| Author |
 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,481 |
|
|
Valued Member
Australia
491 Posts |
The biggest issue I can find in selling coins is the image makes the coin look like a million Dollars when it is just a nice normal looking coin that is worth a few dollars. This is the singular one issue that seems to out shine all other issues as a pet hatred for the buyer and for good reason I say. I have been trying to get an honest image of copper alloy coins with a scanner and then manipulating the contrast to get the image as true as I can and then reuse the same settings exactly on all other coin images of the same metals. This one issue of getting a real as looking image of the coin for sale is the only way to build the credibility as a coin seller IMO. The next big issue is grading. As soon as you put a grading on a coin for sale you are in for troubles in the very most of what you are selling. Grading a coin becomes a totally augmentative situation between seller and the buyers in most cases. With the lower end of coin selling where I am, I have settled for a description of the grading so the buyer can make their own decision on what grade the coin is. So in all my descriptions is "Penny Average Circulated Image Front & Back Of Coin" It is my belief that this simple approach should stop grading arguments. It has been very interesting doing the research into coin selling. It would be interesting to know about how others think about all this. kg5  |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
I am a notorious under grader. I sell AU coins calling them XF way too many times. I do not do it intentionally. I am just a bad grader is all. I have started not assigning a grade, this way I cannot be wrong about it. I take time photographing each coin individually. Yes, it takes longer, but well worth the effort for me and the buyer. I am currently working with a few online help me take better photos. Once I get it just like I want it, I will dedicate an area for my camera and setup. That way it always stays the same. All I will have to do is take the coins to it. As far as color goes, that will be different from computer to computer, based on what color scheme it uses. I think the most important thing is details. Take photos showing as great details as possible. Also take quality photos and describe any flaws. Scanning is the worse thing you can do for provided image. It tends to flatten everything out and give you a two delusional image of a three delusional object.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
I don't bother to grade anything raw I sell so no one could agrue with it. Ill put a description of its charateristics to suggest what I think but other than a general statement of ms coin for something uncirculated I let the buyer decide. I will however price it for the grade I have it at. If someone agrees they'll buy it if not they'll move on.
My scanner doesn't agree with coins for the most part at least slabbed ones anyway as the label always ends up blury so I don't have any suggestions for that. For pictures I just go outside and take them with a camera that's nothing fancy on a nice day. The natural light seems to expose things that aren't visible inside and if anything makes them look worse than they are. It probably makes seller take a little longer but I'd rather have a decent picture than one of the juiced up ones where people are dissapointed when they get the coin.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1436 Posts |
Internet pictures are in my opinion the biggest pitfall to buying coins & tokens on-line. Few of the pictures of the many coins & tokens I have bought on-line looked exactly like the coins I received. Many were very close, but not exact. This is the reason I prefer to buy at coin shows.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
211 Posts |
I've been very happy with the photos I've started getting. My pictures of silver coins are starting to really look like they do in your hand. I still don't have copper/bronze down yet. Getting your photos close is still better than 95% of online auctions. I actually am starting to get some killer deals because I have found a few sellers that take horrible photos but actually have good coins. I have little to no bidding competition because the photos are so bad. It's great. Here are two examples of my coins that I think photographed accurately (not necessarily well): http://www.ebay.com/itm/29091882381...#ht_45wt_994http://www.ebay.com/itm/29092481938...#ht_83wt_994 |
|
Valued Member
Canada
293 Posts |
When I sell, I get buyers like JimmyJames to buy, as I try to get the picture to look just a little worse than in hand. This way I have never had a buyer upset, as they always receive a better coin than expected...I like to make people have a good day. To me, that's the best part of coin collecting.
|
|
Valued Member
 Australia
491 Posts |
Got my 1st flood of feed backs tonight from last Saturday's listings with a great response. GaryN sums it up very nicely with this comment! Quote:
as I try to get the picture to look just a little worse than in hand. This way I have never had a buyer upset, as they always receive a better coin than expected. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1536 Posts |
I think it is acceptable to put a grade on a coin as long as you make it clear that it is your opinion. I think that you are only going to have problems is you hide the grade with a bad picture than grossly over-grade them than give them a hassle when they want to return them. I realize some people tend to be very conservative on how they grade. Some coins have uneven wear which makes grading even more subjective. For instance, I have Seated dimes with most if not all of "LIBERTY" on the shield but have blending on the rims. I bought one listed as an AG coin. Others would simply net it down. It is always better if your coin looks a little worse in the picture than in hand, then the coin will exceed expectations. It is only when they don't meet expectation. There is a plus side of coin pictures rather than in hand. There is simply issues you may miss in plain site. Edited by buddy16cat
06/15/2013 6:35 pm
|
| |
Replies: 7 / Views: 1,481 |
|
Posted 06/06/2013 08:50 am
