research5 Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 Hello friends of numismatics! I am collecting coins and medals more than 30 years and I am member in eBay since 1998, when this was in Germany operated by Alando. I am surfing very often in eBay to look what is going around and from time to time I am buying something for my collection. Especially in medals I have noticed during the past two years, that the results in eBay are very often on top of those in life auctions. But also coins achieve much higher results in eBay, than expected. Even reprints of old German gold coins of the empire (20 Mark) of rare coins achieve 4 times the gold value. What is your experience and what is the reason for this? I do not believe, that only newbie’s are the buyers, because I have noticed that even dealers are ready to pay more than market value. I am looking forward to receiving your experience in this matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 More people have access to eBay than general auctions and so the competition is greater causing a rise in prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
research5 Posted January 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 This seems to be a reasonaable answer for the major trend. But the reasons for the behaviour of internet buyers may be manifold. In case of dealers I believe, that they have some collectors with sufficient financial background and low knowledge. Otherwise this cannot be explained. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gxseries Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 It's easy - people think they are getting a bargain on ebay without any proper research. Only after when they received the "coins" can they possibly realize they have overpaid. I see some kind of gambling going on. For example what people are paying for counterfeits are a real shocker these days. Many examples can be seen in the Russian coin forum section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowly but surely Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 Also, never underestimate good old American laziness! I would wager that there is a huge number of people willing to pay a premium to buy a coin while in their underwear on the couch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlueke Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 I think the prices for Art Noveau medals on Ebay are in line with what you'd pay at a live auction and a little less than retail in a store. There aren't a lot of bargains but I haven't seen anything go for insane prices. With ancient coins Ebay is fairly cheap but with good reason, most of the stuff is substandard. It is possible to get a deal, but there is quite a risk as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 Also, never underestimate good old American laziness! I would wager that there is a huge number of people willing to pay a premium to buy a coin while in their underwear on the couch. I find it hard to believe that an American said that!!?! But some British coins are to be had at bargain prices, not many though but still some! - Clive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corkykile Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 to buy a coin while in their underwear on the couch. OH NO! This is a picture I did not want to 'hear'. It is going to haunt me every time I check out coins to buy. Corky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 Well, Corky's scarred for life... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedeadpoint Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 I'm guessing a few of the posts in this community have been made while el postino was in their skivies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 I'm guessing a few of the posts in this community have been made while el postino was in their skivies. Not you again thedeadpoint, I thought the police talked to you about this already? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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