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 Replies: 22 / Views: 3,491 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1175 Posts |
Poll Question
I have thought about this quite often. On one hand, the Internet allows sellers (selling online or not) to more easily research the going rate for their items and price them accordingly. On the other hand, the Internet gives buyers access to more sellers than they would otherwise (more items to find a deal). Maybe it evens out?
What do you think?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Funny .. one each vote so far
I voted easier since one does not have to go to the coins, they come to you.
I can barely handle a coin show, although they are exciting, I get overwhelmed and it's not like you can just leave and come back tomorrow. Public auctions are nice but far and few between and unpredictable.
You may see some things there that you like, but they get crazy bids over what you want to pay.
Coin shops are under stocked and don't always have what you want. Some coin dealers, I don't even want to interact with.
Almost everything is on the internet. Price comparison, coin comparison and reputation is pretty well established. If not established, I steer clear.
Yes you might pay some shipping but it beats, wear and tear on the car and gas plus travel time.
The internet has made coin collecting easy in my opinion.
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Since the question was does it make it harder to get good deals, definitely. The amount of total garbage being hawked for unreasonable prices is attrocious. If, by chance you have been around the block a few times and follow only a few good sellers, perhaps you would reap some rewards. Most people like myself don't have hours and hours to just search in a manner that is necessary to weed out the chaff.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12124 Posts |
 I don't have time (or the will) to constantly search through thousands of listings to find that one good deal that someone else hasn't already beaten me to! I voted "harder" simply for the vastly increased competition who has equally fast access to what I can find. The only times that it has worked in my favor were coins that were unattributed for their variety but, I got lucky on those. I don't expect it to be a common thing.
In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
"A man who doesn't love easily loves too much."
-Dale Cooper
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1492 Posts |
I had to vote for neither. I've had some good deals on and off line.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12124 Posts |
Now the "easier" vote has surpassed the others. Anyone voting willing to give an opinion/explanation?
In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
"A man who doesn't love easily loves too much."
-Dale Cooper
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4849 Posts |
I didn't vote. I will say though there are good deals to be had. Lot's of time and patience. Then there are some things that aren't so good. But when it comes right down to it, eBay is my lifeline to collecting coins. I don't have a LCS. Sometimes the shipping times from Canada can seem like an eternity and other times it isn't so bad. Don't see many US sellers dealing in Canadian coins which is unfortunate. The turnaround time would be much faster and shipping would be cheaper.
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Valued Member
United States
397 Posts |
Neither. I've obtained good deals both online and locally. The availability of online prices doesn't hurt when shopping local venues.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1195 Posts |
I voted easier. Both sides have some good points. I think it's easier because of the selection available, you can get just what you are looking for. Possible low prices, hard to find but there if you are patient and follow your set budget. No pressure shopping, it may be hard for some to not get caught up in the salesman's pitch. Shipping, yes it irks me, but in reality, probably fair with all things taken into account, then, suddenly it's at your door. Some collectors have only this option to grow their coins. I am pretty lucky to have a LCS, and shows within a fair distance. I shop all 3, internet, LCS and shows.
"We are poor little lambs...who have lost our way...Baa...Baa...Baa"
In memory of those members who left us too soon...
In memory of Tootallious March 31, 1964 to April 15, 2020
In memory of crazyb0 July 27 2020. RIP.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
655 Posts |
It's far easier, IMO. In fact, if I were stranded w/o internet, I'd probably stop collecting (probably stop a lot of things, in fact). What I like most is the advent of digital photography. I can zoom in on any and all features and defects of an item before laying out my money.
What's harder is like the OP says, that sellers are now in unintentional 'collusion' with other sellers and expect certain high values for their items. Some wiggle room based on eye appeal but not much, at least when it comes to slabbed grades.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Quote:
Since the question was does it make it harder to get good deals, definitely. The amount of total garbage being hawked for unreasonable prices is attrocious. If, by chance you have been around the block a few times and follow only a few good sellers, perhaps you would reap some rewards. Most people like myself don't have hours and hours to just search in a manner that is necessary to weed out the chaff. Couldn't disagree more. The internet makes it insanely easier. You can see 100s of thousands of coins for sale in a day sitting at home eating/drinking/watching tv/doing whatever you want ect and it costs you nothing. Without the internet you would be driving around to shops all day sitting in traffic burning gas just hoping that one might be there and once you visited all the shops you would have to travel to find more. There is no question that the internet has made it MUCH MUCH easier to buy coins and find deals.
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
24882 Posts |
I voted easier ... Not only for coins ....for everything in general . You always can compare prices .. You decide the best deal for yourself  A cultivated person is a citizen of the world*
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
20+ years ago you had a couple newspaper, a few magazines, the occasional auction catalog (if you bid), the yearly or seasonal show, dealers catalogs (if you ordered), and local shops.
In a days search, if you wanted to take a whole day, we can see as many coins as would be available then in a year.
And with the exception of a couple of those, there were the sellers descriptions, and rarely a photo.
There is no comparison.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
81304 Posts |
Amen, couldn't have said it as well.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Yes and no. The ever-vigilant eye of eBay bidders makes it impossible for some items to slip under the radar. If I post a genuine US classic (worth more than $20) the odds that I will be taken to the cleaners are negligible. From that standpoint, deals are harder to get. For example, I grew up near Stone Mountain, so the commem is on my wish list, but try to find a "deal" on an example with any eye appeal left.
But, widen your scope and deals are hiding everywhere. I could ramble on for pages about the ancients or random world coins that I got for a criminally good deal on eBay because the seller was lazy in their research. Even I almost sold two silver Polish commemorative coins as base metal because I bought them as such and never questioned the seller!
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21179 Posts |
I never buy via the 'net.
MY problem is that I always like to see in hand what I may consider to buy, then pay cash. Saves credit card and shipping fees.
I nevertheless do most of my price research via the 'net. Otherwise known as 'due diligence'. Important if you intend to bid at a public auction.
Over the years, you get to know personally lots of collectors and most of the dealers, and of course, they know me.
Always use public transport, can travel anywhere in Sydney for U.S. $2.00 per day, using my Senior's travel card *. That saves parking and fuel costs.
(That is despite the fact that I'm a classic car nut! )
A close buddy of mine has a 1970 Pontiac 455 HO GTO.
* Can be used in most states for any public transport in Australia.
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Replies: 22 / Views: 3,491 |
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Posted 10/21/2017 12:31 am
