Would you send $1,000 plus for a coin...

my3cents

without actually SPEAKING to the recipient?

I have bought and sold several coins on e-bay and other venues but have never gotten much over $300. In those cases I rarely speak to buyer or seller - we just exchange e-mails and funds and coins and I have never been burned.

On one occasion, a buyer paid over $900 for a coin and didn't even call me. He paid almost instatly with Paypal. Scary.

The thing is - I have been contemplating several $1000+ purchases and I just can't seem to bring myself to the point where I would trust anyone without talking to them on the phone and verifying EVERYTHING First - BEFORE I sent any funds.

Is it just me or are there many of us like this?

RYK

With established relationships, I do it all the time. My icon coin was purchased on Mother's Day 2003 with a short burst of emails between myself and Doug Winter while my wife was in the next room getting dressed for brunch. I would not dare make the phone call then, would I?

goose3

Yes.

I recently purchased one for 3900.00 and you really don't want your women hearing you speak to someone about stuff like that!

dthigpen

I've spent almost into the five figure range without actually speaking or meeting a dealer before, just communications via Email. Worked out great and I honestly had no insecurities in doing so.

Russ

I've sold quite a few on eBay over $1000 without ever speaking personally to the buyers. Just the usual transaction eMails.

Russ, NCNE

mercurydimeguy

Likewise, I've sent checks to people north of $5k without ever meeting/physiscally speaking to them. Just developed a repore with people (electronically), who are reputable.

K6AZ

It's just you. I've dealt many times with four figure coins both as a buyer and seller, and have only communicated via email. As far as your $900 coin buyer, if he didn't receive it, he could file a complaint with PayPal and if you did not have a tracking number showing it was delivered, you would be out $900 + the $10 PayPal reversal fee.

RYK

...you really don't want your womEn hearing you speak to someone about stuff like that!

If I was with more than one woman, there would not be any money left for coins.

No offense, but I never understood this Mormon thing. Why would you want multiple women around bossing you around, telling you that you are good-for-nothing, etc.

To stay on-topic, here's a pic of a Mormon gold coin:



These things are friggin' expensive, BTW.

greghansen

I do it all the time. If I don't trust the person I don't bid on the object in the first place. The time to ask questions to build trust is while the auction is pending...not after you've already won and suddenly get frightened to send the money. That would tick me off.

BAJJERFAN

When a seller's/buyer's positive feedback is equal to the price of the coin I figure its ok. If my wife heard me on the phone with a seller like that she would ask if I'm buying a car or a coin.

Deb048gold

If you haven't done it before, seems pretty scary but hey, we're not dealing with CD's or DVD's here.


This is not a hobby for the faint of heart, and if you want to own quality coins you will have some north of 4 figures easy! The auction markets are pretty much THE way to develop your collection!

RYK

The auction markets are pretty much THE way to develop your collection!

A way, but not necessarily THE way.

None of the coins presently in my collection were purchased by me at auction.

Shamika

I've done it several times without a hitch (knock on wood).

Deb048gold

For the informed, knowledgeable, astute collector, it is preferable in my opinion if cost is an issue!

bigbadchad777

Have done it many times.
No problems yet (knock on wood!).

thebeav

Do it all the time.....It's kinda like riding a bike !!

Paul

MFH

Have bought quite a few $1,000 + coins from dealers via the Internet, as well as from fellow board members on many occasions. Once you have established a rapport with these individuals, you needn't have a phone conversation with them. ( I email myself all outgoing transmissions for personal back up record keeping). If I call a seller, its for just a personal conversation just to say hi, usually.