Safe for US buyer to purchase from overseas sellers?
thisnamztaken
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I live in America, am new to world coins, and am a little leery of buying coins from overseas dealers. I mean, it's not like I can just drive down to their store and complain or demand a refund if I get ripped off by them.
Have those of you who are US citizens had any/many problems regarding purchasing coins from the UK or other countries? Any tips or advice will be appreciated.
Have those of you who are US citizens had any/many problems regarding purchasing coins from the UK or other countries? Any tips or advice will be appreciated.
I never thought that growing old would happen so fast.
- Jim
- Jim
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<< <i>I live in America, am new to world coins, and am a little leery of buying coins from overseas dealers. I mean, it's not like I can just drive down to their store and complain or demand a refund if I get ripped off by them.
Have those of you who are US citizens had any/many problems regarding purchasing coins from the UK or other countries? Any tips or advice will be appreciated. >>
I also live in America...at least I live in North America, in the northern country called Canada!
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
generally yes, and here are my two farthings.........
1. shipping varies; widely! I have received packages that were sent weeks in advance, from as close as England. Other times, they seem to fly on my doorstep in a Concorde. Heck, I even have that issue now with two of my packages; they were mailed to the southern hemisphere from the US weeks ago, and are still around somewhere. Expensive coins especially should be insured by the shipper for this reason, and chance of loss, but patience is key when waiting for overseas packages.
2. insurance: I insure my expensive packages when going from the US to an overseas collector, but i cover my own insurance for inexpensive stuff (say under $200). I would recommend that you insist on the same, and most reputable sellers will be good with this.
3. ask the same questions that you would ask of US sellers: "does the coin look cleaned, showing harlines from being wiped, etc.?" "what are your terms for payment and possible returns?" et cetera......
4. ask questions here: many of us use overseas dealers, auction houses and collectors as sources for coins on a regular basis, and can recommend certain folks for specific types of coins. a recommendation can go along way.
5. lastly.....remember, many world dealers have been in business FAR, FAR longer than major US dealers and auction houses. Heck, some have been in business longer than the US has been a country! because of this, they are well versed in coins, and interntational business as a whole.
good luck!
Doug
Some places have higher rates of scammers, like China, but that doesn't mean they're all bad. Use your judgment, check out their other listings and completed sales to get an idea of their trustworthiness. I've bought from and sold to places all around the world - most of Europe, Azerbaijan, Egypt, China, etc - no problem. As long as I've been trading online I've only lost four packages, two from the US and two from Germany - both reputable sellers, so I know it was just a mix up in the mail. It happens sooner or later, no reason to shy away from it altogether!
BTW, I live in NY but I can't drive down to a dealer's store in CA any more easily than I could one in Germany
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I agree with all the comments/advice given by Doogy, Ajaan, Spoon and Docday.
I have bought numerous coins from auction houses in Europe and never had one problem.
Be sure you understand the grading standards and language (numismatic phrases) in the various countries And don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions until your comfortable with the purchase.
<< <i>3. ask the same questions that you would ask of US sellers: "does the coin look cleaned, showing harlines from being wiped, etc.?" "what are your terms for payment and possible returns?" et cetera...... >>
I looked through most of "R.P. Coins" offerings recently and noticed that most of their coins are raw and many of the higher grade items appear to have hairlines and/or have been cleaned, but they often neglect to mention that fact in their descriptions. Are they a reputable, and fair company?
Am I correct in assuming that when British coins are described with a "g" before the grade, they mean it's strong for the grade, or half way between that grade and the next better grade. For example "g-VF" is better than just "vf" but not quite ef, (similar to our VF-20, VF-30, and VF-35 indicators)?
Who are some dealers in early British coins and medals that you regulars here would unhesitatingly recommend?
- Jim
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
I've put cash inside a couple sheets of paper for payment in an envelop and mailed it, and never had any trouble.
Sometimes I think foreigners are more honest than my neighbors.
Ray
<< <i>Thanks for the tips, everyone. My only world coins interest at present is for 18th and 19th Century UK coins.
<< <i>3. ask the same questions that you would ask of US sellers: "does the coin look cleaned, showing harlines from being wiped, etc.?" "what are your terms for payment and possible returns?" et cetera...... >>
I looked through most of "R.P. Coins" offerings recently and noticed that most of their coins are raw and many of the higher grade items appear to have hairlines and/or have been cleaned, but they often neglect to mention that fact in their descriptions. Are they a reputable, and fair company?
Am I correct in assuming that when British coins are described with a "g" before the grade, they mean it's strong for the grade, or half way between that grade and the next better grade. For example "g-VF" is better than just "vf" but not quite ef, (similar to our VF-20, VF-30, and VF-35 indicators)?
Who are some dealers in early British coins and medals that you regulars here would unhesitatingly recommend? >>
ahhh.....yes. Here is something that you can do to help yourself. As mentioned, ask questions of the seller, as to their grading standards and how they arrived at a grade. The UK seller that you noted is an extremely knowledgable and astute collector of rare British coins, and is VERY helpful when seeking information. I know this, as I participate fairly frequently on Hus' site CoinsGB.com, where Rob is a moderator.
Like many European dealers/collectors, they use their own grading, which pre-dates the Sheldon scale by decades. Also of note is the fact that some dealers/collectors will readily admit cleanings when you asked, but they net grade their coins knowing they are cleaned. Some overseas collectors and dealers don't cringe at hairlines from cleanings like many in the US, and will thus net grade coin lower as you would for a lot of bag marks or circulation wear. where a wiped coin may lose a ton of value in the US, in many places it seems to lose much less of it's value. Its not like they are trying to pass it over as a flawless coin, they have simply net graded it to where they feel it is appropriate. If you ask them and they confirm it is wiped/cleaned, then it is up to you whether or not they have it valued at what you'd pay for a coin in this condition. That may open to door to more conversation, where you simply ask if they have any coins that are free from hairlines and having "original skin"; they may have exactly that, and can steer you toward these more problem free (and most likely, more expensive) coins.
Doug
I've also had good experiences with http://www.colincooke.com
World Collection
British Collection
German States Collection
<< <i>
Have those of you who are US citizens had any/many problems regarding purchasing coins from the UK or other countries? Any tips or advice will be appreciated. >>
Never a problem with the hundreds of overseas purchases, only purchases from the US Mint and some shady Floridian type dealers have been problems. Some of the numismatic firms in Britain, Baldwins, Spink & Son have been around for literally generations. I collect primarily Scottish coins, so most of my significant purchases are from London, Glasgow, or Edinburgh. Now with the dollar at a high vs. sterling, is a wonderful time to be purchasing from Britain.
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- Jim
If you buy from reputable dealers like Colin Cooke, you will have no problems.