Where should we sell our coins, if not on ebay?

wybrit

Discuss.

spinaker2000

here!!

wybrit

What percentage of your sales are made here?

rhound1977

<< <i>What percentage of your sales are made here? >>



.001%, You know it figures that now that I have taken the E-bay plunge in December, the pricing goes way up

tonyhar

Living on the Isle of Man I have little choice other than eBay and the BST Board.

Aethelred

<< <i>What percentage of your sales are made here? >>



In my case perhaps 5% of my online sales are to CU members, but about half of those result from an eBay auction. I have had cases where I would list something on BST for a certain price and get no reply, after listing it on eBay it would sell for more to a CU member, I don't get it!

spinaker2000

Near half of my sales are here, but I don't sell that much. Ebay has the buyers and I don't think there is any other competition out there. They have sellers by the throat and can charge whatever.

cosmicdebris

If enough people leave Greed-Bay you think Yahoo would be a viable choice?

windwhispersintrees

The only other two auction sites I ever look at, because at least they have some traffic/listings:
Yahoo auctions. No idea about fees http://list.auctions.yahoo.com/
Bidville.com Apparently no listing fees http://www.bidville.com/

Anyone have any info/feedback about these two and the fees?

syraq

It depends on the coins. In general, I believe ebay is good for slabbed and inexpensive coins ,but it does not bring the strong prices that some coins should, so if I have to sell such a coin, I do it privately. The auctions of my local club, at a 10% seller's fee are also a very good alternative, especially for raw and non unc coins. I have never consigned to big auction houses so far, in Europe or the US. I would however consider them if I wanted to sell a big part of my collection. I've also had two very successfull sales to dealers this year, two small lots of good coins and they both gave me 95% of my asking price ,cash straight away. And that's a big factor to consider.

Aethelred

Right now there are a total of 2 British coins listed on Bidville.com and 298 on Yahoo, there are 8485 listed on eBay! If you are a buyer, where are you going to look?

AndyBruce

Hi - if you fancy joining the likes of Forum members Blackhawk and Agraded who are both Guest Dealers on OnlineCoins, then you know where I am!

If you think this might be for you then have a read of what we can offer you and PM me with your details (or contact me directly through the website).

In fact, Agraded has mentioned that a number of you have asked him a few questions regarding becoming an OnlineCoins Guest Dealer. Thanks Bob for the thumbs up , but if you are one of the people who has spoken to Agraded but not yet contacted me directly, then please do feel free to email me and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have and run through the process.

Thanks

Andy

AuldFartte

<< <i>Right now there are a total of 2 British coins listed on Bidville.com and 298 on Yahoo, there are 8485 listed on eBay! If you are a buyer, where are you going to look? >>



Excellent point. The buyers flock to Eaby, so the sellers really need to be where the buyers are. I've not seen any other online auction venue advertise like Ebay ... they're all over TV now.

I would much prefer to buy from forum members here, but what I want is rarely advertised on the BST forum or the "weekend swaps". Would the use of "Wanted to Buy" threads on this forum be worthwhile and/or acceptable to other forum members?

Aethelred

<< <i>
I would much prefer to buy from forum members here, but what I want is rarely advertised on the BST forum or the "weekend swaps". Would the use of "Wanted to Buy" threads on this forum be worthwhile and/or acceptable to other forum members? >>



I can't speak for anyone else, but I do work want lists!

syraq

If so, where's my 50-51 brass proof threepence Aethelred?

ccrdragon

As has been mentioned, the most traffic goes thru ebay, thus giving maximum coverage and exposure. Until another auction/board can give the kind of traffic that ebay gives, it will be hard to justify leaving ebay....

phut

I'd prefer to do most of my shopping here instead of ebay. I check a lot of your websites once or twice a week.
I'm a buyer, not a seller(yet),so I'll mention a few things that I like to see.
1- If you list on BST put a link in your sig line. I usually only look at the first 2 pages there, and I scan for names not for product. If you don't post in other forums...

2- Prices...Don't make me guess or PM with an offer. I won't

3- (open forum mainly) Be polite.. Name calling and rudeness tell the type of person you are and what I'll have to deal with if things don't go right.

4- Follow up.. PM when an event happens. Purchase acknowledged, payment received, product shipped.

5- Pictures, or links to them are nice.

6- Communicate.. Don't assume. If I say that I'm looking for a lot of X, Don't send a few X++ and assume I'll be happy with it.

7- Bargains.. Throw in a bone. Combine shipping, knock a little off the price for multiple purchases, drop a little something extra in the envelope, PM a thank you, etc..

8- Shipping.. Be prompt, or at the least see 4 and 6


Mostly common sense stuff, and most here that I've dealt with have followed all of the above, and then some. Some need a reminder.

