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Anyone ever buy from APMEX?

Mercury10cMercury10c Posts: 2,958
in U.S. Coin Forum
So I'm placing an order, my first one, and I can pay by check and save $5 on shipping ($9.95 vs $14.95). I decide to pay by check, but they require you
to give them a credit card number anyway, which is fine with me. But then I read the terms and conditions and it says that they will cancel my order if
my payment is not received within 5 business days, AND charge my CC a $35 cancellation fee! So they recommend using USPS priority mail to make sure
my check arrives on time. So what I'm confused about is if they have my CC info on file, why charge me a $35 cancellation fee if my check is not there in
5 business days? Why not just charge the order to the card and send me the damn coins? And if I send a check by priority mail, that cancels out most
of the $5 savings on shipping that I was getting by paying by check in the first place! If you've ordered from them and had any issues like the one described
here, please post.

Comments

  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,010 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've never bought from them... and with that kind of a payment policy I never will.
    When in doubt, don't.
  • jessewvujessewvu Posts: 5,065 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I purchased some bullion gold and silver from APMEX in August of 07. My shipping charge was going to be $200 if I paid with a credit card, $19.95 if I paid with a check. It was a pain in the butt, but I just sent them a check. It took them 10 business days to ship the coins after they received the check. But, with the price of gold and silver taking off at about the time of my purchase, I was ok with the hassle.

    I also purchased some silver and gold bullion from MONEX at the same time, it was pretty much the same thing. Monex required payment within 24 hours but they gave me an Express Mail Corporate account number so I didn't have to pay for the overnight postage.
  • richardshipprichardshipp Posts: 5,647 ✭✭✭
    I've purchased from them with no problems and have been happy.
  • neocirrhitusneocirrhitus Posts: 196 ✭
    I've ordered from them several times, but I guess i didn't think it was worth the hassle to save $5 and mess with a check. Paid by cc and received my stuff every time very promptly. Since it's almost all bullion and bars, I don't think they really want to screw around with checks, although one would wonder why they offer the discount then......screwy policy, but I've been happy with my orders.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,815 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've dealt with them. Never again.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • scrapbuyerscrapbuyer Posts: 47
    APMEX is top class. They have the policy because some people like to cancel an order if the metal price goes down before they have to send payment. Any bullion dealer will want to protect themselves from having orders cancelled because of moves in the market. I have dealt with APMEX many times withou problems.
  • clackamasclackamas Posts: 5,615 ✭
    I would imagine if Gold or Platinum goe in there favor they may charge your CC. If it goes against them, why also incur a 3% hit on the CC bill as well. Any way that is my guess on what and why.
  • Mercury10cMercury10c Posts: 2,958


    << <i>I've dealt with them. Never again. >>



    Would you like to elaborate?
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    yes, very satisfied.
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • TootawlTootawl Posts: 5,877 ✭✭✭
    I've bought from APMEX several times. Paid with a CC each time. No problems.
    PCGS Currency: HOF 2013, Best Low Ball Set 2009-2014, 2016, 2018. Appreciation Award 2015, Best Showcase 2018, Numerous others.
  • bouchardaboucharda Posts: 2,941
    Bought from them many times. Always pay by check and deal with the wait. Not worth the credit card surcharge. Very satisfiedimage
  • CoinlearnerCoinlearner Posts: 2,498 ✭✭✭✭
    Yes, one of better firms to deal with buying or selling. Everything is spelled out, no surprises and prices are on the low side of retail.
  • VeepVeep Posts: 1,450 ✭✭✭✭
    Bought a couple of gold Buffalos from them-- paid with a check-- got the coins fast. Good experience.
    "Let me tell ya Bud, you can buy junk anytime!"
  • DorkGirlDorkGirl Posts: 9,994 ✭✭✭
    I pay the extra so I can use a CC. Easy to deal with, I'll buy from them again.
    Becky
  • ironhorse19ironhorse19 Posts: 136 ✭
    I've bought from APMEX on a regular basis. Higher dollar items like bullion...I send a check, smaller lots are put on CC. The only problem I have is the stock photos, especially the rolls of...whatever. I've purchased what were supposed to be BU rolls that contained very circulated(some were downright nasty)coins. Not too happy about it, but not worth griping about. Overall, been 98% happy with them APMEX. image
    If you don't know where you're going, you'll end up somewhere else.
    image
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,815 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I've dealt with them. Never again. >>



    Would you like to elaborate? >>



    I felt like I was dealing with a government bureaucracy. Asked for a description of a better date slabbed gold coin and was told the coin was in the vault and that I should look at the pic on their web site. I already saw the crappy pic on their web site. I guess it was too much trouble for them to go get the coin so we could actually discuss it. I guess they were more used to dealing with the high rollers rather than someone with onlt $600 to spend. Then they charged me full freight for shipping and charged me extra for the use of a credit card. When they got done adding everything up, the coin was at full retail. After investing quite a bit of time on the phone I went ahead and bought the coin but I haven't been back.


