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How much time do you spend on eBay/auction houses everyday?

TheGoonies1985TheGoonies1985 Posts: 5,386 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited June 9, 2024 3:48PM in U.S. Coin Forum

Hoping a coin you need shows up before someone else buys it?

Comments

  • TheGoonies1985TheGoonies1985 Posts: 5,386 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 9, 2024 3:52PM

    I would say I search multiples times per day (probably to many times but I enjoy it) on eBay and so far it has paid off getting coins I need. Auction houses I look at a few times per week.

  • Manifest_DestinyManifest_Destiny Posts: 6,895 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I search a handful of sites almost every day. So, probably around an hour each day.

  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 1,869 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have a very specialized want list, so less than 15 minutes daily, then an hour or so full sweep of various dealer sites on Fridays.

  • WCCWCC Posts: 2,553 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Usually a few minutes. I have numerous eBay saved searches and I check Sixbid.

    I also check auctions outside of Sixbid intermittently.

    For my collecting interests, it suffices.

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,477 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not much.

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 9,923 ✭✭✭✭✭

    When searching for a particular coin, then quite often each day, and if not, then rarely.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,112 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Usually about 20 minutes a day unless I'm looking for a specific thing

  • CoinscratchCoinscratch Posts: 8,567 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe 30 minutes at a time 2 or 3 times per month. But I only look when I have money to burn (mint sets). Currently tapped and waiting on grades and dependent on some of those grades to sell and refill the coffers. While keeping the better Kennedys for the set I’m building.

    Even with the equity in my set, it’s an upside down affair :-)

  • CopperindianCopperindian Posts: 1,184 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Average maybe 30 minutes daily.

    “The thrill of the hunt never gets old”

    PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
    Copperindian

    Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
    Copperindian

  • erscoloerscolo Posts: 574 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No time ever spent at auction sites, no interest in that. As for the rest, this is a hobby and I do not track time spent on it.

  • JJMJJM Posts: 8,030 ✭✭✭✭✭

    5 minutes

    👍BST's erickso1,cone10,MICHAELDIXON,TennesseeDave,p8nt,jmdm1194,RWW,robkool,Ahrensdad,Timbuk3,Downtown1974,bigjpst,mustanggt,Yorkshireman,idratherbgardening,SurfinxHI,derryb,masscrew,Walkerguy21D,MJ1927,sniocsu,Coll3tor,doubleeagle07,luciobar1980,PerryHall,SNMAM,mbcoin,liefgold,keyman64,maprince230,TorinoCobra71,RB1026,Weiss,LukeMarshall,Wingsrule,Silveryfire, pointfivezero,IKE1964,AL410, Tdec1000, AnkurJ,guitarwes,Type2,Bp777,jfoot113,JWP,mattniss,dantheman984,jclovescoins,Collectorcoins,Weather11am,Namvet69,kansasman,Bruce7789,ADG,Larrob37
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,207 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Everyday. Been selling there for 23 years. 14 years longer than I've had a coin shop. I went backwards in life.

    HE>I

  • divecchiadivecchia Posts: 6,609 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I spend 5 to 15 minutes each day looking at items I need for my sets. When I find something I am going to bid on, then I spend probably 30 minutes each day (until the auction) to research previous prices so I can make a strong, but educated bid on the item.

    I do spend much less time now that I collect coins. When I collected Nolan Ryan baseball cards I spent 2-3 hours every day during the week (Monday-Friday) and as much as 4-6 hours on Saturdays and Sunday. It was a bit of an obsession. I promised myself that I would not do that collecting coins. I've manged to stay true to that for the last 7 years.

    Donato

    Hobbyist & Collector (not an investor).
    Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set

    Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
  • Mr_SpudMr_Spud Posts: 5,174 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Probably about 30-45 minutes

    Mr_Spud

  • seatedlib3991seatedlib3991 Posts: 642 ✭✭✭✭

    I would have to say that my time and interest varies. When I don't have a live bid on a coin I probably spend a half hour or so each day checking my regular auction and dealer sites. When I have a live bid it is like having a sore tooth. It seems every few minutes I have to wiggle it and see if there is any change. James

  • epcepc Posts: 209 ✭✭✭✭

    I check newly listed coins a few times per day, usually taking a few minutes per visit. I'm looking for half dime die marriages and die states I don't already have. When I see something I think I may not have, a take a little more time to be sure. Most of the coins are junk, but I have found hundreds of "acceptable" ones over the last several years. I do find it amusing when one of the dealers posts a 5-figure coin among the common heavily worn and/or damaged ones.

