Ran across this coin on Ebay

As I checked through the online auction scene, I came across this wonderful seller. As you can see, most of the coins sold are by unknown grading service slabs. Here is my fav coin though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=524&item=3945861049&rd=1

This is probably the most honest statement the seller has made

 

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Actually, I would like to collect a set of blank planchets from cent to dollar. But, $4 to ship, I don't think so!

 

I suppose it could be real, but with no stated return policy, and a $4.00 S&H charge, he/she can let someone else have it.

 

Ah, now that i'm afraid is an excessive shipping charge...Just wait until you get the package and I will bet the shipping comes nowhere near $4.00!

David

 

I'll bet you're right.

I've mailed lots of coins for the price of a stamp. (currently 37 cents)

 

Yeh that always ticks me off. But then again, I always include the shipping cost into what I am willing to pay for something. I once saw a Morgan dollar sell for .99, but shipping was $25. Ebay always likes those fee avoidance auctions.

 

I usually use a padded envelope which is slightly thicker than 1/4-inch when it has a 2x2 or two inside, so I have to pay 49¢.

 

You're right, Roy. That is a safer way of sending coins.
I have done the same thing.

I save all the bubble mailers, I get through the mail, and recycle them.
That way the only thing I pay for is the stamp.

 

They can be had in bulk for less than 10 cents each. (They're about $1.00 each in retail stores). I bought a box of these and have been pretty satisfied with them for lots of 4 or less silver dollars i.e. no complaints from buyers. For slabs, more expensive items, or larger lots, I use priority mail cardboard boxes.

 

Yep, they're pretty cheap when you buy quantity.
The thing is, I don't have any need for a bunch of them. I don't sell coins.

 

Shipping is one of those often overlooked items. It is great to see the viewers here notice that quickly.
For circ coins of lower value, shipping should not be more than a dollar or two.
For higher valued coins, it is pretty common for dealers to charge $5 or more and use priority mail with insurance.
As an example, all of the prizes that I have given away here in the weekly contest usually run about 85 cents to mail. So if this seller was charging a buck, that would be fair in my opinion.

 

i had someone from the usa trying to charge me 16 usd to ship a jfk half to the uk.The item itself was a couple bucks.

i explained to this robber baron that i get regular shipments in global priority bags where you can fill to the brim regardless of weight and they give you the bags free to use for only 9usd.


i sent then the 2 bucks and told them to keep the coin

 

these global priority bags are great actually and for coins especially good as the weight does not come into it.last bag i got last week contained 5 usa proof mint sets, 60 jfk halves,a couple of 1/10 modern gold eagles,and a bunch of silver medallions.So ya can see what a shipping bargain this realy is.

Any one outwith the usa i suggest you ask who your buying from to mail you the items in this way,you will save a fortune.

 

Hmm...interesting idea there! Makes sense since you don't pay any final auction price fees on shipping. You could use $5 for Priority Mail and insurance and the rest for a handling fee to cover your time and gas going to the post office! HAHA!!

David

 

I see what you're saying, and many folks do the same thing.

My only problem with those type of auctions, is that you know right off the bat, that the seller is a dishonest person.
And if he/she is dishonest about the S&H, then what else are they going to be dishonest about?
See what I mean?

 

Dishonest, or just trying to increase their revenues?

You / I may not like it but, when I buy a coin, or anything on ebay, I have a set price that I am willing to pay. If I have $50 to spend on a coin and shipping is $30 then I only bid $20, either way they are getting only $50 total cost.

I mean look at other things we buy and the prices that are paid. Do new cars really cost $35,000 to build, do hunks of coal that have turned into diamonds and set into jewelry really cost $5,000 to create, why does the chicken breast that you pay $8 for at one restaurant cost $18 at another?

If there are ways to create more money, it doesn't mean you are dishonest. Who doesn't take advantage of loopholes or push the limit of right and wrong?

 

Honestly, I would have to say; "both".

I don't have a problem with paying the actual value for a purchase.
What I do have a problem with, is entering into transactions with people who are obviosly dishonest. I see no reason why a person that tries to scam eBay out of final value fees, would treat his/her customers any differently.

Again, all I can say is, I like to do my business with people I can trust.
I would never pay $35,000 for a car, $5,000 for a diamond, or $8 for a chicken breast. I know where I can get all of those for much less.

I certainly respect your opinion, as I hope you do mine.

 

I do respect your opinion Jody.

I am not condoning high shipping costs, but I what I am saying is, if you can collect it, good for you. It is like at tax time, when people take their business deductions, who does not pad them a little? Tax evasion is against the law, tax avoidance is not. Al Capone found that out!!

As far as my example of costs of other goods, I don't pay those prices either, my Brother-in-law owns a car dealership, and I have cooked in restaurants where chicken breasts do sell for $18, but I got to eat for free. : )))

 

My biggest problem with this particular seller is the coins being peddled. Low end grading services are an instant sign to me as to who to deal with.

 

How is padding S&H any different than the big auction houses charging a 20% buyer's premeium? Both are charges that are stated prior to the transaction (if they're not stated ahead of time there is a problem) that everyone has the ability to factor into their offer/bid price. I guess it can get out of hand, but as long as its not too out of line and its stated ahead of time I don't have a problem with it.

My perspective is based on the limited selling that I do on eBay. First, I DON'T sell coins, there are just too many things that complicate it and can go wrong. I do sell trading cards, both sports cards and trading card game cards. My standard policy is that I charge $1.25 for the first auction won and 50¢ for each additional auction won. Basically I figure the cost of envelopes/padded mailers + first class postage + top loader (a hard plastic sleeve that the card goes into to protect it) + the eBay listing fee (30-50¢/auction) + the Paypal basic transaction fee ($0.30/transaction).

I've never had any real problems with this system (so far I've never had a negative or neutral feedback left for me), but I'm also not trying to sell Morgans for $0.99 with a $25 shipping fee either. On a couple of occasions I've had a buyer question my charges and I've just explained exactly what they would be getting for the s&h fees and it's always pacified them.

my 2¢

CD