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EBAY private auction coin sale

New to the "PRIVATE AUCTION" scene, can someone explain this to me. I have contacted a person whom I dont know about buying a coin. He siuggested that he setup a private auction for the protection of both of us. How exactly does this work and how can I be guaranted that I am going to win this auction.

Thanks

inxs image
"Well here's another nice mess you have gotten me into" Oliver Hardy 1930
image

BST successful dealings with:MsMorrisine, goldman86

Comments

  • MacCoinMacCoin Posts: 2,544 ✭✭
    you can't be guaranted to win. no sellers or bidder names are shown
    image


    I hate it when you see my post before I can edit the spelling.

    Always looking for nice type coins

    my local dealer
  • What MacCoin said. there is NO guarantee you'll win. Unless you set up some kind of shady deal with the seller to make SURE you win.

    Private auctions are what he said....bidders names are "protected" and not shown. I stay away from private auctions. There's usually something the seller is hiding.
  • rkfishrkfish Posts: 2,617 ✭✭✭
    Since you contacted him about a coin he may be setting up an auction for you
    to purchase the coin (BIN??)and have the "comfort" of it being an EBAY transaction that
    still allows you to leave feedback and file a complaint if there is a problem.

    Ask the seller what he is trying to accomplish.....should be able to tell you.
    Steve

    Check out my PQ selection of Morgan & Peace Dollars, and more at:
    WWW.PQDOLLARS.COM or WWW.GILBERTCOINS.COM
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 25,153 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Private auction = AVOID!!!!!!!!!
    All glory is fleeting.
  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭
    Yep, I'll add my voice to the choir. While there can be legitimate reasons for private bidding, it's also a breeding ground for scammers, shillers and others who are doing things that aren't usually in a bidder's best interest.

    If you examine the record of a known scammer, fake seller, et cetera, you'll notice they VERY often have made their auctions "private." One of the main reasons for doing that is so no "vigilantes" can notify the buyer that this seller is a known ripoff artist.

    There are way too many items available from reputable sellers with nothing to hide to waste your time on stuff like this. True, you won't likely "rip" a $500 coin for $20 from them, but you're also not going to pay $20 and get nothing or buy a $20 fake, either. No free lunches here.
  • RELLARELLA Posts: 963 ✭✭✭
    "PRIVATE AUCTION" = He sets up a BIN and only allows approved bidders (you) to bid on the coin...perfectly legit. Not the same as the private auctions that others here are warning about. At least that's what I think is meant; might want to get clarification.

    RELLA
    Do not fall into the error of the artisan
    who boasts of twenty years experience in his craft
    while in fact he has had only one year of experience...
    twenty times.
  • I don't follow the logic here.
    If you want the coin and he is willing to sell it to you, Just agree to pay him via Paypal. Done Deal. Why add costs of EBay etc. Doesn't make any sense to me at all. Unless he just wants to auction it and possibly get more, then you are willing to pay. Sounds a little Fishy to me. image
    Actually learning a few things here. What a great site.

    My Ebay Sales
  • I'm not sure why your seller wants a private auction.

    I recently ran my first private auction. It was for the most expensive coin I've sold yet on eBay. I wanted the bidders to feel comfortable bidding on an expensive coin without exposing themselves to comment. Naturally they can publicize their bids but I wanted to offer them their choice of privacy. I also wanted to try running a private auction having never done so before.
  • LALASD4LALASD4 Posts: 3,602 ✭✭✭
    "PRIVATE AUCTION" = He sets up a BIN and only allows approved bidders (you) to bid on the coin...perfectly legit. Not the same as the private auctions that others here are warning about. At least that's what I think is meant; might want to get clarification.

    I think this is more for your protection than it is for the seller since you have to pay him first anyways, there are no benefits for the seller except for you positive feedback on Ebay when he delivers the coin.
    Coin Collector, Chicken Owner, Licensed Tax Preparer & Insurance Broker/Agent.
    San Diego, CA


    image
  • Whoa. What you are warning him about is not what I think the seller is offering.

    I THINK what the seller is offering you is this: Pre-approve Bidders/Buyers

    This is COMPLETELY different from a private auction where the bidders identities are shielded.

    It is what rkfish was describing...
    he sets up a normal auction (probably with Buy It Now at a price you predetermine) and allows only you to bid on the item.

    The advantage is that you are doing a deal "inside of eBay" with the normal protections (if can can call them that) such as dispute resolution, feedback, etc.
    The disadvantage is that he has to pay the normal listing and final value fees for the auction.

    Not a bad idea if it someone you don't know, but a little overkill if you are going to be paying via Paypal as they give you as a buyer basically the same level of protection.
    Dave - Durham, NC
  • Usually I would assume a seller would send you a ebay sell item like they do for the second chance buys.
    In this case the seller sends you a buy it now type of item on ebay. But only you get to see it. It times out after a few days.
    Maybe this is what the seller meant.
    image
  • INXSINXS Posts: 1,202


    << <i>"PRIVATE AUCTION" = He sets up a BIN and only allows approved bidders (you) to bid on the coin...perfectly legit. Not the same as the private auctions that others here are warning about. At least that's what I think is meant; might want to get clarification. >>





    << <i>Since you contacted him about a coin he may be setting up an auction for you to purchase the coin (BIN??)and have the "comfort" of it being an EBAY transaction >>



    I think Rella and Rkfish hit it right on the head. The seller is an older man must be 80 or so and he doesnt want to get in trouble with EBAY since I approached him via EBAY's "ask the seller a question". He wants to keep everything legit since he sells on EBAY(more than coins) as a supplement to retirement.

    Thanks to all who answered, as the way I explained it was not to clear, but now I know what to look out for.

    Inxs
    "Well here's another nice mess you have gotten me into" Oliver Hardy 1930
    image

    BST successful dealings with:MsMorrisine, goldman86

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