Is Heritage a better place to buy a coin than Ebay?
Matrix1980
Posts: 553 ✭
Is it just me or it seems on Ebay everything is over priced over guide??
Has anyone had trouble with shipping from Heritage auction gallery in the past? What do they do if a item is lost or stolen in the mail? What is there policy?
Has anyone had trouble with shipping from Heritage auction gallery in the past? What do they do if a item is lost or stolen in the mail? What is there policy?
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EAC 6024
That is what I am asking I do not know?
Lately I do my u.s./world/ancient shopping on dealer sites.
I'd strongly recommend that you not base any coin's value on what you've seen in a Price Guide. eBay can be a fabulous place to find coins and Heritage can be a great place to overpay for something that isn't quite so nice when you actually get it.
Unless you're buying very low-grade, common stuff, you really need a chance to see and evaluate a coin in-hand to determine what it's worth to you. Some coins are special and will trade far above or far below greysheet, Price Guide, Bluesheet, Numismedia, or any other guide. The trick is not about where to buy as much as the trick is knowing what to buy. Killer deals and total ripoffs happen every day on eBay.
<< <i>Deals on ebay seem to be few/far between nowadays. I am lucky to score 1 or 2 coins a month that are borderline "bargain". >>
eBay has been working to drive away the kinds of sellers who are most likely to offer bargains in the name of "buyer protection".
<< <i>Is it just me or it seems on Ebay everything is over priced over guide??
Has anyone had trouble with shipping from Heritage auction gallery in the past? What do they do if a item is lost or stolen in the mail? What is there policy? >>
the archives here answer most of your thread inquiries.
i am also confident that heritage's TOS/FAQ will answer those shipping inquiries as well.
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Heritage's selection DWARFS ebay's but with all that being said Ebay is STILL a good place to score a good deal every now and again but NOT VERY OFTEN and you must check it on a DAILY basis.
Heritage and Ebay BOTH have insurance safeguards in place to protect against loss so you can get your money back.
Ebay allows returns MOST of the time and you have the added security of PAYPAL. Heritage will NOT allow returns in their 'better' auctions, unless the coin is counterfeit or the like. You being unsatisfied with your purchase WILL NOT qualify.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
This confirms my suspicions that most coins come from Heritage and then the dealers ask super high prices on Ebay.
Heritage auctions don't yield that many bargains. The competition generally keeps the prices at levels that are not great buys. The best thing about Heritage from my perspective is that you have the opportunity to buy some rare stuff you seldom see elsewhere.
Choosing between the two I'll take Heritage.
Usually, there are as many good deals and as many way overpriced items at both venues. HA can be a better source of quality/rarity in bulk, but bidding can be fierce for desirable stuff. Ebay can also be a source for rarity/quality, but to a lesser extent, and the prices asked usually reflect that. I will say that ebay can still be a great place to cherrypick, wheras HA usually is not.
Empty Nest Collection
offers a return. Most auction coins are not returnable, and I would
not trust the photos!
else too, so often you can get a better price if you track them down
off eBay. Most dealers jack up the price on eBay to account for the seller and
listing fees. (not to mention the overall pain in the butt of using eBay)
<< <i> Heritage's shipping is almost always the day after the auction via express mail and usually delivered to me in 2-3 days. No complaints with that. >>
I've not had that happen. Heritage usually takes about 10-14 days to ship in my experiences.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
<< <i>Walkerfan
This confirms my suspicions that most coins come from Heritage and then the dealers ask super high prices on Ebay. >>
Yes, I see this alot and I will avoid it but there are still some 'fresh to the market' coins available on Ebay (I've bought two within the last year), so it is still worth a look.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
<< <i>Uh, this sort of question does not lend itself to an easy answer. Any venue can be the right place to buy a coin and any venue can be the wrong place.
I'd strongly recommend that you not base any coin's value on what you've seen in a Price Guide. eBay can be a fabulous place to find coins and Heritage can be a great place to overpay for something that isn't quite so nice when you actually get it.
Unless you're buying very low-grade, common stuff, you really need a chance to see and evaluate a coin in-hand to determine what it's worth to you. Some coins are special and will trade far above or far below greysheet, Price Guide, Bluesheet, Numismedia, or any other guide. The trick is not about where to buy as much as the trick is knowing what to buy. Killer deals and total ripoffs happen every day on eBay. >>
Well said BryceM!
The reason is simple. Many of the country's best graders pore over the lots. All the major wholesalers look at every lot in the auctions. This does not exclude Heritage themselves. Most of the suitcase-strolling table-less wholesale dealers do the same thing. Most fly into Dallas as soon as showroom lot viewing opens and spend a couple of days looking at the coins. They know what to pay for coins. Each firm has a buyer that will bid on coins for their wholesale inventory. These guys don't let much past them. If a coin goes cheap, there was a reason.
A few years ago I asked one of my major wholesalers why there were so many Heritage auction coins in their inventory. He replied, "When an auction is going on, we have a buyer whose job is to make sure NOTHING goes too cheap. All the big names do this." Many collectors are unaware, but this is who they are competing against.
While much stuff on eBay is overpriced, there's a much better chance of finding a bargain on eBay than there is on Heritage. You just have to sift through to find the quality coins, or a seller who doesn't know what they have.
The best advice has already been stated. Many dealers list coins on their own website in addition to eBay. When you find a coin you like, do some research and contact the dealer off eBay and work out a deal. Or, if you're more comfortable with the Buyer's Protection that eBay provides, pay the extra 7-10% to be covered while shopping within the eBay process.
Coin Rarities Online
Buy at Bowers (ANR) and sell at Heritage.
It is no longer completely accurate but the tendency is still there.
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986
Edit to add. You will pay current market price for it in most cases. The trick is to not fall in love with a coin until you own it.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
If you are new to Heritage, then you need to remember there is a buyer's premium, and perhaps an additional sales tax fee. So the hammer price, is not YOUR price.
So pick and choose, both venues offer excellent choices for buyers.
Best of luck.
<< <i>Is it just me or it seems on Ebay everything is over priced over guide??
Has anyone had trouble with shipping from Heritage auction gallery in the past? What do they do if a item is lost or stolen in the mail? What is there policy? >>
Never had any issues when buying from Heritage.
And no, there are many items on Ebay that are priced "right" you just need to know what to look for and be patient.
<< <i>Not sure the price Heritage charges sellers is 10-22.5% If that's what you are paying, send me a PM and I can help you. >>
Segoja, you get better than 108% with reserves on your coins? If so I'd be surprised...
<< <i>
<< <i>Not sure the price Heritage charges sellers is 10-22.5% If that's what you are paying, send me a PM and I can help you. >>
Segoja, you get better than 108% with reserves on your coins? If so I'd be surprised... >>
I don't think that was what he was talking about.
Segoja, I hope all is well, bump for a good dealer.
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.