Tag Archives: Proxibid

Disservice Terms

Posted on by


serviceterms

Some terms of service, as these from one Proxibid auction (click to expand)–yes, all these restrictions from one house–are so stacked against online bidders that one has to wonder why the company is paying online fees.

Believe it or not, we have won great coins from this house. We waited until the last dozen lots or so, when everyone else had spent their funds–easy to do with a 22% online fee–and low-balled bids. (We’re not recommending this practice anymore especially since then this house has switched to seeing all maximum bids and ghost bidding lots.)

Whew!

Have you ever encountered such service terms on Proxibid? If so, how have you responded? Let us know!

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.

TIP OF THE WEEK!

Posted on by

Be Careful About Look-Alike Slabs!


pcgscopy

These are technically not counterfeit or illegal but nevertheless easily mistaken for the top-grading company in the world, PCGS.

If you see a lot with a slab like this and the auctioneer states PCGS, use the “Report This Item” link on Proxibid to alert the auction company. You also might contact PCGS, which takes the case of look-alike slabs seriously.

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.

Seller Rating System Improves Proxibid

Posted on by


newfeature

Our viewers know that we prefer to buy coins on Proxibid than on eBay. Now that the portal has established a seller rating system, we endorse the company even more.

The seller rating system is easy to access. Buyers who have completed a transaction with a seller can rate and provide feedback on their experience. In a news release, Proxibid states, “Seven days after the transaction, buyers will be notified via email of items awaiting feedback in MyProxibid.” Buyers in MyProxibid can rate their experience with the following five questions:

  • Did you receive your item in a timely manner?
  • How reasonable were the Seller’s shipping charges?
  • Did the Seller’s online listing accurately describe the item?
  • How reasonable were the Seller’s fees? (fees other than shipping)
  • Please rate the Seller’s customer service.

See photo below for a sample, clicking to expand:

newfeature2

Buyers are given a one-time opportunity to rate their experience and submit feedback on each purchase. Feedback must be submitted within 60 days of purchase.

The news release continues:

    Proxibid will collect information from buyers and share with Sellers as it is collected. Once enough information is collected, the ratings will display to buyers on the website. Written feedback will not be displayed publicly on the website. MyProxibid homepage displays an additional count of “Items I’ve Purchased” and link to all items awaiting feedback.

We tested the system today. It works flawlessly. We have a few suggestions, though. The “Return to my Items” link returns the browser to the top of the purchased list, meaning you have to continuously scroll down to continue to leave feedback. If you use the “Back” button of your browser, it returns you to the item where you left off. That’s an easy but essential fix technologically.

Buyers in the Coins and Currency category often purchase multiple lots, especially in bullion. It took us 15 minutes to leave feedback for our recently purchased items. We suggest a small blank, check-mark-able box beside each item so that the buyer can leave one feedback for the entire shipment. That should be optional, though, as some lots are better described than others. That’s why we recommend the check-able box, another easy fix technologically.

Finally, we think the new seller rating system will make our own site more essential. We bristle at what we have been seeing with some newcomers to the portal, charging way above retail and hyping lots. Proxiblog will continue to evaluate the rating system. As for now, we applaud Proxibid and look forward to promoting the portal and our top auction houses to our growing audience!

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.

Proxibid Upgrades “My Items”

Posted on by


myitems

We really like the photo upgrade to the “My Items” tab on Proxibid, letting bidders know what the status of their preferred lots are and how, if at all, maximums have changed. This is yet another feature that calls for good photography from sellers on the portal.

The “My Items” tab aligns nicely with the email notification that bidders receive. See a sample of that below. (Click to expand.)

myitems2

Once again, the portal is becoming more visual and competitive.

Jason Nielsen, senior VP for operations, says, ““Our goal is to offer an ecommerce experience similar to that which can be found at other leading online retailers. This new feature provides online buyers with a quick and easy way to check on their current bids, boosting consumer confidence in our online platform.”

We agree.

To master numismatic photography, see this post on Coin Update News.

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.

Learn Basic Coin Design

Posted on by

By learning basic coin design, and the numismatic terms associated with it, you will appreciate your collection more and be able to describe consignments with insight and eloquence. Price is only $7.99 through Amazon KINDLE. With each purchase, you will be contributing to the scholarship fund at Iowa State University.

basic_coin_esign

Michael Bugeja, columnist for Coin World and reporter for Coin Update News, shares results of a comprehensive study of all U.S. Mint circulating coinage. Dr. Bugeja is a member of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Citizen Coinage Advisory Committee and works with other appointees in determining coin design for the U.S. Mint. His study does not represent the views of the U.S. Mint. They are his own.

