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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,605 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
I am still baffled by how many coin dealers online expect buyers to "trust them" and buy from their descriptions of coins only. As bad as some pics are, I still insist that I see the coin before considering making an offer. It is as if the "buy the slab not the coin" epidemic has run amok. And many try to sell raw coins sight-unseen as well. It is a waste of time to just describe the coin, IMO. They all happen to be perfect too.  I asked for pics from one seller who kept sending me lists in the mail. They responded that they don't take pics of coins at less than $500 in value. If you can't be bothered, then why spend the $ to list them and send out snail-mail fliers with them? It kind of irks me to run across listings on Collector's Corner for Angel Dee's. Their motto is "we cannot provide pictures but if you contact us we'll give you a detailed description".  For 4 figure coins why wouldn't you be able to take a few pics? Just dumb!  Do a lot of collector's buy from them anyway? I guess you could return the clunkers but that seems to be their "scam", IMO. They know many won't return anything!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
ONE of the many reasons I only buy coins at a coin show. I do not ever buy coins on line. I don't need lost in mail, wrong coin sent, postage, insurances, return policies, etc.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
Obviously it depends on the trust you have built with the seller, but there are those that can't be bothered. I can't imagine buying Anything without seeing it first, that's just common sense.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
500 Posts |
My "want list" is getting pretty specialized though carl. And the coinshows in NE OH are not matching up well with my collecting interests anymore - if I see 1-2 coins I'm even remotely interested in anymore it is above avg. I simply have-to go the online route or I'd be wasting my time completely. I should probably plan a trip around a big show but that isn't a priority.
It just surprises me how many online sellers get away without listing pics of any, or few, of their coins. Buying from pics is dodgy enough ( many use trick lighting to hide flaws ). But buying without any pics at all? I won't do it! Some must though as these sellers stay in business somehow!
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Moderator
 Australia
16827 Posts |
Technology has changed things way too fast for some people to be able to cope with the changes. There are many "old school" dealers still around, and there are many "old school" collectors who will still buy from them.
I know one dealer who is still in business who has not changed his business practices since the 1980s. He hates computers so still types out his 30-page sales lists on a manual typewriter, photocopies it and snail-mails it out to his customers, whom he meets at coin shows. No pictures in his catalogues anywhere. Now, most of what he sells are the sort of things that don't in fact really need pictures - they are cheap, common, current world coins and all a world coin collector really needs to know is the KM number and whether they are circulated or uncirculated. The catalogues also go out only to customers who already know he's "old school" and therefore stands behind his descriptions, which can be trusted. But even so, I personally much prefer buying stuff from him at the coin shows where I can see it.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
579 Posts |
There is one dealer I buy from regularly that doesn't use pictures. The first time I bought it was a bit of a risk but as soon as I received the coins I knew I would buy from him again. He is known to grade strictly and prices fairly. I have not been unhappy with a purchase from him yet and if his lack of pictures drives people away that just means more for me! It doesn't seem to happen with this dealer though because as soon as he sends out an e-mail with his current list there is a feeding frenzy and half of his coins are gone within half an hour.
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
477 Posts |
Sometimes pictures aren't supplied to arouse interest, and even because they don't want to showcase what they have in the case of thieves browsing there inventory. An example would be an art gallery near me that sells fine art, will not show what pieces they have for sale. They may show the odd one, but because of the high value of their pieces they don't showcase them all. Also this causes more people to book an appointment to see their works on sale. Because of this they have the details of the people ;), keeps them slightly safer.
Also as mentioned above, there are old school dealers no doubt. I still prefer to write and post letters, instead of typing them. All that time learning to write, and not using that ability-no thanks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
I guess for regular "local" customers it might make some sense. But I live in OH and when some seller from CA wants to sell me something from a list how the heck does he expect me to buy from him when there is zero chance to see the coins in-person? They waste both of our times and money sending me fliers listing coins they will not take pics of. Or like my example of Angel Dee's, why put ads on Collector's Corner - to get interest - then refuse to show pics? Their list prices are above inflated TPG retail anyway, which typically makes them useless IMO, but there is no use contacting them if they won't even show the coins to you! They list lots of high-end coins for the sets I am working on though. I guess if I ever get to a national show where they have a table I might be able to see some. Virtually every other vendor on that site will list pics or take them if you ask - so why do they have to be the odd-ball? That business model seems dumb tho to me. If Old School means only in-person they are severely limiting their pool of clients. I get enough clunkers even WITH PICS, for my tastes. It amazes me how tricky some pics can be at hiding toning or flaws. |
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
477 Posts |
Just don't deal with them, if you don't like how they operate. The gallery near me limits it's clientele by operating like they do, but I've seen world renowned art professionals in the area. Sometimes it's not about the size of the pool, but the quality of the water.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,605 |
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Posted 04/03/2014 12:12 pm
