Understanding sellers on PCGS and other forums
Larrob37
Posts: 218 ✭✭✭
Understanding sellers on pcgs and other forums. Sellers put their coins up for sale on these sites because i assume they want to sell them. I contact them asking questions about the coins because i want the details ironed out before i purchase. I would say about 30-40 percent of time i get a response but most time its crickets. I have even gotten to point where i am ready to purchase but maybe ask for a better picture. They refuse to respond for some reason. I get it if you change your mind or sold to someone else but at at least let me know. I have been on pcgs for several years and have bought several coins and always paid promptly. I must be missing something.
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Comments
Are you referring to the BST forum?
yes
Not just in BST, some sellers on eBay are the same not answer questions. Oh well, you should just move on and forget about those sellers
@Larrob37 I noticed in one BST you posted but you didn't use the @ to let the person know you responded so they may not realize it yet.
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@Larrob37 I’ve never experienced that on pcgs bst. Usually I’m to late to the party. Some of the sellers here are dealers and are collectors. It might take a couple PMs if they are unfamiliar with you
Keep trying
Martin
i make sure i message them personally and normally thru their selling page . i make sure they know im interested but after a couple repeat requests i move on. I can find the coins in other places.
Some people will reply while others won't. It happens on every platform I've used.
One suggestion as a buyer: make your communications as clear as possible. Some feel that asking many questions is the sign of a tire-kicker rather than a serious buyer. Try to make it known that you are willing to buy the coin at $x but would like to see another photo (at a different angle/in different lighting/etc) before making the final call.
I will take your advice to heart as i know you have been around awhile. I have to admit that you are probably right about the questions. I need to get them all in the first or second message.
Your post seems to indicate that you are messaging 3+ times with different questions. That is typically a red flag. Right or wrong, it is often interpreted as a difficult buyer if there are a large number of questions across multiple messages.
question askers by their nature don't know what they're looking at so it's a red flag for potential returns or other tire kicker problems
not saying it's always like that or good but I think it's generally what sellers think
As a seller, I agree with this.
From my 20+ years on eBay, the more questions asked, the less likely the buyer will commit, and if he does buy, more likely that a return will follow.
Well, some of the non-responses might be attributed to the fact that at least some of the time you are posting your questions to the public wall of members instead of sending a direct, private message (PM). The public wall of members is visible to everyone and is not meant for private communication. Additionally, I don't believe folks receive a notification if someone posts to their public wall, whereas a notification can be sent when a PM is received.
I know you are doing this because I have clicked the "Activity" link at the top of this page and it shows what folks post on public walls. You are one of the few members who routinely posts on other walls and I doubt you realize you are doing so.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I have been selling on eBay for 20 years. In all that time, I have not made a single sale to a prospective buyer who has asked for and received additional images.
FWIW...
Tomb you are right if you are saying i basically look for the sellers name and post on the wall and to their personal message page. I sound like a stalker but i figure maybe the system had a glitch or seller missed my message. Once or twice then i let it go. To the point of additional pictures requested i understand the thought that i am a tire kicker. I only requested additional pictures once and it was to seller that i had already purchased from so he knew i was serious. I too have been a ebay seller for over 20 years[not coins] and agree too many questions is normally leading to a non sale but i still respond because i have made countless sales after answering questions. I will just be more careful in the future and get my info on first message to seller.
I never check the wall
This. Clicking on a member's icon picture will take you to a dialogue box that is actually their publicly viewed "wall" and they will not be aware of your communication unless they view their own wall. After clicking on icon picture, click on "message" at the top of that page to send a message and notification of a message to a member.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
I get a message when someone posts to my wall.
When I was operating my website, I often was asked for more pictures. I didn't sell anything to those people, nor did I ever hear from them about why they didn't like the coin, or anything else.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Your "notification preferences" determine whether or not you get a message.
To 'review/change' your settings:
1) Left Click (LC) your name and profile picture.
2) Position your cursor over this icon, and LC. Then LC the "Edit Profile" drop-down.
3) LC "Notification Preferences".
4) Select or deselect your preferences (i.e., Email and Popup). In this case ...
I have opted out of Emails, but do get a Popup.
the simple answer looks like a combination of: being a new member people don't trust and someone who doesn't understand the nuances of the forum, which gets back to the former.
there have been way too many scams here, if there's even a hint you shouldn't be trusted then you won't be acknowledged.
An accurate picture
An accurate description
A decent reputation and history
And it should be close to pass or play
If it's not then it isn't in the cards this time around. There will always be another deal tomorrow for lessor coins.
I had an offer on a listing last week that I respectively declined. He responded with a "Thank You" for answering.
Wisdom has been chasing you but, you've always been faster
Most of the sellers on the BST are very good communicators. I usually ask if the coin is still available, payment options they want, and if applicable, the best price. If we come to an agreement, I send the agreed upon payment, along with shipping instructions. If paying by check, I let them know that they do not have to ship until check clears.
If I decide I do not want to go ahead with a purchase. I let them know, and thank them for their time.
From time to time, I will get no response to a PM that I send requesting to buy a coin(s). I do not take it personal.
After I have received my coin(s), I always let the seller know that the coin(s) have arrived safe and sound.
Everybody communicates in different ways. If you tried to figure out why, you would just be guessing.
I still love the BST!
So, what I'm hearing is that BST is just like ebay only with fewer buyers and sellers.
I dont take it personal but it does limit my ability to buy other coins. The money has to be set aside incase seller does respond. i will say i have never been scammed on BST like i have been on ebay.
I’ve bought and sold numerous coins on the BST. As a seller I don’t really care if the buyer is a new member. Unless I have a relationship with a buyer I won’t ship until I receive the funds so it really doesn’t make any difference if they’re new. I’ve never had anyone return a coin and if they do no big deal because I make it real clear that buyers have return privileges for whatever reason. I don’t think I’ve ever sold a coin to a buyer who has asked me numerous questions either.
As a buyer my experiences have been positive. I’ve never been scammed but for the most part I won’t buy anything from a new member. I’ve had a few encounters with sellers who I have PM’ed with serious offers but never heard back from and then 24-48 hours the coin is sold. I think that’s pretty rude, but it’s not the end of the world.
Just like ebay less the fees. Which means not like ebay.
I have spent in the neighborhood of 10g on the BST, I know small beans for the big guys, but for an avg Joe, that represents a good deal of trust. I have not been disappointed.
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@Larrob37
I hope you closely looked at the advice above to understand the distinction between posting on a member's wall and sending them a private message. Do you understand the difference?
I'd like to believe that most members will respond to their PMs. Good luck and happy hunting!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Catbert i do get it and understand the difference. I appreciate all the feedback and education. I did a pm earlier tonight concerning a coin. We shall see what happens.
Standard protocol is to also post "PM sent" in the thread in case the seller doesn't check email often, or it ended up in the spam folder, or he has notifications completely turned off, etc.