Conducting Business on eBay - It's no B&M, nor ANA Show
Obiwancanoli
Posts: 1,065 ✭✭✭
I can't look 'em in the eye. Can't get 'em to TALK to me, or answer a question with more than 6 words.
I feel, sometimes, like I'm talkin' to a snake oil salesman... can't get a straight answer to a question... sometimes they answer a completely different question than I've asked ( you attorney's, legal minds, and defenders of the faith know what I mean - perp's will try anything to deflect you by going off on a tangent)...
They give just e-n-u-f information to lure me in, without having to commit to the truth, the facts, answer a question directly...
I'm venting, as you might surmise. I'm hoping I have no justification for it, but having bought the coin before receiving the answer to my question, I felt it prudent to rely on the return policy, just in case I need to.
One of the great things I learned at the Sacramento ANA show was that every dealer I spoke with actually took the time to answer any questions I had. Every one. I realize these people are there to conduct their business, and make a living, so I did not intrude more than a few minutes with each, save one. And he bought some of my coins, while I bought some of his.
On the other hand, I can recall only one instance where my questions to a seller on eBay about a listed coin actually received more than a terse, 6 word response. I have to wonder, does it even make sense to try?
It's getting to be more of a crapshoot out there... Dealing with dependable, reliable sellers seems possible here, on the BST, or at shows - which I can't get to very many of in any given year. Yet I remain doubtful and suspicious of someone whom I cannot look in the eye, and add this perspective to my judgement about a seller.
I can't speak with a seller the way I can speak to you, here, or face to face. They know this. Some use it to their advantage. Some exploit it, and me along with it. I get just enough information to appease me, or so they hope. But the definition of an appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last...
I asked a seller about a coin I was very keen on. His auction - for this gorgeous, raw commemorative - dubiously noted an exceptionally high grade which I typically discount at least a greade, and often two, IF the pix are nice and detailed. But I know the coin in hand is what sells it, and it's only wishful thinking to have won an auction at a very favorable price for a coin so generously marketed. So I ask the seller a few questions, like I'm standing across the counter from him... I want his perspective, his feel for the coin, and my reasons for considering his coin could offer him MY perspective, my rationale, my purpose and goal.
My hope was to at least have received some indication from the seller that the coin was a good fit, based on the information I shared with him.
What did I get?
<< <i>it is a premium quality coin...lustorous and mark free. >>
Finding dealers you trust, people who build their reputations on integrity, honesty, truly dedicated professionals who benefit themselves, the hobby - and me, the lowly end-user - by helping us build sets as if they were their own... YOU deserve to be credited with everything the hobby should stand for.
Thanks for persistently reminding me of that.
I feel, sometimes, like I'm talkin' to a snake oil salesman... can't get a straight answer to a question... sometimes they answer a completely different question than I've asked ( you attorney's, legal minds, and defenders of the faith know what I mean - perp's will try anything to deflect you by going off on a tangent)...
They give just e-n-u-f information to lure me in, without having to commit to the truth, the facts, answer a question directly...
I'm venting, as you might surmise. I'm hoping I have no justification for it, but having bought the coin before receiving the answer to my question, I felt it prudent to rely on the return policy, just in case I need to.
One of the great things I learned at the Sacramento ANA show was that every dealer I spoke with actually took the time to answer any questions I had. Every one. I realize these people are there to conduct their business, and make a living, so I did not intrude more than a few minutes with each, save one. And he bought some of my coins, while I bought some of his.
On the other hand, I can recall only one instance where my questions to a seller on eBay about a listed coin actually received more than a terse, 6 word response. I have to wonder, does it even make sense to try?
It's getting to be more of a crapshoot out there... Dealing with dependable, reliable sellers seems possible here, on the BST, or at shows - which I can't get to very many of in any given year. Yet I remain doubtful and suspicious of someone whom I cannot look in the eye, and add this perspective to my judgement about a seller.
I can't speak with a seller the way I can speak to you, here, or face to face. They know this. Some use it to their advantage. Some exploit it, and me along with it. I get just enough information to appease me, or so they hope. But the definition of an appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last...
I asked a seller about a coin I was very keen on. His auction - for this gorgeous, raw commemorative - dubiously noted an exceptionally high grade which I typically discount at least a greade, and often two, IF the pix are nice and detailed. But I know the coin in hand is what sells it, and it's only wishful thinking to have won an auction at a very favorable price for a coin so generously marketed. So I ask the seller a few questions, like I'm standing across the counter from him... I want his perspective, his feel for the coin, and my reasons for considering his coin could offer him MY perspective, my rationale, my purpose and goal.
My hope was to at least have received some indication from the seller that the coin was a good fit, based on the information I shared with him.
What did I get?
<< <i>it is a premium quality coin...lustorous and mark free. >>
Finding dealers you trust, people who build their reputations on integrity, honesty, truly dedicated professionals who benefit themselves, the hobby - and me, the lowly end-user - by helping us build sets as if they were their own... YOU deserve to be credited with everything the hobby should stand for.
Thanks for persistently reminding me of that.
UBERCOINER
A Truth That's Told With Bad Intent
Beats All The Lies You Can Invent
A Truth That's Told With Bad Intent
Beats All The Lies You Can Invent
0
Comments
Conducting Business on eBay - It's no B&M, nor ANA Show
It's a circus, just keep your powder dry and it will be fine..
I always answer questions and most of my questions get answered.
I am building my error coin business and ebay has been a tremendous asset and is one the best places to get the most views on your auctions.
It is also a great source for getting new material and for making fantastic contacts. In fact in the last few weeks I have done numerous large wholesale deals with dealers that I found on ebay.
IMO, ebay is better place to do business than a B&M or any coin show.
<< <i>I answer every question I get from prospective bidders as best I can, in however many words it takes. Even though the question-askers almost never make bids. FWIW... >>
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
<< <i>I answer every question I get from prospective bidders as best I can, in however many words it takes. Even though the question-askers almost never make bids. FWIW... >>
Please don't get me wrong... I know there are many here who also sell on eBay, and elsewhere, and I mean no disrespect. I realize that coin shows are no exception to the issue. I'm simply saying that I can't get a true feel for someone I haven't done business with before, when I can't speak with them face-to-face... and I realize it takes time to answer everyone who sends a question your way... of course, the sellers have (mostly, anyway) no idea who I am, either...
I guess I just became frustrated. If I were QDB or Don Willis, or someone with a high level of experience, I might still ask a question hither and yon, but I'd know what I'm doing. But I'm not them. I'm just a guy who likes to collect coins, and who relies in part on the purveyors to extend a helpful hand, rather than just reach out for my money.
A Truth That's Told With Bad Intent
Beats All The Lies You Can Invent
<< <i>Please don't get me wrong... >>
No- not at all. I understand your concern. I was just trying to point out what it's like on the seller's side of things. Time is a limited resource and I'm sure some sellers have determined (for whatever reason, or none at all) that answering questions in detail is not worth theirs.
Something else to consider- "high maintenance" buyers are, practically by definition, harder to please than "low maintenance" ones. Possibly some sellers don't want to encourage them to bid? I know sometimes, I recommend question-askers on my listings to look for another seller that might better meet their needs because they sound to me to be buyers who would be difficult to please. Not that I'm saying you're one of them, of course.
Positive BST Transactions (buyers and sellers): wondercoin, blu62vette, BAJJERFAN, privatecoin, blu62vette, AlanLastufka, privatecoin
#1 1951 Bowman Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
At least you can block folks. Not as easy to do in real life.
Bourse dealers are a mixed bag. Some like to play games and size up their customers. "For you a special price," sometimes means a higher price. At some of the bigger shows, the tables are so expensive that some dealers resort to higher prices to try and recoup their table fees. B&M, most are in the bullion business now, very few have many collector coins, very few have any that I am interested in.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
<< <i>Well, eBay is a place for risk taker to buy coins. I bought a coin for 2K two weeks ago, I sent it to NGC. Result just came out it is graded as "not genuine". It would be interested to see how the seller reacts to my return request. I also bid on another high price coin from this seller but good thing is that I was outbided by one bid. >>
Hopefully you're still within the window to file a complaint with ebay. Best to stay away from high dollar raw coins on ebay unless you are confident that you can determine their authenticity when you receive them. Waiting for a TPG to do it often times takes longer than your available claim window.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
<< <i>
<< <i>Well, eBay is a place for risk taker to buy coins. I bought a coin for 2K two weeks ago, I sent it to NGC. Result just came out it is graded as "not genuine". It would be interested to see how the seller reacts to my return request. I also bid on another high price coin from this seller but good thing is that I was outbided by one bid. >>
Hopefully you're still within the window to file a complaint with ebay. Best to stay away from high dollar raw coins on ebay unless you are confident that you can determine their authenticity when you receive them. Waiting for a TPG to do it often times takes longer than your available claim window. >>
I agree with you. I have to pay express price to get the grade result. I still have some coins from this same seller waiting for NGC result which will be a month later. Since the total amount for those coins are about $600 so I am OK with it. I am sure I will get my money back one way or the other. The worst is I have to take him to the court. It is not good to buy fake coin even you can get your money back, you still lost grading fee and shipping fee which is not cheap.
Lafayette Grading Set
<< <i>The title of your thread is the answer to your lament. Most folks who sell on ebay aren't full time business people in the field that they engage within the confines of ebay and are not equiped to answer the questions that a professional or quasi-professional in the field would answer. >>
How very True, Tom... candidly, that was on my mind as I wrote, as well as when I made reference to the quality people - present company included - I've met here, though I've done business with only a few (so far)...
A Truth That's Told With Bad Intent
Beats All The Lies You Can Invent
You say this here coin is proof -- proof of what?
Why is it so "shinney" it "must of been" polished.
Why is it so dark, it "must of benn" in a fire.
What does certified mean?
Does the slab open up so I can weigh it?
All your coins are obviously poorly cast counterfeits.
Will you match the price from this Chinese seller?
Are you sure silver is really that high?
I like the coin but I can't pay $2.50 shipping because I am retired.
I am asking you to please destroy that picture and end your auction ASAP! That picture was found to be offensive to all ( a photo of the World
Trade Center that Ebay SUGGESTED THAT I USE from their product catalog. )
<< <i>There are as many hucksters at a coin show as on the internet. >>
no kidding
You need to post those in the "Why dealers drink" thread.
I love ebay - recently listed a relatively inexpensive pattern on ebay and sold 2 far more expensive additional patterns (2X and 10X) from inquiries on the first.