Here is his response to my email. "Thank you for your inquiry. I like this coin very much and am not interested in selling the coin for less than the price listed. I do not expect to get this price but I would miss the coin too much to let it go for anything less. Thanks for your interest."
I asked him about the coin and got the same reply, so obviously he's been asked about it quite a bit:
<< <i>Thank you for your inquiry. I like this coin very much and am not interested in selling the coin for less than the price listed. I do not expect to get this price but I would miss the coin too much to let it go for anything less. Thanks for your interest. It will continue to list until it sells. I have a perpetual listing period on this coin. >>
I've asked him why he even bothers going to the listing expense when he knows he isn't going to sell it. I'll see if I get a response.
BTW, I had asked him his rationale for this and did get a response from him.
<< <i>Hi Jeff,
Thanks for your response. I'm puzzled though -- knowing it won't sell, why bother listing it at all (and paying the listing fees)? I beg your pardon, but that doesn't make any sense to me?
Mark >>
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your question.
There are a number of reasons for listing such coins. First of all, I don't know that it won't sell; I just don't expect it to and I don't really care whether it does or not. Anything is possible. Secondly, my listing cost is only 2 cents per month or 24 cents per year so the listing fees are negligible. Third, by showing that I like this type of coin, I have received offers from sellers of this type of coin and have purchased coins from those who have contacted me having seen this coin or listings like it. It advertises to interested parties that I am actively seeking such coins and willing to pay high prices to get them. I am a collector, too, and not just a seller. Fourth, the coin displays my skill at photographing coins and others have contacted me to photograph their coins if I can get them to look this good and have compensated me handsomely for this service. So I supplement by coin selling business with coin photography services. Fifth, others see that I am capable of consigning high value coins (which I think this is) and have been willing to consign me their coins which I have sold without risk and guaranteed profit. This also gives me the added pleasure of adding more coins, and occasionally rare coins than I might otherwise handle. Sixth, it gives my customers or potential customers the pleasure, when browsing my store, of seeing one of the most beautiful coins in the world. Seventh, I have my coin available on the Internet, as I travel, to show anyone, anywhere using the Internet this particular coin should I choose to sell it or trade it for something else. I do not like to carry these coins with me and by having the listing available I can direct them to view it easily and conveniently by simply providing an eBay listing number. Eighth, it provides evidence that I want my store to provide all types of coins to all types of buyers in a wide variety of collecting interests. Ninth, reactions to this listing inform me about a certain percentage of the coin buying population and coin selling population on eBay. Tenth, it informs potential buyers about my love of coins and the type of collector I am. The astute observer can discern that I price my coins on the basis of how averse I am to parting with them. I am less likely to sell or negotiate on the price of a coin if I value it highly. Eleventh, the listing, when compared with other listings in my store, many of which are below Greysheet bid, shows that I am not in the least bit greedy or interested in money and have many coins at reasonable prices but some coins that I will not part with easily. Twelfth, the coin is accurately graded, described, identified, and attributed, so the listing informs my customers that I am an honest dealer and know my coins though it also admittedly shows that I am eccentric. Thirteenth, the listing of the coin provides valuable information to specialists of this series or of French coinage in general since they can download the photo and examine it at their leisure and compare the coin with other specimens in their own collection. We can then exchange information about varities, die marriages, wear characteristics, grading, toning, rarity, and so on, which has enriched my numismatic knowledge on many occasions and has enriched the knowledge of other collectors. I have made numerous friends in the worldwide coin collecting community in this way and have learned a great deal.
That's a quick answer off the top of my head. It still may not make sense to you but that's fine with me.
If it is true his listing cost is only 24 cents/mo then this listing is very cheap advertising. I just wish he didn't but his reply to Mark in paragraph form. Too confusing for my old eyes to read.
DPOTD-3 'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
eBay stores start at $9.95/month + 2 cents/month per listing. The selling fees are the same as regular auctions. I'm sure the Bay would love to have some idiot buy that coin.
Gene
Gene
Life member #369 of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association Member of Canadian Association of Token Collectors
Collector of: Canadian coins and pre-confederation tokens Darkside proof/mint sets dated 1960 My Ebay
Comments
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
<< <i>It's all the more hilarious when you see this other auction of his- one he sold!
When you consider the $2 S&H, it's only overpriced 20,500%.
