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What percentage of coin collectors shop eBay for coins?

ManorcourtmanManorcourtman Posts: 8,130 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I am unaware of any research regarding this topic but have always pondered what percentage of the coin buying public shops eBay for coins. Anyone care to make an educated guess? I would guess far less than 50%. Fire away peeps!!

Comments

  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Put me down as a no.



    Actually no EBay for anything.



    mark
    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Depends on they're age I suppose ....

    Under 30 100%

    31 - 50 90%

    50 - 60 80%

    60 - 65 70%

    over 65 .01%
  • BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,509 ✭✭✭✭✭
    no clue, but I do use ebay sometimes. Some of my ebay finds (two of these were raw, others came slabbed):


    image

    image

    image

    image

    image


    JR Newsletter Online Edition
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: ErrorsOnCoins

    Depends on they're age I suppose ....



    Under 30 100%



    31 - 50 90%



    50 - 60 80%



    60 - 65 70%



    over 65 .01%




    For me it's time. I'd rather spend it elsewhere.



    mark
    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,443 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It depends.



    If I'm buying pioneer gold or Stella's, no.



    If I'm looking for plastic, yes. image
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,619 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Heritage is too crazy these days, as everything halfway decent seems to go for moon money.



    I've been finding some nice coins in dealers' inventories and many of them list on eBay.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    You can still vote here


    image

  • LogPotatoLogPotato Posts: 2,177 ✭✭✭✭
    I sure do. Yeah, I may waste a lot of time there, but I have found some really killer coins for my set that otherwise would have cost me a fortune through a dealer. YMMV.



    I'm a player in the 3 figure coins, so I am sure I have more chances to find something nice compared to those that play in the 4 figure and higher range.



    Edit: Love those busts, Barndog.
  • TigersFan2TigersFan2 Posts: 1,442 ✭✭
    I expect the percentage is very high.
    I love the 3 P's: PB&J, PBR and PCGS.
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: TigersFan2

    I expect the percentage is very high.




    I suspect you are correct





    mark
    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I troll Ebay for numismatic literature.
    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • ksuscottksuscott Posts: 283 ✭✭✭
    I think it depends on what the collector is collecting. I imagine the majority of collectors at least peruse eBay from time to time, however, I’m sure there are some that never do.
  • OverdateOverdate Posts: 7,133 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Depends on one's definition of collector. If it includes those casually assembling sets of state/atb quarters from circulation, the percentage is probably pretty low.

    My Adolph A. Weinman signature :)

  • BoosibriBoosibri Posts: 12,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There are diamonds in the rough still.... I recently bought a 61-C $5 from ebay for $4,000 less than I will be able to sell it for once crossed and CAC'd. Some gems if you can wade through the junk.

    Latin American Collection

  • lunytune2lunytune2 Posts: 1,077 ✭✭✭
    Since I got into gold , none ... But I do look just to see , not buy . I have bought many less expensive coins in the past though.
  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 12,472 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There are still good things to be found on eBay, it's all about timing and the quality of the images.
    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,649 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Fair question but it would have greater meaning based on demographics- My hunch is collectors under 40 are more likely to ebay and those over 60 are less likely. I say this in part because older collectors just have a different approach that involves shows and seeing the coins in hand first. The battleground is in the 40-60 age group where the trend is likely starting to favor ebay- I would like to be wrong.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • ManorcourtmanManorcourtman Posts: 8,130 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Some very good and well thought out guesses!
  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There is no doubt much of the coin business has shifted to online sales. We were talking about that yesterday at the show. About the only people I know that are against online buying are 65+. My sales ration in the last 5 years has shifted from 2/3 sales at shows 1/3 online vrs. to 2/3 online to 1/3 shows now.
  • VanHalenVanHalen Posts: 4,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Oh for the days of Bing Cashback while PMs were soaring. Just search for "gold coins" on Bing, click on the ebay link and slam bam thank you ma'am.



    My eBay percentage has gone from ~70% in 2007-08 to ~20% these days. I do sell on ebay more now though.
  • pocketpiececommemspocketpiececommems Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You can shop on eBay for coins 24-7. If there is one coin shop within 50 miles of you how many times can you stop buy to see the same ole coins?
    Pocketpiececommemoratives

    Lafayette Grading Set
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I buy quite a bit on ebay.



    I especially like when the sellers make listing errors.



    Wrong category, wrong images, or misspelling the name of what they are selling in the title have been some of my best purchases.
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • WingedLiberty1957WingedLiberty1957 Posts: 2,991 ✭✭✭✭✭

    For me it must be 95% from eBay.


