Red Book And Ebay

I have a hard time paying RedBook prices for coins. I use RedBook prices for insurance purposes as they're generally a little (not a lot) on the high side.

That said, they're might be a reason said dealer is asking more than RedBook for the coin. it might have some crazy toning or some such.

I know a lot of people bad mouth ebay on here, but I absolutely love it. Be Smart, bid on auctions with good images, and buy from good sellers and you'll be fine (and I'm willing to be pay about half of what the dealer is asking for the same coin).

On the ebay side just be careful. Do a search on this fourms for the sellers name. People post both good and bad sellers down in the auction threads. Stay away or take the so called "unsearched" and other such auctions with a large block of salt. If you are looking for specific type coins ebay is good. Just do your research or purchase graded coins from the top 2 or 3 dealers (PCGS, NGC). I purchse "lots" of coins from ebay many times and watch and bid on other auctions. Sometimes you can get a pretty good deal.

I'm betting a nickel the coin you wish to purchase from your local dealer is the '82 Washington Commemorative Proof discussed in another thread.

I bet you can find it for $5 or $6 on ebay, but there will most likely be an additional charge for shipping. I think it is worth spending the $10 as a first step in getting to know the dealer, and may help you decide if you want to continue to work with him for future (and possibly bigger) purchases.

I've bought many coins on ebay but from few dealers. I've also bought from individuals who are clearing out estates, but many of them are clueless when it comes to descriptions, so you have to be careful and willing to accept some clinkers from time to time. I've had both good and bad luck with auctions - I bought a mint set a few weeks ago for less than the face value of the coins, for example, but last summer I bought a lot of foreign coins that was misdescribed as including 1800's coins, which it didn't, and paid triple what the lot probably was worth (and the seller refused to respond to my e-mail telling him what I thought of his deception). Many ebay dealers are scrupulously honest and will also take back coins that are mis-described and work with you if what you receive isn't quite what you thought you were getting. Just be sure that you communicate thoroughly with them when you have a problem; don't just complain - ask exactly for what you want. Look for dealers who have a 99% or better feedback percentage. And if you run into a bad one, report him. As far as shipping goes, avoid "flat rate" shippers who don't combine items when at all possible. Research the cost of sending an item that, with a padded envelope, would weigh only a few ounces. If you pay $10 for a coin to be shipped, you definitely are feeding a dealer (and his hungry family), lol. And don't forget to add insurance to all transactions; I'm dealing with two lost-shipment situations right now, for example, and the $1.30 I added for insurance is a good investment.

The biggest downfall for you is your sight (which you have mentioned in other threads) so great pictures are a must. I think you have done the first step by getting the RedBook and looking at different places to buy things now it is just jumping in and doing so. Paying a dollar or two extra is a personal decision, if you really want the coin then the little extra is worth it but if it is just an impulse buy then you might have been taken advantage of.

ebay is a great place to find coins because of how people have extras that they are trying to get rid of and figure they can get a little better price than their local coin shop. If you spend a fair amount of time doing research and looking around you can actually find what you want for a great price. I have bought about 50+ coins and have only paid once for more than it was worth just because I really wanted it. Take the advice of others and really look at what they are charging for shipping, for example, I could have bought a nice set of Olympic coins for about $40 if I wanted to pay the $900 for shipping and handling. Also, if you find a seller you like bookamrk them and check their other listings, sometimes buying another coin will bring your final costs dwn and add another great coin to the collection.