<< <i>When they eliminated the option of rating buyers they made it much more difficult for sellers. >>
I remember when this happened, Ebay had no choice because the sellers were holding the buyer's feedback hostage until they received positive feedback. If the buyer had a legitimate reason for leaving negative or neutral feedback for the seller, it didn't matter, the seller would retaliate with the same. >>
The feedback policy needs to be modified. Sellers should be able to leave negative fb, if the buyer does not pay and the seller has gone through the "Unpaid Item Assistant" policy established by eBay ( Let eBay open and close unpaid item cases for you automatically). In addition, on your Site Preferences, the "Buyer requirements" need to be updated and more choices given to the Sellers to block certain eBay buyers from bidding on or purchasing your items. I've been selling on eBay for 14 years, and as a whole, it's been an non issue experience. Chances are that if you comply with eBay and PayPal guidelines, ship promptly in secured mailers, offer free or acceptable s&h fees, take decent pictures and accurate descriptions, including possible flaws, your sale will be a positive experience. >>
How about if eBay charged $10 for the buyer OR seller to leave negative feedback? You'd really, really have to want to leave it. If they investigate as part of a dispute and find it's warranted, then they refund the fee. If it wasn't warranted, they keep the money and remove the negative. That would put a bunch of shorts in knots, but it sure would end a lot of unjustified feedbacks in either direction.
<< <i>Over the years I've bought several quality coins off of Ebay and had virtually no issues. I realize that there are a few sleazy sellers that try to peddle counterfeit junk but that's why you always check their feedback, especially on an expensive purchase. If you avoid these sellers and use the golden rule "If it sounds to good to be true..." then Ebay is a great international marketplace. >>
I bought some really nice coins off Ebay too. But when those guys hung me out to dry against an obviously fraudulent seller that cost me $2,000, it was time to leave. If they had at least banned the seller or made some attempt to keep them from once again stealing other people's auctions and posting them as their own, I could have some compassion for them. Even the USPS and FINECEN/internet crimes and enforcement wouldn't lift a finger. You'd think that documented fraud through the USPS would get some attention. Not anymore. Those days are long gone.
You can't always just avoid the bad Ebay sellers. Mine had 100% + feed back before my transaction (2007). They just never shipped the item because they never owned it. And they deposited my funds into their bank account. They didn't argue that fact. Didn't matter. Ebay did nothing. Didn't even have the courtesy to respond to my emails or phone calls. At least I was still "up" money for my 5 years on Ebay and wanted to keep it that way.
The chance of getting burned as a buyer on an eBay transaction is probably no worse than if you buy from a random coin dealer you don't know.
Yes, the chance of actually getting your coin is slightly higher with the random coin dealer. But the chance of getting a 'dud', cleaned coin, or item of questionable authenticity is probably about the same. In either case it's pretty low, but of course if it happens to you it's no longer just a statistic.
My views are somewhat skewed by my preference for foreign material, which is almost always 'raw'.
<< <i>Just too much risk anymore.... tired of dealing with it.... Cheers, RickO >>
What risk?
I buy and sell on ebay every week.
There is NO risk, at all.
Just KNOW what you are doing. >>
What risk? Two years ago I bought a cleaned $20 in a bogus NGC holder. $4000 coin was worth $1500.
I quickly recognized the fraud and contacted NGC. Got a full refund as well.
What about the non professional or even the skilled quarter guy Man of Coins that nearly got scorched for $7000? Trust me, he has a better eye than I do.
<< <i>Why does everybody talk trash about Ebay? >>
Because ebay used to be awesome and now its more trouble than its worth..... >>
Diamond mining is hard work. >>
Glad that it works for you EOC. Many of the classic sellers have abandoned the sinking ship long ago. Tripling and quadrupling fees are tough on professionally graded coin sales. I still have a presence and have some optimism that the Paypal spin off will shock the floundering Ebay back to being competitive.
<< <i>Why does everybody talk trash about Ebay? >>
Because ebay used to be awesome and now its more trouble than its worth..... >>
Diamond mining is hard work. >>
True. And most of the mining companies eventually go belly up. Very few smaller mining companies seem to survive for the long haul....most succumbing to rising expenses and ever-increasing regulations.
True. And most of the mining companies eventually go belly up. Very few smaller mining companies seem to survive for the long haul....most succumbing to rising expenses and ever-increasing regulations. >>
Tradition diamond mines have very high working (overhead) costs.
Mining as a buyer on ebay has Zero costs except for the capital to acquire the found diamond.
