Onlinecoins.co.uk - still operating?

[brauereibeck]

Does anyone know what has happened to onlinecoins.co.uk? Their website appears to have been experiencing technical difficulties for some time now making it impossible to use. Has anyone else found this to be the case, or is it just me?

[Gary1000]

Does anyone know what has happened to onlinecoins.co.uk? Their website appears to have been experiencing technical difficulties for some time now making it impossible to use. Has anyone else found this to be the case, or is it just me?

There website is there but I can't browse any catagories. Is that the problem you are seeing?

[Peckris]

Does anyone know what has happened to onlinecoins.co.uk? Their website appears to have been experiencing technical difficulties for some time now making it impossible to use. Has anyone else found this to be the case, or is it just me?

There website is there but I can't browse any catagories. Is that the problem you are seeing?

"There was an error in your search criteria. Please click back button on your browser and resubmit." That's what I get each time I click a link.

[TomGoodheart]

I'm not entirely sure, but I believe that Andy Bruce who used to run it either left, or took a back seat. When I last looked at his ebay listings they were all for furniture.

For some time now I think the only active seller has been Rendel Ingram, who has mentioned in recent listings that photos of coins were unavailable because the site had run out of bandwidth.

I did try to email Andy a while back (he's a member here too) but got no reply. And Rendel has his own site where he lists coins. I guess you could email him? http://www.ringramcoins.com/english_coins_antique_coins_catalogue.shtml But I'm assuming the site may be broken with nobody available to fix it.

Sad. I got quite a few very decent coins from Andy, most of which I still have in my collection.

[brauereibeck]

Does anyone know what has happened to onlinecoins.co.uk? Their website appears to have been experiencing technical difficulties for some time now making it impossible to use. Has anyone else found this to be the case, or is it just me?

There website is there but I can't browse any catagories. Is that the problem you are seeing?

Exactly, also when you attempt to sign in you are directed to an error page. I've emailed them but after some weeks still not received a reply. Shame as they had a good range of stock. Going off on a complete tangent, what would be good is if someone could come up with a web-site that acts as a one-stop hub for all the decent online coin dealers... beyond my abilities I'm afraid.

[brauereibeck]

I'm not entirely sure, but I believe that Andy Bruce who used to run it either left, or took a back seat. When I last looked at his ebay listings they were all for furniture.

For some time now I think the only active seller has been Rendel Ingram, who has mentioned in recent listings that photos of coins were unavailable because the site had run out of bandwidth.

I did try to email Andy a while back (he's a member here too) but got no reply. And Rendel has his own site where he lists coins. I guess you could email him? http://www.ringramco...catalogue.shtml But I'm assuming the site may be broken with nobody available to fix it.

Sad. I got quite a few very decent coins from Andy, most of which I still have in my collection.

Thanks, that pretty much answers my question.

[declanwmagee]

what would be good is if someone could come up with a web-site that acts as a one-stop hub for all the decent online coin dealers... beyond my abilities I'm afraid.

That's an excellent idea. I did try to do something similar with Google Custom Searches, but it doesn't work exactly like I'd hoped. I wanted to search for a specific coin across a list of dealers websites. It'd be great if someone could do that, and I can't believe I'm the only one who'd like to be able to do it.

Edited November 21, 2012 by declanwmagee

[TomGoodheart]

what would be good is if someone could come up with a web-site that acts as a one-stop hub for all the decent online coin dealers... beyond my abilities I'm afraid.

That's an excellent idea. I did try to do something similar with Google Custom Searches, but it doesn't work exactly like I'd hoped. I wanted to search for a specific coin across a list of dealers websites. It'd be great if someone could do that, and I can't believe I'm the only one who'd like to be able to do it.

Chris!!!! We have a new project for you!

[1949threepence]

Does anyone know what has happened to onlinecoins.co.uk? Their website appears to have been experiencing technical difficulties for some time now making it impossible to use. Has anyone else found this to be the case, or is it just me?

