Since Proxibid’s recent redesign, the site is more convenient, with one registration for all coins and currency auctions. But terms of service differ from house to house. Below is a selection of service terms with a comment or two from Proxiblog.
Perry Auction: “ALL purchases will be shipped by a professional packer and may result in higher shipping costs. All items will be insured for the purchase price. Our first priority is to deliver your new purchase in excellent condition. WE ARE NOT IN THE SHIPPING BUSINESS! WE USE THE LOCAL UPS STORE FOR ALL PACKING AND SHIPPING!!”
Proxiblog: If you want to succeed on Internet, you had better be in the shipping business … or others will steal your buyers with inexpensive and fast direct service. Also, it’s too risky to give out credit card numbers to unknown shippers. Why get APN clearance if using outside shippers?
Key Date Coins: “I Guaranty that all coins going through these Auctions are Authentic. If you find a coin that is not I will refund the total price of that item.”
Proxiblog: An example of good service. And Key Date ships direct, too.
George Roman Auctioneers: “Bidder agrees to provide any identification George Roman Auctioneers, Ltd. may request including but not limited to: drivers license, photocopies of credit cards, Social Security card or US Passport. Bidder agrees to comply with any stated additional terms or conditions associated with particular items.
Proxiblog: Social Security cards? Passports? Are you kidding?!
Crawford Family Auction: “All efforts are made by Crawford Family Auctions to represent authentic,(unless other wise described) merchandise. The Exception is for Gold, silver, platinum and coins specific to metal content, gems and jewelry. If you purchase gems, jewelry, coins, or precious metals, in regards to silver, gold, or platinum content and it comes back as not genuine, Crawford Family Auctions will refund your purchase.”
Proxiblog: Another auction company that understands the coin business. Thank you!
Aaron Joseph and Company: “RETURNS: Only numismatic items purchased online, via a phone bid, or a mail-in bid may be returned, and only if the item is not as described. Returns are to be made within five (5) days of receipt of the item or attempted delivery of the item, or fifteen (15) days of invoice, whichever is later.”
Proxiblog: Another service-minded auctioneers. We applaud!
United Country – A.B. Cole and Associates: “Positive ID is required to Bid. Registration on-line with a valid Credit Card (Visa/MasterCard). Your card will be charged $100 for verification only and will be applied to purchase or reimbursed if no purchases are made.”
Proxiblog: There has to be a better way to do business on Proxibid. Explore terms of service of our top companies to the right.
AUCTION ORANGE: “Shipping Instructions: Items generally sent via Insured Priority Mail for invoices over $150. COINS -Shipping cost is $5.99 for the first lot and $1 per additional lot with a maximum of $19.99. Insurance is $1.50 per $100 of value up to $500. NON COIN ITEMS – Will be charged actual shipping for the item. Please allow 7-14 business days for shipping.”
Proxiblog: We’re confused. Why punish top bidders by charging $1 per additional lot? Learn from Scott Auction’s shipping policies on Proxibid and see why Mr. Strosnider is one of our top auctioneers!
JEWELRY EXCHANGE: “Written descriptions of all items are true to our knowledge. Material identified as gold, silver or platinum is guaranteed to be the material described. Gemstones, including diamonds, are guaranteed to be authentic. When any item is graded, every attempt is made to grade conservatively.”
Proxiblog: One of our favorite houses because the auctioneer is customer friendly and often has top-notch consignments.
Shamrock Auction: “Shamrock Auction Service has put forth every effort in preparing the catalog for this auction to provide accurate descriptions of all items. All property is sold “as-is” and it is the bidder’s responsibility to determine the exact condition of each item. Printed statements or descriptions by staff are provided in good faith and are matters of opinion.”
Proxiblog: An honest service term. Good faith efforts result in return business.
Legacy Auction: “Consignors are not allowed to bid on their own merchandise nor have any agent bid on their behalf. If the Auctioneer recognizes such bidding or is advised of same, the Auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw any or all items consigned by the offending consignor, no exceptions.”
Proxiblog: We really admire this service term by Legacy. The auctioneer is trying to prevent shill bidding. We had not seen this before and recommend that all our Honor Roll houses adopt this. THANK YOU, Legacy!
In the future Proxiblog will monitor terms of service and present interesting, odd or proactive terms in a round-up post such as this.
Proxiblog is an independent entity with no connection to the auction portal Proxibid. Our intent is to uphold basic numismatic standards as established by the American Numismatic Association and the National Auctioneer Association and to ensure a pleasurable bidding experience not only on Proxibid but also on similar portals such as iCollector and AuctionZip.
Proxiblog's Top Online Coin Auctions 
I truly enjoy your articles and it helps me in selecting auctions and companies.
Dick Fee
Thank you, Dick. I had to learn about this through trial and error and hope I can spare folks some of that. Cheers.