Selling Coins On Ebay

Depends on the coin. Most things I start at $.99 and run for 7 days. I usually look up completed listings and use the highest priced one for a template.Always include large pics and good close-ups unless selling bulk silver. I charge shipping at the same rate the P.O. does and include insurance free. Accept returns unless bullion. For lesser known varieties, I will put a reserve on it or a start price as low as I'll accept and be happy with.

I have been selling coins on ebay for years. Over the years, I have found that starting the opening bid low is what customers like, they seem to feel like it is a true auction that way, some items, the more valuable, which you know you need to have a certain price for, you may want to list a reserve price to cover you, once this reserve price is met, then the item will sell. The drawback is, that some people will not bid on a reserve auction, but if you have a good coin, then they will and it should sell. I do three days, because if you do a 7 day most of the time you do not get any bids until the second or third day anyway. I have done both, buy it now, or both. If someone buys it now, then you are good, but if you list a buy it now and also an auction, then the first bid takes away the buy it now part of the auction.

The more detailed the pictures, the more money you should receive for your coins. I usually offer free shipping, and this is why, normally when customers are bidding for the item, they will bid high enough to cover the coin, and the shipping too. Sometimes I have gotten much more than what it was worth plus the shipping in the bid. It all evens out in the end. I think you also get discounts on your final value charge if you offer free shipping. Take Paypal only, checks, money orders, etc. can be an issue, sometimes you may get a check and you need to hold the item up to 7 days before you know the check clears, this is a hassle, and also, sometimes they may even stop payment on the check. Additionally, there are cases of fraudulent money orders, etc. The only money order that I would accept is a United States Postal money order, they have watermarks, etc. to prevent counterfit money orders.

Start at .99, people love to bid and will pass right by a high bid start.

That is interesting. I wasn't originally planning on doing it that way but I may need to rethink that.

For myself when I'm looking to bid on items I don't really pay much attention to the starting bid, unless it's more than I think the coin is worth to start with.

people really do like free shipping. when someone notices a high shipping cost, they initially feel like you are trying to rip them off right off the bat.

I should keep that in mind.

, tdlee22!



Reserves are one of ebay's biggest rackets. A $1 start with a $500 reserve pays the same listing fee as starting at $500. If it doesn't reach the reserve, you're out the listing fee AND the reserve fee.

Most likely it won't reach the reserve, because most bidders will back out of a reserve auction so fast your monitor will spin. This is exactly why ebay doesn't show reserve auctions in search results.

As it is now, sellers can kid themselves by looking at hits. If auctions with reserves were noted, people wouldn't even click on them, and the truth would be obvious, blowing ebay's scam.

Gotta get $500? Make it your minimum. Any bids under a $500 reserve are a waste of everyone's time, since you're not willing to sell for less anyway.

Careful with auctions. ebay charges a higher percentage final value fee for auctions versus buy it now. The auction bidders tend to be a different crowd than those that use buy it now too. I find that I now prefer to sell using the buy it now + make offer option. Ask high and work out a price with interested buyers. More time consuming but gives you a chance to interact with the buyers before a sale is made, so the sale tends to be favorable for both parties and the transaction also tends to end without issue more often. I've had far more missing shipments, non-paying buyers, and erroneous claims that item is not as described with auctions then I do with buy it now + make offer

+1 on bigfred's comment about reserve price. I also feel it makes no sense as all and it definitely puts me off bidding.

Another advice is to be prepared for the fees. >10% on ebay + 2-4% on paypal + shipping can be substantial. Also shell out for registered shipping whenever possible. I've been burned so many times on claims of non delivery that I'm starting to question the decency/class/morals of many a ebay buyer.... sigh~