I was wondering where most people get their coins. I have seen so many times that you should buy the coin not the holder. However, my collecting is very part-time and I don't see myself going to a coin show anytime soon. I could, however, check out some of the local shops. My collection has exclusively been from ebay. I only bid on auctions that have a return policy and I have taken advantage of it several times. I also have found that it is real important to email the seller with very specific questions. About half of the people lie and the other half are sometimes surprisingly honest. The ones to watch out for are the ones that don't answer all of your questions. It has been obvious without exception that that ignored question was intentional. Looking at the feedback has the obvious advantages. But one thing that I have found, if they have bad feedback, you can sometimes get great values as the bidding is not too intense. As long as they have a return policy and the feedback is somewhat forgivable, I'll go for it. This is what I like best about ebay. There seems to be more value potential. Everything that I buy is considerably under value. I do not see this happening at a coin show or store. What have I been missing out on?
While ebay can be a venue for 'deals', you are missing out on the deals of meeting people locally at coin clubs, shows and those shops that become a hang-out of people in the know. The more you go, the more people you meet, the more opportunity to make a deal that you might not find on-line. Nothing to lose but time, give the real life of coins a try..you might be surprised. Check with the American Numismatic Assoc. (http://www.money.org) for clubs in your area.
Yep, I was going to say that trading is one of the better ways to get coins. I've traded personally with a few of the people who come to this site, and it's always been a pleasure. Helps build good relationships, and increases your knowledge and doesn't hurt the pocketbook so much as buying. I'm especially wary of coins I buy on Ebay. Unless it's someone I know, I'll buy only slabbed and from someone who takes credit card payments. Slabbed to minimize the grading disputes, and credit card to allow me the chance to charge back if the seller never send the coins. Don't fool yourself that Paypal payments protect you either, they do not. Dealers are great, where you can trust them. Don't go to the cheapest dealer, you'll get the cheapest coins. Find a good dealer who specialized in the area you're collecting and stick with them. Virg Marshall, for example, if you like Lincoln cents. Coin shows are even better. We have a few of them each month in my area. I don't get to them all, but usually go at least once a month. Buying coins is only part of it, you get to meet some really nice people with the same interest as you (coins).
Peter, I second everything that you say about buying on ebay. But, what do you mean that Paypal does not protect you? I keep hearing horror stories of people that had their whole accounts frozen because of a dispute initiated by a buyer. Everything that I have heard leads me to believe that paypal is too biased in protecting the buyer and gives little regard to the seller. I understand that this is the reason that people are no longer using paypal and are instead using other services such as citibank and ebay payments.
Sailing along on Moonlight eBay I have never bought anything on eBay. I would never be an eBay selller. Intellectually and ideologically, I approve of the laissez faire Turkish bazaar environment were buyer and seller come together in a tussle for profits. Very Ferengi! But in real life, for myself, I prefer to shop coin shows, local or national, and local coin stores. I have purchased material mail order from dealers who advertise in places I trust -- the Celator, primarily. These tend to be exceptions, even though my experiences have all been positive. I like meeting people. I like meeting people who get to know me. I think that works best for me. I said I do not collect. When I buy, it is usually for some research for an article I am working on. When I work with a dealer on a purchase, I prefer ANA membership, especially from thoise who have stores. Vestpocket guys at shows I am a little more forgiving of.
I used to buy off of Ebay a lot and I was really satisfied with the coins I received for the most part. However, that was back when I had no other sources; no online dealers that I new or trusted; no other collectors who I could buy from or trade with; no local dealers; and no local shows. As I have been in the hobby a while and have made many contacts and have been fortunate enough to mocve to where I have access to local dealers and shows, I rarely buy on Ebay any more. When I do it is almost 100% of the time from someone who I already know outside of Ebay. I have a couple of online dealers who I love buying from but, to me, there is nothing better than buying coins in person. Seeing the coin, holding the coin and dealing with the seller in person is just unbeatable in my book. Edited to add: I have received some bargains on Ebay but I have received better coins for the money from buying in person.
Paypal will get your money back for you against an honest seller, or at least one who tries. If you've been ripped off by a complete fraudster, you're on your own. Paypal will take weeks to rule on a complaint, and they will inform the seller/fraudster in advance. This gives time for the true fraudster to clean out their account, close their bank account and credit card and leave town. When Paypal finally get around to trying to recover your money, there's nothing there. So, you'll get an email from them saying that you win, but they can't do anything because there's no money in the account. If you file a charge back with your credit card you used to fund the Paypal transfer, they will debit your account, or bank, for the full amount of the charge back. If your account is empty, and there's no bank account they'll freeze your Paypal account and report you to a credit agency as if YOU were the fraudster. How's that for protection? I say, don't use Paypal unless it's someone you know, or it's money you can afford to lose.
Speaking of, how is that Churchhill Crown collection coming along?? :lol: I envy you guys who have access to real life shops and coin shows. I have to drive an hour and a half to two hours each way to get to the closest coin shop and if I were to go to a show, I'd have to drive three hours one way to Tacoma Washington. I don't make to shops very often and I have not been to a show since the 2000 Winter ANA money show in Salt Lake City Utah. Jason
There are actually NO coin shows in Greece and except the Fleamarket in Monastiraki place, Athens, there are no affordable coin shops in Athens nor the whole Greece ofcourse
Would we be able to start some kind of dealer rating service? Where collectors could go and give a rating. Feedback on eBay just does not seem to do the job.
I really do like the shows. Where else can you see so much stuff, compare and really get to talk to dealers and other collectors. In a shop you can talk in more depth with the dealer, but you're only with one dealer and I always feel obliged to buy after a half hour chat even if there's nothing I want. At a show I just move on to the next table.
