If you could set specific rules for selling coins online either in store format or auction format, what rules would you have?
All coins must have a clear picture of obverse and reverse. All shipping/handling/fees must be clearly stated, as well as their return policy. TC
The best rule has always been the Golden Rule : "Do for others what you would have them do for you." In the context of coin selling, what would that be ? Full Disclosure - Photos which accurately depict the coin coupled with a verbal description summarizing both the good and the bad. Fair Pricing - 'nuff said. Promptness - 'nuff said. Courtesy - 'nuff said. Returns - 100% satisfaction guaranteed with a "no questions asked" return policy. Know your coins - a knowledgeable seller is a happy seller with happy customers. I think you will have a very, very high batting average.
The reason I asked this is because I have been working (through email) with a CEO of an online company where people can buy and sell things. Have been helping to moderate the listings. Thought it would be nice to give him a good set of rules when it comes to coins.
Successful Rules I believe you'll find that generally, you need only have one rule, that being the "Golden Rule". It helps to remember simple rules, such as the customer is always right, patience is the greatest of all virtues, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, there's no free lunch, and again, the customer is always right. I've been very successful in applying the "rules", and have been rewarded. I don't believe you'll find any simpler consistent rules, but many less successful have tried. Just an old mans' observations, worth at least the amount paid.
Two sides to fraud Two sides to fraud (And now three with folks fixing coinage edges) "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a Hamburger today" comes to mind. I know. Whimpy answer, but few here will know the origin. Fraud, to me, is Knowing you are doing the self serving thing with no regard to damage done to another. So BUYING below true worth is also fraud. So I think "WORTH" is an operative factor and that varies with time. Bottled water quite often costs more per unit than gasoline! Lack of which one gets you out of your current situation faster? Depends.
I would agree with this only if you deliberately deceive someone into thinking something is worth less than actual market value in order to buy it from them at a ridiculously low price.
Sounds like you probably will not have need for that stipulation, as the buyers will not be suggesting the value or selling price to the sellers.
