o stock photos". Stock photos are perfectly acceptable if you are selling 50 MS65 1881-S Morgan $s or some other widget.
I can't think of any case where I would be happy with a "stock" coin. If they are going to use stock photos it should be marked on the thumbnail page so I can skip right on buy and not bother to open the auction!
I agree it should be clearly indicated. But there are times when a stock photo is appropriate: widgets.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
@keets said: It's quite simple why I would buy bullion from Apmex: they are cheaper than any B&M
as I explained, they are not cheaper than us.
Actually, your own explanation has them as cheaper than you except under certain conditions. Even in smaller quantities, they have regular special prices that are below the cost of B&M's when CCs and eBay bucks are factored in.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
Stock photos are fine for MS/PR 69/70 moderns, but not for toned commems. You didn't miss a "# available" indicating a multi lot listing right?
Didn't they have a rep on here last time this came up who said that any coin they list individually on ebay is supposed to be the one pictured? Called it something like a premium sale or something like that.
They certainly have accounts on here @APMEX @APMEX_Official @APMEXOfficial @APMEXPreciousMetals
@keets said:
I also don't believe it should be permissable to use a stock photo, and given the photo manipulation above it would seem that APMEX is in violation of some rule, somewhere. I would even think it constitutes some type of fraud, especially where PCGS is concerned. APMEX appears to be fraudulently mis-representing PCGS.
I am always confused as to why collector type buyers insist on buying bullion from APMEX. sure, they advertise at 79 cents over spot on bullion, but that's by check/wire transfer at 500+ozt.(under 500ozt. is $1.30-$2.00 over spot) not a lot of collectors buy that much at a time and they almost to a person DO NOT want to leave a paper trail. why not buy from a seller like our store at spot+ .50-$1.00 with no paper trail??
APMEX isn't very good for a collector, maybe for a dealer/wholesaler, but not a collector.
It's quite simple why I would buy bullion from Apmex: they are cheaper than any B&M, especially with eBay bucks. I routinely buy bullion coins for as much as $60 back of spot with eBay buck bonuses.
I'd also point out that you are thinking too much in terms of your particular state/B&M. NY state, for example has tax on bullion below $1000 and recording requirements for purchases over $1000 so there is almost always a paper trail. APMEX/Ebay also lets me use credit cards (except their wire transfer bulk lots) that gives me a 2% bonus that no B&M will allow me.
I often wonder why anyone buys bullion at my local B&M!
I don't buy bullion, but understand your take on this for that purpose.
UPDATE: Called APMEX and requested a return. They said ok without much fuss after I informed them I paid for something I did not receive. The girl on the phone said she is frustrated that the company did not list on the auction pages that they use a stock image. Maybe something will change. Oh, well, lesson learned. I'll get my money back.
I stopped at their booth at the ANA in Pittsburgh a week ago, I saw they were selling 1999 silver libertads for a little over $100 each. I figured even if they where trying to rip them they would be in the $75-$80 range so I ask how much he would pay for the dozen or so I had and he tells me $40 each well ok I work close so I figured I'd buy some and make a full roll and ask him how much for 8 and he looks at me sheepishly and says $100 each. All I could do was make a mental note and walk away, I wouldn't do business with them period... I left the table feeling like I needed to shower....
If you can't swim you better stay in the boat.......
@jmlanzaf
Not for coins. Everything the coin people here hate about eBay is worse on Amazon: free returns, 20%+ fees...
I was really referring to the market cap of AMZN, vs others. eBay has at least survived so far. AMZN has bigger fish to fry right now, but I expect they'll get serious about the auction biz at some point down the road.
Dave
Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
Use of stock photos to represent the condition/appearance of specific coins without attribution is a violation of ANA dealer member rules. Complain to ANA. Maybe they will beat them up with a soggy noodle, or wave a disapproving index finger?
Not even close to the same look, but I'd bet the Heritage photo is more in the ballpark. Not that hard to take a quick slab shot of a coin. No excuse to use a stock image for collector coins. For bullion, particularly ungraded bullion, sure, stock images may make sense.
I have bought maybe 100 auctions from apmex over the years. about 70 percent higher end for the grade, 20 percent average for grade and 10 percent low end for grade. being a good customer, they are probably trying to make me happy
Not even close to the same look, but I'd bet the Heritage photo is more in the ballpark. Not that hard to take a quick slab shot of a coin. No excuse to use a stock image for collector coins. For bullion, particularly ungraded bullion, sure, stock images may make sense.
Wow good catch... That Sesqui sold twice by them both times for a decent color premium.
Now I understand why it was returned once or twice
To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
Finally it's being made clear that they are a bait and switch company when it comes to selling individual collector coins. They cannot claim ignorance when there is such an effort made to make the "representative" coin look much better than what you will actually receive. I bet the AG office of the state they operate out of would love to hear of their tactics, especially on listings where an individual coin is involved and no mention of "stock photos" is used.
