Coin shops that use "stock" photos on eBay

csdot

What is the business rationale for legitimate coin shops that use "stock" photos on eBay? I am seeing this more and more and it is frustrating because I mentally think I have finally found a decently priced coin that I need, then realize I be buying some sight unseen coin that the dealer thought wasn't good enough to be displayed in the listing. As coin collectors, we literally select our numismatics acquisitions based on their appearance.

I can almost understand the major bullion sellers like Apmex that occasionally wander into the numismatic area using the stock photo disclaimer, but a self respecting coin dealer should know its customer better.

I am looking at PF Barber halves, and found a nice CAC certified PCGS graded coin that looks like it should be in a cameo holder, then when I click on the listing I see:

"Certified coins: All of our certified coin photos are considered stock photos unless otherwise noted. Though we do our best to update photos with current inventory, stock photos are necessary due to inventory turnover and having multiples of the same item in stock."

Ugh!! And this is an eBay seller with the word "Coins" in their business name.

/Rant over!

MWallace

What's even worse is dealers that use stock photos and then it says "Seller Does Not Accept Returns". I move on.

Aercus

I feel you on this. Even worse if you see a rare variety unattributed! I think using stock photos for non bullion is a bad idea, but many sellers do it. I imagine the rationale is the marginal labor cost being substantial, especially for low value items.

csdot

@MWallace said:
What's even worse is dealers that use stock photos and then it says "Seller Does Not Accept Returns". I move on.

I agree 100%. "Seller Does Not Accept Returns" is a huge red flag, and I say that as someone who has NEVER returned an eBay item.

jesbroken

Whenever I find an Ebay Seller offering stock photos I immediately click off and add the seller to my Notepad list of don't use again sellers. As they don't say in listing, I always immediately look for Number available and if it lists this, I click off. It's a shame that like the block list for buyers their isn't one for sellers that would prevent me from opening one of their ads to begin with. I am nearly finished with buying Jefferson Nickels raw(only lacking 5) which will end searching for coins on sites that have this probability. Although, I have seen sellers selling $100 coins in holders listing that they have only 5 left. Wonder how they get by the holder's # in the photo?
Jim

Walkerfan

I hate this, too!! Happened to me, once, when I found an OGH GEM FH SLQ that I really liked and needed. Thankfully, I noticed the disclaimer before I committed to buy!

csdot

@Aercus said:
I feel you on this. Even worse if you see a rare variety unattributed! I think using stock photos for non bullion is a bad idea, but many sellers do it. I imagine the rationale is the marginal labor cost being substantial, especially for low value items.

I could maybe understand low value items, like when I was buying proof Washington quarters for my Dansco album many years ago, but I am seeing the "stock photo" disclaimer when I am searching for coins in the $2K-$4K price range. Since I will not buy a certified coin without first pulling up the PCGS Certification page to see additional photos, past action appearances, and other data, the "stock photo" disclaimer is a full stop deal killer for me.

csdot

@jesbroken said:
Whenever I find an Ebay Seller offering stock photos I immediately click off and add the seller to my Notepad list of don't use again sellers. As they don't say in listing, I always immediately look for Number available and if it lists this, I click off. It's a shame that like the block list for buyers their isn't one for sellers that would prevent me from opening one of their ads to begin with. I am nearly finished with buying Jefferson Nickels raw(only lacking 5) which will end searching for coins on sites that have this probability. Although, I have seen sellers selling $100 coins in holders listing that they have only 5 left. Wonder how they get by the holder's # in the photo?
Jim

"Number available" is a huge turn off for me. If it were a bullion coin, then fine, but for numismatics having more than one available tells me I could get a "C" for the grade dreck that I don't want in my collection.

TurtleCat

I dislike the ones where they show only the TruView. They don’t even show a slab picture or any other. I generally won’t buy something solely on the TV.

csdot

@TurtleCat said:
I dislike the ones where they show only the TruView. They don’t even show a slab picture or any other. I generally won’t buy something solely on the TV.

Exactly!! I need to see a slab, or at the very least need the certification number listed in the post somewhere so I can look it up.

koynekwest

I will not deal with anyone who uses stock photos.

The_Dinosaur_Man

Not everyone has the luxury of visiting a coin shop in person. In this day and age as technology continues to evolve, the presentation of a coin's listing online should match the in-person experience.

ifthevamzarockin

The photo may be stock, the listing may also stock.