Dr. Bugeja uses empirical methods to identify the placement and artistic effect of dates, denominations, legends, mottos, symbols and other devices of all circulating coinage, from the 1792 half disme made from Martha Washington’s silverware to 2011 modern commemorative coinage. View sample datasheets below, clicking to expand.

datasheet

datasheet1

datasheet2

The result is a startlingly helpful analysis of basic design questions, such as “How to Tell Heads from Tails” (difficult on some coins) or “Why the Morgan dollar is the most popular collected coin.” The book has two sections, one devoted to the study and the other a detailed discussion of basic design elements, such as the privy mark or the three-sided canvas of a coin (obverse, reverse, edge). Learn coin design from a top numismatic writer and enjoy the hobby of collecting from an entirely different and enlightened perspective.

Better still, author Michael Bugeja will donate out of every sale to his First Amendment Fund at Iowa State University, which will underwrite scholarships for the next generation of bidders.

CLICK HERE FOR PURCHASE

The Shipping Blues

Posted on by


shipping_boxes

What gives with shipping and certain Proxibid houses proclaiming “We are not in the shipping business”? You bet you are if you want to sell online, paying those Proxibid fees. We are even more befuddled by houses like the Proxibid one below that charges additional handling fees per coin! Geez, we thought the idea was to reward bidders for winning many lots. This house punishes them!

One auction house on Proxibid charges $20 per lot shipping. That’s not a flat rate for one coin. That’s an inflated one!

Check out this house that charges $8 per coin. (Click to expand picture.)

shipping

Many of our top houses use shipping to secure multiple bids and return customers. Both SilverTowne Auction and Back to the Past Collectibles, for instance, ship within two days and look for the best price between speed and cost.

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.

Inflated Descriptions Can Be Checked–Tread Carefully!

Posted on by

We tire of seeing new houses on Proxibid inflating coin prices and believing that bidders will pay them. That’s not the way to win return customers online because sooner or later the buyer will be informed about the overpayment and then hold the lack of honesty against you. Our top houses to the right understand that. Time the newbies to Proxibid did, too!

Click photos to expand and see comments

The lot below gives ridiculous price ranges of $1500-$3000 for $150-$200 worth of common silver proof half dollars. Advice: Anyone who believes this should compare prices at the local coin shop.

inflated

This common Morgan dollar retails for $68, not $269. Easy to check as the coin has a certification number.
peeved

You can do the same with PCGS slabs. This common time is said to have a retail of $150–expected hammer price (quite arrogant, we think, for any online auctioneer to state; if there’s a reserve, post it!). Coin’s worth $41.

petpeeve

This is how it’s done. See this lot by SilverTowne Auctions, putting a price hundreds below what an almost uncirculated 1875-S twenbty-cent piece would cost.
silver_au_details

Lesson: Be honest. It’s the best practice.

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.

What Passes for Awesome on eBay–Hundreds of Lots!

Posted on by

Our regular viewers know we buy on eBay from time to time, usually regretting the experience. What we regret even more is the use of “awesome” on hundreds of lots.

Click the photos below to see the coin and our common.

awesome

awesome1

awesome2

awesome3

awesome4

awesome6

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.

eBay Boos

Posted on by

We’d have a field day if we did a weekly “Boos and Booyahs” post on coins selling on eBay. Very few sellers acknowledge any problems on coins and yet appeal for 100% favorable ratings. It’s a culture of its own. Below are examples of hyped raw coins. Do you have the same experience as us on the world’s largest coin portal?

Click to expand the photos and read our commentary.

notms67

inflated2

museum

We’re curious. Do you bid eBay? Do you find it better, worse, on par with the Coins and Currency category on Proxibid? Let us know by filing a comment and speaking your mind!

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.

Back to the Past Collectibles Showcases Winner-Take-All Lot

Posted on by

We always enjoy Back to the Past Collectibles auctions. It has a low 10% buyer’s fee and ships quickly and inexpensively. We’ve seen mystery lots before on Proxibid, but never a winner-take-all lot. Very creative!

Click to expand the photo below and see how Back to the Past describes the lot, citing face value coins and currency and 5 ounces of silver. Then bidders are challenged to add up the rest of the items.

whatyousee1

Want a closer look? Expand the photo below and then consider bidding in the auction house’s Oct. 19 auction.

whatyousee

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.