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My Obversations of the BST Board
123cents
Posts: 7,178 ✭✭✭
I first want to say that I have completed 100's of transactions of the BST board and they all have been outstanding. I am, however, seeing some things that are odd or things that I don't really care for. I am going to list some of them just so you are aware and please just make your own conclusions about them. They are certainly food for thought.
1. I see a person buying a raw coin on Ebay described as VF and selling for about $300.00. They immediately put the coin on the BST board and ask around $1500, describing the coin as AU. (Don't they know we can check auction archives.)
2. I see a person buy a coin and immediately put the coin for sell ATS for more money. (Do they think we are that dumb)
3. I see a person buy a coin on Ebay and immediately put the coin on sell on the BST board for double the money. (always check auction archives before you buy and see if you are comfortable with the new asking price)
4. I see people put coins on the BST board for sell and when they don't sell they put them on Ebay for less money. (Does that make sense! Don't they know we watch Ebay)
5. I see certain buyers string along sellers and never buy. (Make a list of these buyers so you know who you are dealing with)
1. I see a person buying a raw coin on Ebay described as VF and selling for about $300.00. They immediately put the coin on the BST board and ask around $1500, describing the coin as AU. (Don't they know we can check auction archives.)
2. I see a person buy a coin and immediately put the coin for sell ATS for more money. (Do they think we are that dumb)
3. I see a person buy a coin on Ebay and immediately put the coin on sell on the BST board for double the money. (always check auction archives before you buy and see if you are comfortable with the new asking price)
4. I see people put coins on the BST board for sell and when they don't sell they put them on Ebay for less money. (Does that make sense! Don't they know we watch Ebay)
5. I see certain buyers string along sellers and never buy. (Make a list of these buyers so you know who you are dealing with)
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BTW, you are a good seller and buyer
EAC 6024
<< <i>I hope I'm not on your list. >>
I don't think so Dan.
<< <i>I first want to say that I have completed 100's of transactions of the BST board and they all have been outstanding. I am, however, seeing some things that are odd or things that I don't really care for. I am going to list some of them just so you are aware and please just make your own conclusions about them. They are certainly food for thought.
1. I see a person buying a coin on Ebay described as VF and selling for about $300.00. They immediately put the coin on the BST board and ask around $1500, describing the coin as AU. (Don't they know we can check auction archives.)
2. I see a person buy a coin and immediately put the coin for sell ATS for more money. (Do they think we are that dumb)
3. I see a person buy a coin on Ebay and immediately put the coin on sell on the BST board for double the money. (always check auction archives before you buy and see if you are comfortable with the new asking price)
4. I see people put coins on the BST board for sell and when they don't sell they put them on Ebay for less money. (Does that make sense! Don't they know we watch Ebay)
5. I see certain buyers string along sellers and never buy. (Make a list of them) >>
If an Ebay coin sold as a VF but is really an AU and is worth $1500, what's the problem? Yeah, I know...that's not likely, but I've sniped some undergraded coins on Ebay in the past. As far as buying on the BS&T and selling elsewhere, I just don't see anything wrong with that. Is there an unwritten rule against selling coins bought here? Personally, if I buy a coin, it's mine to do with whatever I please.
My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
It's sad but true.
If an Ebay coin sold as a VF but is really an AU and is worth $1500, what's the problem? Yeah, I know...that's not likely, but I've sniped some undergraded coins on Ebay in the past. As far as buying on the BS&T and selling elsewhere, I just don't see anything wrong with that. Is there an unwritten rule against selling coins bought here? Personally, if I buy a coin, it's mine to do with whatever I please. >>
There is no problem if you have all the information and still want to buy the coin.
They contact me asking for photos of coins they are interested in;
which I am more than happy to oblige with photos; I then send the
photo's and never hear from the member again about the coins;
not even a "thank you for the photos".
This is not how you do business and as a result these members are not worth my time.
