Great Collections Auctions
Husker73
Posts: 35 ✭✭
I am thinking about bidding on some coins on Great Collections. I would like to know if anyone on the forum has bid and bought coins from them? Also what were the good and bad things about your experience? A huge thank you for your input.
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I've bought (and sold) a few coins. They're top notch.
I’ve bid and won some coins from their auctions. Never had any problems, easy to work with them.
Mr_Spud
I would think an enormous number of folks who post here have purchased from GC. They have been around for more than a decade, if I recall correctly, and buying from them has been quick, smooth and painless in my experiences.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I have bought and sold through them multiple times. I am more than pleased with my experiences.
I have done both, bought and sold from them. I struggle to imagine how they could be run better doing what they do. Quick accountable and responsive. Excellent customer service.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
What about the range of their auction prices? High—-Average—-Low
Selling duplicate seated quarters, I'd say I come out on the whole as average or maybe a bit above. It all depends on the coin.
Ditto.
Pics will consistently be washed out a bit and toning will be slightly darker in hand.
Auction prices reflect the market which continues to be hot for the time being.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
They are a very popular auction site. Rarely now does anything sneak by without notice. In past years you might find a golden egg cheap…….not anymore. There are savvy collectors watching everything.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
If you use the search function, you will find dozens of threads on them. They are regularly discussed in this forum.
There is NO auction company that has high, low, or average prices. Every coin is a different auction. You will find the occasional bargain and need to pay eat over guide in other cases. You need to KNOW market values before you bid and not assume the auction venue will have a high, low or average outcome.
Yes. both buying and selling runs the whole gamut. I have sold numerous coins. My split would be 20% sold for more than I expected. 20% sold for less than I expected . 60% of the time coins sold for just what I expected. Same ratios apply to profit/loss.
Buying coins is a little murkier but again there is a variety of results. I have won coins at prices I would never has guessed, and I have been blown out by bidders who must be far richer than me. 85% of cdn would be the average if I had to make a specific price average. James
GC comes highly recommended. I've bought and sold numerous items since their start.
No such thing. It's a market. If one company was known for high prices, sellers would flock to it and buyers would stay away. The opposite would be true for low prices. As a result, the market figures it out, and you don't have to worry about it.
As others have said, each individual auction is somewhat unique, depending on the item, the demand for it at any given point in time, and just who happens to be bidding on any particular day.
Am I right that they have a 10 per cent buyers fee on most of their coins? (Pay by check)
And how many alternative but similar coins are listed. The more unique and on market target the better it will elicit interest and potentially a bidding war. Common stuff not aligned with market preferences will slide back to wholesale
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
Only good things here as a buyer/seller.
I can only speak as a buyer as I do not sell coins.
With that said, I have nothing but high praise for this auction site.
It is a well-organized site in which I have never had an issue pop-up.
Coins take about 7-10 days from my payment to receiving the coins.
Some coins I have overbid on and some I have underbid on.
This depends on who wants to pay more or less than I do.
I just calculate my max bid and place it prior to the auction's end.
Here is my last purchase from GC.
I was very surprised to win this item without coming close to my max bid.
( I posted this on another thread recently.)
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
Yes, 10% for check, eCheck or wire, 12.5% otherwise.
I too only have good things to say about GC.
If we were all the same, the world would be an incredibly boring place.
Tommy
yes. And shipping. And, sometimes, tax depending on what state you're in. Of course, all should be figured into your bid.
They are my favorite.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
Great experiences with GC. I prefer them over the other options.
My experience has been that I can usually win an auction for a lower price than I can get on a similar coin on places like eBay.
Mr_Spud
Great Collections is the best.
Nothing but good things to say about GC...
Bought and sold with Ian at GC and TT before that - over 20 yrs. You have nothing to worry about.
easy peasy
Founder- Peak Rarities
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I'm a low-budget collector who started bidding on GC just this year. Nothing but praise for them. Most of my winnings were below price guide. Best part is that I have received my coins just a couple of days after winning.
I buy and bid on their stuff on a regular basis in procuring retail inventory. Really like them. Super photos / fast ship. The only auc house besides eBay will do business with. They are the best. Did biz with them in the old Teletrade days.
they are good. fast ship too.
No write-ups, zilch, nada, but magically coins fetch 305K easily, with nary a description
So yes, as such, highly recommended, great communication, and you'll do great!