    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • YaHaYaHa Posts: 4,220 ✭
    They are pretty fair, a gallon of milk is $2.99 and Large eggs are $1.09 so they tend to have bargains.
  • JapanJohnJapanJohn Posts: 2,030 ✭
    I use APMEX and pay with a credit card. I live at an FPO address overseas and have never even had the first hint of a problem. I'll be a repeat customer.

    John
    Coin Photos

    Never view my other linked pages. They aren't coin related.
  • scrapbuyerscrapbuyer Posts: 47


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>I've dealt with them. Never again. >>



    Would you like to elaborate? >>



    I felt like I was dealing with a government bureaucracy. Asked for a description of a better date slabbed gold coin and was told the coin was in the vault and that I should look at the pic on their web site. I already saw the crappy pic on their web site. I guess it was too much trouble for them to go get the coin so we could actually discuss it. I guess they were more used to dealing with the high rollers rather than someone with onlt $600 to spend. Then they charged me full freight for shipping and charged me extra for the use of a credit card. When they got done adding everything up, the coin was at full retail. After investing quite a bit of time on the phone I went ahead and bought the coin but I haven't been back. >>




    They are a bullion dealer first, and coin dealer probably 3rd or 4th.
  • morgansforevermorgansforever Posts: 8,471 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No issues, fast shipping, and a good way to buy cull Morgans.
    World coins FSHO Hundreds of successful BST transactions U.S. coins FSHO
  • StorkStork Posts: 5,207 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have bought from them. They are the only major bullion dealer that I'm aware of that will actually take a credit card. The card fees, the price players, and the fraudsters are a big deal considering the slender margins the bullion dealers usually run on. Looking at the shipping fee structure there is a 3% discount for NOT using the cards.

    Most bullion dealers will also hold a personal check as well--especially if you are new to them. I had one place hold it 30 days (a UK company shipping to someone with a Japanese phone number, using a US bank and an APO shipping address apparently made them a tad cautious).

    Anyway, APMEX is an established company and I would definitely like to buy from them again (actually my last transaction was a sell and was the impetous for the recent rise in the price of platinum--I sold, it went up).

    I don't think their main focus is collectable coins, more commodity items which might explain some of the experiences above.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,815 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>I've dealt with them. Never again. >>



    Would you like to elaborate? >>



    I felt like I was dealing with a government bureaucracy. Asked for a description of a better date slabbed gold coin and was told the coin was in the vault and that I should look at the pic on their web site. I already saw the crappy pic on their web site. I guess it was too much trouble for them to go get the coin so we could actually discuss it. I guess they were more used to dealing with the high rollers rather than someone with onlt $600 to spend. Then they charged me full freight for shipping and charged me extra for the use of a credit card. When they got done adding everything up, the coin was at full retail. After investing quite a bit of time on the phone I went ahead and bought the coin but I haven't been back. >>




    They are a bullion dealer first, and coin dealer probably 3rd or 4th. >>



    I finally figured that out. In the future I'll deal with a coin dealer rather than a bullion dealer.




    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • EnjoymintEnjoymint Posts: 300
    I bought a couple monster boxes of silver eagles about 6 months ago. It was a long wait but the shipping price was good.
  • AmigoAmigo Posts: 966 ✭