I haven't noticed the immediate flippers (I have occasionally done this, but not often).
But if they want to ask for more than they bought the pieces for, then they are more
than able to....we just don't need to buy these coins for those prices!
Ultimately, as long as the seller is honest and delivers the promised coin at the agreed upon price, all of the other stuff has little bearing. Whether he bought the coin on ebay last week for $100 less or his great-great-great grandmother pulled it out of change in the 1870's, it should affect the terms of the transaction. There are those who buy coins on ebay and sell them on Heritage, buy them at Heritage and sell them on the BST, buy them from a dealer and list them on ebay, etc., etc.
<< <i>I have not noticed any of these things, but I am probably looking at different items and/or not researching them as thoroughly. It has been several months since I purchased a coin from the BST (I think).
Ultimately, as long as the seller is honest and delivers the promised coin at the agreed upon price, all of the other stuff has little bearing. Whether he bought the coin on ebay last week for $100 less or his great-great-great grandmother pulled it out of change in the 1870's, it should affect the terms of the transaction. There are those who buy coins on ebay and sell them on Heritage, buy them at Heritage and sell them on the BST, buy them from a dealer and list them on ebay, etc., etc. >>
RYK, These are my obversations and I thought it would be good to list them for people to see. I am certainly not telling people what to buy or who to buy from. It is their decision what criteria to use when it comes to buying.
<< <i>1. I see a person buying a raw coin on Ebay described as VF and selling for about $300.00. They immediately put the coin on the BST board and ask around $1500, describing the coin as AU. (Don't they know we can check auction archives.) >>
If you think the coin is overpriced, don't buy it.
<< <i>2. I see a person buy a coin and immediately put the coin for sell ATS for more money. (Do they think we are that dumb) >>
If you think the coin is overpriced, don't buy it.
<< <i>3. I see a person buy a coin on Ebay and immediately put the coin on sell on the BST board for double the money. (always check auction archives before you buy and see if you are comfortable with the new asking price) >>
If you think the coin is overpriced, don't buy it.
<< <i>4. I see people put coins on the BST board for sell and when they don't sell they put them on Ebay for less money. (Does that make sense! Don't they know we watch Ebay) >>
It apparently makes sense to the seller. If it bothers you, don't buy it.
<< <i>5. I see certain buyers string along sellers and never buy. (Make a list of these buyers so you know who you are dealing with) >>
If you don't like buyers who never buy from you, stop responding to their inquiries.
<< <i>There is no problem if you have all the information and still want to buy the coin. >>
Using the carfax model, start up a "coinfax." Maybe you can even convince the TPGs to contribute data the way insurance companies do with cars.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
I think mrpotatoheadd actually makes good points. Much like the ebay seller asking moon money for a coin, or the show dealer who has the same material year in and year out because he woun't sell it for less than 2x retail (or some other unreasonable number), sometimes you have to move on by. From the other side of the table, I'm sure some regular sellers could produce long lists of those that kick a lot of tires, but never buy, and who are utterly PITA's to work with, for various reasons.
It's no different on the BST. We can bit** about it, we can"warn" others, but in the end, what you are describing is more of a "nothing to see here, time to move on" situation, at least IMO.
Also, I think many can agree that the board membership has changed a bit over the years. The BST is riddled with names you never see on this side of the forum, although the BST has members that have been around here for a long time and post and contribute, occassionally buying and selling through the BST venue. I would suspect the latter are not the one's you are addressing, but I don't know. For just because they are posting and contributing here, doesn't mean they are "better", nor vice versa. One particular member I know only from the BST (and I think I have only seen him post there) is just as solid as any others on my Circle of Trust list.
On the plus side of the BST;
How many other places can someone ask for an "excellent" copy of an out-of-print book and have a reasonable offer to ship you one from a known board member within an hour (for less than you expected to pay, even)? Within an hour?!
