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 Replies: 22 / Views: 5,011 |
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New Member
Australia
20 Posts |
Hi all, I am hoping some of you might be able to offer some advice on selling coins on ebay. As I work in retail, I have ended up with a large quantity of commemoratives in pretty much all denominations (I've also copped some NCLT, like the Howard Florey and small-head Kingsford Smith dollar coins, but that's beside the point). I am looking to get rid of them, hopefully to fund my purchase of NZ pre-decimals - my current obsession. Somebody suggested in another post, to try selling bulk lots, statrting price being face-value. This is a good idea, but my query is specifically about Postage. I have previously sent coins overseas as a Numista coins swap, but man, did the Australia Post people give me a hard time, or what (I must be a dastardly and incompetent money-launderer or something). They let it through, but made it clear it was a one-off. I realise I could post only to Australia, but this would possibly narrow my market quite severely. Does anyone have any experience in this area? Any advice would be much appreciated. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1333 Posts |
NO it is not worth the effort unless it a large amount and then you have to be careful as you don't want people to notice what the items might be, as it might not be allowed to be post in that particular country. (it has nothing to do with money laundering) As it is actually Australia Post Policy that you aren't allowed to post money (coins) in there letter mail only mail (paper) :D.
Note that normal mail (letter) will cost $5 and upwards, and I believe packaged mail is anywhere from $11-$35, and that just for standard mail.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1333 Posts |
im not allow to sell stuff here (At least this thread/topic) but you can PM me I have quite a few pre-decimal NZ coin nothing super special, but decent if you are interested.
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New Member
 Australia
20 Posts |
So, basically, what you're saying is that:
* Posting stuff from Australia is expensive (don't I know it)
* If you're posting enough stuff to justify the Postage, don't draw attention to the fact it may be coins.
I guess the main question I was asking, is do Australian sellers actually do this? Or do they mostly just send within Australia (ie no Customs Declarations etc).
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12441 Posts |
Australia Post is very restrictive when it comes to shipping/handling coins/currency. I've gotten a couple packages through to Australia, but it was risky. Why this is, I have no idea. One of those I sent was to help an Aussie member get his rolls from the RCM (they don't ship to Australia). To me, not being able to ship a couple coin rolls from Canada to Australia is ridiculous. I don't know what the concern is. It's all under the Crown, right? In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
ryurazu, Please read the rules again or contact a mod with questions. John1  ( I'm no pro, it's just my humble opinion )
Searched 6.5 +/- Million Cents Since 1971
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New Member
Australia
20 Posts |
Hey ryurazu, Definitely interested in seeing what NZ pre-decimal you have to offer. I am currently unable to email you directly (my post count isn't high enough yet). I am primarily looking to finish my halfpenny collection. Perhaps if you email me with what you have, we might make a deal? spruett001: I know. To quote The Colonel from Monty Python's Flying Circus, it's all "Too Silly". We're lucky we don't have laws on the books stopping us running past a Police Station with scissors while drunk, singing "What's the Colour of a Two Cent Coin". Very silly, indeed. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United Kingdom
16067 Posts |
I bought a coin on ebay from Australia about two years ago - the postage wasn't exorbitant, and the coin arrived safely with no problems. The seller was quite happy to send it to the UK. |
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
MNCcoino,  to CCF. Please read the rules before you guys get in trouble from Bobby...Just a heads up. John1 ( I'm no pro, it's just my humble opinion )
Searched 6.5 +/- Million Cents Since 1971
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New Member
Australia
20 Posts |
Thanks, John1. And no worries, will re-read. I certainly don't want to get anyone offside.
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Valued Member
Australia
365 Posts |
In my opinion it is a waste of time and effort to sell coins to overseas countries, especially in bulk. The postage is far too high and finding an overseas buyer is not as easy as it may seem.Single coins may be ok but at the counter they will ask dumb questions like what is in it. You will have to pack it in such a way it can't be felt by the "Finger test", if you try an envelope. A 5kg box to the UK will cost around $91. Then there is the customs declaration. Most countries will charge the receiver duty on silver and gold coins.
It's a minefield and not worth it!!!
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1333 Posts |
Unless you have a particular Super rare coin or an error coin of some kind that you want a large customer base and you aren't afraid of foreign banking systems (that why paypal is a tad better when you have international buyer, fee are still a pain tho for the exchange), I would say that you can't insure the coin which is annoying and if stolen in transit it's also very problematic (high value coins). I think this is the reason why coins aren't allowed to be send in mail due to possible insurance and liability claims, even tho Credit cards are sent via mail, what Derp. I'm not say that it can't be worth the effort or time you put into mailing but its will often be very close to break even or a slight profit. I would say there are risks and there are rewards it up to you to decide if it worth taking depending on your collection of coins (value). Oh you don't have to just list on ebay tho. Edited by ryurazu
06/24/2019 7:35 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
I've bought and sold too and from Australia many times and never really had a problem with the mail either way (knock on wood). The one thing though is do not lie on customs forums, that's the quickest way to make packages disappear. You can say things like numismatic items or something like that but whatever you put make sure it's accurate to what is actually in there
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7619 Posts |
I don't sell coins, I only trade them and have been doing that for about 10 years. I don't register the packages and I try to keep them to under 250g so they are not too conspicuous. Also, I use the post office labels, not stamps, so the package does not appeal to anyone that might collect stamps. Obviously, package the coins so they don't rattle. On the declaration, I put "Hobby Supplies" and have only ever been asked once to elaborate and then I just added 'Metal discs". In all this time, I only lost 2 packages that I sent to Egypt and one went missing on it's way to me from Estonia, and one actually arrived in Melbourne and went missing there. I was very upset at losing that package as it had many Russian coin in. Steve  |
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New Member
Australia
20 Posts |
Thanks for the advice, all. The consensus seems to be not to bother trying to send overseas. I've definitely taken it on board.
Shame, though. I love the 1 & 2 Euro commemoratives - and such an abundance! Looks like I'm just going to have to go to Europe to start *that* collection. It's a hard life.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7619 Posts |
Just find some trading partners in Europe and go for it.
Steve :)
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Replies: 22 / Views: 5,011 |
Posted 06/23/2019 10:56 pm
