How to avoid bad Internet sellers & find good ones

[CaptJohn2]

Here are some things to look for in sellers you should avoid. Feel free to add to this list:

1. poor pictures - so many sellers have terrible pictures. Some so tiny you cannot even tell what the date is. Others too blurry for you to tell the grade or if it is fake.

2. Poor Feedback. If several other buyers have had trouble, why take a chance?

3. Won't accept returns.

4. Using somebody else's pictures and then states you will get a coin of equal quality. If they had one as nice as the one in the picture they "borrowed" they would show it.

5. High shipping. I got really burned for $25 shipping (did NOT read the fine print afore bidding) on a $3 coin.

6. Shill bidding. This goes on all the time on eBay with con artists selling fakes from China. But I ran into it on LiveAuctioneers last year. Bid on nearly half of the lots being offered by a dealer in Medicine Hat, Canada with NO RESERVE. Most of the lots went to a "floor" bidder - it was live auction. These were mostly ICCS certified coins. So all had serial numbers. A month later the same dealer auctioned off the same EXACT coins and strangely enuf they brought the same exact prices to a "floor" bidder i.e. shill bidder. Apparently LiveAuctioneers does not police the auctions they host for shill bidding so I avoid that platform. Check to see who is bidding - if it is a bunch of different folks that is a good sign. But if only two bidders are doing all the bidding, be wary. Check other auctions by the same seller to see if same guys are running up all the bids.

6b. Avoid "Private" auctions - just another guarantee of shill bidding with no way to check!

7. Poor packaging. Course by the time you get yer first coin from somebody who doesn't know how to pack, it is too late. Read Feedback to avoid buying from these guys.

8. Ridiculous asking price on Buy it Now listings. These are the guys Daniel keeps hammering in his videos. Avoid them at all costs.

Now how about finding good sellers on eBay, Etsy or others:

1. Well if they avoid all the problems above, it is a good start.

2, If an auction, look for a low starting price with no reserve. Too many eBay auctions have the minimum bid at full retail plus 10% ! I look at world coin auctions ending soon on eBay. If they have no bids with only hours to go, it is almost certain the starting bid is too high. Not counting junk silver auctions, less than 10% ever get a bid. If you find something you like that has bids, odds are it is worth buying.

3. Good communication. Ask questions if you need clarification afore plunking down yer cash. Good guys will reply.

4, Quick shipping & good packaging. But don't keelhaul a swab if'n they shipped promptly but you got it late. The USPS and other carriers have been having plenty of problems the past 10 months. Not the seller's fault.

5. Once you are happy with a purchase, leave good Feedback and add the seller to yet favs list.

[SensibleSal66]

Thanks John , this is very informative . You really seem to know what your talking about . I'm getting ready to make another purchase after 2 years . This time I will not take the risk and will buy from a reputable dealer like Daniel.
Thanks again, Sal

[Paul]

Good Post.....

Personally, I "NEVER" bid on a 'Private Auction' ........ but that's just me.

[CaptJohn2]

Good Post.....

Personally, I "NEVER" bid on a 'Private Auction' ........ but that's just me.

I fergits about that one! I could not agree more. Will add it to the list

[Amishjedi]

But don't keelhaul a swab if'n they shipped promptly but you got it late.

Why did I just read/hear you saying this in a pirate's voice????? I can't undo this - arrgghhh!

[CaptJohn2]

But don't keelhaul a swab if'n they shipped promptly but you got it late.

Why did I just read/hear you saying this in a pirate's voice????? I can't undo this - arrgghhh!

What did ye expect with that avatar o' mine? Did ye never sees me listings on eBay? Here is a short quote that is on all my listings.

"Payment due within 5 days. It be the plank fer them lubbers what don't pays on time."

Be surprised how many emails I gits in piratesse.

[Coin Mule]

Harrrrr ye lubbers, Sept 19 is official talk like a Pirate day.

[Paul]

SEE

LINK

[Amishjedi]

[Coin Mule]

Here are some things to look for in sellers you should avoid. Feel free to add to this list:

9. Make sure you check for a buyers premium, (ahem Heritage). I just got burned for 18% buyers premium and 2% convenience fee at a local auction by a local auction house. Why? I was "blided by the VAM, revved up like rookie so they rolled me in the price", make sure you read the extra fine print.

10. Avoid "Private" local auctions - just another guarantee of shill bidding with no way to check!

[Earle42]

Should number 6 on the "finding good sellers" list then be:
6. Must be able to speak "piratesse?"

[Coin Mule]

Should number 6 on the "finding good sellers" list then be:
6. Must be able to speak "piratesse?"

Arrrrrr matey, should be #1

[CaptJohn2]

9. Make sure you check for a buyers premium, (ahem Heritage). I just got burned for 18% buyers premium and 2% convenience fee at a local auction by a local auction house. Why? I was "blided by the VAM, revved up like rookie so they rolled me in the price", make sure you read the extra fine print.

I remember the good ol' days when thar were NO buyer's premium and the sellers only got charged 10%

[monsterbug1]

one tip that can be a little risky, but can also be profitable, is checking for new sellers; although they more often overprice than underprice, the latter does happen

[Daniel]

Good information