Why in the world would anyone pay $22.00 to $25.00 for a 05 mint set on eBay, when they can still order them from the mint at $16.95? Is there something I am missing here? I almost feel like emailing one or two of the bidders to let them know the sets are still available from the mint. Thanks, Jim
Maybe they're tired of the Mint site downtime. Also, are you including shipping charges, both Mint and eBay ?
Like GD said, it's usually a matter of ignorance. rugen, be careful. I completely understand wanting to notify the bidders of the fact that they can buy these sets directly but eBay considers this "auction interference" and they can NARU you for that. I'm not saying not to do it, I'm just saying to be careful doing it.
I also no collectors who REFUSE to buy anything from the mint. To them it is the GOVERNMENT and they feel they are already paying enough taxes so they opt to purchase all their mint sets and proof sets from their dealer. They feel giving him a couple of extra bucks helps his business out, they don't have to pay shipping and handling and the government DON'T know they collect coins. May seem paranoid to some but I can see their point. I actually have been buying many sets from my dealer instead of building up the payments on a credit card myself so there is more than one reason to buy elsewhere IF the price is right.
Thanks folks. I always appreciate the good info I receive on this site. There is a tremendous amount of coin knowledge on Coin Talk. Jim
I bought mine on ebay for $19.95 + $2.50 shipping for a total of $22.45. The mint wants $16.95 + $4.95 shipping for a total of $21.90. I've heard stories of people receiving coins from the mint and after inspection sending some or all of them back because of lack of quality and such. I even read one where a fellow sent some back a second time and still got bad coins. These eBay sellers have aborbed all of these headaches and waisted all this time for us. They got their coins, inspected them and only put the good ones up for sale. They will make an extra effort to make sure that you're happy with your purchase because they want the good feedback. Personally I don't mind paying an extra dollar or two to get good quality coins in just a few days delivery time as opposed to "gambling" with our wonderful government which BTW, these sets are on back-order until the end of July. Chip PS... If someone emailed me to "inform" me of the availability of these coins from another source, they would quickly be asked to mind their own business.
If the eBay seller is selling the sets in the original brown packaging box, there is of course no way that they can inspect the coins and make sure that only good sets are put up for sale. If the sets are opened, it is possible that the seller has bought a large number of sets, opened them, kept the good sets and put the rest up for sale. Most eBay buyers don't know what quality to expect and would be happy with whatever they got. Charging $20 for something you paid $17 for less than a month ago sounds like a good money making plan.
I guess that's where experience and common sense come in. Usually the lower shipping cost will offset the small profit he deserves. You should be OK if you: Check sellers feedback and shipping costs first. Only buy from US sellers. Establish good communication throughout the process. If it looks/sounds too good to be true, IT IS.
With all the problems they have in the U.S. alone, I would shudder to think what would happen if you asked them to ship overseas!! Have you tried ordering a set from the mint? Mine are have been on backorder since the ice age and now I see they moved back the delivery date another 2 weeks. I would have been better off to get them from ebay.
Then I guess they can't complain. FYI only, I have purchased some nice coins at great prices from user coin_carolina. I highly suggest visiting their store.