    Collector of Liberty Seated Half Dimes, including die pairs and die states

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Too much! I'm going back to just 20-30 minutes on a Sunday night as I'm scheduling the week ahead...

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • SapyxSapyx Posts: 2,183 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe 5 minutes a month? I hardly ever buy things online.

    Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.
    Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"

    Apparently I have been awarded one DPOTD. B)
  • DelawareDoonsDelawareDoons Posts: 3,413 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Built almost my entire collection from eBay. I've spent a LOT of time on that site.

    "It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."

  • rte592rte592 Posts: 1,634 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Far too much as I should be doing something more productive, then I run across something I like or is interesting.

  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 6,787 ✭✭✭✭✭

    On average, over the course of a week, probably close to 1,000,000 milliseconds a day

    But you know what they say, every second counts, so I make the most of them!

    Even if I do have an outdated processor working on 100ms loop times

    ;):p:D


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • FrazFraz Posts: 2,118 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Never more than thirty minutes at a time, maybe a couple of times a day, sometimes not at all. I use it for reference often.

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,250 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Used to spend hours every day, when I was building my set. Now, not nearly as much. But for those who bash eBay and try to diminish its relevance, I can tell you that I got some of my best Coins from eBay, either directly or indirectly. To this day it remains very relevant, IMHO.

    “I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

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

  • ms71ms71 Posts: 1,523 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Ebay once or twice a week a few minutes. Auction houses never, not in years.

    Successful BST transactions: EagleEye, Christos, Proofmorgan,
    Coinlearner, Ahrensdad, Nolawyer, RG, coinlieutenant, Yorkshireman, lordmarcovan, Soldi, masscrew, JimTyler, Relaxn, jclovescoins

    Now listen boy, I'm tryin' to teach you sumthin' . . . . that ain't an optical illusion, it only looks like an optical illusion.

    My mind reader refuses to charge me....
  • fastfreddiefastfreddie Posts: 2,802 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I try and search while you all are discussing things here... :D

    It is not that life is short, but that you are dead for so very long.
  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,496 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I usually hit eBay once in the am, and once in the pm. Can’t help myself. Maybe 10 minutes total. I visit other auction sites maybe once a week.

    Dave

    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • vplite99vplite99 Posts: 1,245 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Almost none these days. A half hour a day when I was more active.

    Vplite99
  • alaura22alaura22 Posts: 3,103 ✭✭✭✭✭

    All day, all night, no Maryann..............
    Really, too much!

  • Jacques_LoungecoqueJacques_Loungecoque Posts: 706 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Almost daily and late in the evening, for approximately 30 minutes. I find it relaxing and it lets me disconnect from life’s everyday stresses. Akin to reading a book before bed.

    Having fun while switching things up and focusing on a next level PCGS slabbed 1950+ type set, while still looking for great examples for the 7070.

  • Mr Lindy Mr Lindy Posts: 1,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 13, 2024 12:37AM

    I find what I need from specialists.

  • Tom147Tom147 Posts: 1,479 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sunday nights, maybe 10 minutes for the next weeks GC offerings. 20 minutes every 2 or 3 days on eBay. Sporadically on the auction houses.

  • alaura22alaura22 Posts: 3,103 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Anyone who wants to build a top notch set knows you can't do that without putting in the time.
    Not all of us have personal secretaries to do the work for us

  • alefzeroalefzero Posts: 958 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 17, 2024 11:04AM

    Many times per day on eBay for select series. I use Newly Listed of course, and also check the latest sold items, in case I missed one (very, very rare). I don't know their Best Match algorithm nor why anyone would use that default at all. GC a couple times a week. I attribute every coin in the series I am following and put it in my notes. Keep the watched items at Heritage and Stacks up to date too. Collectors' Corner is usually a daily look over, though sometimes twice a day or every few days (like when I am set up at a show and have less time or inclination). Putting in the requisite attention and being well organized makes the difference in completing a nice set in several years or over much of a collecting lifetime.

  • Slade01Slade01 Posts: 294 ✭✭✭

    Ugh, spent an hour and a half today getting qualified to bid on a RSC38 Caesar dictator in perpetuity in a French auction, then 30 seconds to bid a bunch of euros. I lost 60 pounds (on purpose) since October and the automated ID verification wouldn't recognize me as the person on my IDs. :)

  • ARCOARCO Posts: 4,387 ✭✭✭✭✭

    easily spend an hour+ a day.

