So tell me about Teletrade

Blade

Hi folks,
I am always looking for new places to buy coins and just remembered Teletrade. I have no experience with them at all, except I recall seeing them referred to on these boards as "Teletrash". Before I waste valuable time looking at their material, or worse yet have a poor customer experience, I'm looking for your thoughts. I know that Keith Dagan picked up a monster toned half dime for bid prices, so there must be some diamonds in the rough.

Let me have it - the good, the bad and the ugly.

BSqr

I've purchased one coin from them and it was a smooth & easy transaction and of course it was the right price

Russ

Unlike some, my experiences with Teletrade have been just fine. I had no problem - and paid no fees - for the couple of coins I've had to return, and I've picked up some pretty good deals by being careful. But, read their descriptions very carefully:

Faint whisper of haze = fields covered in crap.
Miniscule spot = giant eyesore that looks like a bird crapped on the coin.
A few tiny hairlines = gouges the size of the Marianas Trench.

Two other things; bargains are tough to come by because there seems to be a lot of shilling, and beware of auctions with no image.

Russ, NCNE

DHeath

Tom,

The seller can bid on his or her own coin, and many times it is impossible to tell whether a coin is really sold until long after the auction. Remember you have to pay a buyer fee. It takes a lot of looking to learn to read the images, and it is useful to determine in advance what you believe is a fair price, as the price range listed is sometimes dicey. All that said, I buy there on occasion, and have sold there as well. Some coins do lots more there than they do on ebay, and vice-versa.

Blade

Talk to me about Teletrade's images. What are the issues? I am looking for toned coins, so image accuracy is critical.

NumisEd

Blade, it's not called TeleTurd for nothing.

gmarguli

Original Toning = Toned darker than coal.

Minimal = More than average.
A couple of = Covered in.
Average strike = Looks VG, but graded MS.
Average for the grade = Oh my God the graders must have been on crack when they graded this coin.

Honestly, just avoid them. They traffic in junk.

Blade

Thanks everyone for saving me some time and trouble. I try to buy only PQ coins - doesn't sound like I'll find them there.

NumisEd

Hey blade, TeleTurkey is a great venue for you if you want to dump any overgraded slabbed mistakes and make good money by ripping off any uniformed newbie collectors. So, it's not a total waste of time. Just don't buy anything on TeleTurd and you will be okay.

DHeath

Dang, and I sent them my good stuff.

flaminio

I've purchased about a half-dozen coins off Teletrade, and have been pretty much satisfied with the coins and the service.

misterR

Maybe if I bad mouth Teletrade enough I'll be able to eliminate some of the bidding competition and get that nice coin I really need for my set!

roadrunner

Their scan quality is very poor and makes most every toned coin appear far darker than it is. This is little help in deciphering what the coin looks like. After many years of buying on and off with them I can state with conviction that the returns will cost you in the long run. If you are buying modern proofs and generic gold and Morgans that's one thing. The tougher coins are far more difficult to get nice.

roadrunner

Dave99B

Blade -

A lot of people paint Teletrade with a broad brush. Yes, they are fairly lame, but keep an eye on their auctions, and you can occasionally find a real deal. Just make sure to only bid about 60% of greysheet, and you may indeed find a bargain or two. Deals can be had.

Dave

Johnscoin

Ahhh come on guys. It's not that bad. I've gotten some nice coins from Teletrade. Just like any other auction, make sure you look at the coin and know what you want. You can find some deals.

dorkkarl

teletrade is schizophrenic. i've either gotten a outstanding coin, much better than expected, or a total piece o' plasicized crapola. i swear their digi-pics make nasty coins look great, & great coins look awful. never seem to get something "average"! however, i have not been using them in quite a while.

also, sentiment echoed - way too much obvious shilling goes on there. sellers are practicaly invited to bid on their own coins.

K S

MacCoin

they have some nice looking stuff on teletrade but are a little pricie. one good thing about it is if you know your zip code you won't forget your pass word.