Selling Pennies

[Scott99]

I was wondering while I've been getting my paypal sorted out with all the details to get verified, do you think it is a good idea to start an auction on ebay for $0.01 and let it go to whatever someone would be willing to pay? The prices of varieties is beyond me besides the most popular variety listings that I can find what they've sold for in the past. So putting a buy it now price or a reserve would probably not be the best idea for me.

Or does anyone know a site that lists a general pricing guide to give an idea of value like coppercoins does?

Also, what would you suggest using for secure shipment to protect me and/or the buyer?

Thanks in advance

[lara4228]

Ebay is a funny thing. Sometimes the buyers are out there and sometimes they are not. While putting a reserve on your item will cost you more initially, and more so in the end if it doesn't sell, it also covers your base for getting a 'bottom-line' sale price that your willing to let the coin go for.

Ebay is fun, both to purchase and to sell. I enjoy both aspects of it...when I do it. I ebay with a lot skepticism and I'll tell you why....I managed to sell a full pack and a half pack of "puppy training pads' to a woman in Greece. Yes you heard me right. Hubby dared me to do. He didn't believe what kinds of things sold on ebay and I did make a $32.00 sale off of these things. On top of it, she chose the slowest form of mail and didn't get them until 4 months later. WOW! I thought. That is incredible.

With that story in mind, I started the bid at $0.01 and I let the buyer chose thier preferred method of shipping. When I found out it took 4 months to get, I firmly decided to use shipping that gives you a guaranteed tracking number, and when in question...a signature upon delivery. You choose whatever service you feel MOST confident with. Remember, just because FEDEX is a big name, doesn't mean they are the best.

About selling coins on ebay...that is definitely not my expertise. I can offer my experience selling on ebay and how easy it is sell anything. But the ebay fees can gouge your pocket if you're not careful. Like I mentioned reserved pricing does cost, even though the item does not sell.

I'm sure others on here can offer more beneficial advice on coin selling on ebay.

[Scott99]

Thanks Lara! I think if listing on Ebay, it would be ideal for me to leave it at no reserve. Weighing the facts... I paid $0.01 for the penny I am going to try and sell. If it sold for $0.02 I had doubled what I spent on that particular penny!

On the shipping topic, I think I would go with something that had a tracking number and confirmed delivery... However the actually way of packaging it is what i question. Maybe I am thinking too much about it but I have very high paranoia when dealing with mailed items. Increasingly paranoid if its something someone bought from me.

[lara4228]

Thanks Lara! I think if listing on Ebay, it would be ideal for me to leave it at no reserve. Weighing the facts... I paid $0.01 for the penny I am going to try and sell. If it sold for $0.02 I had doubled what I spent on that particular penny!

On the shipping topic, I think I would go with something that had a tracking number and confirmed delivery... However the actually way of packaging it is what i question. Maybe I am thinking too much about it but I have very high paranoia when dealing with mailed items. Increasingly paranoid if its something someone bought from me.

OMG! lol Shipping paranioa. I can sympathize oh too well. Here is a question, have you ever sent any coins in to get looked at via mail? If so, how did you ship it? That would be how you should ship your coin.

If you haven't, there are several ways. You can ship it usinig a bubble package, which can be costly, but it does provide the best damage free option. You can secure it firmly within cardboard (very stiff ) and send it in an envelope. You can package any which way you have to in order to ensure that it does not arrive damaged.

I've shipped rocks, ( I used to be heavily into rocks and gemstones), anyway, this speciment was about 7 inches long, extremely fragile and only 1 cm thick. I was nervous sending it, but it got there in perfect condition. I packaged in a picture frame box with many many many layers of newspaper around it. It worked!

Hope this helps some.

Lara

[DoubleYou]

I use bubble mailers, which cost me 33 cents apiece. The protection is worth it.

[Pat]

I use bubble mailers and ship First Class for most single coins that are carded. $1.40 typically and that includes the USPS Delivery Confirmation service.

My smallest bubble mailers I use for 1st Class is #000 Mailer Lite, KRAFT Bubble Mailer is the printing on it.

[Scott99]

Thanks.I will see ic we have the bubble mailers here.

[kloccwork419]

If you sell for 2 cents you will lose big time with all the fees from FEEbay.
Just listing it will cost you ,depending on how your listing, around 60 cents or even more. Then when you get paid for it, FEEbay gets paid again from paypals FEES. Paypal is an eBay company so really there are doubling up on the gross payment of what you get, before you get yours. I use it more of a last resort anymore. There plenty of forums that you can sell on and not eat FEES.

[Jim]

On auction style listings I start @ .99 Cents. Auction style listings due very well however there have been many times that I have had attributed and unattributed coins sell well below my appraisal estimate. On the other hand there have been many times they have exceeded my estimate. I mix it up and use fixed price and auction style. So whatever fits your needs. Do not use reserve. No one likes a reserve and bidders will stay away. If you have a bottom dollar start there. Top rated seller on Ebay Jim

PS: use bublle mailers and if you have slabbed coins buy safty mailers.

Jim

[RWBILLER]

just me - i start on non-reserve coins at 1.00
roger

[Scott99]

Thanks everyone! You've all given me some insight on selling stuff on Ebay! I will take everything into account when I list them(whether it be ebay or some other site). I bought some bubble mailers, cheapest ones I could find was for $0.60each which are a bit over-sized at 6x9 inches (smallest they had) but I think they will do. lol

[twoyankees]

Scott, Don't even waste your money, Go to E-bay, search #000 mailer, You can get a BUNCH of 4x8 bubble mailers for next to nothing, $.60 cents apiece for 6x9's is highway robbery. You may have to wait for them but you will save a bundle. Don't forget, to ad delivery confirmation, you must increase the thickness of the mailer. Stuff some bubble wrap or paper in it. USPS will not put DC on it unless it is a certain thickness.Your shipping should list as $2.50 on your E-bay listing. That covers it. Good luck Tom

[Scott99]

Scott, Don't even waste your money, Go to E-bay, search #000 mailer, You can get a BUNCH of 4x8 bubble mailers for next to nothing, $.60 cents apiece for 6x9's is highway robbery. You may have to wait for them but you will save a bundle. Don't forget, to ad delivery confirmation, you must increase the thickness of the mailer. Stuff some bubble wrap or paper in it. USPS will not put DC on it unless it is a certain thickness.Your shipping should list as $2.50 on your E-bay listing. That covers it. Good luck Tom

After searching that in ebay, i do see that i did get robbed!
It's ok though, I only have 3 coins to list at the moment. Also do you know approximately how thick it must be before it can receive a DC?

[liveandievarieties]

USPS requires 3/4 inch thickness for DC. You can put a single piece of styrofoam peanuts in and it'll do the job without adding any weight.

[mwgibbons]

I bought a roll of bubble for about 3.00 and cut it to fit a regular envelope and make sure coin is in the middle, with another small piece of bubble folded around the coin and taped. Most expensive part of this is the stamp.