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Some Good Words About Ebay.

A lot of complaining goes on about Ebay, and I have contributed my share. It is time though, to say a few nice things.

I have purchased at least 1000 coin lots, on Ebay. Of that, perhaps 5 come to mind, where I had any problem, at all. All but 2 of those, were resolved to my satisfaction. Of course, be careful. Check the feedback, and pay with a credit card, when you can.

I have sold close to 2000 lots, on Ebay. There were always some non payers, but 98-99% of transactions, went off without a hitch.

The best benefit of Ebay, is today, a collector can buy and sell his coins, with perhaps a 7%, transaction cost. It makes it much easier to change collecting interest. Previous to internet trading. 25-35% plus transaction costs, were the norm.

Many old time dealers, will complain that Ebay has narrowed their margins. This is probably true. But most dealers, maintain a presence on Ebay. The narrowed margins, benefit the market, overall.

Comments

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    Goog points, but this thread will die a quick death since it's a positive oneimage
    The glass is half full!
    image
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    flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭
    I've completed nearly 1000 transactions on eBay, and all but one was completed satisfactorily. That's a success rate I'm perfectly comfortable with. I don't see any reason at this point to cease doing business on eBay.

    Just make sure you go in with your shields up, of course...
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    As long as you dont bid on items with 0 feedback from Singapore or try to buy from someone with excessive negative feedback, you shouldnt have a problem. There are other situations of course but, usually common sense prevails.
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    DrWhoDrWho Posts: 562 ✭✭
    2 of my good friends were victims, not coins. bought, no delivery, no recourse, JohnLaw -- hands off.

    look at the ebay community discussion board for the IDEALBULLION thread on how many got ripped on gold bullion.

    ebay, some good, some bad, some neutral. i've not been ripped. however, i sure am cautious, overly cautious. whether buying or selling, if you do the due diligence, you should be okay.

    the bad may cause the legal 'profession' and/or the govt 'regulators' to get involved, and that ain't gonna be none too pretty. IMHO.
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    streeterstreeter Posts: 4,312 ✭✭✭✭✭


    If you look at the history of Ebays growth....IMO '98+.........the bull coin market has just about paralleled that growth. Ebay allows small time dealers to cheaply flip inventory and collectors to do the same thereby giving both almost instant liquidity to refuel the coffers.

    I've been burned a couple of times by buying on ebay but after listening to smoe VERY smart people on these boards, my chances of being buried are less and less everyday.
    Have a nice day
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    << <i>
    The best benefit of Ebay, is today, a collector can buy and sell his coins, with perhaps a 7%, transaction cost. It makes it much easier to change collecting interest. Previous to internet trading. 25-35% plus transaction costs, were the norm.

    . >>



    In theoy, you should be able to resell an ebay coin purchase for about 7% "juice". Actualy, more like 9% if the theory is that the underbidder buys the coin.

    But I'm reminded of Yogi Berra's statement "In theory, there's no difference between theory and parctice. In pracatice, there is".
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    TTT
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    MyqqyMyqqy Posts: 9,777
    I've found some spectacular coins on ebay, and most of my transactions have been completely positive. I don't understand what majorbigdude was trying to say, but ebay is a good tool when used wisely....
    My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !
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    ddinkddink Posts: 2,748
    So I sell an aquarium on eBay; my auction description reads, word for word:

    <<This item is for local pickup only, please. Note also that the back background on the aquarium is simply a piece of posterboard; the aquarium back is NOT in any way painted or anything like that.

    You are bidding on a 55 gallon aquarium, stand, filter, heater, test chemicals, gravel vacuum, and several fish nets. This is everything you need to get started! Please pay by PayPal.>>

    Seller pays, I email him, no response. Today he emails me:

    <<I'm the person that won the bid on the 55 gal. aquarium. It's been 9 days sense the bid had ended and I haven't received it yet. Please contact me by email xxxxxxxxxxx or just call me at xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. We can surely work something out, whatever it could be.If calling, call after 5:00pm I'm usually home. Hoping to here from you really soon. Ask for xxxxx. Thanks for your time. xxxxx>>

    Now what were the VERY FIRST WORDS of my auction, as quoted above? Also, when he did not pay any shipping charges, did that not ring any bells?
    I heard they were making a French version of Medal of Honor. I wonder how many hotkeys it'll have for "surrender."
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    ddinkddink Posts: 2,748


    << <i>look at the ebay community discussion board for the IDEALBULLION thread on how many got ripped on gold bullion. >>



    Sounds like they should have paid with a credit card.
    I heard they were making a French version of Medal of Honor. I wonder how many hotkeys it'll have for "surrender."

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