Ebay can be a great place to purchase coins. There are some things to watch out for when buying coins on ebay. Be smart
avoid the common pitfalls and enjoy yourself. If you are purchasing premium coins, consider buying them from a dealer or
at a coin show where you can hold them and examine them.

The first thing to look out for is grading. Assume the grade given for a coin is inaccurate. Most coins with an opinion
grade are graded from one to two grades too high. With coins there is a great deal of difference in price from one grade
to another for most coins. View the images provided, read the description and make your own mind up as to the grade and
value of a coin. Remember price books are just a guide. Look at past auctions and make up your own mind before purchasing.
In the end a coin is only worth what you are willing to pay. If you are buying the coin as an investment consider purchasing
certified coins from another auction house that specializes in coins.

Pictures are the single most important part of determining the value of a coin for sale on ebay. Any coin you purchase should
have good large pictures. If the pictures are blurry or they are to small to see detail avoid the coin unless you just feel
like gambling. Examine pictures closely they should not look doctored, they should be bright, and they should be detailed.

Avoid certified coins from new sellers. Selling fake certified coins is one of the more common ebay scams. Look at the seller, at
the seller's rating, and past sales before purchasing, this is good advise anytime you buy on ebay but is especially important
when buying certified coins.

Avoid getting ripped off on shipping. Two to four dollars is the most one should pay for uninsured coin shipping. Make sure the
seller will refund shipping in at least one direction if you must return the coin.

Verify the seller's refund policy. Coins should be returnable for any reason if they are unsatisfactory. Seller's that don't
accept returns know that they are going to get a lower price so are most likely selling inferior coins.

Don't buy lots of coins. No matter what the seller says there is not a good chance that you will find a rare coin, unless they've
put it in as salt hoping to get a good review. Most coins have been searched through, even if the particular person whom you
are buying from has not done so. If finding rare coins in a lot was likely the dealer would have paid someone or many someones
to search through them. Don't fall for the scam where a roll is sold with a valuable coin on one end, or a possible valuable coin.
The coin on the end will be the only one worth anything and you can only see one side of it.

Choose the maximum price you will pay ahead of time and bid that price early. Don't get into bidding wars at the last minute. It
is much too easy to make a bid you will regret later. Some people wait until the last few minutes or even the last few seconds
of auctions to make bids. The items I've lost to these people were in many cases items I was glad to lose the bid on.

Use caution and commen sense when purchasing coins on ebay. If a coin seems to be much under priced near the close of an auction
double and triple check the coin, others may have seen something you've missed. Have fun, find good coins and enjoy the hunt.