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 | Gold Prices and eBay Coin Sales
| The popularity of coin collecting has increased, and gold coins are some of the most sought after. With many stocks and other investments under performing since the late 1990's, some people are starting to invest in gold and other precious metals to diversify their portfolios. Also, with recent world events creating uncertainties for the future, many around the world have turned to gold as an investment hedge.
This increased popularity of collecting gold can be seen on eBay as annual Gross Merchandise Sales (GMS) across various gold categories has increased:
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Category
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Increase in GMS
(Q4 01 vs. Q4 02)
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U.S. Coins > Bullion: Gold
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85%
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U.S. Coins > Gold
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40%
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World Coins > Gold
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32%
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An interesting trend worth noting is how the New York Spot Price for gold influences eBay's gold sales. For example, when the spot price for gold spiked between December 2002 and February 2003, eBay's gold coin sales followed a similar trend.
So if you sell in any gold-related Coins categories, be sure to incorporate projections on the price of gold into your selling strategy.
Some useful sites for tracking the price of gold:
Have a suggestion for a future Coins article -- let us know!
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Coins Liquidation Tip
When is the best time to liquidate? This is a question business owners deal with frequently. If you are sitting on inventory that has been taking up important storage space, consider liquidating these slow movers to make room for new merchandise.
Consider the benefits:
- Reclaim Space: Make room in your warehouse or store for new inventory.
- Increase Capital: Boost cash flow for investment in additional products or marketing.
- Generate Customers: Broaden your customer base with value-oriented shoppers.
Use these eBay strategies to liquidate inventory quickly and economically:
- Open Low, No Reserve: Increase bids, turnover. Open at $1 without a reserve price.
- Buy It Now: Reduce overstock fast; get paid sooner. Let customers buy immediately.
- Fixed Price: Lower sale costs. Offer multiples of an item in a single listing at one price.
- Good 'Til Cancelled: Avoid relisting. List overstock in your Store as GTC items.
- Store Merchandising: Create a "Sale" category in your Store.
- Sale Titles: Build interest. Include "Special," "Blowout," in listing titles.
- Liquidation Listing: Protect new product. Create an off-price listing template. Compare the original value to your rebated price.
You bought it, but you're not stuck with it. Liquidate to move the old and make room for the new!
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 | verypq (1,056), Barry Stuppler & Company Inc.
Selling Investment-Quality Coins
| Collecting coins remains a popular hobby for many casual collectors. But sellers like Powerseller Barry Stuppler appeal to serious investors, looking to enhance their financial portfolio.
Stuppler's investment-quality coins, which run anywhere from hundreds of dollars to several thousands, promise to hold their value, if not increase, over the long run. For his eBay listings, Stuppler seeks out true rarities -- that is, 18th- to 20th-century American gold and silver coins graded "MS63" and above, with known populations of less than 100 pieces.
"Quality coins with these criteria are difficult to locate and purchase," admits Stuppler, who has been in the coin business for the past 40 years. "For every true rarity sold, collectors buy hundreds of coins that provide pleasure but are unlikely to produce substantial monetary return."
However, Stuppler believes that, given the current state of the economy, high-grade coins represent a stable financial investment, even if some buyers aren't aware of this initially.
"Some of the buyers who come to eBay have told me they bid on investment-quality coins only," he says. "I believe that others, who buy high-grade coins primarily for their collections, could nevertheless justify their purchases as investments, particularly today when paper investments such as equities offer dubious profitability and safety."
An important facet of Stuppler's selling strategy consists of educating his customers about the coin market, not only to ensure they make good buys, but also to assist them in making knowledgeable decisions about the potential future value of their purchases. He tries to develop what he calls a "consultative relationship" with his buyers, so that they perceive him "as an expert guide rather than just another seller."
To do this, Stuppler might work with a customer to build a collection around a theme as opposed to purchasing items randomly. He also includes content with his listings, such as news and updates about the industry.
"The more information on the coin market I can give collectors and investors to help them make informed decisions, the better," Stuppler concludes. "When it comes to spending one's hard-earned money, ignorance is not bliss. On the contrary, knowledge is power. When I empower coin buyers—new or experienced—by being an important source of knowledge, I've earned their trust and confidence."
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Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
