Ebay coin not doing so well!LOL
lisieuxs
Posts: 9
I'm feeling pretty ridiculous about now? I decided last week to put up a Morgan 1879 O, think I'm the only one to look at it!LOL My description was long but truthful, but I did put reserve on it, is that my downfall? And my scans are not good, I've tried, but just don't have hours to figure out. As you know, most of these coins dad had in sock for years, but trying to grade is most difficult. I put a 1924 D lincoln up a couple months ago, positive feedback, but he also mentioned that I didn't put down scratch and gouge, is that hindering my selling of coins? Oy, what to do?? See you on Friday, Sally
lis
0
Comments
-matt
Suffice it to say that the grade, date, and mint of this coin puts it on the rather "common" list, PCGS gives it a value of $14-$18 in grades such as this, so I'd say the price is right.
It would perhaps help a little if it had a shorter description that read more like - "1879-O Morgan dollar with light to moderate wear. Thanks for looking!" In this description it foreshortens your paragraph into a concise statement of what's for sale. I'm not sure I would include complaints of past customers, just raises an eyebrow that this may not be what you're saying it is (although I see what you are trying to accomplish in saying so). It simply states the facts and gets it over with. You're not saying it's cleaned, and you're not saying it's not cleaned....frankly I'm not sure you would know the difference, so it's best to stay away from the subject altogether.
Dealers very typically give $4-$8 for these depending on the price of silver for that day. The guy you talked to was indeed right. Unless the coin has a value that warrants a collector's premium value, the coin is indeed melt silver - worth its weight, not its age or sentimental value. Although he may have been a bit gruff, he was correct.
Try to imagine this for a bit...I don't know what you collect, so I'll just have to toss in a hypothetical. Say you collect Fenton glass and have a small shop where you sell them. Let's also say there's this piece that isn't worth a whole lot, and millions were made. Someone brings in one or two at least three times a week, and you constantly have to explain to them that this one looks a lot like the valuable one sitting on the shelf, but it takes some education and experience to be able to tell the difference. Yours is the rarer, thichker, earlier model that their piece is a later reproduction of. You offer the going price for this common model, $20. But the one on your shelf, only 2,500 numbered pieces made, is the same color and shape, but you want $500 for it, and that's a bargain considering the guides list it at $700. Now...how should the person on the other side of the counter feel? You just offered them a small token sum for something that to them looks exactly like what you have on the shelf for much, much more, and you get really tired of having to pull it down day after day to show the people bringing in this endless supply of these cheap pieces that they aren't the valuable one. Once in a while - even if only twice a year - you're having a bad day and you just shut off when the next dude rolls in with this cheap glass wanting to know how you can justify buying at $20 and selling at $500. Believe me, it happens. No matter how much you try to be patient and nice all the time, once in a while you're not gonna be.
Now, think back to the dealer. I am not a dealer, but I spend a lot of time in shops and see this same thing happen day in, day out. People bring in a few common coins, and insist they are valuable. The dealer whose store I frequent is always very calm and collected about these situations, but has had minor problems with some people in the past claiming him to be calling them stupid, claiming he's a thief, whatever you want to call it based on the fact that their coin has to be the $10,000 coin in the book, and he's only offering a couple of dollars for it. Do you see a connection? Don't get me wrong, you are completely logical in your thinking, and I wasn't there to see just how short he was with you....but I see it very commonly.
Anyhow, that's my take.
The Lincoln cent store:
http://www.lincolncent.com
My numismatic art work:
http://www.cdaughtrey.com
USAF veteran, 1986-1996 :: support our troops - the American way.
the listing is also difficult to understand and doesn't convince the buyer that you know much about coins. as a bidder i'd be afraid of paying AU money and receiving a harshly rubbed/scratched/cleaned coin from someone who said "it looks real nice".
use terms that let people know what you're talking about. talk about the lustre, contact marks, tone, any problems, maybe even learn the grading system and apply a fair grade to it.
2 Cam-Slams!
1 Russ POTD!
That's just my personal opinion and has nothing to do with your auction being dead.
Your auction is dead because you have a reserve which is too high.
On a positive note you must be a careful shipper because your buyers aren't complaining about broken glass.
The only drawbacks for me, are that I like to see better pictures when I'm buying coins on eBay (which I know can be tough to do,) and also, I rarely bid on reserve auctions.
But other than those two things, I like your listing!
Your coin is very dark and the picture doesn't show much detail either.
<< <i>Now, think back to the dealer. I am not a dealer, but I spend a lot of time in shops and see this same thing happen day in, day out. People bring in a few common coins, and insist they are valuable. The dealer whose store I frequent is always very calm and collected about these situations, but has had minor problems with some people in the past claiming him to be calling them stupid, claiming he's a thief, whatever you want to call it based on the fact that their coin has to be the $10,000 coin in the book, and he's only offering a couple of dollars for it. Do you see a connection? Don't get me wrong, you are completely logical in your thinking, and I wasn't there to see just how short he was with you....but I see it very commonly.
>>
Coppercoins,
Sounds like my shop here in Las Vegas, which is probably the same anywhere else here in the United States.
I once had a woman call me a thief because I would not pay her $150 for her VG 1907 Indian Cent. She still had the same position even though I showed her several hundred circulated Indian Cents, including many 1907s, that she could have at $1 each to pick.
This 1879-O seems to be already bringing above wholesale, especially when you add in shipping.
I do not understand why a seller would not let the coin go at that price.
John
Sahara Coins
&
Vintage Paper Memories
- try to keep title positive - NO GRADE - does not make people want to click link and read description
- try to keep BS to a minimum - no one cares about your trip to Santa Monica
- do not severly undergrade your coin in your description - that coin could be AU - breast feathers on reverse
- if the coin is cleaned say so (look at with magnifying glass -> do you see little scratches going every which way)? - hold the coin by the edges and kind of flat - rotate it around and see if any scratches pop out at you.
- put in your shipping cost somewhere
- digital or macro pictures definitely would help - if possible
If does not meet your reserve than suggestions would be re-list with following changes
Title ->1879-O Morgan dollar XF/AU NoReserve
Text ->I'm not an expert on coins, all of our coins are from father-in-law, who is 89, and some we purchsed
in late 70's. The coin comes from a container that on top says AU XF. This dollar looks like it could be almost uncirculated. Shipping is $3 - combine with our other auctions to lower shipping. No Reserve!!!
Picture -> same or if you can retake with macro lense and bright light from side showing cartwheel luster
start price -> $9.99
take off reserve price.
It is probably a good thing saying you are from Los Angeles - don't worry about past feedback - if the guy didn't like it, he would have asked to return it.
we all know here that you are Sally from Alberta, Afghanistan