A disturbing view of the past ...
291fifth
Posts: 24,790 ✭✭✭✭✭
I just went through my eBay transaction records for 2000 through 2002. This was before I had ever heard of the PCGS Forum.
In those early days on eBay I kept very detailed records (and used way too much paper in the process). It was very depressing when I reviewed what I had purchased and then sold it for later. Virtually every purchase resulted in a loss, often a big loss.
I made mistakes I shouldn't have made, often buying second and third tier slabs because they were "good deals." Needless to say, they weren't "good deals" at all. I did return many coins for a refund but, in retrospect, should probably have avoided virtually everything.
I changed collecting directions repeatedly because I ran into "stoppers" (such as very expensive key dates or types) and lost interest as a result.
I wish I could just erase all my coin activity from that period. Things would have been so much better if I had bought nothing.
In those early days on eBay I kept very detailed records (and used way too much paper in the process). It was very depressing when I reviewed what I had purchased and then sold it for later. Virtually every purchase resulted in a loss, often a big loss.
I made mistakes I shouldn't have made, often buying second and third tier slabs because they were "good deals." Needless to say, they weren't "good deals" at all. I did return many coins for a refund but, in retrospect, should probably have avoided virtually everything.
I changed collecting directions repeatedly because I ran into "stoppers" (such as very expensive key dates or types) and lost interest as a result.
I wish I could just erase all my coin activity from that period. Things would have been so much better if I had bought nothing.
All glory is fleeting.
0
Comments
only throw in counterfeits and messed with coins, too.
For the novices reading along, try not to keep repeating the same mistakes, instead learn from them. Try to limit the price of the mistakes, by starting small, and understanding what you are buying as you move up.
For novices some of the common mistakes are shopping for price, while ignoring quality. The opposite also occurs, paying top dollar for what the dealer says is quality, when the buyer can't even grade, much less figure out what is nice for the grade. Another common mistake back in 2000-2002, not as much now, was buying lower tier slabs at average coin prices. Not all grading companies are created equal, and coins in some holders are deeply discounted by the market.
A mistake I have made repeatedly and still make, is paying too much for problem coins. Retail asking prices on problem coins are often close, while wholesale and auction prices are often times a small fraction, depending on the problem.
Just think how much you've learned! and go cautiously next round.
and they're cold.
I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
Mary
Best Franklin Website
<< <i>consider those bad purchases the price of your education and they all become worth it. >>
I would have rather saved the money and remained stupid.
I spent the $$........and still have not graduated...
Bought 3 Raw "VF" Barbers from a well known dealer in Ohio.
One came back F15, One came back tooled, the other environmental damage.
$985 well spent there methinks...
1. The coins I ended up returning for a refund tended to come from two sources:
a. The usual suspects from that period who simply sold overgraded coins or in one case, doctored cents.
b. Well known dealers who it is now obvious were using eBay as a dumping ground for what we presently call "dreck."
Sorry, I won't name names.
One should never be ashamed of lessons learned, even the ones that came the hard way. No cryin' over spilt milk and all that, y'know.
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
If I had a question about an item, and the seller was helpful and informative (or at least helpful and polite, if they didn't have the answer), I would leave a +1 "positive" feedback thanking them for being a helpful member of the eBay community. What a simpler time that was!
Lance.
<< <i>I honestly don't know anyone who has not made these kinds of mistakes when they first started. >>
I sure did.
In fact, I still make mistakes occasionally. Thankfully, not nearly as often or as costly though.
<< <i>
<< <i>consider those bad purchases the price of your education and they all become worth it. >>
I would have rather saved the money and remained stupid. >>
Post of the week(end)!
<< <i>I honestly don't know anyone who has not made these kinds of mistakes when they first started. >>
Some of us occasionally still make these kind of mistakes.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire