I’ve noticed that the registry of a major grading service can be used for directly selling coins. The seller sets up a custom set so they can list a variety of coins for sale, the coins not necessarily related to each other. The seller states in the set description to contact them if interested in buying any of the coins and gives an email address. The email address never has an @ symbol in it but uses something like “at” or (at). Presumably, this is to get by a bot that the grading service has to prevent this sort of thing. Personally, I find this distasteful and potentially dangerous. I look at registry sets to see neat collections, not have coins hawked at me. However, if a grading service wants to have a for-sale section on their website, but not in the registry, that’s OK with me. But they should have a warning that anyone who buys directly from advertisers on the website may lose their money unless the method of payment allows redress. Cal
We dont need a warning for everything in the world. If someone cant figure out if they contact and deal with a stranger directly you risk losing your money if you send them a check I have very little sympathy. If anything we need to start getting rid of some warnings like if someone cant figure out not to use their hair dryer while in the shower well....... That said the registries have been used forever to sell coins both actively and passively. People would see a coin they like and contact the owner to see if they would be interested in selling or have a note the coin is for sale. Its not a good way to sell coins by any means as it generates minuscule sales and really only works for top sets, but it never hurts to use all avenues if one is trying to sell.
