Here are some tips to help make you avoid some unpleasant traps, as well as to make your purchase of coins on eBay a more pleasant experience.    This guide is intended to protect honest, hard-working buyers and sellers.   It is not intended to serve charlatans, thieves, scammers, or liars.  Here are a few tips:

Beware of unsearched lots.   Before bidding on an unsearched lot, treasure trove, grab bag, or other mystery group of coins, ask yourself why someone would sell a bunch of coins without searching them for rarities, gem quality uncircs, or other coins that could command high prices.  Know that just about every retail coin dealer and even a few collectors have what we call cull jars or chum buckets, where junk, ungradable, or otherwise poor quality or low-value coins go.  Forget what you may believe about smelting for melt value; it happens so rarely that it borders being a fairy tale.  The reality is culls usually just collect dust or are bought and resold by dealers who specialize in handling these low-quality coins.    

Know the realities of grading.  Yes, grading is subjective and is the subject of debate among even professional graders and grading services.  There are many excellent guides and books on grading.  This tip isn't a short-course in grading, it's a warning for buyers to know whether coins, especially circulated (versus proof coins) even exist in the conditions advertised.  A good cross-check when you see a raw coin graded at MS-68, MS-69 or MS-70, would be first to read up on your coin and, second, to see if all or most of the seller's other offerings are in that stratospheric zone of the top two or three grades.  Another hint:  Learn which grading companies are credible and reputable ... and which ones are bogus. 
  
Read descriptions carefully.   Read the language carefully.   If there's too much hype or if the description sounds like folklore, be wary.  Look for phrases such as:  granny's attic, estate, unsearched lots, and my favorite and most overused,  I have no idea what I'm selling, so decide for yourself.  In rare cases, these may be accurate descriptions, but just remember:  Folklore can be very entertaining, but tend to be very costly for coin collectors!  Another hint:  Watch for words such as replicas and tribute coins.   These are not real coins, but are allowed to be sold alongside real coins.  

View photos carefully.    Study the photo carefully.   It is possible that the seller may not be a good photographer or may just be having a bad-camera day.  There are times when you can get some real bargains because the photos may not be great.   But the point is this:  if there's a pattern of fuzzy photos, small pictures, no pictures, other items obscuring the sale item, etc.,  you should be very careful. If you see the listing in enough time, some sellers will even post another photo.   Another hint:   Watch for artificially toned coins, which are chemically-altered to resemble real toning.  

When in doubt, ask the seller.   Reputable sellers will be happy to answer reasonable questions.  Be sure to allow sufficient time for the seller to respond.   It's pretty basic, but remember to be clear in your request, make sure you're following eBay policies, and allow sufficient time for the seller to respond. 

Check the shipping & handling information.  The source of many complaints and much of the negative and neutral feedback is excessive shipping and handling.  It's also easy to miss, especially if you're bidding late in the auction.   So, check the S&H carefully and also compare it to sellers offering similar items.  By the same token, have an idea of what it takes to ship and mail (and often, insure) a package.  

Check out the groups.  There are many organized groups listed under eBay Community. Many offer discussion boards and other forums for learning and sharing what you know, too.  In the spirit of making eBay a safe and enjoyable place for all, some also will make you aware of the latest cons, ripoffs, and other schemes going on.

Take your time.   Be sure to read, learn, and watch carefully.   This is true in every aspect of buying coins on eBay, from the moment you first watch an item to the point that you leave feedback.  Following these few tips can save you money, time, and a lot of aggravation.

Did this guide help you?  If so, please click "yes" below.  Thanks ... and Happy eBay'ing!