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I LOVE eBay

jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 42,124 ✭✭✭✭✭

No, really. All you ever hear around here are complaints about them. But I've met wonderful people on eBay. I have a handful of problems per year - mostly shipping - while sending 2000+ packages per year. I've even bought some fun stuff from there without issue.

I just feel like a positive thread was in order.

Happy Thanksgiving!

All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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    ParadisefoundParadisefound Posts: 8,623 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I agree with you especially being on the island in the middle of Pacific; eBay serves the purpose for me. I do Amazon as well but find eBay easier to navigate. Shipping cost can be expensive but the price usually much less than retailed in Hawaii. Most of my purchase are for household and novelty items. I've been very careful on coins though.
    Always wishing to attend a Coin Show or browse an antique store in the Mainland

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    WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 10,324 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Got some great coins from eBay. I am thankful for them.

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

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

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

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    GluggoGluggo Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭✭✭

    :/:/:/:/:/

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    mbogomanmbogoman Posts: 5,325 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 23, 2017 9:52AM

    It funds my hobby via cherry-picks. Picked up two 2008-W Reverse of 2007 ASEs last week (raw) in separate buys. It's one of those searches I do twice a day and have been doing for years with nothing to show, then BAM!!! Last week two separate listings show up days apart, one for $40 BIN the other for $40 BIN + $4.95 shipping. B)

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    ms70ms70 Posts: 13,958 ✭✭✭✭✭

    90% of my collection came from eBay. I love it as a buyer.

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    derrybderryb Posts: 38,584 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Coin collecting has exploded with the addition of ebay.

    Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else. - Bastiat

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    CoinstartledCoinstartled Posts: 10,135 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Good bad and ugly all at the same time. Frequent draconian policy shifts are destabilizing. I suspect that they will get swallowed by Amazon in the not too distant future.

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    jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 42,124 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Coinstartled said:
    Good bad and ugly all at the same time. Frequent draconian policy shifts are destabilizing. I suspect that they will get swallowed by Amazon in the not too distant future.

    I doubt Amazon wants to be in the collectibles business. It would also be very unfortunate for buyers and sellers as Amazon's policies are even more draconian and their price structure is higher virtually guaranteeing higher prices to the buyers.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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    WildIdeaWildIdea Posts: 1,881 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I first started using eBay in 1998 or so when my Dad turned me onto it. I had to go to his house to use it, I didn't have my own computer yet. Bought lots of vintage toys without pictures even, items always arrived in quality condition then. Then I started selling copies of my artwork in Dutch auctions and caught it just right and made a small fortune. Folks would send personal checks without a problem. Was neat to come home from work and have 5-6 checks siting on my bills in mailbox. I loved it!

    It's changed so much since then, but it's still hugely useful for me. Colectables, car parts, art supply, books. My 11 year old wanted to read my vintage copy of Fellowship of the Ring, sure I said, a quick phone search showed I could replace it for 11 bucks. I've made friends even from buying coins and meeting in person at FUN. International purchases I'd never see here, like Art Nouveau medals bought directly from European sellers. Sold a lot of stuff too.

    I definitely would miss it if it went poof. I look forward to what it offers in the future, who knows what that will be.

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    CoinstartledCoinstartled Posts: 10,135 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Coinstartled said:
    Good bad and ugly all at the same time. Frequent draconian policy shifts are destabilizing. I suspect that they will get swallowed by Amazon in the not too distant future.

    I doubt Amazon wants to be in the collectibles business. It would also be very unfortunate for buyers and sellers as Amazon's policies are even more draconian and their price structure is higher virtually guaranteeing higher prices to the buyers.

    I don't disagree that the coin marketplace would become less favorable if Ebay were acquired or went bust. Amazon though is aggressive and the one time trust busters of government have become obsequious to the online giant.

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    jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 42,124 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Coinstartled said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Coinstartled said:
    Good bad and ugly all at the same time. Frequent draconian policy shifts are destabilizing. I suspect that they will get swallowed by Amazon in the not too distant future.

    I doubt Amazon wants to be in the collectibles business. It would also be very unfortunate for buyers and sellers as Amazon's policies are even more draconian and their price structure is higher virtually guaranteeing higher prices to the buyers.

    I don't disagree that the coin marketplace would become less favorable if Ebay were acquired or went bust. Amazon though is aggressive and the one time trust busters of government have become obsequious to the online giant.

    No, I agree about Amazon. But Amazon used to have "Zshops" (maybe 15 years ago?) which was kind of an eBay thing: collectible marketplace where individual sellers could sign up and sell things with Amazon taking a percentage. But they closed it down and haven't really made much effort to get into the One-Of-A-Kind businesses again.

    They've dabbled lately with enticing people to sell collectibles, but their cost structure is such that I always shy away. They also have ZERO tolerance for shipping slip ups. If you don't ship next day or a package goes missing and you don't immediately refund the customer or ship another item, they suspend you immediately. eBay at least allows for a few days to try to sort things out.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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    ParadisefoundParadisefound Posts: 8,623 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Coinstartled said:
    Yahoo made a really good effort to compete with Ebay. Unfortunately it never caught on.

    The market really needs another viable player.

    What is the possibility of PCGS hosting a new commerce site? Would be a conflict under FCC?

