coin topic: Shunning the online auctions?

nwcs

I've been thinking. Especially as I will be going to the ANA money show and grading class in March and will be looking at many tantalizing coins. The importance of seeing a coin in person over a photo and auction description seems to be more impressed in my mind. And it got me thinking about the whole purchase from ebay, heritage, etc. online deals.

Have you thought about letting go of ebay and the like and deal only with coins you can actually see and get a feel for? The more I think of it, the more I like the idea. May not always find every great deal, but doesn't seem like there is as much an opportunity for disappointment either.

Or course, I think of this after I put an item in the BST forum.

Neil

wingedliberty

I like both. I enjoy the sight seen coin show or auction buying experience just as much as Ebay.
I think you need to look at each for what they are. Just a suggestion. Try both for a bit longer, and
I think that you will grow to love both. Let us know.


Happy new year,
Brian.

nwcs

Well, I've been buying coins from ebay for over two years but the more I experience live purchasing and learn of the importance of careful evaluation, the more I wonder if I should spend more time evaluating a coin live.

keithdagen

I think you reach a point in your collecting where there are certain coins that you need to be able to see in person before buying. I find my best stuff at shows now, because I can evaluate the material in person, although the best material still goes through the national auctions, but my budget hasn't reached that point yet.

Russ

I'd love to be able to buy exclusively sight-seen at shows, but there simply aren't enough of them around here to feed the need.

Edit: And, the ones we do have are all pretty small with not much fresh material.

Russ, NCNE

dorkkarl

there is NO substitute for sight-seen, but if you must buy coins on-line, a return-guarantee is essential. it amounts to sight-seen since you get to see the coin 1st-hand & get your $ back if you don't want it.

K S

Bulldog

When you live in the boonies as I do, and have only one robbing thief coin dealer with crap inventory, 45 miles away. It would be very hard to give up internet purchases. Besides, what am I supposed to do on cold winter nights?

Bulldog

mbbiker

i think i have to stop buy online. Ever since i've found this place and e-bay my checking account stayed empty.

CLASSICS

when at a show nothing beats holding the coin in your hand that way you can see just what you are buying... when buying online, know who you are dealing with, and thier return policy if you dont like the items. i see more and more from ebay sellers that say, no return on slab items, or so called estate sales with no returns. if a seller wont stand behind what they sell....no problem for me, i take my business elsewhere

Conder101

If I had to go with in person buying only I might as well give up collecting. Probably 90% or more of my purchasing over the past four of five years have been online or mail order. I only get to about four shows a year and maybe one major show every four or five years. In the fields I collect there are usually less than fifteen to twenty coin from that field to be found in the entire show let alone pieces i don't already have. Most pieces I buy in person come from a few specialized dealers that I normally can only see at the major shows. In order to find anything I need the much broader coverage of ebay or mail order.

MacCoin

online buying is very cold and boring. not that I don't do it but I love seeing and holding the coin before buying.
thank God for shows and shops

Blade

I am in a decent-sized town (Austin, TX) and our 4 dealers still don't carry the quality of coins I want. I go to some shows in Dallas (~70 tables) but have found great stuff online. Like the advice above, only buy if there is a solid return policy.

Twowood

You guys have said it all...Nothing duplicates seeing a coin in person. However. if you live out in the prairie or on top of Old Smokie and you're at the mercy of one or two dealers, eBay is a blessing.
Makes you wonder what coin collectors did in the 40's. Twowood

nwcs

>However. if you live out in the prairie or on top of Old Smokie

Technically, I live in the valley of Old Smoky and the Cumberland Plateau