EBAY do's and don'ts
ShortStack
Posts: 30 ✭✭
I'm getting ready to list my first coins for sale on Ebay. Before I do, I thought that I'd ask for your best
listing tips. I've read too many posts over the last 6 months about bad verbage and policies on auctions
and I don't want to be the next topic of conversation (castration.)
Just wanted to add that I am a collector, not a wannabe anything. This is not from an Estate and while I
am by no means an expert, I know the difference between VG and AU. I'm just selling a few pieces of
my collection to free up some cash for my Dansco Type Set.
'Nuff said, I'll let you guys help with the rest. I know you'll have plenty.
Thanks,
Dave
listing tips. I've read too many posts over the last 6 months about bad verbage and policies on auctions
and I don't want to be the next topic of conversation (castration.)
Just wanted to add that I am a collector, not a wannabe anything. This is not from an Estate and while I
am by no means an expert, I know the difference between VG and AU. I'm just selling a few pieces of
my collection to free up some cash for my Dansco Type Set.
'Nuff said, I'll let you guys help with the rest. I know you'll have plenty.
Thanks,
Dave
0
Comments
The better the picture, the better & stronger the bid!
Good descriptions,
Good pictures,
and a return policy.
By doing the first two right, you won't have to worry much about the third!
Collector of US Small Size currency, Atlanta FRNs, and Georgia nationals since 1977. Researcher of small size US type - seeking serial number data for all FRN star notes, Series 1928 to 1934-D. Life member SPMC.
Gator, I didn't list the specific coins as I didn't want to this to be a For Sale thread.
Most will be NGC and PCGS Morgans with possibly a couple of Seated coins.
Thanks again and keep'em coming,
Dave
<< <i>Make sure your auctions end in the evening. Everyone is home from work & ready to snipe. >>
This is exactly what I do.
Also - yes, good pics and a GOOD descriptive enticing Auction Title.
Be SURE to use the Gallery pic. If you use the subtitle auction, it can often help also, if worth the money for item you are selling. I would avoid all of the other expensive 'fluff' options.
Be sure to spellcheck your description or have someone proofread - and stay real and friendly - it helps. "Talk" to the people as if they are in front of you and you are selling to them. After the auction - good communication, mandatory insured shipping, and PROMPT shipping/packed well, and taped up to kingdom come.
<< <i>I know 'some' folks don't like ten-day auctions, but for the ultimate exposure time, list your auction at 10 PM Pacific time - Thursday night. That will encompass two FULL weekends, two paydays and end on Sunday nite. >>
Only end coins Tuesday-Thursday Got it DONT END ON THE WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I listed a 21 coin 1986-2005 ASE NGC MS69 set w/ the "Millenium ASE"......I used the subtitle to mention the extra coin......it made my reserve price in 13 hours.....extras help I think....
Only if your item is junk or shlock or you want to save a few cents on listing fee should you start auction at .99. If you have nice stuff and know that it's nice stuff don't be afraid to start your auction at "the lowest amount you will take if you were to offer it face-to-face to an interested person." I know I'd be sick to my stomach if my nice $100 item went for some ridiculous amount, say $20, after starting at .99. Don't be trying to play Santee Claus on ebay with nice stuff. If you have mostly junk or shlock for sale, join the club, start all your auctions real low, and watch the feeding frenzy that sometimes ensues among bargain hunting bidders who wouldn't know a quality, worthwhile-for-purchase coin from a 2x4 that has just clunked 'em on the head.
Pictures will get you most bids/best price? Absolutely. Image front AND back of the coin(s). You are protecting yourself somewhat from "switchers" by providing auction images of your coins, as well. First picture is free. Definitely use pictures in your auctions.
“I believe in intuitions and inspirations. I sometimes feel that I am right. I do not know that I am. When two expeditions of scientists, financed by the Royal Academy, went forth to test my theory of relativity, I was convinced that their conclusions would tally with my hypothesis. I was not surprised when the eclipse of May 29, 1919, confirmed my intuitions. I would have been surprised if I had been wrong. I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Albert Einstein- quoted in Saturday Evening Post interview (1929)
“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” For Einstein, honesty was fundamental. Attention to truth in small things reflected a person’s integrity on a larger scale.