Bought and sold, preparing to consign with them again, nothing but positive things to say about them. Top notch organization.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
As previously indicated above, there are several members who have had great results with Great Collections ( @ianrussell) , and you can count me among them.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
We all wish we could've started a business like Great Collections.
Ian and Raeleen have put a lot of effort into running this auction house smoothly.
Only bought one coin but everything went smooth.
I only have one complaint, the pics are sometimes tough to read. Thus, I’m much more likely to bid on a coin that I actually ‘know’, from prior sells, etc.
No problem here. Easy to work with.
Ian and his team have always emphasized customer service. I have not been a big user but have always had a good experience. They emphasize speed, efficiency and leave off the bells and whistles. I sometimes like some bells and whistles, but your mileage may vary.
Here are the bells and whistles as I see them:
1. I like to lot view for my bigger purchases and Stacks and Heritage tend to ship many of their coins to NYC, which presents opportunities. (As an aside, Ian has been known to be accommodating with personalized lot viewing although I doubt he will ship you all the half dollars in an auction, for instance).
2. GC photos are minimal slab shots but you can always look up TrueViews from the number (if a TV exists for the coin). Heritage and Stacks and Legend emphasize photos more but in the end I don't trust photos from any auction house.
3. No lot descriptions. GC lets the slab photo and cert number do all the talking. I like auction descriptions from the other auction houses, although they often require much more than a grain of salt.
4. Catalogs are nice - they give me something to write in when I lot view. They also take up space on my bookshelves. GC doesn't do catalogs (at least that I am aware of).
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
I've only bought from them as I'm a collector only. It's my go to place for the areas that I'm interested in. NEVER have I had any problems. They got their S### together.
As a bidder you have nothing to worry about regarding if they would be high/low/whatever. You pick the price you’re willing to pay (out the door), bid accordingly, and if you win you’re happy. If you lose, the coin sold for more than you were willing to pay and you still have your money.
I’ve never sold but have bought several times with them and have been happy every time.
Put in a bid you’re comfortable with and I hope you get the coins!
I have been buying and selling with them for years now, the best in my opinion
The 1st place I'll look for coins
Mike
My Indians
Danco Set
Ian set up and runs a top notch operation, that is fair to both consignors and bidders. He came from the California presence (after it moved from Kingston, NY upon acquisition) of Teletrade before B&M acquired them. His involvement in the hobby is robust and positive.
I pay on-line with a linked checking account on Sunday after the auction ends. Normally have the coins by the next Friday or earlier.
Top notch first class company!
Great experience.
GC is the best thing that’s happened to coin auctions in many years. I buy and sell on GC. Great company. 100% customer focused.
My purchases on eBay have slowed to a crawl the last 5 years or so, while my GC purchases have ramped up. All good from my perspective.
Dave
I hate to bump a 7-month old thread, but was wondering about bidding there.
I already have a login there, but have never bid. Do I need to set up a payment method prior to bidding, or does that come after I actually win an auction?
My Carson City Morgan Registry Set
NO, but in the event you win if you have set up echeck it will go a lot better and faster
The advantage with echeck is the BP is 10%, if using a CC it's 12.5%
Mike
My Indians
Danco Set
Thank you for the quick reply! I've browsed the site a little, but don't recall a place to set up a payment method prior to bidding. I'll dig around a little and see if I can find a page to set up echeck.
My Carson City Morgan Registry Set
It's been so long I don't remember how or where it is,
Ian?
Mike
My Indians
Danco Set
I think you have to contact someone there to set up e-check.
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I know this is an old thread but to riff on a new question - you’ll love GC. I’m at a point where it’s my go to place to buy coins. Just so simple, easy, and intuitive. Once you register they’ll give you a bid limit and you can pay after you’ve won something. As you buy more they’ll probably raise your purchase limit. They also offer a very affordable 90 day payment plan for larger purchases, (over $1k I believe), with their pre-authorization, (at least 24 hours in advance).
No payment method necessary to keep on file beforehand. As others have said, it’s good to set up e-check and save some dough in fees. Credit card purchase done online will be routed through PayPal. You can also call them and give them your CC info to make a payment if you’re opposed to PP for whatever reason. Then they’ll run your card manually outside of PP, like any other merchant.
GC ships rather quickly and has some great staff. I don’t know where you live but keep in mind there on that lousy pacific time thing if you need to reach them. 😉 oh, check out Ian’s interview with Larry King that’s linked on the GC website. It’s quite entertaining.
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.
Great write up @Jacques_Loungecoque
I agree with it all
My place to buy and sell coins
Mike
My Indians
Danco Set