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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,590 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3789 Posts |
I recently posted a month or so ago about purchasing on ebay. I have had good experiences thus far as I continue to make purchases. However, I wanted to relate a small experience that perhaps new collectors might want to keep in mind. The topic I want to address is to make sure you know what you are getting. Let me share with you my story in brief. As many of you are aware, I enjoy collecting silver and gold proof coins and sets. I especially enjoy series that feature birds and animals, particularly elephants and rhinos. In my research and travels I learned that the South African mint released a series called a Wildlife series and one set from 2003 featured Rhinos. I was quite excited to find this set, which featured four fractional sizes. This set featured Rhinos and it looked just marvelous from the pictures. This particular dealer had the set for a fixed price or best offer. I made a best offer on the set and won it. I finally get it and was looking forward to having it in my collection.... and then.... I saw the WORST tarnish in my life. Furthermore, every single coin holder was just beaten, and nicked and scratched, I couldn't believe it. I even looked at it again online from when I first found it and it was not this same way. The condition of the set was just ,,,, a mess to put it mildly. So whats the take away? Well here's some points to remember if you buy off eBay- 1- Make sure the seller has a return policy. Read it carefully to make sure what constitutes a return. some offer a return policy but only allow a return if the item is damaged on its way to you or if it doesn't match what was sent and what you were offered. 2- Ask questions until you are blue in the face! Get additional pictures, although they still might not help in the long run. 3- Really think it over. I have come to the conclusion, that for the sake of time and to keep it simple, I no longer want a set or older coin that's older than one year. I just don't want to waste the time of packing and sending an item back, even with a good return policy. And remember, I'm not saying ebay is bad. I have had great experiences, and even tho the Rhino set was disappointing... I was able to return it which was good! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Caveat emptor is the best policy when utilizing ebay. "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1200 Posts |
ebay these days is like a football field with one land mine planted in every square yard of field. If you can do a goalpost to goalpost serpentine broken-field run without setting one off, you're the winner. It all comes down to what your personal tolerance level for risk is. "Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice." Good luck.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
I love ebay, selling and buying. We only have one fairly local coin shop and they know they're the only game in town. eBays opened up a whole world for me. Use your head and bid wisely. You can ALWAYS get your money back if you get fleeced. Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3789 Posts |
Fat and 52 made some good points I agree with. How much can you tolerate? What can you risk. I think risking so long as you can get your money back is good, tho I just don't have the patience nor time to send back each time. .... and as 52 said. I mean, I have a lot of coin shops near me but for me, I don't have the time to walk in and BS and talk shop and price. I know what I want, and what I want to pay and simply put, move on. So I do love ebay for this coin collecting. I been able to get some nice unique pieces I couldn't get anywhere else. And, yes you can get your money back. tho after reading some reports here I am getting less and less interested in buying some of the common items on ebay due to fakes.. and would rather pay higher from a dealer like APMEX etc. |
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Valued Member
United States
402 Posts |
I have been buying and selling on and off ebay for about ten years now and the problem I incur mostly is new sellers that don't know how to package. I bought two Jefferson nickels not to long ago and they were scotch taped right to a piece of paper when they were shipped. Most sellers are very honest. I just put up a bunch of Mercury dimes for .99 cents starting bid. Been doing that for a few months now. Works out well. Keep the shipping low also. Put up PCGS slabs for 2.99. If I put up NGC slabs nobody even bids on them. I will take back any item I sell, no questions asked. Most other sellers will do that also. As the man said Caveat emptor on ebay. Another problem on ebay is cleaned coins. I would almost say half the coins on ebay where cleaned at one time. Even the biggest sellers try to get them through but its the newer, younger sellers who don't realize the coins they are trying to sell or buy has been cleaned. Take your time and be careful buying. Just my opinions edgman      (xyguy12 on ebay) Not trying to push my coins, dont have many for sale. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
I recently purchased a 1921-D Morgan VAM 1J, it was not attributed on the slab insert and thought that I would send it in for variety attribution for $24 plus reholdering, another $12 only to find out that PCGS does not recognize this VAM. After receiving the coin, yesterday, I contacted the seller and explained why I was returning it (his auctions state the 14-Day return policy). He wrote back and stated that it was not his fault and the coin was accurately described, which it was, but I am returning it since it can't be VAMed by PCGS. He suggested that I send it ANACS which would VAM it, I further explained that my set of VAMed Mint Marks is all PCGS and I want to obtain a PCGS VAMed 1921-D. He seemed to be a little miffed, but I am sending it back. My lesson learned is "do your research" before you go off half-cocked on a coin. Edited by oih82w8
02/22/2013 2:45 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
To address the PCGS issue, oih82w8, keep in mind that many VAMmers (myself one of them) consider PCGS' choice of what to attribute to be ludicrous and completely unrelated to the real rarities in VAMming. An LDS VAM-1J (yours was an EDS) in Mint State is among the two or three most-valuable 1921-D varieties, and some of what they will attribute are considered R-1 coins. Heck, they won't even differentiate between the many forms of Infrequent Reeding and Pitted 1921-P's, most of which are quite common but one of which (VAM-44) is the only R-8 1921 (aside 1X, which nobody expects to see a second example of). Quite frankly, of the specific listed 1921's PCGS will attribute, I will only pay a premium for the 1921-S Thornheads (and not the 1B6 among them) in circulated condition. And maybe an LDS 1J. The key to success on ebay is knowing how to interpret photographs, issue-specific knowledge and an eye for the details of the specific listing. Yup7676, I have a feeling that your seller used a generic image set to describe the listing. Was a quantity listed? That's the only circumstance under which ebay will allow stock images. And if a quantity is listed, then you've got to approach very carefully because you have no clue whatsoever what you're going to get. You did the right thing, of course, and your attitude towards the episode is to be complemented. Posting the experience here as an objective lesson is what we hope to see from the best of our membership.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3789 Posts |
Well you know, like anything else, it so easy for a seller to describe an item as to what he thinks it is, in terms of condition. And the buyer might have high expectations.
In my case, when I got the set I was disappointed but it was like, ok just a learning experience no big deal. Perhaps where my thinking was flawed was thinking that folks who purchase coins will take care of everything, the case, the holder, the box, the coin capsules, etc. I guess I was wrong in that thinking or maybe I the only one that takes care of all of his items lol jk
Dave, to answer your question- no, this was just the one set that was up. And as you state, I think what he did was put up stock photos of the set. Because I did look at the coins with their images they had available and they were nothing at all like what I saw when I got it. ... and I guess yea, if he were to put up the photos of this set, I don't think anyone would go for it. I certainly couldn't.
In the end tho, I have had more good buying experiences... come to think of it I really cant complain about a single purchase I have made thus far, and even with this Rhino set, I was still able to return it and the process went with no flaws.
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Valued Member
United States
240 Posts |
ive had nothing but bad experiences selling on ebay out of my 40 items sold I have had 6 disputes opened against me for item not delivered(2 days after confirmed shipping) and the rest for unauthorized payment coincidentally opened after I ship the item. Every time paypal has ruled in the buyers favor, paypal has great buyers protection but no seller protection. With the way paypal is right now you could probably make a living scamming through paypal as they always side with the buyer. |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,590 |
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Posted 02/21/2013 10:09 am