    I've never purchased, but have sold bullion to them. It was always a great experience. They are on a tight leash for making a profit on bullion, the rules have to be followed or they'd be out of business. They have always shipped me payment immediately upon arrival. I'm a happy camper.
  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 23,225 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you have bought the current year's bullion pieces from Ampex, how did the quality of the coins you received rate?
    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • EnjoymintEnjoymint Posts: 300
    I bought some 2008 silver eagles from them. They didn't appear to have been opened. The typical run of MS67's - MS69's.
  • compromonedascompromonedas Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭
    image
  • ttownttown Posts: 4,472 ✭✭✭
    I purchased a 2008 1/10 ounce Platinum bullion coin from them last week, nice coin and about the only place I know where you can get one.
  • OPAOPA Posts: 17,141 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Purchased numerous rolls of silver eagles...Paid by check, thereby saving me the cost of the credit card fees. Never had a problem. In my opinion, best bullion dealer around. First class mail under normal conditions will usually arrive anywhere in the 48 states within 4 days.
    "Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
  • coinman420coinman420 Posts: 4,666 ✭
    excellent when using CC. only bought once for a few bucks over melt at the time(early 2006)
    image
    image
    my ebay items BST transactions/swaps/giveaways with: Tiny, raycyca,mrpaseo, Dollar2007,Whatafind, Boom, packers88, DBSTrader2, 19Lyds, Mar327, pontiacinf, ElmerFusterpuck.
  • FLBuffaloHunterFLBuffaloHunter Posts: 3,127


    << <i>I purchased a 2008 1/10 ounce Platinum bullion coin from them last week, nice coin and about the only place I know where you can get one. >>


    Link

    image
    Never teach a pig to sing. You'll waste your time and annoy the pig image

    image
  • ttownttown Posts: 4,472 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I purchased a 2008 1/10 ounce Platinum bullion coin from them last week, nice coin and about the only place I know where you can get one. >>


    Link

    image >>



    And it's a first stink.......
    Linkimageimage
  • FLBuffaloHunterFLBuffaloHunter Posts: 3,127
    According to the Mint bullion sales numbers they have sold only 100 1 OZ and 200 1/2 OZ APE's so far. No totals indicated for the 1/4 OZ in 2008 or December 2007. Seems the 1/10 OZ 2008 APE were from the 4,000 units sold in December 2007. I guess that's why the other denominations are not available, perhaps the Mint's bullion dealers know something we don't image
    Never teach a pig to sing. You'll waste your time and annoy the pig image

    image
  • sbeverlysbeverly Posts: 962 ✭✭✭

    I made my first purchase from APMEX a couple of weeks ago.

    Qty of 1-2005 Silver Britannia

    Qty of 2 2008 Silver Britannia's

    I needed the coins to finish 2 complete Silver Britannia sets that I got from a local dealer/friend for close to spot (a deal to good
    to refuse) The coins I got from the local dealer/friend are flawless.

    The coins from APMEX arrived pretty badly mishandled. Scuffs and scratches and fingerprints.Yes, I know that it's a bullion coin but, it's a bullion coin with relatively low mintage.

    I got an RA# and have returned them at my shipping expense.

    I asked them to ship me different ones and please leave them in the sealed plastic that comes from the Royal Mint. I don't know why they remove them and put them in their very scratched up holders. Seems counter productive to me.

    I am still waiting for their response.

    Positive transactions with Cladiator, Meltdown, ajbauman, LeeG, route66,DennisH,Hmann,FilamCoins,mgoodm3,terburn88,MrOrganic, weg,dcarr,guitarwes,Zubie,Barndog,wondercoin,braddick,etc...
  • TootawlTootawl Posts: 5,877 ✭✭✭


    << <i>If you have bought the current year's bullion pieces from Ampex, how did the quality of the coins you received rate? >>


    My last purchsed was foriegn coins. The coins looked good to me. I'll get the "official" word when PCGS grades my coins.
    PCGS Currency: HOF 2013, Best Low Ball Set 2009-2014, 2016, 2018. Appreciation Award 2015, Best Showcase 2018, Numerous others.
  • DoubleGoldEagles1DoubleGoldEagles1 Posts: 176 ✭✭
    I have purchased from them before, the coins came as promised, the credit card vs. check shipping fee is ridiculous though, but you cannot blame them, blame Visa or Mastercard for the mafia style tactics in "GETTING THEIR CUT" of a merchant's sale, to the tune of 3 percent.

    I just made another purchase from them, I am waiting the 10 days for my check to clear with them before I know that they have sent it...all in all, I like the coins and they seem very respectable.
  • HonoluluDudeHonoluluDude Posts: 2,167 ✭
    I've put in more than 10 orders with them over the years. Never had one single problem with APMEX, and I never send my personal check via Priority, always First Class. Takes around a month to get your order from start to finish though. The waiting's the hardest part.

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