Making an account is simple. You will need to sign up using your name and email address so you can keep track of your listings. Once you have an account, click the “Sell” button at the top of the page when you’re ready to list your coins. Alternatively, go to https://www. ebay. com/sl/sell.
Keep in mind that whatever payment service you choose will likely have fees too. PayPal, for example, charges a fee of 2. 9% plus $0. 30 on the final selling price. Some areas also have a sales tax, which is collected automatically when a buyer pays for your coins. The sales tax depends on the laws where you live, but you can have buyers cover this cost.
You could also have buyers pay through a credit or debit card. To do this, you need to set up a merchant account. It’s worth considering if you plan on selling lots of coins or running a storefront.
There are fake coins sold on eBay, so buyers often hesitate when dealing with new accounts. If you have a positive reputation with a high number of ratings, people will be more likely to buy from you. The rating system includes the accuracy of the item description, how good the communication was, how quickly the item was received, and how reasonable the cost was.
Another way to get accustomed to selling is by searching auctions for similar coins. Compare the listed coins to yours and see how much people pay for them.
For example, use the Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins to grade American coins. If you suspect a coin is valuable, such as worth more than $200, contact a service like the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). They provide an official grade you can use when advertising the coin for sale.
Taking pictures on a phone is fine, but consider borrowing a decent camera. It can lead to higher quality pictures that improve your chances of completing a sale. Take clear pictures in decent lighting. Show off scratches, discolorations, and other signs of damage.
For example, you might write, “1909 wheat penny with no mint mark. It has a dark coloring on the reverse and a small scratch on the president’s cheek. ” Buyers look for accurate descriptions to ensure the coin isn’t counterfeit. If you had it professionally graded, list that as well to add more authenticity to the description.
Reduce the possibility of return requests by advertising your coins accurately. Clear pictures and descriptions go a long way toward customer satisfaction. Keep in mind that the return policy isn’t an excuse to sell counterfeit or falsely-advertised coins. The buyer can raise a complaint with eBay to get their money back.
The payment options display on each listing you post. PayPal is typically the best way to complete a transaction since it’s official and protects both buyers and sellers against scams. An unusual way to complete a transaction is by requesting payment on pickup. In case a buyer lives near you, you could deliver the coin to them. However, you should still ask for PayPal or a credit or debit card to avoid scams.
For low-value coins, consider choosing a free shipping option. You will have to pay for the shipping yourself, but it’s a good way to draw attention to your listings. You could also charge a little extra for your coins to cover the shipping fee. For mid-range coins up to about $200, try selecting a standard economy shipping with the post office or another carrier. Look for an insured registered mail option for more valuable coins. Note that international shipping charges can be a big problem if you choose free or flat rate shipping. Fortunately, eBay allows you to choose which areas you are willing to ship to.
Many listings don’t get bids. This could be because your price is too high, nobody saw the listing, or a number of other reasons. You have to pay the listing fee even when a coin doesn’t sell. This could become a problem if you plan on listing more than 50 coins a month. Auctions are a gamble. Sometimes coins get less attention than you expect, and sometimes a fierce bidding war drives the price up more than you expect. However, you can relist a coin that doesn’t sell.
People may hesitate to check out fixed price listings. Auctions are useful since you can set the price low and watch people bid it back up. The bidding process often makes them think they’re going to get a better deal. Fixed price listings are very safe, so consider using them for valuable coins you don’t want to negotiate on. Just be patient if the coin doesn’t sell right away. Fixed price listings are also useful if you run a store on eBay, since you could list all your coins for sale on your storefront and handle purchases as they come in.
If you don’t get a notification after a few days, contact the buyer to discuss payment. Make sure they plan on paying before you mail them anything.
To save money on shipping material, purchase envelopes and bubble wrap from shipping or office supply stores. Then, print the label at home through your eBay account. Pack the envelope as much as you can to prevent the coin from moving. Although coins are made to last, scratches and discolorations affect their value.
Insurance is great in case of an emergency that could lead to a returned product. Most of the time, you won’t use it, but it is useful to have in case you need it. Most shipping companies offer insurance for coins. You could also look for a third-party insurance company that covers coins.