| Obviously, when you are collecting coins, the biggest | | | | shot. |
| hurdle is to find the rare coins that everybody is looking | | | | 4. The purchase is safe since you normally have an |
| to get their hands on. People who can afford it go to | | | | auction agreement that determines the sale price and |
| auctions to buy their prized coins. The rarer a coin is | | | | item condition, to avoid any chances of deception. |
| the more is it difficult to find it, and the more would it | | | | 5. You can pay an immediate deposit upon wining the |
| cost you if you were to buy it. However you can pick | | | | bid, and take a limited amount of time to make the rest |
| up the odd bargain at auctions if you are lucky. The | | | | of the payment. |
| starting bid price is usually lower than the estimated | | | | Disadvantages |
| collectors' value, and if you are among the few | | | | 1. When you use an online auction site, the chances of |
| collectors at the auction you just might get lucky. The | | | | getting cheated are much higher - you cannot see the |
| online versions of auctions can take up to a few | | | | real item but only an image of it which may or may not |
| months to end, while buyers are making their minds up | | | | be authentic. |
| as to how high they would like to go. Here are a few | | | | 2. You could also end up with non-delivery after |
| advantage and disadvantages of getting your coins at | | | | payment, and are left with little other than the web site |
| auctions - | | | | to complain to, and all they would be able to do would |
| Advantages | | | | be to block the user - hardly any consolation to the |
| 1. The negotiations are simple and hassle free at | | | | person who just lost his money to a scammer. |
| auctions, online and off the net. The coin has a set | | | | 3. At times the reserved price on the auction could be |
| predetermined starting point, and you can keep this as | | | | higher than the budget you have in mind. At such times |
| a guide to help you decide how many times higher that | | | | it is tempting to go overboard and bid too much for the |
| amount you are willing to pay | | | | coin. Stick to your budget whatever happens - that is a |
| 2. You remain within your budget unless you yourself | | | | part of being a smart collector. |
| bid higher than your initial amount. | | | | 4. You can really inspect the coin only after it is |
| 3. You always stand a chance of winning the item if | | | | delivered to you. This is a major drawback since many |
| the actual winner gets disqualified for whatever | | | | sellers use the same image for a series of the same |
| reason. This could also occur when the reserve price | | | | coin, and this may not be with the intention to fool the |
| set for the coin hadn't been reached. In such case it will | | | | buyer. |
| be put up once again for auction and you get another | | | | |