Ebay gives the average buyer of limited means the opportunity to get some better deals. Remember the unsavory, crooked dealers from the old days; 70's and 80's? Thanks to third party graders like PCGS, we, the buyers are more comfortable buying from sources such as eBay. But now we have to worry about sophisticated counterfeits, holders included! As it stands now, on eBay, I generally limit myself to common, relatively low-priced coins, where the risk is low.
Many of us are forced to explore eBay because we are not well-connected, well-heeled dealers/collectors who can fly around the country, seeking the attention of high profile dealers.
If I do take the plunge into scarce or expensive material, I go to the ethical, respectable coin retailers. Unfortunately, their prices are often retail +++++++++. Their beautiful photos and flowery descriptions translate to high prices, but better that than getting a counterfeit coin in a counterfeit holder.
Those who say it is safer than Craig's list as justificartion, why not also say that Craig's list is safer than selling on the streets of Syria and Afghanistan?
Ebay is a cesspool of fraud and deceit that its operators don't want to police. Reports of counterfeits and rip-offs are ignored, and the cost of PayPal protection refunds are simply built into the ever-increasing fee structure.
<< <i>Ebay is a cesspool of fraud and deceit that its operators don't want to police. Reports of counterfeits and rip-offs are ignored, and the cost of PayPal protection refunds are simply built into the ever-increasing fee structure. >>
Fees: So what. Less than what an auction house charges. I more than make up for the fees in the increase audience for stuff. I could go 100's deep on stuff that I am WAY ahead on selling it on ebay versus any other venue, including Craigslist. 90% of my stuff is Classic Mustang Parts, but recently, I have been clearing out my parents stuff. Garage sale is hit or miss, and rarely will anyone pony up $$$ for stuff.
What I used ebay for was to search sold listings for what price stuff actually sells for, then determine if it was garage sale fodder or off to ebay. For example, a set of dishes that my mom had, asking $60 at the garage sale, no sale, then 3 weeks later, $40, no sale, then 3 weeks after that, is was going to offered at $20. I checked ebay, listed it in 7 auctions due to the mish mash of what she had bought, and it sold in 2 days for $363.
Stupid stuff: My dad had probably 30 unused printer ink cartridges, unopened, all sorts of makes and models. Off to ebay, and most went for $5 to $7, buy some went for over $20 each. Garage sale is probably 50 cents each.
3 old slide rules, and 2 empty slide rule boxes: $15 to $62 for the slide rules, and $4 and $5 for the empty boxes.
Crystal: Dealer offers were about $2 - $3 each for the crystal, sold 85% of it for $10 to $75 each, over 70 items.
A HUGE Bible, British Version (My parents lived in England for years), new in box. Half Price Books Offer: $3, sold on ebay, after being listed 4 times as a buy it now, finally sold for $75 to: England, using Global Shipping Program.
A chunk of my car parts are sold overseas. I could never get the visibility, and the buyer could never buy it in a reasonable amount of time and security without paypal.
IMHO, there is some risk, but I have lost more on non ebay sales, when it was money orders, checks, etc. and stuff never showed, or was junk, etc.
I feel like the average public keeps using it out of convenience, even if that convenience results in higher prices.
I have about 150 buy-it-nows listed on eBay, mostly raw coins. All with the possibility to make an offer. I also have my own website, on which the higher-end certified coins are listed that I'd like to deal in are listed (but at the moment I can't be picky, and if I think I can make money on it, I buy it, which means that my eBay store has a much more wider variety of items than my own website.
If somebody makes an offer (and I accept) or directly buys one of the coins that are also listed on my website (for an average 10-20% less, because of the fees and because I know people on eBay virtually always want to get an item for less than the listed price through the "make-offer" system...human nature) I include my business card and a 5% off coupon in the package in order to make them aware that the coins are available for a better price on my website. Guess what? I've had at least 10 customers that have received that in their first package that will go back to eBay for a second purchase and never even look on my website to see the coin available for a better price.
