WOW! Coins Are Pricey on eBay!

I've heard that the coin market is booming but eBay Starting/BIN prices make the auction market look like a REAL bargain (and they aren't).
Yes, I'm using Grey Sheet prices as my starting point and trying to stay below retail.
But eBay sellers are ridiculously high; they make retail listings look like a bargain.

I'm looking at silver Early Commemoratives in the MS-63/-65 range.
Looks like I'll keep pecking away at GC auctions.
Also independent auctions such as Proxibid plus whatever else I can find online.
Heritage and Stack's mostly work only in higher grades.

 

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So true. eBay prices are outrageous, IMHO. I've changed my major focus from US to English pre-decimal shillings and a British Victorian Type Set, and purchasing only from dealers in England. Most of those coins are raw and thus less expensive.

 

I think there could be a couple virus related factors. More at-home time for hobbies, or need for cash through job layoffs.

 

David Lawrence Coins are awesome also. No fees either.

 

Maybe people are raising their prices because of eBay's increased fees and general hassle level.

I'd be selling into this strength if not for that "increased hassle level" bit.

 

I have only purchased 1 or 2 coins in the past year. I am patiently waiting for the market to normalize.

I have sold a few of things for some profit which I never thought I would get out of without taking a loss... so that's nice.

I have a feeling at some point in the near future things will go back to normal. The people purchasing at current premiums are going to be left holding a pretty heavy bag.

 

Agree that some eBay sellers are ridiculously high/pricey...and some of the some are crazy-ridiculously high/pricey...of the kind that makes you wonder if they really know anything of what they're doing/selling, etc, or maybe trolling for suckers and totally inexperienced buyers (likely). That said, have found many nice, genuine coins from good, decent sellers and at reasonable if not less than listed/retail values/prices...and in some cases, real steals. It's amazing sometimes just to see the differences in prices for slabbed coins of the same type/variety, mint, grade, TPG and appearance, if you take the time to look them all over and ask questions before bidding/buying.

 

What matters if any one is crazy enough to pay such money. It might be signs of either inflation or times are just too good.

 

One can *ASK* whatever they want. Greed has no limit.

 

No fees but hammer prices seem too high for my wallet.

 

Everything is high everywhere, premiums on plain old bullion are nuts too. Try to buy a proof silver Libertad for less than 5X melt....good luck! Or a Pamp Lady Fortuna Bar (2x + melt)......there is just so little physical stuff out there. I paid like $36 for this one a few days ago with shipping. But it is lovely.

 

I only do auctions on Ebay. The buy now prices seem to be unreasonably high to me. Even the starting bids for some auction items are ridiculously high.

 

The thing is they are getting the high prices.

 

We forget physical gold and silver (speaking of bullion now) are a tiny part of the entire market, like 1% or less. We are actually in a bear market now for gold especially and that may continue.

 

With ebay fees continuing to edge upward, sellers can't be expected to sell at wholesale levels.

 

Even the fractional size coin/bars are expensive on there.
Fractional is all I can afford these days.

 

Ebay used to be my "GO TO" place for hard to get coins,, now it's my "RUN FROM" place.

 

Personally, I have had some degree of success making offers to sellers even when no "Or Best Offer" is listed.

Saw something I liked listed at $80 BIN. Politely offered $60 and got an acceptance within an hour. Not every offer goes that way but better than 50% do. I've even counter offered when I get an unsolicited offer just from "watching" a listing.

Those are a bit less than 50% sucessful, but when they are, I'm a happy camper.

Z

 

Ebay is ok for Auctions and best offer sometimes . It never hurts to keep a eye on it

 

There are always deals to be had, there are always suckers overpaying. You just have to focus on the former if you're buying, not the latter (and vice versa if you're selling). I do think the stimulus and higher gold and silver prices have inflated prices, in general. That's okay, it makes a lot of coins that collectors paid what was then a premium for years ago, more valuable.