Reddit's silver "apes" now targeting silver, opportunity or fool's gold?

[disneysteve]

Somehow, QMM, you remind me of Beanie Baby collectors thirty years ago.

Nah. They were in it for profit. This has nothing to do with making money. Just the opposite in fact. People buying gold and silver are generally losing money, especially when buying it for as much as double market value like with these new things. No way anybody is ever coming out ahead on that deal except the dealers peddling these things.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I knew a guy who bought $1000's worth of Beanie Babies. He showed me boxes of those things. I don't think he ever made money on those things. I also know another guy who buys these Funko Pop figures. I'm not sure if this guy is making money but these dolls can run into the $100's or even $1000's. Here's an Ed McMan for $999. Crazy, I guess that's how some of you must view me, lol.

[disneysteve]

That Funko is only worth about $10. The difference is that one is autographed with a certificate of authenticity. And even then it’s not worth $999. There are autographed ones on eBay going for half that or less.

When Beanies were at their peak I was a dealer selling online and at in person collectible shows. I very intentionally did not get involved with them but a few of my friends did and made a killing from them. It was a huge phenomenon, until it wasn’t. Lots of people got stuck with lots of Beanies. I see them all the time today, Totes full of them at yard sales and estate sales. People got way too greedy. That’s never a good business plan.

I do my best to avoid fad items. I stick to collectibles that have a good track record of holding their value.

[kork13]

Lots of people got stuck with lots of Beanies. I see them all the time today, Totes full of them at yard sales and estate sales.

My mom was definitely a general collector... A variety of random things, but including the beanie babies. She did it not for making money or reselling anything, more for the game of finding new/different ones. Though she was aware of the value (at the time) of them, and said occasionally "these are something you can inherit, they'll be worth alot." (I was never convinced, though I'm not a collector of things...)

When she died, our family's storage unit ended up in my garage, including literally hundreds (500+) of different beanie babies. DW & I eventually tried selling them (in lots of 20 or so). We got through some of them, maybe averaged $1-$2 apiece (with Mom turning over in her grave). Eventually, one lady who bought a few lots from us explained that she sends them overseas in care packages for kids as part of a church outreach mission. Seemed like a perfect opportunity, so she walked away with 2 huge duffle bags filled with probably 350-400 beanie babies. We were happy to see them go... Sorry Mom.

[QuarterMillionMan]

James thanks for enlightening me about the mercury dimes. Ever since I read your post about yourself purchasing mercury dimes, I've been buying up all sorts of 90%, 40%, and now just placed my order for 35% silver war nickels. Golden Eagle coins has the cheapest I could find and free shipping with a minimum $99 order. It comes out to about $1.33 each. A few weeks ago I was going to order some from eBay at about $1.50 each but good thing I waited and did more researching.

[Annieadox]

My mom was definitely a general collector... A variety of random things, but including the beanie babies. She did it not for making money or reselling anything, more for the game of finding new/different ones. Though she was aware of the value (at the time) of them, and said occasionally "these are something you can inherit, they'll be worth alot." (I was never convinced, though I'm not a collector of things...)

When she died, our family's storage unit ended up in my garage, including literally hundreds (500+) of different beanie babies. DW & I eventually tried selling them (in lots of 20 or so). We got through some of them, maybe averaged $1-$2 apiece (with Mom turning over in her grave). Eventually, one lady who bought a few lots from us explained that she sends them overseas in care packages for kids as part of a church outreach mission. Seemed like a perfect opportunity, so she walked away with 2 huge duffle bags filled with probably 350-400 beanie babies. We were happy to see them go... Sorry Mom.

My aunt had a bunch, thinking they'd be worth a fortune someday.

Sometimes the value in things isn't about money, but the smiles they can bring.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Rec'd my next order of twenty-six.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I will try cleaning the 35% silver war nickels when I get them with $5 acetone. On the market they sell $20 e-zest which contains sulfuric acid or $20 MS-70 which I think is acetone as well. The baking soda method works well but it takes a lot of elbow grease. I'm hoping the acetone will only need a quick soaking and wipe with a clean cloth.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Cleaned w/acetone a non-silver regular ordinary 1979 quarter. Used just a Q-tip and rubbed it. No elbow grease needed. Great results. Cannot wait to try it on silver. This was the filthiest coin I could find in my loose change jar. Impressive results w/acetone.

[QuarterMillionMan]

On a side note I ordered the $5 acetone on eBay on the morning of 8/7/23. On the same day of 8/7/23 in the afternoon the acetone was delivered at my door. First same day delivery I've ever experienced. Amazingly fast delivery.

[disneysteve]

On a side note I ordered the $5 acetone on eBay on the morning of 8/7/23. On the same day of 8/7/23 in the afternoon the acetone was delivered at my door. First same day delivery I've ever experienced. Amazingly fast delivery.

Same day from eBay? Wow. I’ve gotten same day from Amazon a number of times but never eBay.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Yup, this was a first time for me on any order (let alone eBay) getting same day delivery. When I placed the order today on eBay it said estimated delivery would be Aug 9 Wednesday which I thought was fast enough but never thought I'd get it today. I left a very good review on eBay for that seller saying how blazing fast that order was delivered that I was impressed beyond belief.

[disneysteve]

Yup, this was a first time for me on any order (let alone eBay) getting same day delivery. When I placed the order today on eBay it said estimated delivery would be Aug 9 Wednesday which I thought was fast enough but never thought I'd get it today. I left a very good review on eBay for that seller saying how blazing fast that order was delivered that I was impressed beyond belief.

I’m guessing the seller lives in your town or very close to it. How was it shipped?

[QuarterMillionMan]

It came in this Walmart plastic bag and label stapled to the bag. This is the exact eBay seller's page. It says ships from Irving, TX. I live in Los Angeles county. The seller's review rating is 94.9% positive rating and only has 9 reviews which indicates a fairly new seller on eBay but maybe an established seller on other sites (ie, Walmart, Amazon, etc), who knows.

[disneysteve]

Ah, that explains the same day delivery. That seller is drop shipping, which violates eBay policy. You ordered from them for $4.65. They then ordered it from Walmart where it’s $2.97 and had it delivered to you and pocketed the difference. You could have just ordered it from Walmart yourself (or walked in and bought it if you live near a store). I would report that seller to eBay.