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Selling life-long collectibles for the first time; one large looming concern I have
I have collected everything from diecast, stamps, coins, and sports cards for the last 45+ years, and now in my mid 60's, and I need to part with a lot of it. I have been buying on ebay since 1999; I am scared stiff to enter the selling game.
My major concern: Let me put it in a scenario...
I list a coin and it fetches $2000.00. I securely package the coin, take it to the Post Office, insure and register and any other action to ensure the safe delivery to the purchaser, and wait for positive feedback.
Only, I don't get positive feedback; instead, the recipient takes out said $2000.00 coin, and substitutes a $4.00 junk coin, ands claims that is what he received. After all, I packaged it at home unseen, and the recipient opened it unseen, who is to say what he received? With ebay rules, the buyer didn't get what he ordered, so from what I understand, I the seller will now be out $2000.00 that I certainly don't want to be out of. I can't get past this hurdle.
Thanks!
wooden_flower
Mentor2 years agoWhat you described has certainly happened. There are a few things that will help you.
When you start selling, eBay will probably give you a rather low selling limit - perhaps $500 or $1,000 per month. So you won’t be listing a $2,000 coin for your first sale. Even if they give you a limit that would let you list that coin, start with some smaller items until you are comfortable selling.
Scammers generally target low feedback sellers, so you have a little advantage there. Still, wait until you have earned some feedback as a seller to move onto higher priced items.
Scammers generally do not put up cash, especially $2,000. You are more likely to get scammers that try to get you to sell outside of eBay where they can send you a fake payment notice.
Some items, like sports cards may have to be authenticated - this wouldn’t help with the coin you described, but if you have collectible cards it will help. Once authenticated, if sold with no returns, the sale is final. If sold with returns, the item has to go back to the authenticator before being sent to you.
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling-tools/ebay-authenticity-guarantee?id=4644&st=3&pos=1&query=eBay%20Authenticity%20Guarantee&intent=Auth&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1344
Still, given all of the safeguards that should help, there are scammers here who can be relentless. The general rule is to not list anything you can not afford to lose. If you are not comfortable listing a $2,000 coin, it might be better to take that item to a local shop or a show.
rfmtm
Mentor2 years agoDo not sell items like this except maybe for pickup only. Start with smaller less expensive items until you know the ropes and risks, and even then avoid the expensive items you can't afford to lose.