I'm getting "coin search error - missing criteria" when I try to look at any coins. But the site itself is still there.

To be honest, the lion's share of the coins on that site were the (in my opinion) somewhat overpriced and generously graded coins of Rendel, who has his own site anyway.

Edited November 21, 2012 by 1949threepence

[Chris Perkins]

Be hard to do. Coin dealers are mavericks by nature and often get a bit funny about sharing their wares with other dealers, even if the only sharing is a page of web results. Onlinecoins was good and I knew Andy too, but obviously it doesn't seem to have worked.

The google search thing isn't a bad idea though. Surely lots of specific coins can be found that way, many of which are on dealers websites and on offer?

[TomGoodheart]

Well, there's always vcoins, which operates like that and does have some UK dealers.

I think the nice thing about online was that it was (AFAIK) smaller dealers who used it and, though I never met him, Andy provided a friendly service. As I say, in its day there were some good coins there.

Maybe it's just easier to set up your own website now and those who would have joined online have done their own thing? Or maybe it was down to turnover in the end? I know the dealer sites I visit most often are those that regularly add new stock.

[1949threepence]

Well, there's always vcoins, which operates like that and does have some UK dealers.

I think the nice thing about online was that it was (AFAIK) smaller dealers who used it and, though I never met him, Andy provided a friendly service. As I say, in its day there were some good coins there.

Maybe it's just easier to set up your own website now and those who would have joined online have done their own thing? Or maybe it was down to turnover in the end? I know the dealer sites I visit most often are those that regularly add new stock.

The format of v coins is very good, but the site is rather thematic. Ideally something like that with all on line UK dealers would be very useful, and no doubt draw in a lot of trade for those dealers.

Incidentally, there are still quite a lot of dealers who don't even have an e mail address, let alone a website. Which is a great pity.

[ski]

Incidentally, there are still quite a lot of dealers who don't even have an e mail address, let alone a website. Which is a great pity.

even fewer have their own song and video

[1949threepence]

Incidentally, there are still quite a lot of dealers who don't even have an e mail address, let alone a website. Which is a great pity.

even fewer have their own song and video

Very true ski.

I had to laugh when I heard this bit from the song:-

#Hoping his customers won't come and take them away. They're here and they're here to stay#

I don't think anything could be further from the truth with all coin dealers, including Michael.

Incidentally, I'm not sure why they used an actor to portray him, and not the man himself. Could it be that the jovial looking guy with a drink in his hand, didn't quite project the image they were after ?

[TomGoodheart]

The format of v coins is very good, but the site is rather thematic. Ideally something like that with all on line UK dealers would be very useful, and no doubt draw in a lot of trade for those dealers.

Incidentally, there are still quite a lot of dealers who don't even have an e mail address, let alone a website. Which is a great pity.

I use the vcoins search function which works pretty well, rather than by dealer or category. But I think only a few UK dealers are represented there and agree more would be good.

I also find it strange when dealers use a website like a mailing list. Now when I collected milled coins I'd risk buying from a description in a mailing list. But with hammered coins I need a photo. OK, it takes time and I guess bandwidth. But I'm no longer prepared to buy sight unseen. For a start, I'm much more likely to pick up interesting details than most dealers will notice, but mostly because 'eye appeal' is an essential element in hammered coins. You can have two very similarly graded coins, but one might be much more appealing to me than the other for reasons that I'd find difficult to explain.

As for people who have photos but don't post them or who just have thumbnails, well, I've tired of emailing dealers asking for pictures. Now if there aren't any or they are unclear I tend to just move on I'm afraid ..

[1949threepence]

The format of v coins is very good, but the site is rather thematic. Ideally something like that with all on line UK dealers would be very useful, and no doubt draw in a lot of trade for those dealers.

Incidentally, there are still quite a lot of dealers who don't even have an e mail address, let alone a website. Which is a great pity.

