People who use E-bay as a Pricing Tool

That's the way it should be, many of newbies sale on there and get screwed cause they didn't know to set a reserve.
Another deal with Ebay I would like to point out, if your ever found guilty of listing a counterfeit coin especially several at one time you should be at risk of receiving a lifetime ban from using Ebay to sale items especially coins imo

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

That's mere speculation. While it may be true for lower quality, common-date coins, I don't think you can make this same assumption when scarcer, higher grade coins are concerned.

Chris

 

It’s not speculation. Happens time and time again to smaller sellers especially. Plenty of better coins sell low there with that method, then other buyers want another one for the same price because someone got lucky on an auction.

 

I guess I'd have to see examples. I see a lot of "better coins" that are actually problem coins, and sell at better-than-problem-coin prices.

That said, in a busy market I'd expect to see a distribution of prices for a particular date/grade/etc. Part of that's because two coins of the same date and grade may have different eye appeal or other intangibles, and part of it's due to luck of the draw. And when you point to that distribution, you're going to emphasize the low end if you're trying to buy, and the high end if you're trying to sell.

Of course, there is the whole "bigger dealers have more followers and inspire more buyer confidence" thing, which as you say tends to push prices higher for big sellers and lower for small sellers.

 

I don't think you could possibly gather solid data to prove that assumption.

Chris

 

If the coin is of any numismatic value, the .99 cent thing, as we now call it, I believe works in that it gets a whole bunch of people bidding silly lowballs at it and a few of those wind up following the auction through notifications, resulting in a nice flurry of activity at the end. Personally, as soon as I find out there is a reserve on an auction I just ignore it. It seems like a waste of my time when I make what I think is a reasonable bid and get a message I have not met the reserve.

 

Have you ever sold coins before, or is this simply outside speculation? Honest question.

Even if your logic was sound, there are a few rather obvious "aspects" you're seemingly not taking into consideration.

 

I would use an average of recent eBay sales over using greysheet any day. Greysheet is dying a slow death. But more importantly I use my gut and experience.

 

My experience with , is that most sell the dregs, worn, damaged, details, etc, to raise money for nice coins. They often want the full Red Book for them too.
you can find nice coins for affordable prices, if you are patient and wise. But it becomes almost a full time job, and even the best get fooled sometimes.

 

I like both CV and MV on any coin I plan to sell. Sometimes coins are 'underperforming' in the marketplace in relation to their book values and those I hold [or buy].

I believe some recent studies have proved that most coins sell highest on BIN's. But a scan through 'completed listings' generally show that it took great time and some luck [in relation to the glut of similar listings] to realize that high BIN sale. Realizing that high '99c start' auction sale is dependent on so many factors; seller status, feedback, pics, policies, auction timing, uniqueness/hotness of item etc. I think anyone can realize the high BIN sale given enough time. The auction market not so much, unless you have a strong following, or get a rep for bargains.

The auction market is where the fun is though, and the guaranteed sale [on a 99c start]. If rapid turnaround and liquidity are critical in your purchase, I would only look at 'sold listings' via auction results. And esp. 'low start' auction results.

 

I sell all of my raw gold at 99 cents no reserve. Yes, I take some losses, but I usually come out a little ahead.