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    logger7logger7 Posts: 9,708 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I missed their best years in the late 90s and 2000s; I didn't give them a try until 2012. An instate dealer who hated online sales got on a little more than 2 years ago and already has 5000 feedbacks.

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    CascadeChrisCascadeChris Posts: 2,529 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Paradisefound said:

    @Coinstartled said:
    Yahoo made a really good effort to compete with Ebay. Unfortunately it never caught on.

    The market really needs another viable player.

    What is the possibility of PCGS hosting a new commerce site? Would be a conflict under FCC?

    They do. It's called BST ;)

    The more you VAM..
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    Timbuk3Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭

    :) !!!

    Timbuk3
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    jt88jt88 Posts: 3,528 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 23, 2017 3:23PM

    Buying one ebay is good because everyone try to buy cheap but selling on ebay sucks because everyone try to cut your price and ebay side with buyer every single time.

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    jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 42,124 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jt88 said:
    Buying one ebay is good because everyone try to buy cheap but selling on ebay sucks because everyone try to cut your price and ebay side with buyer every single time.

    Not always, but usually. The problem is that credit card companies and PayPal almost always side with the buyer also. So, unless you sell to a dealer or cash from another collector, you run the same risk of a charge back. It's the nature of commerce. Welcome to business.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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    ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 23, 2017 4:38PM

    PayPal covers cc chargebacks if you follow their guidelines and have seller protection.

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    jt88jt88 Posts: 3,528 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I just sold a snuff bottle on eBay. My listed price is 1K. A buyer tried to cut my price in half and I told him no. He came back asked my best price. I always try to give buyer some discount if they ask so I gave him 10% but he still doesn’t want to pay. He tried to make me pay for the tax. I got tire of him. I cancelled the listing and increase the price to 2k. He came back and betted me to sell to him. I told him the offer expired and now the price is 2K. Then he said he has already promised his dad for his birthday gift. I know he is lying but I got sit with him so I finally sold to him for 900 plus tax. Some of the buyer is just unbelievable and always try to cut your price.

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    jt88jt88 Posts: 3,528 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Today I sold a coin. The buyer tired to cut my price in half for 4K two months ago and I told him no. I would have giving him 10% off if he asked but not 50% off. Finally today he came back and pay the price in full for 8K.

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    mannie graymannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @logger7 said:
    I missed their best years in the late 90s and 2000s; I didn't give them a try until 2012. An instate dealer who hated online sales got on a little more than 2 years ago and already has 5000 feedbacks.

    Yes, those were the days, my friend......

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    jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 42,124 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ErrorsOnCoins said:
    PayPal covers cc chargebacks if you follow their guidelines and have seller protection.

    It actually depends on the reason for the charge back.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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    pocketpiececommemspocketpiececommems Posts: 6,091 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I can't get to many shows and there is only one coin shop close to me. If it wasn't for ebay my collection would be pretty slim looking.

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    savitalesavitale Posts: 1,410 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I also have no problem with eBay. As always you must have the buyer-beware mindset. And on the selling side they do get their 10%, which feels unpleasant but is probably the same as the commission you would pay to put your coins on consignment.

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    tonedSilvertonedSilver Posts: 153 ✭✭✭

    I like eBay as well with the exception of more and more counterfeit items showing up. It seems like you have to be on your toes even more lately.

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    1630Boston1630Boston Posts: 14,156 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf
    I don't use ebay to buy/sell but I'm glad you and others have had good luck using it and that you started this thread :smile:

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko

    Bad transactions with : nobody to date

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    DoubleEagle59DoubleEagle59 Posts: 8,431 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Ebay has been very good to me for both buying and selling since 1998.

    True, Ebay is not what it used to be (much better in the old days) but I still wouldn't want to transact business anywhere else.

    "Gold is money, and nothing else" (JP Morgan, 1912)

    "“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)

    "I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I used ebay in the late '90's to buy marbles...(another hobby).... a LOT of marbles... and always had great transactions. When I won, I mailed the Postal Money Order or check the next day....the product was always as described and received in a timely manner. I did not buy coins on ebay then, there were lots of coin shows where I was living and I always prefer 'in hand' evaluations. It was a very different venue back then.... Cheers, RickO

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    Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 9,888 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It has been a selling venue for me since 1998. Have bought many items for inventory and my model rr hobby there.

    Investor
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    keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭

    eBay has helped me make quite a bit of money with almost no problems. it's almost like selling to a B&M at full retail.

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    oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 3,157 ✭✭✭✭✭

    As a collector of things other than certified coins, eBay has been essential when I want to dispose of things. Can't imagine how difficult this would have been otherwise. Have trained my heirs how to use eBay in case I don't have a window in time to liquidate these more non-liquid collectibles. A game changer for collectors who know how to use it,

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    derrybderryb Posts: 38,584 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 24, 2017 11:37AM

    @ErrorsOnCoins said:
    PayPal covers cc chargebacks if you follow their guidelines and have seller protection.

    They have improved this feature in recent years.

    Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else. - Bastiat

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    1Mike11Mike1 Posts: 4,445 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I use it to check prices on a lot of items.

    "May the silver waves that bear you heavenward be filled with love’s whisperings"

    "A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
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    DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ms70 said:
    90% of my collection came from eBay. I love it as a buyer.

    I am no 90%, but have a LOT of coins from ebay. Lot of good coins out there. Just ignore the dreck. :)B)

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