    My Coin Blog
    My Toned Lincoln Registry Set

  • shorecollshorecoll Posts: 5,447 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In our area the average collector is buying junk, and it trades through low-end stealth junk dealers. It would be interesting to know the % of items vs. the % of $. I'd bet a high % of $ trades online, but does lots of the low-end stuff on ebay actually sell, it seems like it just sits there.
    ANA-LM, NBS, EAC
  • shorecollshorecoll Posts: 5,447 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Oh, and sweet half-dimes Barndog!!!
    ANA-LM, NBS, EAC
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,472 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nearly all the coins I purchase for collectors that are not in inventory, come from ebay. This is primarily due to the fact that most of the regional dealers cannot fill orders for "modern stuff", barring bullion , of course. image C'est la vie. Most of those collectors are over 65, too. Just an observation, more than any guessing of percentages.
  • gripgrip Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: pocketpiececommems
    You can shop on eBay for coins 24-7. If there is one coin shop within 50 miles of you how many times can you stop buy to see the same ole coins?



    +1
  • DollarAfterDollarDollarAfterDollar Posts: 3,215 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There are many regions of the country where the only place to buy is on the internet. Additionally, there are many who can't travel or have no time. Buying plastic with a decent return policy makes enormous sense to these people. When pricing is fair, it's a win win.

    I agree with them.

    If you do what you always did, you get what you always got.
  • BrolBrol Posts: 266 ✭✭
    on ebay I'm following only few coins by keywords. It means if something new show up with my description only then I will get notification to my phone. I'm lucky to get 1 or 2 notifications a month. This year I bought only 1 coin from ebay and I hope to buy at least 1 or 2 coins more this year. For now I'm sticking only with quality and rarity over quantity.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I do not....although in the late nineties I did. Now, if I am looking for something,

    I may peruse ebay to see availability/pricing, but will not buy there. Cheers, RickO
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,948 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Sonorandesertrat
    I troll Ebay for numismatic literature.


    so do i
  • hickoryridgehickoryridge Posts: 250 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: pocketpiececommems
    You can shop on eBay for coins 24-7. If there is one coin shop within 50 miles of you how many times can you stop buy to see the same ole coins?


    this, I've purchased 2 coins in the last 10 months
  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Don't know the percentage but I would say about 99% more than hang out here. Data taken from my sales there.
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,472 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Let me think image :

    I've met pastors, chemists, teachers , police, paupers, musicians, doctors lawyers, students, politicians, kings (of the hobby), authors, truckers, bikers, soldiers and princesses on and through Ebay,… Almost none of them on Facebook.
  • ProofArtworkonCircsProofArtworkonCircs Posts: 4,223 ✭
    Oops, I posted to the other thread.

    Anyhow, recent purchases have all been ebay. I look for decent feedback first. Incidentally, my age is over 80.
  • DeliaBugDeliaBug Posts: 881 ✭
    Originally posted by: Sonorandesertrat

    I troll Ebay for numismatic literature.




    An extreme example of E-Bay and literature was a lot sold in the last Kolbe & Fanning sale. Someone very lucky found a manuscript sale of Edward Cogan's Foote sale from 1859. Being E-Bay I can't imagine it was up there for more than a few hundred, if even that. The lot hammered for $11,000 and ~$13,000 all in.



    I've scored books on E-Bay but nothing remotely close in comparison to that.
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: TwoSides2aCoin

    Let me think image :



    I've met pastors, chemists, teachers , police, paupers, musicians, doctors lawyers, students, politicians, kings (of the hobby), authors, truckers, bikers, soldiers and princesses on and through Ebay,… Almost none of them on Facebook.




    Hmm... No butcher, baker, or candlestick maker imageimage



    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: amwldcoin

    There is no doubt much of the coin business has shifted to online sales. We were talking about that yesterday at the show. About the only people I know that are against online buying are 65+. My sales ration in the last 5 years has shifted from 2/3 sales at shows 1/3 online vrs. to 2/3 online to 1/3 shows now.




    Far from the 65+ and I don't use EBay. However, I suppose when I retire and have more downtime it maybe an option.



    mark
    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,472 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Broadstruck, I thought you were the candlestick maker image
  • thebeavthebeav Posts: 3,846 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Probably a very high percentage. I would guess a majority of collectors do not live near a dealer or a show. Just too many people involved in the hobby.

    Barndog, those are some fab bust nickels !!
    My Ebay Coin Store
  • joeykoinsjoeykoins Posts: 17,182 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Mark me down as a NO.image

    "Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!

    --- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.
  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,636 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I shop ebay and shows I set up at.
    Coins & Currency
  • ebaybuyerebaybuyer Posts: 2,984 ✭✭✭
    I believe there is no better marketplace for buying... on the selling side, there is no easier place for buyers to rip you off
    regardless of how many posts I have, I don't consider myself an "expert" at anything

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