<< <i>"start everything at .99"
Only if your item is junk or shlock or you want to save a few cents on listing fee should you start auction at .99. If you have nice stuff and know that it's nice stuff don't be afraid to start your auction at "the lowest amount you will take if you were to offer it face-to-face to an interested person." I know I'd be sick to my stomach if my nice $100 item went for some ridiculous amount, say $20, after starting at .99. Don't be trying to play Santee Claus on ebay with nice stuff. If you have mostly junk or shlock for sale, join the club, start all your auctions real low, and watch the feeding frenzy that sometimes ensues among bargain hunting bidders who wouldn't know a quality, worthwhile-for-purchase coin from a 2x4 that has just clunked 'em on the head.
Pictures will get you most bids/best price? Absolutely. Image front AND back of the coin(s). You are protecting yourself somewhat from "switchers" by providing auction images of your coins, as well. First picture is free. Definitely use pictures in your auctions.
crapola it works it is just a gimmick.
“I believe in intuitions and inspirations. I sometimes feel that I am right. I do not know that I am. When two expeditions of scientists, financed by the Royal Academy, went forth to test my theory of relativity, I was convinced that their conclusions would tally with my hypothesis. I was not surprised when the eclipse of May 29, 1919, confirmed my intuitions. I would have been surprised if I had been wrong. I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Albert Einstein- quoted in Saturday Evening Post interview (1929)
“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” For Einstein, honesty was fundamental. Attention to truth in small things reflected a person’s integrity on a larger scale.
<< <i>Yes, gimmick does sometimes "work" on ebay, midwestcoin. No offense intended.
Look at my sigline do you think I would be offenended.
<< <i>Even though you say the coins are from an estate, do not use the word Estate in your listing. It is the most overused word on Ebay for coins. For the most part the word "Estate" is interpreted as "Scam" or "Overgraded Crap". >>
He said they are NOT from an estate.
Ending my auctions on Sunday night has worked well for me since '97.... and everything TW says above.
Oh, and do NOT use the word L@@K in your title!
I have read a number of the replies.
I started selling on eBay in 1998. I have sold over 5,000 items. I have had 4 returns.
This works:
Close on Sunday @ 6:00 Pacific Time.
Accept any type of payment.
Ship fast.
Unless you are accepting check from Russia, all checks clear the fed in 3 days. If not, change banks.
Accept any returns, for any reason. I refund shipping both ways. If a grading service does not agree with my grade, I buy the coin back, I pay the grading fee.
I had a returned proof set because a guy forgot the year his son was born. I exchanged the set for the proper birth year.
If you can't grade, (don't state a grade), or back up your word, you do a disservice to eBay and numismatics.
Don't worry if you can't grade, most dealers can't properly grade or attribute. I have made $1000s in the last week as a result of both points.
Be honest about the description. Would you want your mother to buy this coin. You are not a pawn shop or used car salesman. If it is cleaned say so...
Start bidding at $.99.
You don't need a reserve. If you paid too much for a coin, it is your fault. Consider it a learning experience.
Avoid listing keys. Generally, keys and PQ coins do not do well.
Be reallistic about your shipping charges. $6.00 shipping for a $10.00 coin reflects poorly on your professionalism.
Return all emails ASAP. You may be sitting in Newport Beach, CA. Your customer may be in the mid-west. He may buy $100 a year in coins, but this is his limit. Treat him like he buys $10,000 a year from you. This will give you repeat customers. Return all emails ASAP.
Keep accurate records. This will tell you what sells and let you know your profit margin.
Don't expect to make a profit on everything. That is like saying, "I will only buy stocks that go up."
Remember, have fun. If not, quit. Life is to short.
Any dealer that will not back up his/her product is not professional.
I hope this helps.
