Discussion on expectations

numonebuyer · April 26, 2006 2:39AM

In today's modern digital age, I am quite shocked how dealers think they can still get away with not providing digital pictures of coins. Is it me, or am I expecting too much?

If you say to me, send me a picture of that coin, I will send it right out. No problem at all.

Please discuss...

pharmer · April 26, 2006 2:41AM

Of course. And they leave money on the table. Oh well.

Barndog · April 26, 2006 2:42AM

I recognize that some dealers have no presence on the internet and have not "graduated" to the digital age. That doesn't make the dealers any worse than someone with a web site and nice photos. All I would expect is that any dealer, digital photos or not, would have a reasonable return policy.

Elcontador · April 26, 2006 2:53AM

As far as I am concerned, buying from a coin based on a digital image is buying a coin sight unseen. The key is an honest verbal description of the coin and a reasonable no questions asked return policy. Among other things, a digital image often will not pick up the following:

1) Hairlines on proof coins
2) Long, thin scratches on a coin (which will not be visible unless the coin is intentionally photographed to show them)
3) Carbon flecks, especially on copper
4) Stains re carbon removal on nickel coinage
5) Adequate replication of the toning on a coin to the viewer of such image

jmj3esq · April 26, 2006 3:10AM

It amazes me how much people lose on their sales by providing bad pictures, bad descriptions, or no pictures at all. Its just foolish. I try to take advantage of these fools as often as possible. If you are not up to date on digital pictures or the internet you should not be selling your merchandise on the internet.

xphobe · April 26, 2006 3:11AM

Recently I dealt with with a well-known dealer who doesn't image his coins. Why? He is a one-man shop, and says he doesn't have the time to keep up with scans of everything. So he sent me a $600 coin on approval (I was flattered, since he didn't know me from Adam). But I didn't care for it, and sent it back. So now we're both out the $12 insured shipping fee both directions.

I realize pictures don't tell the whole story, and I would never buy a coin based solely on a scan. But at least they can give you a first cut approximation of whether you even want to pursue the transaction. These days it doesn't take any more time to scan a coin than to photocopy a couple of sheets of paper. There's no reason not to.

mgoodm3 · April 26, 2006 3:24AM

I don't buy coins of significant cost without decent images. I can weed out most of the coins that I won't like with a pic or two. Why should the dealer waste his money sending me a coin that I probably won't like?

numonebuyer · April 26, 2006 7:17AM

<< <i>I recognize that some dealers have no presence on the internet and have not "graduated" to the digital age. That doesn't make the dealers any worse than someone with a web site and nice photos. All I would expect is that any dealer, digital photos or not, would have a reasonable return policy. >>

Allow me to expand upon my reason for posting this thread... I am interested in a couple of rare PCGS Morgans that well-respected dealers references on their web page. I asked them for some pictures of the coins. They said they have no pictures, but said they will try to come up with something.

numonebuyer · April 26, 2006 7:19AM

Maybe I should ask them if they can send me the coins on approval...

Barndog · April 26, 2006 7:33AM

Coins on approval is a great way to help you decide. If a dealer needs references, just provide them. You both can win if you like the coins. The dealer gets some insight as to what you are looking for and you have a new source for coins.

curly · April 26, 2006 7:49AM

90% of the coins I buy, I buy from a photo on the internet. If I buy on the bourse floor, usually the coin is considered "sold" when you walk away. On the internet, I usually have about 5 days to really look it over in my home and decide if I really want it. Now, I don't abuse this and I have never yet sent one back because I am pretty selective of who I buy from. It's still nice to know the option is there. No photo..no sale.

BlindedByEgo · April 26, 2006 7:51AM

My experiences in the last 5 years of buying from sellers who don't care to image coins has been, on net, less than positive.

Obviously cleaned coins, slabs in the bottom third (or worse) for their stated grade - all represented as "PQ"

Luckily for me, I've only done and will only do business with dealers who have a "no questions" return policy.

RYK · April 26, 2006 7:55AM

As far as I am concerned, buying from a coin based on a digital image is buying a coin sight unseen. The key is an honest verbal description of the coin and a reasonable no questions asked return policy. Among other things, a digital image often will not pick up the following:

1) Hairlines on proof coins
2) Long, thin scratches on a coin (which will not be visible unless the coin is intentionally photographed to show them)
3) Carbon flecks, especially on copper
4) Stains re carbon removal on nickel coinage
5) Adequate replication of the toning on a coin to the viewer of such image

Some of my best and favorite coins were purchased from dealers without pictures or picture taking capability, usually on approval, always with return privilige. Please continue to avoid these dealers.

I have been tricked, suckered, and deceived considerably more often with photographs than I have buying coins with a verbal description from a trustworthy dealer.

BigAl · April 26, 2006 8:18AM

i expect any "dealer" selling on the internet to be able to provide pics. I really don't care if the pic/scan sucks, so long as you can get a general understanding of the coin, ie major scratches, rim dings, huge fingerprint, extent of toning, etc....

Buying sight-unseen over the internet is a hassle: wasted time, return postage, insurance, dealing w/ jerks, tying up money waiting on refunds, etc.... I have never made a sight-unseen "impulse buy", yet have made too many "impulse buys" based off of pics.

Discussion on expectations

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