Everyone who buys currency knows that you can buy from stores, from dealers, from auctions, and from private parties. Everyone knows that you must do research and be informed. Everyone knows that you can find occasional bargains at garage sales, from neighbors, currency dealers, stamp and numismatic stores, at auctions and on eBay.

But where and how do you get the best bargains?

Who am I?

ONEBUCKBILL, (That’s me), started out early in sales. I feel this is important, because to do sales, you must be intimately acquainted with purchasing. You cannot buy low, sell high, if you do not know where your product is in the marketplace. In elementary school, I sold lemonade and organically grown fruits and vegetables. I have sold or marketed just about anything you can think of. I have sold jewelry and oil paintings door-to-door. I have sold typewriter ribbons over the phone. I spent time selling advertising services to businesses, including one of the first major marketing campaigns to introduce Acura to California when they first opened their doors. I provided unusual advertising alternatives to national and worldwide companies such a Pepsi and Coca-Cola. I have written and produced marketing for magazines, newspaper, radio and television.

By trade, I am, and have been for several years, one of the top producing commercial realtors in the State of California. I invest in commercial and residential income properties, as well as vacant land. I have extensive experience in owning and operating commercial income properties, apartment complexes and mobile home parks. My current project is a non-profit organization formed to build locations and provide sober living, drug education, and rehabilitation services for single parents and lower income families.

DISCLAIMER AND MY BACKGROUND IN CURRENCY

The following information is based solely upon my own experiences and observations.

No warranty or guarantee of any nature is expressed or implied.

Although collecting of error and rare U. S. Currency is my hobby, due to the large investment that is required to put together a collection of notes that suit my taste and interests, in many ways this hobby has mandated that I approach it in a business-like manner. I do not in any way, shape or form profess to be “The Expert”, or even “An Expert” in the field, but, it is safe to say that I have “Been around the block”. I have read quite a few books on the subject, as I continue to do. I have joined several numismatic clubs and subscribe to several numismatic publications. I own several computer programs specifically designed for investors interested in numismatic values and transactions. I have extensive experience in purchasing notes from dealers, private parties, eBay, and both on-line and live auctions. The live auctions have been both online and on site, in person.

WHY AM I OFFERING THIS INFORMATION?

Well, my goals are several. I would like to help others, and to gain respect and be revered! Unfortunately, reality tells me that as soon as people start to read this, the overwhelming reaction is sure to be responses telling me that I am an idiot. They will tell me everything I say is wrong, and how smart they are. They will tell me that only they know the right way. Therefore, maybe, subconsciously, I present this for a totally selfish reason. I do this so that people can correct me and I can finally start to do it right!

The other last reason that pops to mind is that I just really hate being lied to and given counter-productive advice. Everyone that has ever read a book about currency collecting or read the info online from any company selling currency and/or precious metal investments, or that been to an “Expo”, or spoken to a dealer of coin or currency, or attended currency auctions, has heard or seen, over and over, stay away from eBay. No deals, just criminals, thieves and the unholy on eBay. That is what they say, and print, constantly.

BALDERDASH! POPPYCOCK!

It is true that on eBay, just as in life and everywhere you go, you must be somewhat informed in whatever you do, and you must keep your eyes open and your wits about you.

That being said, let me make this next statement:

In my opinion, eBay is probably the best thing to have come along for the benefit of the error and rare currency industry. Ever.

I believe that eBay is responsible more than any other single organization to not only educate people as to the types of old and rare currency available, but has made such notes available worldwide, to pretty much anyone. I admit that I have no statistics or numbers, but I would bet that more notes are traded on eBay than anywhere else, in this world or any other.

Hence, if eBay provides the largest volume, and if eBay is basically always open, and if eBay provides generally the easiest access, then it stands to reason that eBay is the place to find the best deals on an ongoing basis.

Everyone has his or her favorite method of bidding. Some like to make their first bid the maximum they are willing to pay for a note. Some like to start low, and slowly increase the amount of their bid. Some like to wait for the last second of an auction or listing and “Snipe”. Each of these techniques have their pros and cons, but I believe that if you understand the causes of the fluctuations in the prices of notes, that you have a far greater chance to find the bargains you seek, both during the regular eBay auctions, as well as in the items listed as store inventory.