I have been looking at Ebay auctions as a newbie returning to collecting. Do you think that I can trust grading and transactions if I limit to the top-rated sellers on Ebay?
No. Top Rated Sellers is just an artificial title given to some sellers. It might offer some added safety, but not enough to always rely on that the coin is graded correctly.
Only if that seller also happens to be a coin dealer, or person, that is respected and considered to be trustworthy by the numismatic community. In other words, ignore feedback on ebay as it is a poor indicator of the truth.
For inexpensive coins (you determine your own definition of "inexpensive") you can go with just about anyone. As long as they give you good images and the price is fair, there should be no problems (unless the seller is in China). But when it come to expensive coin you REALLY have to tighten up on your standards. The "top-rated sellers" will know more about coins BUT will also know how not to back themselves in a corner with their descriptions of raw coins. IMO there comes a point where a coin should be in a holder from a reliable TPG. But that generally leaves a gap between what you consider expensive and what is valuable enough to merit slabbing. Those coins are the ones you should see in hand. That means a visit to a show or a store.
