Ebay Item Specifics for Coins

susanlynn9

As I'm sure many here are aware, Ebay is going to begin using item specifics for coin auctions. As I sell on eBay, I'm very curious to hear the reactions of sellers and collectors alike. My feeling is that it could be good in that it may weed out some of the frauds because either they have to use the item specifics and can't say "I don't know about coins" anymore and be held accountable or they won't use them and maybe their auctions won't be a visible as they have been. On the downside, it's going to be more work for the sellers and changing over store auctions that are running will be a pain. What are your feelings on it?

jbsteven

do you have a link on the specifics?

poptopsRus

I don't know anything about it and eBay called me last week and talked my ear off for 20 minutes.

relayer

***Coming Soon: Item Specifics and Pre-Filled Item Information in the Coins Category***
Date: 09/14/04 Time: 10:49:11 AM PDT

In late September, we will be introducing Item Specifics in the Coins category and Pre-filled Item Information for coins certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). Use of this feature will be optional.

Item Specifics
Item Specifics is an eBay feature that allows sellers to provide additional item details during the selling process. Item Specifics will make it easier to present a clean, well-organized description that clearly articulates important details. For example, a seller can choose to call out the condition of the coin and whether it has been certified using Item Specifics. For more information about Item Specifics, please read our Item Specifics Frequently Asked Questions.

Pre-filled Item Information for NGC Certified Coins
We are currently working with the NGC to provide Pre-filled Item Information for NGC-certified coins. With Pre-filled Item Information items can be listed using stock listing details. Sellers can then pick and choose which pieces of content to use in their listings. Pre-filled Item Information allows you to save time writing your description, while still creating listings that are clear and appealing to buyers. You can still add your own item description to each item to personalize it.

When you are listing a coin, you may choose to enter its unique certificate number. In your listing, Pre-filled Item Information will then automatically fill in the Item Specifics that are available, such as the coin's condition or mint. We hope to work with other grading services to broaden our coverage in the future.

We have started a discussion thread on the Coins & Paper Money discussion board where we have provided more details about the changes. We invite members to leave their comments or questions. You can get to this thread by clicking here.


Regards,
eBay

susanlynn9

Thanks, Relayer. I started this thread and then I had a ton of work to finish. This is the first that I've checked back.

ksteelheader

Another thing that would be great would be for the seller to simply state if the coins pictured were or were not the ones being sold!

Ken

susanlynn9

In addition to supplying pre-filled information for NGC graded coins, these are the Item Specifics they are planning on implementing:

US Coins

1. Method of Manufacture (business strike, proof, other)
2. Condition (circulated, uncirculated)
3. Certification (certified, uncertified)
4. Material (copper, gold, nickel, platinum, silver, other)
5. Mint (Carson City, Charlotte, Dahlonega, Denver, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Francisco, West Point)

6. Denomination - high-level (e.g. small cents)
7. Denomination - low-level (e.g. Indian Head)
8. Year of Issue (e.g. 1999)
9. Type (collection/lot, mixed lot, set, error, roll, commemorative)

World Coins

1. Region/Country (e.g. Canada, Germany)
2. Denomination (e.g. Pound, Pre-Decimal)
3. Type (collection/lot, mixed lot, set, error, roll, commemorative)
4. Year of Issue (e.g. 1999)
5. Certification (certified, uncertified)
6. Material (copper, gold, nickel, platinum, silver, other)

US Coins specifics will be implemented first, after that the World Coins specifics will be added, dependent upon the reaction to the US Coins.

It is my feeling that there should be a Specific for Replicas/Copies. I emailed the eBay Collectibles Manager today with that suggestion.

The reason I thought that everyone would know is that it has apparently been on the eBay Collecibles forum for some time. In fact, back in August, eBay solicited input from there as to what specifics to use. Unfortunately, although I sell on eBay, I do not participate in their forum boards, so I missed any input I could have given then. I just found out about this today.

bearcave

<< <i>Another thing that would be great would be for the seller to simply state if the coins pictured were or were not the ones being sold!

Ken >>



I agree with this statement completely! I have been stung a couple times by, as they say,

<< <i>stock >>

pictures.

MSD61

<< <i>Another thing that would be great would be for the seller to simply state if the coins pictured were or were not the ones being sold!

Ken >>



I couldn't agree with you more.

susanlynn9

They're supposed to and it's misrepresentation if they don't. A seller can be reported for misrepresentation. I believe it gets reported under Non-performing Seller.

Cladiator

<< <i>Use of this feature will be optional. >>



it wont put a stop to anything.

ziggy29

<< <i>it wont put a stop to anything. >>

It won't stop anyone who wants to scam because it's optional. But it could help people who inherit "grandpa's estate" and have NGC-slabbed coins to better represent the item that's being sold.

Cladiator

good point Zig

RBinTex

I like the planned searchability of some of the specifics proposed. Always wish I could search for certified or uncertifed more easdily.

susanlynn9

<< <i>It won't stop anyone who wants to scam because it's optional. But it could help people who inherit "grandpa's estate" and have NGC-slabbed coins to better represent the item that's being sold. >>



The scammers who don't use the specifics will end up with a drop in sales because their auctions will not come up in searches that use the item specifics. The more buyers who use them, the less visibility the scammers get. If they do use them, the accountability factor goes way up - assuming that eBay acts on reports.