Would you like CoinTalk Auctions, Classifieds, or Both?

I voted both and here is why:

1st reason is all of the people that come here looking for "what's it worth" advice on coins they just came into that they are likely to want to sell. We always treat them with respect and send them on their way never to be heard from again. Why not give these individuals an option to try auctioning some of these items on the site if they desire. There have been times when these individual have wanted advice and you feel awkward by the fact that you see something you might be interested in but you don't want to look like you are biasing your comments on what you hope to pay for them yourself. An option to auction helps protect the seller and gives the people that contribute their knowledge a way to offer the seller what they feel is a fair price without a conflict of interest.

2nd is that I for 1 would love to have an opportunity to buy from some of the members of the forum. Many of the members here have an incredible eye for stunning coins not to mention more access than some of us. That nickel set Jack talked about comes to mind. Mike, I'm only using that as an example and I hope you find some great nickels to add to your collection but those are exactly the kind of opportunities I am talking about. Jack is one of those that I know I can trust (along with many other members) that I know I would be happy with any purchase.

I know there are bound to be issues if Peter does this. I think Peter should apply some fee structure just for the added bandwidth and storage space required not to mention the added work on the site to make it happen and monitor activity. No one should diminish the amount of work it would take but I think there is more than an ample upside. I think this could be a great way to show how it could be done versus the issues you see on other sites. I think for the regular members you would find an successful experience and for those that want to be a little less than honest they would not survive long with this crowd. I don't intend that to come across as they would be treated inappropriately but to say that they would quickly develop a reputation that would drive them to easier targets.

Just my 2 cents and intended in the most positive way. Love to hear what others think the down sides are. I think that could help Peter in developing the best strategies for dealing with these issues if he moves forward.

An upside is I believe a surge in participation in the forum. The downside to that is the added work for the mods to keep this place as nice as it already is.

 

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I think adding both would be very cool. But If I had to choose only one, it would be the "Auctions" .

 

I would suggest we keep the auctions related to Coins and paper, and have the classified section for other items for collectors.

We don't want to detract from the main purpose of the forums, which is our discussions.

 

I would suggest we keep the auctions related to Coins and Paper -I would stop there with the exception of possibly Bullion or Tokens

 

I would be comfortable with that.

 

Someone brought up the fact of people posting overgraded coins for sale. I think there are enough advanced members here that people posting grossly overgraded coins would be educated in a quick, proper, and respectable manor. I think with an auction section there needs to be an area where auction details could be discussed. This provides a public area to discuss and critique auctions, items, buyers, and sellers. If there is a problem (which I highly doubt there will be) it can be discussed openly and properly. Assuming it is done properly this could be a really good way for members here to do buisness in a much safer and more monitored enviroment which other auction sites lack not to mention support for the site.

 

I like the idea and both would be great

 

I second what Mag said. :loud:

 

As with any market place, let the buyer beware. I've alway bought from folks that I trust and that philosophy shall continue. If there are "bad guys" they will be given short shrift on these forums. Close knit community in these parts....

 

I would deffinately buy here rather than ebay!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I think both would provide more information to the newer collector for sure, and probably the senior collector as well. More information is always a good thing, and I think both are great ideas.

 

From the contrarian point of view, let me just point out to potential auction sellers that their maximum exposure here would be to perhaps a few hundred potential buyers, and compare that to the many thousand potential buyers who might see an ebay listing.

The classified idea makes much more sense as a listing there could simply be deleted if the coin sold in another venue.

 

I think auction type selling is a great idea! And a wonderfuk money making opportunity for cointalk. Although, I read someone mentioned a 100 post limit... I say make it 250 or 300. That would really keep the scammers and ebay guys out, and if they really wanted in it would provoke conversation with them and we could learn what kind of people they are.
If there was a post requremnt like 300 then I think it would give new members the opportunity to grasp the whole "community feel" to cointalk and they would approach selling in a different angle.

 

Both. Excellent idea. One comment though, I would impose the same restrictions regarding minimum 10 postings before you are allowed to use the auction/classified facility. That way you will get listings made by genuine collectors who will also participate in the Forum as a whole.

 

I say both. those who do not want to participate do not have to.

 

Peter,

As a collector who has been considering selling coins on Ebay in the future, I would much prefer to sell my limited wares here on CT.

One of the major reasons I have not sold anything on Ebay is the constant warnings and explanations of Draconian practices forced upon sellers as explained throughout these forums.

Instead, I wait and sell coins through Stacks every six months or so. While my experiences with them have been terrific, I would rather have a venue in which to sell directly, albeit a dwarfed customer base compared with both Ebay and Stacks.

In particular, I believe selling on CT would be preferential for "common" coins. For example, I'd love to sell my common-date Morgans to members who have a need rather than having a bulk lot listed on Stacks where bidders cannot appreciate them with photos, etc because they are not worthy of individual listings.

However, when I want to sell my 1908/09 overstrike double eagle, I'll only use Stacks, where I'm confident I will receive a good price.

I hope you move forward with this.

Thanks!

DB

 

I like it the way it is!!

I would like it if the user in the Advertising section could delete there post when the item sells. I don't mind the 1 post per week if you allowed the user to delete posts when all of the items are sold.
I posted a post and all of the coins sold that day so I have to wait another week to make a new post.

I would like it if they made a new section for only want to buy!!

 

The way I understand the rules - even if you could delete the post you would need to wait the rest of the time though before you could post again. Otherwise we would have members posting everyday just deleting their last post and adding that stuff to the new one....

Speedy

 

I voted yes and I say why not.

You have a good opportunity here and think you should take advantage. The financial rewards could be significant and frankly you deserve it. Your strength is the community you have created. Keep it the top priority. Require a minimum number of posts in the forums before a member gains access to the new features. That way the members get to learn a little about a person before they enter into financial dealings with them.

Maybe 25 to 50 post before someone is allowed to bid on an auction. 50 to 100 post before an individual is allowed to hold an auction. Also require continued activity in the forums for an individual to maintain their auction privileges.

Make it what Ebay in the beginning envisioned to be. Even harder don’t lose that vision and evolve into a hybrid of what Ebay is now.

 

I vote "both".

I have a higher trust in the average CTer than the world at large. There are many here I can trust.

I do have one concern, however : one of the reason the integrity level is high around here is there is no profit motive. Money has power to corrupt. It hasn't happened here because there is no money; most folks have a more pure reason to participate here.

Will the commercial side of CoinTalk attract the unsavory ? Will it lower our average ? (even lower than me, that is...)

How will we police that ?

It's worth considering any potential changes on the load on moderators should the site take on this element of commercialism. The moderators have done an excellent job of keeping the discussion about coins. Yes, some whine about "censorship", but nobody takes that seriously. What happens when there's a dispute in a deal ? Will the parties look to the moderators ?