Has anyone used this seller on their live auction listings on Ebay? I know they charge an additional 20% buyers premium on the sale, but I would just figure that into the price that I would be willing to pay.
Heritage is one of a few major numismatic auction galleries, most of which are now conducting EBay live auctions along with their live & telephone bid sales. The rules are heavily slanted toward floor bidders (including the phone operators), and the fast pace of live auctions makes timely on-line bidding difficult once the lot opens. My only success at one of those was a stupid money bid made ahead of time which turned out to be high enough to beat the folks on the floor with auction fever. That's not a method recommended for anything but an item that you really, really, really can't live without. Floor bidders normally get hit with a 10-15% buyers premium (and not just at numismatic auctions), so the extra vigorish is another strike against on-line bidders. Good auction bidding always involves determining your maximum purchase price, then deducting buyers premiums, sales taxes and shipping/handling fees to reach your maximum bid; whether you are bidding in person, on-line, or even in a mail-based auction.
I have bid and won/lost with Heritage items via Internet Auctions ONLY. I have picked up some decent buys even with their BP (20%) which I add on to the price of the coin. Heritage has some top notch coins and you see them at all of them major shows. I also like their online "My Collection" where I have all of my certified coins inventoried. The Numismedia Wholesale Index gives me a good idea of what I could get for my coins...if I had to sell them today. Also, it shows how many potential clients may be interested in a given coin. We always talk about coin software whereas, this is really free. Of course, this provides Heritage with a potential seller in the future.
Heritage is top notch in my book - they have my greatest respect. I have bought from them, consigned with them, sold through them and participated in many of their auctions. I've won some and lost some and yes that includes against live floor bidders. But with any of the major auction houses like Heritage, Superior, Bowers & Marena etc - you are better off to register directly with the auction house and participate through their own web site than you are to participate in one of their auctions through ebay - it will save you money. Yes you still have to pay buyer's fees - but you will only pay 15% instead of 20% on ebay.
http://www.heritagecoins.com/default.php Heritage is certainly a very well respected firm offering some very fine coins. They run several different types of auctions, and fair deals are throughout. While I do my consigning to Bowers (better prices usually), Heritage is a great place to buy. Many of the coins trade near dealer ask. Some even can be picked up at bid levels.