I use the vcoins search function which works pretty well, rather than by dealer or category. But I think only a few UK dealers are represented there and agree more would be good.

I also find it strange when dealers use a website like a mailing list. Now when I collected milled coins I'd risk buying from a description in a mailing list. But with hammered coins I need a photo. OK, it takes time and I guess bandwidth. But I'm no longer prepared to buy sight unseen. For a start, I'm much more likely to pick up interesting details than most dealers will notice, but mostly because 'eye appeal' is an essential element in hammered coins. You can have two very similarly graded coins, but one might be much more appealing to me than the other for reasons that I'd find difficult to explain.

As for people who have photos but don't post them or who just have thumbnails, well, I've tired of emailing dealers asking for pictures. Now if there aren't any or they are unclear I tend to just move on I'm afraid ..

That's very true, Tom ~ or as a compromise they just have pics of their best coins, and nothing else.

As far as on line dealers are concerned, good photography of their stock is pretty obviously essential for optimum take up. If you can't be there in person, as with a shop, then you need to view the item in other ways.

[Peckris]

The format of v coins is very good, but the site is rather thematic. Ideally something like that with all on line UK dealers would be very useful, and no doubt draw in a lot of trade for those dealers.

Incidentally, there are still quite a lot of dealers who don't even have an e mail address, let alone a website. Which is a great pity.

I use the vcoins search function which works pretty well, rather than by dealer or category. But I think only a few UK dealers are represented there and agree more would be good.

I also find it strange when dealers use a website like a mailing list. Now when I collected milled coins I'd risk buying from a description in a mailing list. But with hammered coins I need a photo. OK, it takes time and I guess bandwidth. But I'm no longer prepared to buy sight unseen. For a start, I'm much more likely to pick up interesting details than most dealers will notice, but mostly because 'eye appeal' is an essential element in hammered coins. You can have two very similarly graded coins, but one might be much more appealing to me than the other for reasons that I'd find difficult to explain.

As for people who have photos but don't post them or who just have thumbnails, well, I've tired of emailing dealers asking for pictures. Now if there aren't any or they are unclear I tend to just move on I'm afraid ..

That's very true, Tom ~ or as a compromise they just have pics of their best coins, and nothing else.

As far as on line dealers are concerned, good photography of their stock is pretty obviously essential for optimum take up. If you can't be there in person, as with a shop, then you need to view the item in other ways.

I wish someone would tell the SW's biggest dealer Glenn Ogden from whom I've bought coins at fairs before. Now I'm restricted to buying online, I've had to rule him out just because he doesn't see fit to put up pictures. I took him up on this a while back and got a really rude email from his wife.

[1949threepence]

The format of v coins is very good, but the site is rather thematic. Ideally something like that with all on line UK dealers would be very useful, and no doubt draw in a lot of trade for those dealers.

Incidentally, there are still quite a lot of dealers who don't even have an e mail address, let alone a website. Which is a great pity.

I use the vcoins search function which works pretty well, rather than by dealer or category. But I think only a few UK dealers are represented there and agree more would be good.

I also find it strange when dealers use a website like a mailing list. Now when I collected milled coins I'd risk buying from a description in a mailing list. But with hammered coins I need a photo. OK, it takes time and I guess bandwidth. But I'm no longer prepared to buy sight unseen. For a start, I'm much more likely to pick up interesting details than most dealers will notice, but mostly because 'eye appeal' is an essential element in hammered coins. You can have two very similarly graded coins, but one might be much more appealing to me than the other for reasons that I'd find difficult to explain.

As for people who have photos but don't post them or who just have thumbnails, well, I've tired of emailing dealers asking for pictures. Now if there aren't any or they are unclear I tend to just move on I'm afraid ..

That's very true, Tom ~ or as a compromise they just have pics of their best coins, and nothing else.