Come on over ... to The Dark Side!
I'll take TWO at that price!
Ebay name: bhil3
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
<< <i>Thank you for your inquiry. I like this coin very much and am not interested in selling the coin for less than the price listed. I do not expect to get this price but I would miss the coin too much to let it go for anything less. Thanks for your interest. It will continue to list until it sells. I have a perpetual listing period on this coin. >>
I've asked him why he even bothers going to the listing expense when he knows he isn't going to sell it. I'll see if I get a response.
Come on over ... to The Dark Side!
Takes all kinds, dunnit? Is he afraid that charging, say $10,000 would put him at risk of losing his coin?
<< <i>Hi Jeff,
Thanks for your response. I'm puzzled though -- knowing it won't sell, why bother listing it at all (and paying the listing fees)? I beg your pardon, but that doesn't make any sense to me?
Mark >>
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your question.
There are a number of reasons for listing such coins. First of all, I don't know that it won't sell; I just don't expect it to and I don't really care whether it does or not. Anything is possible. Secondly, my listing cost is only 2 cents per month or 24 cents per year so the listing fees are negligible. Third, by showing that I like this type of coin, I have received offers from sellers of this type of coin and have purchased coins from those who have contacted me having seen this coin or listings like it. It advertises to interested parties that I am actively seeking such coins and willing to pay high prices to get them. I am a collector, too, and not just a seller. Fourth, the coin displays my skill at photographing coins and others have contacted me to photograph their coins if I can get them to look this good and have compensated me handsomely for this service. So I supplement by coin selling business with coin photography services. Fifth, others see that I am capable of consigning high value coins (which I think this is) and have been willing to consign me their coins which I have sold without risk and guaranteed profit. This also gives me the added pleasure of adding more coins, and occasionally rare coins than I might otherwise handle. Sixth, it gives my customers or potential customers the pleasure, when browsing my store, of seeing one of the most beautiful coins in the world. Seventh, I have my coin available on the Internet, as I travel, to show anyone, anywhere using the Internet this particular coin should I choose to sell it or trade it for something else. I do not like to carry these coins with me and by having the listing available I can direct them to view it easily and conveniently by simply providing an eBay listing number. Eighth, it provides evidence that I want my store to provide all types of coins to all types of buyers in a wide variety of collecting interests. Ninth, reactions to this listing inform me about a certain percentage of the coin buying population and coin selling population on eBay. Tenth, it informs potential buyers about my love of coins and the type of collector I am. The astute observer can discern that I price my coins on the basis of how averse I am to parting with them. I am less likely to sell or negotiate on the price of a coin if I value it highly. Eleventh, the listing, when compared with other listings in my store, many of which are below Greysheet bid, shows that I am not in the least bit greedy or interested in money and have many coins at reasonable prices but some coins that I will not part with easily. Twelfth, the coin is accurately graded, described, identified, and attributed, so the listing informs my customers that I am an honest dealer and know my coins though it also admittedly shows that I am eccentric. Thirteenth, the listing of the coin provides valuable information to specialists of this series or of French coinage in general since they can download the photo and examine it at their leisure and compare the coin with other specimens in their own collection. We can then exchange information about varities, die marriages, wear characteristics, grading, toning, rarity, and so on, which has enriched my numismatic knowledge on many occasions and has enriched the knowledge of other collectors. I have made numerous friends in the worldwide coin collecting community in this way and have learned a great deal.
That's a quick answer off the top of my head. It still may not make sense to you but that's fine with me.
Hope this was helpful.
Jeff
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd still rather put it in my advertising flash, if I were him.
Come on over ... to The Dark Side!
How about that?
<< <i>When you consider the $2 S&H >>
You have to read those listings a little more carefully Mark:
<< <i>any single coin which is priced at $50 or more will be shipped to the buyer with free shipping. >>
Come on over ... to The Dark Side!
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
DPOTD-1
eBay Store
DPOTD Jan 2005, Meet the Darksiders
eBay stores start at $9.95/month + 2 cents/month per listing. The selling fees are the same as regular auctions. I'm sure the Bay would love to have some idiot buy that coin.
Gene
Life member #369 of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association
Member of Canadian Association of Token Collectors
Collector of:
Canadian coins and pre-confederation tokens
Darkside proof/mint sets dated 1960
My Ebay