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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,385 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
849 Posts |
Kind of back into coins after a 20 year lapse. Was buying at coin shows and such (pre-internet). Are on-line auctions and the like safe and cheaper than coin shows/dealers or is it better to buy in person?
Do those auctions and private sales cut out the middle man or are there risks not worth taking?
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Valued Member
197 Posts |
If you live in a metropolitan area with some nice coin shows every year, then the bourse is the way to go. You can shop around, see coins in hand, and inspect them. I buy frequently from ebay, but you need a lot of specific knowledge, a good computer screen, and a real good sh** sniffer. Don't ever trust anything written on the cardboard of a slab or flip regardless the TPG .. way too many errors and misattributions. |
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Valued Member
Canada
386 Posts |
I have gotten many great deals on-line, but prefer dealing in person. Online auctions often tend to go above their Trends prices when two enthusiastic bidders are caught in a bidding war. In person you can inspect the coins, negotiate and often get a better-than-Trends price as well as paying no shipping or handling charges.
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Valued Member
United States
157 Posts |
 Well said. Benefits to both...set a limit online and wait. If your limit is reached and you didn't buy the coin/coins then it wasn't meant to be. Walk away. IMO, it is like buying a car, don't fall in love with it to the point where you will pay more that what is worth just to have it....around the corner you may find an even better deal.... |
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Valued Member
United States
157 Posts |
oh and  punman  |
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
849 Posts |
So, 1945V, do you find dealers often will budge from their original asking price when dealing in person? Would you say typically by a certain percent?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1192 Posts |
It pays to have a good relationship with dealers who sell the types of things that you like to purchase. Both in terms of price and the types of pieces you get offered for being a good client.
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Valued Member
197 Posts |
Punman ... At coin shows, I never pay the full asking price. You are almost automatically given 10%-15% and no tax. If you know the dealer, you may get it for 25-40% of the asking price, again without asking .. .but a "Can you do a little better" on a coin will usually get you 20%.
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Valued Member
Canada
386 Posts |
Punman,
I agree with Bill. My experience has been at least 10-20% off on key dates and up to 50% off on more common stuff.
And bundling stuff together always guarantees you a better deal then buying the items separately.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,385 |
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Posted 03/11/2013 06:29 am