So, for those of you that complain about how a lot of the buy it nows are overpriced, don't forget the cut that eBay takes, and don't forget that often those exact coins are available elsewhere for less. You just have to do a little bit more work.
using common sense will help you avoid 90% of problems with ebay. the people who expect a windfall with every purchase and those that have no idea what they are buying are the ones in danger... and of course any honest seller.
regardless of how many posts I have, I don't consider myself an "expert" at anything
Comments
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>When they eliminated the option of rating buyers they made it much more difficult for sellers. >>
I remember when this happened, Ebay had no choice because the sellers were holding the buyer's feedback hostage until they received positive feedback. If the buyer had a legitimate reason for leaving negative or neutral feedback for the seller, it didn't matter, the seller would retaliate with the same. >>
The feedback policy needs to be modified. Sellers should be able to leave negative fb, if the buyer does not pay and the seller has gone through the "Unpaid Item Assistant" policy established by eBay ( Let eBay open and close unpaid item cases for you automatically). In addition, on your Site Preferences, the "Buyer requirements" need to be updated and more choices given to the Sellers to block certain eBay buyers from bidding on or purchasing your items. I've been selling on eBay for 14 years, and as a whole, it's been an non issue experience. Chances are that if you comply with eBay and PayPal guidelines, ship promptly in secured mailers, offer free or acceptable s&h fees, take decent pictures and accurate descriptions, including possible flaws, your sale will be a positive experience. >>
How about if eBay charged $10 for the buyer OR seller to leave negative feedback? You'd really, really have to want to leave it. If they investigate as part of a dispute and
find it's warranted, then they refund the fee. If it wasn't warranted, they keep the money and remove the negative. That would put a bunch of shorts in knots, but it sure
would end a lot of unjustified feedbacks in either direction.
<< <i>Just too much risk anymore.... tired of dealing with it.... Cheers, RickO >>
What risk?
I buy and sell on ebay every week.
There is NO risk, at all.
Just KNOW what you are doing.
<< <i>Over the years I've bought several quality coins off of Ebay and had virtually no issues. I realize that there are a few sleazy sellers that try to peddle counterfeit junk but that's why you always check their feedback, especially on an expensive purchase. If you avoid these sellers and use the golden rule "If it sounds to good to be true..." then Ebay is a great international marketplace. >>
I bought some really nice coins off Ebay too. But when those guys hung me out to dry against an obviously fraudulent seller that cost me $2,000, it was time to leave. If they had at least banned the seller or made some attempt to keep them from once again stealing other people's auctions and posting them as their own, I could have some compassion for them. Even the USPS and FINECEN/internet crimes and enforcement wouldn't lift a finger. You'd think that documented fraud through the USPS would get some attention. Not anymore. Those days are long gone.
You can't always just avoid the bad Ebay sellers. Mine had 100% + feed back before my transaction (2007). They just never shipped the item because they never owned it. And they deposited my funds into their bank account. They didn't argue that fact. Didn't matter. Ebay did nothing. Didn't even have the courtesy to respond to my emails or phone calls. At least I was still "up" money for my 5 years on Ebay and wanted to keep it that way.
Yes, the chance of actually getting your coin is slightly higher with the random coin dealer. But the chance of getting a 'dud', cleaned coin, or item of questionable authenticity is probably about the same. In either case it's pretty low, but of course if it happens to you it's no longer just a statistic.
My views are somewhat skewed by my preference for foreign material, which is almost always 'raw'.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>Why does everybody talk trash about Ebay? >>
Because ebay used to be awesome and now its more trouble than its worth.....
Coin Club Benefit auctions ..... View the Lots
<< <i>
<< <i>Just too much risk anymore.... tired of dealing with it.... Cheers, RickO >>
What risk?
I buy and sell on ebay every week.
There is NO risk, at all.
Just KNOW what you are doing. >>
What risk? Two years ago I bought a cleaned $20 in a bogus NGC holder. $4000 coin was worth $1500.
I quickly recognized the fraud and contacted NGC. Got a full refund as well.
What about the non professional or even the skilled quarter guy Man of Coins that nearly got scorched for $7000? Trust me, he has a better eye than I do.
<< <i>
<< <i>Why does everybody talk trash about Ebay? >>
Because ebay used to be awesome and now its more trouble than its worth..... >>
Diamond mining is hard work.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Why does everybody talk trash about Ebay? >>
Because ebay used to be awesome and now its more trouble than its worth..... >>
Diamond mining is hard work. >>
Glad that it works for you EOC. Many of the classic sellers have abandoned the sinking ship long ago. Tripling and quadrupling fees are tough on professionally graded coin sales. I still have a presence and have some optimism that the Paypal spin off will shock the floundering Ebay back to being competitive.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Why does everybody talk trash about Ebay? >>
Because ebay used to be awesome and now its more trouble than its worth..... >>
Diamond mining is hard work. >>
True. And most of the mining companies eventually go belly up. Very few smaller mining companies seem to survive for the long haul....most succumbing to rising expenses and ever-increasing regulations.
<< <i>
Diamond mining is hard work.
