Im going to step into this hornets nest and give you guys some answers....I hope.
I work for the Goldbergs, I do all the photography, catalog layout, ebay uploads, website uploads, floor bidding and sometimes Ebay live clerking. As well I've been with this firm the longest and know the auction system and software the best. So I should be able to answer all your questions.
1. Shipping charges.....The shipping charges are computed by value first. Then by weight/size and region etc.... Just before the sale the postage changed, when we uploaded the changes into the system it did not apply the values correctly and it did not get checked for consistency after it. We found out after the invoices had been emailed and sent out that it arbitrarily put in foreign shipping fees into domestic addresses in some cases not all. A simple phone call before posting negative comments would have been much more appropriate in resolving any problems. It was a simple error. We dont charge flat fees as other auction houses do for single coins etc...
2. We have no control over Ebay and Ebayliveauctions bidding in respects to amounts etc...Ebay sends us the bid as it happens we cant see the bid on Ebay or tell what the Ebay bid is. If a bidder leaves a bid on Ebay as a Proxy bid and then decides to bid on Ebayliveauctions, Ebay treats these as two different bids and thus acts as 2 bidders. You end up bidding against yourself. Its an Ebay issue and has nothing to do with us. We have no way of knowing this either and we just execute the bids Ebay gives us until they stop. Oh and we cant cancel your Ebay bids either you must do that. I have at least 10 people ever sale call and say I want to cancel my bids on Ebay... we cant do that its your account you must do it.
The auction bidding applet is a simple button. It goes yellow if a bid comes in and nothing if there is no bid. We dont know who it is until we press the button.
Ebay will not be an issue in 2009 as Ebaylive auctions is shutting down and we will have our own live bidding application via our website saves you 5% on fees as well.
3. Keyword spamming...we put in the PCGS numbers as requested by a number of dealers and collectors alike. In no way are we trying to pass of a raw coin with a slabbed one. We/I go out of my way to make sure all individual coins are shot as they are. Our descriptions are very specific in regards to if a coin is graded and slabbed or not. It clearly states it in the description if a coin is graded. ie.. PCGS graded ???? Do we/I make mistakes? Sure but they are few and if a coins says its graded and you get it raw, return it. Its a warranted return and we will gladly accept it.
4. Blacklisting..... yes we do contact all major auction houses when blacklisting a bidder either by unwarranted returns, non payment etc......
I hope I have answered some if not all questions. I will try and answer any additional questions you may have about anything auction related just ask. Feel free to email me as well.
Numismatic Photographer for Superior/Ira & Larry Goldberg since 1990, Photographer of THE TYRANT COLLECTION one of the greatest collection ever formed.
I know I'm over a week late with this but do you know who takes the "halloween flashlight face" pictures for internet bidding over at heritage? If so....could you please tell the idiot to move the lighting from 6 o'clock to 2 o'clock! Bowers and Merigoes like to flood out problem coins as well. Thank you.
And don't ever go to work for heritage! They'll distroy the great photography skills you've displayed with Goldbergs!
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
3. Keyword spamming...we put in the PCGS numbers as requested by a number of dealers and collectors alike. In no way are we trying to pass of a raw coin with a slabbed one. We/I go out of my way to make sure all individual coins are shot as they are. Our descriptions are very specific in regards to if a coin is graded and slabbed or not. It clearly states it in the description if a coin is graded. ie.. PCGS graded ???? Do we/I make mistakes? Sure but they are few and if a coins says its graded and you get it raw, return it. Its a warranted return and we will gladly accept it.
Did this explaination answer everyones question concerning "Keyword spamming"? Why do dealers and collectors make this request to have the PCGS numbers included in the auctions? To reference to what? Can't they read the dates, look at the coins? Is this slab number collecting at it's best...... to fill preposterous registry sets contengent on population reports that are highly touted by the auction houses for sales? Who's looking at the coin?
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
I bid on 6 lots in the Pre-Long Beach sale and was successful on four of them. I bid on one coin and 5 pieces of paper money, my successful bids were a lot higher than the original lot in this thread. And my postage a lot less.
FWIW I was approved to bid on Goldberg's site, and did. The only iffy thing was bidding, and then not seeing the bid, but I could check my account and see it there. But otherwise the experience was a good one. I just wouldn't trust adding eBay into the mix, best to deal with Goldberg's directly and save yourself the 5% feeBay fee. Goldberg's has very very nice material, and I found their staff very helpful with my order.
My items arrived very well packed, by insured overnight mail, I was charged a reasonable amount given the insurance etc. for my purchases.
OTOH, I bid on an eBay auction LiveAuction thing, because I waited till the last minute to bid on something, and oh what a complete pain in the bum - now four invoices later, each getting more $$$ for this and that, call to pay, and cannot accept payments yet. And I really do want the items. I will NOT buy through eBay again like this, a total nightmare.
Tir nam beann, nan gleann, s'nan gaisgeach ~ Saorstat Albanaich a nis!
shipping hustle, some buyers will pay it and not say anything. the others who won't lay down are expected to take their time, out of their day, to negotiate down the cost. nothing new here, maybe more complex and more words. old angle though.
I am glad that somebody from the Goldberg's came on and explained things. It is amazing how quickly the mobs form without even waiting for a possible explanation. I know these types of things are frustrating, but mistakes do happen.
As for the PCGS number deal, I will say that some colllectors and dealers use PCGS numbers in database systems to identify coins. I'm not saying whether or not its a necessary element in the auction title, but it's a possible explanation.
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." -- Aristotle
For a large selection of U.S. Coins & Currency, visit The Reeded Edge's online webstore at the link below.