Edited to fix spelling and to remind others not poke fun of bad spelling and grammar

Aethelred

<< <i>I'd prefer to do most of my shopping here instead of ebay. I check a lot of your websites once or twice a week.
I'm a buyer, not a seller(yet),so I'll mention a few things that I like to see.
1- If you list on BST put a link in your sig line. I usually only look at the first 2 pages there, and I scan for names not for product. If you don't post in other forums...

2- Prices...Don't make me guess or PM with an offer. I won't

3- (open forum mainly) Be polite.. Name calling and rudeness tell the type of person you are and what I'll have to deal with if things don't go right.

4- Follow up.. PM when an event happens. Purchase acknowledged, payment received, product shipped.

5- Pictures, or links to them are nice.

6- Communicate.. Don't assume. If I say that I'm looking for a lot of X, Don't send a few X++ and assume I'll be happy with it.

7- Bargains.. Throw in a bone. Combine shipping, knock a little off the price for multiple purchases, drop a little something extra in the envelope, PM a thank you, etc..

8- Shipping.. Be prompt, or at the least see 4 and 6


Mostly common sense stuff, and most here that I've dealt with have followed all of the above, and then some. Some need a reminder.

Edited to fix spelling and to remind others not poke fun of bad spelling and grammar >>




Very good advice and stuff that we sellers/dealers can't be reminded of too much!

I never make fun of bad spelling and grammar, guilty of too much of it myself!

PuddlePirate

As unfortunate and aggravating as it may be to some people, Ebay "owns" the online market. Yahoo is too distant and unsecure to even count.
I am interested in other venues myself, as I am getting ready to start listing my "lightside" goodies on Ebay simply because that is where the market is.
I looked at Teletrade but am undecided as to even bother with them, the pro's & con's discussion regarding their service is not very encouraging.

I am interested in any other venues out there for coin sales. I have plenty of time for research and do look at the various sites recommended by others on these boards.

lordmarcovan

Here. But eBay was the way to reach the masses. I might give Yahoo a whirl, or grind my teeth and just pay the Greedy Ones when I want to list something online. I haven't been doing as much with selling online in the last year, anyway.

Blackhawk

As noted, I've started listing some coins on the Online Coins site and have done fairly well with sales considering the amount of coins that I have listed. I would like to list more here, but have no idea what the forum collectors are looking for at any given time...a "wanted" thread once in awhile, or posting what you're looking for in your sig. line (or in the weekend swap thread), would make it easier to match buyer and seller.

If I don't have things posted, I find it a lot easier if folks give me a specific date, series, coin, etc.. It's hard to list and photograph hundreds of coins if someone tells me that they are looking for a silver coin, or a small coin.

SMS

<< <i>Right now there are a total of 2 British coins listed on Bidville.com and 298 on Yahoo, there are 8485 listed on eBay! If you are a buyer, where are you going to look? >>



In all honesty, I look on Yahoo! first BECAUSE most others look to eBay as a first resort. Then by the time the eBayers waste a few days searching through eBay's auctions, they usually don't have time to go elsewhere. This leaves a number of items at Yahoo! sitting at openning bid. If more sellers started going to Yahoo! and the more seasoned collector knows that they're going there, I'm sure that Yahoo! would show some promise for the buyers. When I think the difference between eBay and Yahoo! as well, with my experience between the two, I see the same difference as between "quantity" vs. "quality."

tonyhar

EBay are running a series of ads on TV in the UK / Western Europe area ( on Satelitte SKY Channels).
So expect more bids from this side of the pond ( assuming you sell worldwide ! ).

wybrit

In all honesty, I look on Yahoo! first BECAUSE most others look to eBay as a first resort. Then by the time the eBayers waste a few days searching through eBay's auctions, they usually don't have time to go elsewhere. This leaves a number of items at Yahoo! sitting at openning bid. If more sellers started going to Yahoo! and the more seasoned collector knows that they're going there, I'm sure that Yahoo! would show some promise for the buyers. When I think the difference between eBay and Yahoo! as well, with my experience between the two, I see the same difference as between "quantity" vs. "quality."

I've done the same as you there. I've picked up some real bargains at Yahoo, including an UNC 1951 3d for half of Krause (which is much less than Spink). A long time ago, I latched on to an 1844 farthing there, one of the keys.

agraded

In fact, Agraded has mentioned that a number of you have asked him a few questions...

Andy, just a couple of people and they are both on this thread so might have moved on. I respect their privacy and they will remain nameless. I will say you have done a very good job of promoting the website to get the guest dealer's coins and yours noticed by lots of people. You have posted links to the website for those that are interested so no need for me to say more.

For collectors that are looking for an option to websites that charge listing fees and/or commissions on sales there are a couple that have not been mentioned. One is Omnicoin and another is Historyincoins. I have just recently heard of these websites and have not yet had time to check them out. Someone has gone through a significant expendature of time and money to make them available but it takes participation to make any website viable.