122/123
John Reich Collectors Society
Capped Bust Dimes
<< <i>end the auctions on tuesday-thursday and start everything at .99 >>
The guy was asking for honest, legitimate advice. Not jerk-off smart aleck replies.
John Marnard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace, 1920, page 235ff
If a coin is nice, say so. If there is a problem, say so. I'm auctioning off a POS right now and have essentially said just that in my description. I probably won't get much for it and don't really deserve to.
Start bidding low enough guaranteed to get bids. Don't start bidding at $175 with a BIN at $185. That's almost as bad as "WOW!" and "L@@k."
Place a link to your auctions in the Buy, Sell & Trade - Coins forum. People will look and if it's an interesting or nice coin, it WILL get bids and sell for a good price. If it's not a good coin, then it probably won't get a good price, but that's okay also.
<< <i>
<< <i>end the auctions on tuesday-thursday and start everything at .99 >>
The guy was asking for honest, legitimate advice. Not jerk-off smart aleck replies.
Hey thats my true advice what do you want look at my sig line.
<< <i>
<< <i>Even though you say the coins are from an estate, do not use the word Estate in your listing. It is the most overused word on Ebay for coins. For the most part the word "Estate" is interpreted as "Scam" or "Overgraded Crap". >>
He said they are NOT from an estate. >>
Yup. I read that one too fast!!
If your coin and/or slab has a hole in it, it's okay to say it comes with air conditioning.
“I believe in intuitions and inspirations. I sometimes feel that I am right. I do not know that I am. When two expeditions of scientists, financed by the Royal Academy, went forth to test my theory of relativity, I was convinced that their conclusions would tally with my hypothesis. I was not surprised when the eclipse of May 29, 1919, confirmed my intuitions. I would have been surprised if I had been wrong. I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Albert Einstein- quoted in Saturday Evening Post interview (1929)
“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” For Einstein, honesty was fundamental. Attention to truth in small things reflected a person’s integrity on a larger scale.
I will be utilizing many of these suggestions.
I knew that I would get some "witty" comments with this subject and I myself never
L@@K at the auctions with these types of phrases in the title. I will post a thread on
the BST when I list as I think that there might be a coin or two of interest. I bought'em
so some of you might want to also.
Thanks again,
Dave
If you are dumping duplicates on eBay, a collector's detailed opinion can get much higher bids than the boilerplate of an inveterate eBay coin seller. I bid higher on coins with more description than disclaimer, and appreciate a seller who provides details that are not obvious from the pictures.
I have eBayed quite a few duplicates from my collection. The auction which exceeded my expectations the most was for a harshly cleaned key date AG Barber Half which was in my Dansco album for too long. I mentioned that perhaps Fats Waller got this coin in circulation 40 years after it was minted and that it could have inspired him to write his little ditty entitled "You're Slightly Less Than Wonderful"
It's too bad Fats Waller didn't survive long enough to see the eBay era. PowerSellers who put "estate" in all their auction titles and cite PCGS prices for a fantasy grade would invoke Fats to sing "This Is So Nice It Must Be Illegal".
Ending around 7 PM Pacific time is good. Covers all time zones. Be honest. List pros and cons. Do not list paragraphs describing the history of the making of the coin. Ship at cost and state that. I walk away from auctions that are shipping a 20 gram coin for $6.00 plus insurance. Those always arrive with $0.83 postage on it.
Fill the title with as much info as you can. Putting a little humor in the ad makes you look honest and real. You older members will remember the military draft in the 60's. I read a car ad in the paper once and loved it. Instead of a long list of overblown extras, this guy just wrote after the year and model; " Car A1, driver 1A".
1A was the number given for someone eligible for the draft.
It said it all.
D
Make sure you get proof the coin was received. I would make insurance mandatory based on the final sale value of the coin. That way both you as the seller and the buyer is protected.
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Also put the item in a sealed viewable flip or package that if opened violates the return policy. That way you get the same item back on a return instead of one the buyer switched on you!!
If I only had a dollar for every VAM I have...err...nevermind...I do!!
My "Fun With 21D" Die State Collection - QX5 Pics Attached
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