I know I'm over a week late with this but do you know who takes the "halloween flashlight face" pictures for internet bidding over at heritage? If so....could you please tell the idiot to move the lighting from 6 o'clock to 2 o'clock! Bowers and Merigoes like to flood out problem coins as well. Thank you.
And don't ever go to work for heritage! They'll distroy the great photography skills you've displayed with Goldbergs!
Leo >>
Thanks Leo, I've never understood it either????? I dont plan on it anytime soon trust me.
Numismatic Photographer for Superior/Ira & Larry Goldberg since 1990, Photographer of THE TYRANT COLLECTION one of the greatest collection ever formed.
Comments
I work for the Goldbergs, I do all the photography, catalog layout, ebay uploads, website uploads, floor bidding and sometimes Ebay live clerking. As well I've been with this firm the longest and know the auction system and software the best. So I should be able to answer all your questions.
1. Shipping charges.....The shipping charges are computed by value first. Then by weight/size and region etc.... Just before the sale the postage changed, when we uploaded the changes into the system it did not apply the values correctly and it did not get checked for consistency after it. We found out after the invoices had been emailed and sent out that it arbitrarily put in foreign shipping fees into domestic addresses in some cases not all. A simple phone call before posting negative comments would have been much more appropriate in resolving any problems. It was a simple error. We dont charge flat fees as other auction houses do for single coins etc...
2. We have no control over Ebay and Ebayliveauctions bidding in respects to amounts etc...Ebay sends us the bid as it happens we cant see the bid on Ebay or tell what the Ebay bid is. If a bidder leaves a bid on Ebay as a Proxy bid and then decides to bid on Ebayliveauctions, Ebay treats these as two different bids and thus acts as 2 bidders. You end up bidding against yourself. Its an Ebay issue and has nothing to do with us. We have no way of knowing this either and we just execute the bids Ebay gives us until they stop. Oh and we cant cancel your Ebay bids either you must do that. I have at least 10 people ever sale call and say I want to cancel my bids on Ebay... we cant do that its your account you must do it.
The auction bidding applet is a simple button. It goes yellow if a bid comes in and nothing if there is no bid. We dont know who it is until we press the button.
Ebay will not be an issue in 2009 as Ebaylive auctions is shutting down and we will have our own live bidding application via our website saves you 5% on fees as well.
3. Keyword spamming...we put in the PCGS numbers as requested by a number of dealers and collectors alike. In no way are we trying to pass of a raw coin with a slabbed one. We/I go out of my way to make sure all individual coins are shot as they are. Our descriptions are very specific in regards to if a coin is graded and slabbed or not. It clearly states it in the description if a coin is graded. ie.. PCGS graded ???? Do we/I make mistakes? Sure but they are few and if a coins says its graded and you get it raw, return it. Its a warranted return and we will gladly accept it.
4. Blacklisting..... yes we do contact all major auction houses when blacklisting a bidder either by unwarranted returns, non payment etc......
I hope I have answered some if not all questions. I will try and answer any additional questions you may have about anything auction related just ask. Feel free to email me as well.
Looking at the feedback ratings, shipping charge and time are 4.4 out of 5, real low. You're not alone.
I suspect they will go lower.
I know I'm over a week late with this but do you know who takes the "halloween flashlight face" pictures for internet bidding over at heritage? If so....could you please tell the idiot to move the lighting from 6 o'clock to 2 o'clock! Bowers and Merigoes like to flood out problem coins as well. Thank you.
And don't ever go to work for heritage! They'll distroy the great photography skills you've displayed with Goldbergs!
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Did this explaination answer everyones question concerning "Keyword spamming"?
Why do dealers and collectors make this request to have the PCGS numbers included in the auctions? To reference to what? Can't they read the dates, look at the coins? Is this slab number collecting at it's best...... to fill preposterous registry sets contengent on population reports that are highly touted by the auction houses for sales? Who's looking at the coin?
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
FWIW I was approved to bid on Goldberg's site, and did. The only iffy thing was bidding, and then not seeing the bid, but I could check my account and see it there. But otherwise the experience was a good one. I just wouldn't trust adding eBay into the mix, best to deal with Goldberg's directly and save yourself the 5% feeBay fee. Goldberg's has very very nice material, and I found their staff very helpful with my order.
My items arrived very well packed, by insured overnight mail, I was charged a reasonable amount given the insurance etc. for my purchases.
OTOH, I bid on an eBay auction LiveAuction thing, because I waited till the last minute to bid on something, and oh what a complete pain in the bum - now four invoices later, each getting more $$$ for this and that, call to pay, and cannot accept payments yet. And I really do want the items. I will NOT buy through eBay again like this, a total nightmare.
expected to take their time, out of their day, to negotiate down the cost.
nothing new here, maybe more complex and more words. old angle though.
As for the PCGS number deal, I will say that some colllectors and dealers use PCGS numbers in database systems to identify coins. I'm not saying whether or not its a necessary element in the auction title, but it's a possible explanation.
For a large selection of U.S. Coins & Currency, visit The Reeded Edge's online webstore at the link below.
The Reeded Edge
answer- the terms are clearly laid out and easy to understand
<< <i>To Lyle the Photoguy,
I know I'm over a week late with this but do you know who takes the "halloween flashlight face" pictures for internet bidding over at heritage? If so....could you please tell the idiot to move the lighting from 6 o'clock to 2 o'clock! Bowers and Merigoes like to flood out problem coins as well. Thank you.
And don't ever go to work for heritage! They'll distroy the great photography skills you've displayed with Goldbergs!
Leo >>
Thanks Leo, I've never understood it either????? I dont plan on it anytime soon trust me.