  • BarberianBarberian Posts: 3,464 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I used to spend a lot of time on eBay, auction sites, and dealer sites, but with budget restrictions I now try to limit my searching to 5-6 coins, and ideally in lower grades.

    Two nice raw coins off eBay. 46-O Color adjusted to compensate for an orange-tinted Trueview.

    3 rim nicks away from Good
  • relicsncoinsrelicsncoins Posts: 7,903 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 13, 2024 10:15PM

    I search Ebay nearly every day looking for a Barber half with a photo cert. I have several different search terms I use and between them I pretty much can tell you every single ANACS photo cert that is on Ebay at any given time.

    Need a Barber Half with ANACS photo certificate. If you have one for sale please PM me. Current Ebay auctions
  • yspsalesyspsales Posts: 2,297 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I got a fairly tight budget so it is more selective process.

    I can go for weeks a couple hours per day, burn out, take a break.

    Forcing myself to submit more coins for grading as things can begin to pile up.

    BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,085 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 17, 2024 6:32AM

    Nada - unless need inventory.

    What would they be trading at post nuclear war? Melt lol.

    Coins & Currency
  • bestmrbestmr Posts: 1,770 ✭✭✭

    Several times a day. Just recently started collecting Kennedy halves and am noticing there’s not a lot out there unless you want proofs.

    Positive dealing with oilstates2003, rkfish, Scrapman1077, Weather11am, Guitarwes, Twosides2acoin, Hendrixkat, Sevensteps, CarlWohlforth, DLBack, zug, wildjag, tetradrachm, tydye, NotSure, AgBlox, Seemyauction, Stopmotion, Zubie, Fivecents, Musky1011, Bstat1020, Gsa1fan several times, and Mkman123 LOTS of times
  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,788 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sued to be a lot. Now, zero.

  • TheGoonies1985TheGoonies1985 Posts: 5,386 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BryceM said:
    Sued to be a lot. Now, zero.

    Sued?

  • sellitstoresellitstore Posts: 2,832 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe he got sued and quit ;) .

    @Mr Lindy said:
    I find what I need from specialists.

    I AM a specialist so have to go to the wilds to source new material. Auctions, including Ebay, continue to be a good source of fresh material for my specialties.

    A study of National bank note populations has indicated that the rate at which new notes are reported in the census(es), has been pretty steady over a period of several decades, during and through the development of Ebay. For currency, new, fresh stuff is still coming out at a steady rate and it can be better tracked and studied because of the serial numbers.

    I look at Ebay and auctions quite a bit and make most of my purchases and sales there.

    Collector and dealer in obsolete currency. Always buying all obsolete bank notes and scrip.
  • hummingbird_coinshummingbird_coins Posts: 945 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PillarDollarCollector said:

    @BryceM said:
    Sued to be a lot. Now, zero.

    Sued?

    Used

    Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
    Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled

  • Mr Lindy Mr Lindy Posts: 1,035 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Who "got sued and quit" ???

    Thats a weird quote you have included that makes zero sense to me.

    Anyways...

    I collect errors, not varieties. Over 90% of coins listed on fleabay are worthless, damaged, pump & dump garbage. Of the good ones many are grossly BIN overpriced. I spend maybe 120 minutes total a month searching for error coins on the bay. From most expensive thru page 4 of that one search.

    A couple other searches for fantasies are confined to new listings & just page one. Couple minutes max.

    Since 1998 a lot has changed on feebay when I registered my one and only account.

    @sellitstore said:
    Maybe he got sued and quit ;) .

    @Mr Lindy said:
    I find what I need from specialists.

    I AM a specialist so have to go to the wilds to source new material. Auctions, including Ebay, continue to be a good source of fresh material for my specialties.

    A study of National bank note populations has indicated that the rate at which new notes are reported in the census(es), has been pretty steady over a period of several decades, during and through the development of Ebay. For currency, new, fresh stuff is still coming out at a steady rate and it can be better tracked and studied because of the serial numbers.

    I look at Ebay and auctions quite a bit and make most of my purchases and sales there.

  • BarbercoinBarbercoin Posts: 975 ✭✭✭

    Average about 30 min. Just looking for XF Barber semi keys: eBay, Heritage, and Collector’s Corner. Don’t know of any others.

    WTB: Barber Quarters XF

  • TheGoonies1985TheGoonies1985 Posts: 5,386 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Barbercoin said:
    Average about 30 min. Just looking for XF Barber semi keys: eBay, Heritage, and Collector’s Corner. Don’t know of any others.

    David Lawrence rare coins there are many auction sites for US coins.

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