As far as on line dealers are concerned, good photography of their stock is pretty obviously essential for optimum take up. If you can't be there in person, as with a shop, then you need to view the item in other ways.

I wish someone would tell the SW's biggest dealer Glenn Ogden from whom I've bought coins at fairs before. Now I'm restricted to buying online, I've had to rule him out just because he doesn't see fit to put up pictures. I took him up on this a while back and got a really rude email from his wife.

Why do people react so aggressively to constructive suggestions, which are just as much for their benefit as anyone else's ?

[DaveG38]

Well, there's always vcoins, which operates like that and does have some UK dealers.

I think the nice thing about online was that it was (AFAIK) smaller dealers who used it and, though I never met him, Andy provided a friendly service. As I say, in its day there were some good coins there.

Maybe it's just easier to set up your own website now and those who would have joined online have done their own thing? Or maybe it was down to turnover in the end? I know the dealer sites I visit most often are those that regularly add new stock.

The prices being charged by dealers on vcoins.com look a bit on the optimistic side to me.

[TomGoodheart]

I wish someone would tell the SW's biggest dealer Glenn Ogden from whom I've bought coins at fairs before. Now I'm restricted to buying online, I've had to rule him out just because he doesn't see fit to put up pictures. I took him up on this a while back and got a really rude email from his wife.

Yes, I had an email from Gillian saying they didn't photograph hammered coins because it doesn't do them justice and suggesting coming to the next fair they attend. I didn't bother suggesting better photography and in the end a trip from Buckinghamshire to Newark didn't appeal, so a potential sale lost here too.

But hey, maybe they can afford to lose customers. After all, there's plenty of money about and small businesses are doing better than ever I hear.

[ski]

I regularly drool over richard ingrams stock list, a great many of the coins in the list have no photo, and those that do.......really poor photography.......none have ever persuaded me to take a punt.

its very difficult to assess detail and coin grade from his pics.

[Paulus]

I regularly drool over richard ingrams stock list, a great many of the coins in the list have no photo, and those that do.......really poor photography.......none have ever persuaded me to take a punt.

its very difficult to assess detail and coin grade from his pics.

Totally agree, and true of too many dealers still, they are really missing a trick!

[azda]

I regularly drool over richard ingrams stock list, a great many of the coins in the list have no photo, and those that do.......really poor photography.......none have ever persuaded me to take a punt.

its very difficult to assess detail and coin grade from his pics.

The reason the pictures are Photographed so far away is the Grades are not what they say, usually a 1/2-1 Grade more than a coin is. I bought once and never again, grading was poor in my opinion......that's only my opinion, others may have had a better experience, unfortunately not me.

[brauereibeck]

Well, there's always vcoins, which operates like that and does have some UK dealers.

I think the nice thing about online was that it was (AFAIK) smaller dealers who used it and, though I never met him, Andy provided a friendly service. As I say, in its day there were some good coins there.

Maybe it's just easier to set up your own website now and those who would have joined online have done their own thing? Or maybe it was down to turnover in the end? I know the dealer sites I visit most often are those that regularly add new stock.

Just had a look at vcoins. The nuts and bolts of the site are excellent, particularly the search facility. It could be a lucrative alternative to ebay for those dealers prepared to support a UK equivalent.

[ski]

ski, on 24 November 2012 - 12:00 AM, said:

I regularly drool over richard ingrams stock list, a great many of the coins in the list have no photo, and those that do.......really poor photography.......none have ever persuaded me to take a punt.

its very difficult to assess detail and coin grade from his pics.

The reason the pictures are Photographed so far away is the Grades are not what they say, usually a 1/2-1 Grade more than a coin is. I bought once and never again, grading was poor in my opinion......that's only my opinion, others may have had a better experience, unfortunately not me.

ive emailed richard several times requesting better pictures and all you get is the same ones as the site, shame really because you get the feeling as pointed out here.....the pics are trying to hide the true grade.

ski