If they have a coin you have been looking for it would be easy enough to send the seller a friendly message asking for better photos and if they really have several for you to choose from.

I understand your point, as a buyer it would be much easier if the seller would be more clear with the listing.
Most lazy sellers do not see the best prices for their coins, a little more effort can bring a lot more money.
Sometimes it works in the buyers favor.

Many of the replies are "I wouldn't buy."
If you were at a coin show and had a question about a coin would you be afraid to ask the seller?
Why is everybody afraid to ask a seller on ebay a question?

I when my buyers communicate with questions or offers.
The only dumb question is one you don't ask.

csdot

@ifthevamzarockin said:
The photo may be stock, the listing may also stock.

If they have a coin you have been looking for it would be easy enough to send the seller a friendly message asking for better photos and if they really have several for you to choose from.

I understand your point, as a buyer it would be much easier if the seller would be more clear with the listing.
Most lazy sellers do not see the best prices for their coins, a little more effort can bring a lot more money.
Sometimes it works in the buyers favor.

Many of the replies are "I wouldn't buy."
If you were at a coin show and had a question about a coin would you be afraid to ask the seller?
Why is everybody afraid to ask a seller on ebay a question?

I when my buyers communicate with questions or offers.
The only dumb question is one you don't ask.

I have done exactly that in the past.

jmlanzaf

@csdot said:

@MWallace said:
What's even worse is dealers that use stock photos and then it says "Seller Does Not Accept Returns". I move on.

I agree 100%. "Seller Does Not Accept Returns" is a huge red flag, and I say that as someone who has NEVER returned an eBay item.

Yet a lot of folks on this forum do not want to accept returns.

ifthevamzarockin

@csdot "I have done exactly that in the past."

Yeah, that is just poor customer service, best to buy somewhere else.

WAYNEAS

Stock photos really bite.
Unless I have dealt with the seller, I will not consider a bid or purchase.
This also goes to sellers who only post the obverse or label of the coin without the the reverse.
I want to see the holder with both sides.
I want to check the holder for damage and the hologram.
When I ask a seller to provide this information and they say things as " my photographer is off this week", I just move on to my next search.
Somebody stated that eBay requires photos of both sides of a coin but many, many do not provide it.
Wayne

WAYNEAS

I also will not consider a seller who joined eBay 3 days ago, have no feedback and offer a rare or high grade coin.
Wayne

amwldcoin

Those types are a pest to us sellers that do not use stock photos. I get asked all the time if my photos are stock photos.

koynekwest

There's one seller on Collectors Corner who has no images at all. They say to request an image. I've requested images half a dozen times and I have yet to receive an image. I quit trying and will not purchase a coin without an image.

Crackout

L&C Coins uses the stock photo verbiage on their eBay listings. So I went to their website and found the same coin and it had the same stock photo verbiage on the website. But it also said to contact their customer service by phone to verify if a cert number in the photo was available. So i did all this and got the exact coin I wanted. A little bit of leg work, but I was happy with the end results.

Zoins

I’m looking to buy a 2021 Morgan Dollar and all I see are stock photos

pmh1nic

I also think they shouldn't bury the fact that it's a stock photography in the small print somewhere. It should be right on the photography.

oih82w8

With the technology of today, there really is no excuse for not having images of the actual item posted in a listing. Back in the day, I/we used to purchase from advertisements in numismatic periodicals and hope that you receive a nice one. There was the occasional dud which could be returned with no problem.

csdot

Here is a funny one.

The Seller says "Last one / 1 sold" so how do you know if you are buying the coin pictured in the listing, or was the pictured coin the 1 sold, leaving you to obtain a similar unpictured coin?

Now the reason I say this is a funny one is I was searching for MS-65 graded Eagles, and this MS-64 listing showed up with a "Buy it Now" price of $16,445.00, that is literally twice what any other Sellers are asking for their MS-65 PCGS graded 1911 Eagles (a common date coin). While I imagine the Seller has wiggle room in what he would accept, that is still $8,245.00 over the next closest PCGS graded MS-65 1911 Eagle, and remember that he is selling a MS-64 graded coin (not an MS-65), and it is one of two where he disagrees with the grade. There are 4 PCGS graded 1911 Eagles in MS-64 currently on ebay. This one for $16,445.00, and three others with prices that range from $2,284.77 to $3,750.00.

All that said, his listing must work because it says he sold one using the Best offer feature. 🤔😳😁