Edited to add: It's been brought to my attention there is a fee to sell at Historyincoins of 79-110 Pounds per year (check website for details). I believe Omnicoins membership is free, allowing you to sell but if someone knows differently please let me know.

Bob

AuldFartte

Omnicoin site membership is free, and you are allowed to sell coins there. It's primarily a site for showing off your collection, but the listings are set up to include an option stating that the coin shown is for sale or trade.

That said, I have no idea how well things sell from the site, and I have yet to try selling anything there myself.

agraded

Omnicoin site membership is free, and you are allowed to sell coins there.....That said, I have no idea how well things sell from the site...

Slowly at first, I would think. But if collectors participate by listing quality coins word will get around and the buyers should follow. A forum like this should be a great place for that process to begin and it's certainly within the power of those here to carry it out. This board, which many of you use almost daily, could be used to promote your items and the website should provide additional hits. For those saying you would like an alternative, what say you?

wybrit

For those saying you would like an alternative, what say you?

I just listed my high grade sixpences (what's left of them anyway) over there. Thanks for the tip.

akdrv

I can certainly add “for sale” filter on OmniCoin and other features to make it more seller friendly. What other basic functionality needs to be there (without duplicating eBay) to make it a better venue for selling coins? Tell me what you'd like to see and chances are that I will be able to do it.

Anton

agraded

I've put a few Halfcrowns up at the Omnicoin website under my AgradedCoins username. I like the intuative controls and responsiveness of this website. So far so good.

AuldFartte

<< <i>I can certainly add “for sale” filter on OmniCoin and other features to make it more seller friendly. What other basic functionality needs to be there (without duplicating eBay) to make it a better venue for selling coins? Tell me what you'd like to see and chances are that I will be able to do it.

Anton >>



First thing that comes to mind is a way to search only for items that are for sale or trade.

wybrit

I can certainly add “for sale” filter on OmniCoin and other features to make it more seller friendly. What other basic functionality needs to be there (without duplicating eBay) to make it a better venue for selling coins? Tell me what you'd like to see and chances are that I will be able to do it.

It would be nice to see a link on the collector's page to the "About Me" and "Want List" fields for that particular collector. It would also be good to see the same links when a coin is selected.

For example, if I click on a halfcrown that agradedcoins has for sale, it would be convenient to be able to access his "About Me" page right there, since sometimes members may leave useful information about terms of sale or about their collecting interests.

Thanks for your work on this site.

akdrv

I will add a "display items for sale only" filter and "About Me" links in the next updates.

Thanks for your suggestions guys!

AuldFartte

<< <i>I will add a "display items for sale only" filter and "About Me" links in the next updates.

Thanks for your suggestions guys! >>



Hey, THANK YOU for doing this

PuddlePirate

Your site looks interesting. I'm going to spend some time looking it over and will run a few goodies there to see what happens. As I have stated before I am actively looking for other venues besides the Bay of E. Good Luck

Askari

In some ways, it's a Catch-22. If sellers run auctions off-eBay, they have to start them higher due to smaller buyer base; if they can't make much money, then they tend to drop out. I suspect any site that really wants to take over what eBay does poorly will have to advertise heavily to the focal audience (and charge less and provide better service than eBay).

A couple years ago I broached on the US coins forum the idea of a group of CU members forming a competitor to eBay which just ran numismatic auctions. If there were enough people with critical skills or were willing investors, I think it could be done and rapidly leave eBay alone with the junk sellers. I didn't get any response, which surprised me. That suggests to me that, as problematic as it is, eBay is "good enough" (like Microsoft).

SMS

<< <i>That suggests to me that, as problematic as it is, eBay is "good enough" (like Microsoft). >>




I don't think it's a matter of "good enough" so much as it is a fear. IMHO, many fear change! They like their cozy little "comfort zone" they have in eBay (and Microsoft). I really don't care. If it gets the job done and the product doesn't come from a bunch of criminals, I'll use it. That's why I don't use Microsoft products, and I use eBay as little as possible unless I'm off-loading a bunch of "junk".

wybrit

many fear change! They like their cozy little "comfort zone" they have in eBay.

Key point. The paper tigers who signed the petition and said theat they would leave will be back on ebay in a few months. Begrudgingly perhaps, but they'll be back since they have truly not reached the breaking point, they only think they have.

I use eBay as little as possible unless I'm off-loading a bunch of "junk".

Most buyers are realizing that now so even good coins aren't commanding prices they should.

akdrv

I added "For sale" filter to individual collections', country and advanced search pages.
Once this filter is activated it stays on while you browse different collections or countries, until you choose to turn it off.


You can see how it works on Wybrit's collection

AuldFartte

Wow!!! That's exactly what the site needed.

Thanks, akdrv

lordmarcovan

<< <i>Near half of my sales are here, but I don't sell that much. Ebay has the buyers and I don't think there is any other competition out there. They have sellers by the throat and can charge whatever. >>