows can be a great place to sell too but you need to know exactly what you have and what you want for it. The benefit to a show is having a variety of dealers (and material) in one spot.
Regardless of where you sell, you most likely aren't going to get the ebay price anywhere other than ebay. Heritage is good for high end coins but it takes forever to get paid...they want the coin well in advance of the auction so it can be photo'd and cataloged, then they pay 45 days after the auction. So if you can wait 3-4 months or longer that's an option too.
Hope this helps Even though I'm not here every day, I'm always just an email away if anyone needs help or advise.
Nick

 

Wow. Even a sharpshooter friend? Why not I guess. You must be selling better stuff. I don't own one gold coin, if you catch my drift. Early on I bought a group of coins and a few were forgeries, so caution is a must with craiglsit no matter what you're doing. Sorry you got robbed and I'm glad you've taken on better precautions nowadays

 

For more obscure stuff that's hard to sell around here, like a modern russian mint set, ebay is great. The fees and shipping aren't even issues for me, considering I'm selling to collectors and dealers won't even offer anything in person. As for everything else, I don't bother. I've read some posts on coin talk and a few mentioning selling coins for a few dollars, and that it all adds up, but I simply don't have the time or patience. I have to foresee 50-100 dollars or more in profit in order to convince myself to sell on ebay. So I seldom sell things there

 

I'm sorry, but baseball is correct. Even if your experience suggests otherwise, sellers, without a doubt, shoulder infinitely more risk than buyers.

 

Yes, Ebay absolutely does not have your back. I sold a $20 coin for $14 and the post office lost it. The question you always get is "why didn't you purchase insurance". The higher the price for shipping, the less likely it will sell. You are forced to refund the buyer and nothing can be done if it gets lost. Selling just using a stamp is never an option, since buyers can say they never got it and open a case that you will always lose. I think my local coin show offers more for coins. I was offered my cost on Ebay by one dealer for a lot, so I obviously got them for enough to make a profit. I can always keep my small hoard or just pick out what I want and take the rest to a coin show, they may pay what I got them for.

 

I agree with what you're saying. However, there are some things you just won't get a lot for from a local dealer or at a show, and selling to other collectors on ebay would be the way to go. Depends on what the item is. I don't sell a lot on ebay anymore. Never had a lost item I sold (but two items went missing that I bought), but the fees and amount of listing work got to me