Here is the Buffalo Nickel they used to represent the coin that I hoped I was buying last year. Would have been a decent cherrypick.
@jfoot13 said:
I stopped at their booth at the ANA in Pittsburgh a week ago, I saw they were selling 1999 silver libertads for a little over $100 each. I figured even if they where trying to rip them they would be in the $75-$80 range so I ask how much he would pay for the dozen or so I had and he tells me $40 each well ok I work close so I figured I'd buy some and make a full roll and ask him how much for 8 and he looks at me sheepishly and says $100 each. All I could do was make a mental note and walk away, I wouldn't do business with them period... I left the table feeling like I needed to shower....
Geez.......sounds like they should be in the payday loan business IMO, LOLOL. making a mental note regarding apmex myself right now.
Your hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need it.
Comments
I agree it should be clearly indicated. But there are times when a stock photo is appropriate: widgets.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
It's quite simple why I would buy bullion from Apmex: they are cheaper than any B&M
as I explained, they are not cheaper than us.
They use stock photos.
Actually, your own explanation has them as cheaper than you except under certain conditions. Even in smaller quantities, they have regular special prices that are below the cost of B&M's when CCs and eBay bucks are factored in.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
Stock photos are fine for MS/PR 69/70 moderns, but not for toned commems. You didn't miss a "# available" indicating a multi lot listing right?
Didn't they have a rep on here last time this came up who said that any coin they list individually on ebay is supposed to be the one pictured? Called it something like a premium sale or something like that.
They certainly have accounts on here
@APMEX
@APMEX_Official
@APMEXOfficial
@APMEXPreciousMetals
Collector, occasional seller
I don't buy bullion, but understand your take on this for that purpose.
UPDATE: Called APMEX and requested a return. They said ok without much fuss after I informed them I paid for something I did not receive. The girl on the phone said she is frustrated that the company did not list on the auction pages that they use a stock image. Maybe something will change. Oh, well, lesson learned. I'll get my money back.
AMZN has, and will continue to kick EVERYONE'S butt.
Dave
Not for coins. Everything the coin people here hate about eBay is worse on Amazon: free returns, 20%+ fees...
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
I didn't even know AMZN sold coins. Don't care to deal with them.
I stopped at their booth at the ANA in Pittsburgh a week ago, I saw they were selling 1999 silver libertads for a little over $100 each. I figured even if they where trying to rip them they would be in the $75-$80 range so I ask how much he would pay for the dozen or so I had and he tells me $40 each
well ok I work close so I figured I'd buy some and make a full roll and ask him how much for 8 and he looks at me sheepishly and says $100 each. All I could do was make a mental note and walk away, I wouldn't do business with them period... I left the table feeling like I needed to shower....
@jmlanzaf
Not for coins. Everything the coin people here hate about eBay is worse on Amazon: free returns, 20%+ fees...
I was really referring to the market cap of AMZN, vs others. eBay has at least survived so far. AMZN has bigger fish to fry right now, but I expect they'll get serious about the auction biz at some point down the road.
Dave
No, APMEX is a great company. Never a problem.
Use of stock photos to represent the condition/appearance of specific coins without attribution is a violation of ANA dealer member rules. Complain to ANA. Maybe they will beat them up with a soggy noodle, or wave a disapproving index finger?
Using a stock image to sell a collector coin is clearly wrong, and an ANA violation as RogerB indicates.
But what is even more wrong is when that same company manipulates that stock image to further misrepresent the coin you won't receive.
Here's a current listing and the photo being used...
eBay Link
Here is the same coin from a Heritage listing that looks quite a bit different...
Heritage Link
Not even close to the same look, but I'd bet the Heritage photo is more in the ballpark. Not that hard to take a quick slab shot of a coin. No excuse to use a stock image for collector coins. For bullion, particularly ungraded bullion, sure, stock images may make sense.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
I have bought maybe 100 auctions from apmex over the years. about 70 percent higher end for the grade, 20 percent average for grade and 10 percent low end for grade. being a good customer, they are probably trying to make me happy
Wow good catch... That Sesqui sold twice by them both times for a decent color premium.
Now I understand why it was returned once or twice
Finally it's being made clear that they are a bait and switch company when it comes to selling individual collector coins. They cannot claim ignorance when there is such an effort made to make the "representative" coin look much better than what you will actually receive. I bet the AG office of the state they operate out of would love to hear of their tactics, especially on listings where an individual coin is involved and no mention of "stock photos" is used.
Here is the Buffalo Nickel they used to represent the coin that I hoped I was buying last year. Would have been a decent cherrypick.
Geez.......sounds like they should be in the payday loan business IMO, LOLOL. making a mental note regarding apmex myself right now.
Your hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need it.