Or might we see something we like, offered directly from another collector or hard to access dealer we hardly (or do not even) know yet, and be able to have an open dialogue with them (some of them anyway) while sitting 2000 miles away, in our underwear, in the comfort of our own den? And be able to consumate a deal (maybe)? And believe (hopefully we believe or we shouldn't be buying) that not only that it will be delivered, but that it will be what is proported to be? And that if it isn't what we thought, most sellers will say "no harm, no foul", and make it right?
Where we can put up a coin from our collection, and for no charge get some internet exposure to (mostly) reasonable collectors, and ask whatever we want, and bump it to the top once a day (if it hasn't sold)? Yeah, I know, this is part of your issue, but even with it's inherent issues, it's still a pretty great situation.
How many places do we frequent where with at least some buyers and sellers, the check and the coin(s) are crossing the country at the same time, and neither party is the least bit worried about the other party having done (or doing) their part?
All in all, the BST (and these forums in general) is one of the many reasons I am grateful to PCGS.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
bob
<< <i>There is no problem if you have all the information and still want to buy the coin. >>
What if you're in the market for a rare variety and some happened to cherrypick what you're looking for at a quarter of the price you are willing to pay. Why would you refuse to pay? Simply because the BST seller will get a payday? Seems selfish to me.
<< <i>Ever consider the coin was undergraded?
<< <i>There is no problem if you have all the information and still want to buy the coin. >>
What if you're in the market for a rare variety and some happened to cherrypick what you're looking for at a quarter of the price you are willing to pay. Why would you refuse to pay? Simply because the BST seller will get a payday? Seems selfish to me. >>
The BST forum is certainly no different then a coin show or any other venue. All I have done is give a few examples of what I have seen. If you are good with all of it, certainly go ahead and buy. I have not come here to stop anyone!
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
Is that what he really seans to may?
The name is LEE!
<< <i>Are these obversations as opposed to reversations?
I thought maybe it is just a case of one flipper pointing the finger
at another flipper and being annoyed at an already overcrowded trade?
(like we have seen this movie 1000 times anyway !)
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
<< <i>I have bought a few items on the BST board, i would use it A LOT more if the listing were only for the BST and not a ad for ebay. Seems like a bunch of listings are for ebay sales. They should have another catagory for coins listed on ebay. I would like to sell a few coins on the BST but for the life of me i can not figure out how to post pics. I either have the pics in the wrong file or the image has to many bits or what ever. >>
Agree. If a coin is for sale elsewhere it doesn't belong on the BST. I like the idea of a separate forum for for announcing that you have a coin for sale on eBay or somewhere else so I don't have to waste my time looking at them.
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
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<< <i>I have bought a few items on the BST board, i would use it A LOT more if the listing were only for the BST and not a ad for ebay. Seems like a bunch of listings are for ebay sales. They should have another catagory for coins listed on ebay. I would like to sell a few coins on the BST but for the life of me i can not figure out how to post pics. I either have the pics in the wrong file or the image has to many bits or what ever. >>
Agree. If a coin is for sale elsewhere it doesn't belong on the BST. I like the idea of a separate forum for for announcing that you have a coin for sale on eBay or somewhere else so I don't have to waste my time looking at them. >>
If the title says
Ebay: 1793 Chain Cent PCGS MS67
like it should be listed, you don't have to open the post. I'll bet you would though.
Personally, I like to see what other board members are offering on the 'bay.
My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
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<< <i>I have bought a few items on the BST board, i would use it A LOT more if the listing were only for the BST and not a ad for ebay. Seems like a bunch of listings are for ebay sales. They should have another catagory for coins listed on ebay. I would like to sell a few coins on the BST but for the life of me i can not figure out how to post pics. I either have the pics in the wrong file or the image has to many bits or what ever. >>
Agree. If a coin is for sale elsewhere it doesn't belong on the BST. I like the idea of a separate forum for for announcing that you have a coin for sale on eBay or somewhere else so I don't have to waste my time looking at them. >>
If the title says
Ebay: 1793 Chain Cent PCGS MS67
like it should be listed, you don't have to open the post. I'll bet you would though.