True. And most of the mining companies eventually go belly up. Very few smaller mining companies seem to survive for the long haul....most succumbing to rising expenses and ever-increasing regulations. >>
Tradition diamond mines have very high working (overhead) costs.
Mining as a buyer on ebay has Zero costs except for the capital to acquire the found diamond.
The former is fun. The latter; work.
And by the sweat of a man's brow
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>Mining as a buyer on ebay has Zero costs except for the capital to acquire the found diamond. >>
Time is the cost. If is a hobby than the time is essentially free I suppose.
Many of us are forced to explore eBay because we are not well-connected, well-heeled dealers/collectors who can fly around the country, seeking the attention of high profile dealers.
If I do take the plunge into scarce or expensive material, I go to the ethical, respectable coin retailers. Unfortunately, their prices are often retail +++++++++. Their beautiful photos and flowery descriptions translate to high prices, but better that than getting a counterfeit coin in a counterfeit holder.
Because they earn it... constantly.
Those who say it is safer than Craig's list as justificartion, why not also say that Craig's list is safer than selling on the streets of Syria and Afghanistan?
Ebay is a cesspool of fraud and deceit that its operators don't want to police. Reports of counterfeits and rip-offs are ignored, and the cost of PayPal protection refunds are simply built into the ever-increasing fee structure.
Bah humbug.
<< <i>Ebay is a cesspool of fraud and deceit that its operators don't want to police. Reports of counterfeits and rip-offs are ignored, and the cost of PayPal protection refunds are simply built into the ever-increasing fee structure. >>
Well defined in multiple regards.
<< <i>Time is the cost. >>
One requires a pick and a shovel the other requires sitting in a chair in your underware
Fees: So what. Less than what an auction house charges. I more than make up for the fees in the increase audience for stuff. I could go 100's deep on stuff that I am WAY ahead on selling it on ebay versus any other venue, including Craigslist. 90% of my stuff is Classic Mustang Parts, but recently, I have been clearing out my parents stuff. Garage sale is hit or miss, and rarely will anyone pony up $$$ for stuff.
What I used ebay for was to search sold listings for what price stuff actually sells for, then determine if it was garage sale fodder or off to ebay. For example, a set of dishes that my mom had, asking $60 at the garage sale, no sale, then 3 weeks later, $40, no sale, then 3 weeks after that, is was going to offered at $20. I checked ebay, listed it in 7 auctions due to the mish mash of what she had bought, and it sold in 2 days for $363.
Stupid stuff: My dad had probably 30 unused printer ink cartridges, unopened, all sorts of makes and models. Off to ebay, and most went for $5 to $7, buy some went for over $20 each. Garage sale is probably 50 cents each.
3 old slide rules, and 2 empty slide rule boxes: $15 to $62 for the slide rules, and $4 and $5 for the empty boxes.
Crystal: Dealer offers were about $2 - $3 each for the crystal, sold 85% of it for $10 to $75 each, over 70 items.
A HUGE Bible, British Version (My parents lived in England for years), new in box. Half Price Books Offer: $3, sold on ebay, after being listed 4 times as a buy it now, finally sold for $75 to: England, using Global Shipping Program.
A chunk of my car parts are sold overseas. I could never get the visibility, and the buyer could never buy it in a reasonable amount of time and security without paypal.
IMHO, there is some risk, but I have lost more on non ebay sales, when it was money orders, checks, etc. and stuff never showed, or was junk, etc.
<< <i>
<< <i>Time is the cost. >>
One requires a pick and a shovel the other requires sitting in a chair in your underware
Thanks..... I really needed that image burned into my brain.
Coin Club Benefit auctions ..... View the Lots
I have about 150 buy-it-nows listed on eBay, mostly raw coins. All with the possibility to make an offer. I also have my own website, on which the higher-end certified coins are listed that I'd like to deal in are listed (but at the moment I can't be picky, and if I think I can make money on it, I buy it, which means that my eBay store has a much more wider variety of items than my own website.
If somebody makes an offer (and I accept) or directly buys one of the coins that are also listed on my website (for an average 10-20% less, because of the fees and because I know people on eBay virtually always want to get an item for less than the listed price through the "make-offer" system...human nature) I include my business card and a 5% off coupon in the package in order to make them aware that the coins are available for a better price on my website. Guess what? I've had at least 10 customers that have received that in their first package that will go back to eBay for a second purchase and never even look on my website to see the coin available for a better price.
So, for those of you that complain about how a lot of the buy it nows are overpriced, don't forget the cut that eBay takes, and don't forget that often those exact coins are available elsewhere for less. You just have to do a little bit more work.
Dennis
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