I got 3 emails from Vcoins notifying me of price drops of coins on my watch list. I can't afford them all! Argh!
I just visited VCoins for the 1st time-had never heard of them before this thread. Loved it-can't wait to use it!
Vcoins is overall a good place to be. I tend to stick with ancients on there, but there are a few modern coins I've considered. As a buyer, I would say it's head and shoulders above eBay in terms of (lack of) fakes and overall quality.
Also, I think some dealers' coins are outrageously overpriced. But the great thing about VCoins is that you can comparison shop. There are often many specimens of a particular coin, city, emperor or whatever you are looking for, so you can compare price and condition. I used to shop a lot on eBay. Now I do most of my shopping on VCoins.
I but from both Ebay and VC. Can't say one outweighs the other as for as what gets my most business. I also buy world moderns often on it. I'm just burned out with "Numiscorner" uploading 200 or 400+ new items a day and clogging the new listings up with just their stuff. Very annoying. Reminds me of some ebay dealer's.
In addition to Vcoins, I also buy from MA-Shops and ForumAncientCoins. NOW that I no longer live in NC, I can avoid the extra 7% State Taxes of Forum! I only buy from eBay from trusted dealers, or recommended coins from trusted friends.
So, after just writing that I rarely buy from eBay anymore, I did a quick "Constantine" search and ended up buying this coin for $9.00, plus $.75 shipping: Rome mint, A.D. 312-313 RIC 356 Obv: FL VAL CONSTANTINVS AVG Rev: PACI P-ERPET - Pax, standing facing, head left, holding branch and standard R[Q?] in exergue; XII in left field It's pretty worn, but it's also pretty hard to find. I think I paid around $80 for the copy on my web site. (http://feltemp.com/39_Rome_356.html)
Yeah, they annoy me, too. They're one of the ones that make me wish you could ignore a seller on the site. Luckily, their wares are mostly world coins, and I tend to stick to the ancients on Vcoins. Their ancients listings are ridiculous though (absurd grading, bad attributions, etc.)
Vcoins dealers are not supposed to upload more than 100- 150 coins per day; but I believe that this might just be a "gentleman's agreement"
Didn't know that, would be nice if someone told them that. I agree with Paul though about the ignore. I just use the little links on the side of the new listings and click the other dealers that have something new when Numis clutters.
I've been buying from Vcoins, now, for about 7 years; from Ebay for 2-3 years-mostly ancient and medieval pieces; a few from the 17th-20th century. I'm also annoyed by Numiscorner's coin spamming and wish that there was some way of blocking them...and some of the other Vcoins dealers; ones with ridiculously priced inventory. and that vcoins "subscribe to our newsletter" box that pops up 15 seconds after I go to vcoins...even on the sign in page. I already get their newsletter
My favourite seller is an Ebay seller, so I'd better watch what I say ... but usually, I like the vcoins guarantee that they'll refund your coin-cash if the coin is found to be a fake (not authentic) => oh, but you do tend to pay a bit more for this peace-o-mind (hence why my favourite seller is an ebay guy that I trust ... which is best of both worlds) ... he also has the same guarantee, but without the vcoins overhead charges
As a VCoins dealer I wll make a few points here, not that I am defending them, just so things are a bit clearer. True, we are not supposed to upload more than 100 coins per day, but I am not sure how often they check for this. Numiscorner is a new dealer on VCoins, so they likely were not aware. I did just check the last weeks listings and they have only listed 36 ancients (not sure how many modern). I dislike that box too, but it has become standard on nearly all websites out there. However, it only shows up one time unless you clear out your browsing history and cache (at least for me with Safari). Actually, VCoins is a far cheaper venue to sell on than Ebay. As to what is overpriced or not...that is an individual interpretation. I see many coins I would never buy, many I actually do buy and resell. With ancients there is no standard book.
The modern is where it is crazy and since I collect moderns that are not U.S., it is very frustrating. I actually would view them if there wasn't so many at one time. When they were new the paper currency that was being added in clumps...oye! Many VC dealers are fare but the "big boy" dealers where the cheapest coin starts at 4 figures and can go has high as 6 figures I tend to ignore. And the ones that list a common Gordy III for $150 or something along those lines.
That is the point as far as I'm concerned. The whole idea of listing coins worth $15 for $150 or $1500 and finding one fool who will pay it is now considered a viable business model. When that buyer finds out that he was made a fool, too often his attitude to the hobby as a whole places coin dealers in the same category as snake oil and used car salesmen. I do not see this a good for the hobby as a whole. I recently received a link to a special offering for coins that included some really magnificent items at prices I could never pay but quite possibly worth the prices. There is a major difference between showing a coin valued at $10,000 and one showing a piece of junk with a dream price of half off making it only five times reasonable. We all buy what we find appropriate. We all trust who we have learned to trust.
There was recently some discussion that wasn't too favorable towards this seller in another group. Two very extensively tooled bronzes, one of Aelius and another of Sabina, were listed without any discussion of their extensive facelifts. After one member contacted Vcoins admins they were able to get the seller to add a note to the listing but he is still listing them at over 3,000 and 4,000 euros, respectively.
. Sorry about the sloppy response (I am editing) I am trying to reply on my phone but I am also a Vcoins dealer and was not sure that my response was lacking clarity
I just saw those listings. Obvious tooling - overpriced by at least an order of magnitude. An honest-wear coin for a tenth of the price is far more desirable.