Personally, I like to see what other board members are offering on the 'bay. >>
I don't have a problem if "eBay" is in the title. I can just skip that listing.
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
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<< <i>I have bought a few items on the BST board, i would use it A LOT more if the listing were only for the BST and not a ad for ebay. Seems like a bunch of listings are for ebay sales. They should have another catagory for coins listed on ebay. I would like to sell a few coins on the BST but for the life of me i can not figure out how to post pics. I either have the pics in the wrong file or the image has to many bits or what ever. >>
Agree. If a coin is for sale elsewhere it doesn't belong on the BST. I like the idea of a separate forum for for announcing that you have a coin for sale on eBay or somewhere else so I don't have to waste my time looking at them. >>
If the title says
Ebay: 1793 Chain Cent PCGS MS67
like it should be listed, you don't have to open the post. I'll bet you would though.
Personally, I like to see what other board members are offering on the 'bay. >>
I agree...my only personal pet peeve to the BST ebay sellers is when they just post a link to their ebay sales and don't bother listing the coins AND posting the pics. They already have pics for ebay, and it is only 10-15 seconds to do, per coin, in putting the pics in the post. So, 99% of the time, if they can't bother with the pics, then I don't bother clicking the links. Might seem trivial, but then, I am not the one selling...if I were, I would want the most ebays/chances to sell/drive the price up I could get.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
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<< <i>I have bought a few items on the BST board, i would use it A LOT more if the listing were only for the BST and not a ad for ebay. Seems like a bunch of listings are for ebay sales. They should have another catagory for coins listed on ebay. I would like to sell a few coins on the BST but for the life of me i can not figure out how to post pics. I either have the pics in the wrong file or the image has to many bits or what ever. >>
Agree. If a coin is for sale elsewhere it doesn't belong on the BST. I like the idea of a separate forum for for announcing that you have a coin for sale on eBay or somewhere else so I don't have to waste my time looking at them. >>
If the title says
Ebay: 1793 Chain Cent PCGS MS67
like it should be listed, you don't have to open the post. I'll bet you would though.
Personally, I like to see what other board members are offering on the 'bay. >>
I don't have a problem if "eBay" is in the title. I can just skip that listing. >>
Isn't that a BST rule? I always assumed it was. Back on the old RCC we used to have FS: FA: (for ebay). This was generally well adhered to.
My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
<< <i>I want to thank the OP for taking the time to point out a few realities I wasnt even aware of...I sometimes forget that most of us are strangers to each other >>
Some stranger than others...............loke that fellow who has the cat with the lime peel motorcycle helmet!
The name is LEE!
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<< <i>I have bought a few items on the BST board, i would use it A LOT more if the listing were only for the BST and not a ad for ebay. Seems like a bunch of listings are for ebay sales. They should have another catagory for coins listed on ebay. I would like to sell a few coins on the BST but for the life of me i can not figure out how to post pics. I either have the pics in the wrong file or the image has to many bits or what ever. >>
Agree. If a coin is for sale elsewhere it doesn't belong on the BST. I like the idea of a separate forum for for announcing that you have a coin for sale on eBay or somewhere else so I don't have to waste my time looking at them. >>
If the title says
Ebay: 1793 Chain Cent PCGS MS67
like it should be listed, you don't have to open the post. I'll bet you would though.
Personally, I like to see what other board members are offering on the 'bay. >>
I don't have a problem if "eBay" is in the title. I can just skip that listing. >>
Isn't that a BST rule? I always assumed it was. Back on the old RCC we used to have FS: FA: (for ebay). This was generally well adhered to. >>
Yes---it is a rule but I've seen it violated. Bottom line is the BST is a great place to do business. Just use common sense and buy from people you know and be sure to have good communication with whomever you buy or sell from.
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