Buying on e-bay

A current thread raised the point as to how many knowledgeable people BUY coins on e-bay. Let's ask the question without me making any editorial comments.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

There are 2 types of listings you will find on ebay.

Knowledgeable member listings with fair prices and another which are many ludicrous lostings with insane prices. The second is usually a newbie or a scammer who knows nothing about coins.

Most of my many purchases on ebay have been only from well known sellers with fair prices. Some you can actually make better pricing deals.

 

I buy as a collector but most of the time I buy to re-sell!

 

I buy on eBay because it is the easiest sales platform for BIN and even the well known sellers will take less than their posted price. Even if they don't have "Make an Offer" you can message them and usually they will accept less.

 

I buy from eBay simply because of the convenience and most of the time the cost is comparable. But, I do have to avoid that second type of person. Interestingly enough, you get the same thing on Craigslist and other sites. A normal Mercury Dime (nothing special) listed for $15.00 or sometimes $150.00. Nuts!

 

There is two others I would say. One is the (now rare) true amateur selling inherited coins. Those were always the best deals, but 99% of them nowadays are sharks pretending to be them.

The other type is more esoteric coins. I have some coin collections that are almost 100% from Ebay, as the coins are not typically sold in the US from these regions. This type is my most valuable use for Ebay.

My view of Ebay is its good for beginners who do not know any better, or VERY advanced collectors seeking out unusual listings. People in between need to be careful.

 

If I buy, I usually do BIN/Best Offers. Typically slabbed (but immediately cracked free upon receipt), but some raw common hole fillers. AND must have decent to great pics.

 

I am very much a person whose purchases are dictated by relationships. I routinely purchase from one CT member that sells on Ebay. If I need a hard to find $50.00 coin or less, I don't mind doing a little Ebay shopping.... But if I am spending anything more than that, it simply has to be with someone I know and trust. Or recommended by someone I know and trust.

 

I buy on eBay from known dealers and auctions only.

 

I buy mostly for just adding to my hoard(s), if I see something that looks like a great price for the item I'd consider flipping it.

 

Known dealers sounds good. I purchase most of my coins from a few selected dealers. But you’re missing a couple of decent coins if you ignore BINs or “best offers” entirely...

 

I agree. Even reputable dealers list BIN's, they don't always raise red flags if that's what we're concerned about.

There's also BIN or Best Offer, I happen to love those.

 

People in between need to be careful everywhere as they're the ones that get themselves into trouble. They can often know enough to get themselves into trouble but not necessarily enough to avoid it. Getting greedy thinking they're getting a great deal on something or somethings a lock upgrade or they know better than the TPGs etc. There's far more traps waiting at local and regional coin shows.

I completely agree too that eBay is by far and away the best place for world collectors

 

I'd say you're missing out on the majority of them and possibly even a significant majority at this point if you only look at auctions

 

Love the meme, just on a more serious note I do hope people would take a moment to consider that aspect

 

I buy off of eBay and I back during lock down I bought my first 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollar for $80 I thought I did good then I showed a picture of it on a coin page on facebook and everyone (not all) were saying it's fake/not real or you were burned or better to know for next time but then I ended up taking it to a coin place that opened a new store 20 minutes away 3 months ago and it was real.

 

So wait, I'm the only guy on this forum who buys on E-Bay with the purpose of flipping for a profit? I find that hard to believe.

 

Wasn't really an option for both Many if not most at least dabble in both

 

Yup, one of the most accurate quotes I have ever seen is "I know just enough to get into trouble (or - be dangerous)"