Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;dougsmit, post: 3718593, member: 19463&quot;]We used to use the term &#039;School of Hard Knocks&#039; for things learned in life.&nbsp; eBay serves a good purpose providing education that everyone needs to acquire one way or the other.&nbsp; There are many good coins and good sellers on eBay but is up to each of us to figure out which ones they are and which are selling fakes or overpriced garbage (which I consider as detrimental to the hobby as are the fakes).&nbsp; The fact is that no one working for eBay is going to help you with the fakes and they prefer that you pay too much for things you buy since it increases their cut.&nbsp; At least eBay does police, to some degree, things like slow or non-shipment and supports returns of bad items.&nbsp; The community of high end dealers has not come down on the bad actors in their group so you are required to decide which firm is worth your Buyers&#039; Fees and high prices. </p><p><br /></p><p>I agree that one way beginners can be helped would be for us to discuss good sources but it seems a certain percentage of them are out looking for what Jamesicus called &#039;Free Lunch&#039; (Ain&#039;t no such....) and despite our efforts will start their collection with a fake Didius and a worn slick overpriced Otho.&nbsp; Some will learn; some will go away badmouthing the hobby as a whole when the problem was their greed and stupidity.&nbsp; Perhaps this education will serve them in their future endeavors.&nbsp; Actually, in addition to there being no Free Lunch there is no Free Education either.&nbsp; We try to give free help here on CT but the easiest way to learn a stove is hot will result in some blistered fingers.&nbsp; Modern tendencies trend toward protecting everyone from everything and making hot stoves illegal unless marked &#039;May be hot!&#039;&nbsp; Seventy years ago, children were told, &quot;That was a stupid thing to do!&quot; when they learned a lesson the hard way.&nbsp; At least they learned. </p><p><br /></p><p>Our pastor was explaining in the Children&#039;s Sermon how God comforts His children in times of hurt just like a Father and Mother does.&nbsp; She asked if anyone could give an example.&nbsp; A little girl said, &quot;My mom just says to suck it up.&quot;&nbsp; Shocked, the pastor asked another girl who replied, &quot;Both of my parents are doctors and they say if it isn&#039;t bleeding it isn&#039;t hurt.&quot;&nbsp; Pastor learned something about children that day.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in