I fully agree that eBay has to be one of the worst places to buy and sell expensive items. Unless someone 100% knows exactly what they are doing, and I mean 100%, the chances of being swindled in some way are high. I’m part of a community of people dealing in high end watches, and eBay is viewed in the same way the shadowy land of the hyenas in The Lion King was looked at.
You can buy or sell flip flops or old VHS tapes on eBay, but buying or selling expensive coins, jewelry and watches on eBay will likely get you swindled. Someone will sell a Rolex and then the buyer claims nothing was in the package; or someone will buy a Rolex and get a fake.
I would never sell Kurgerrands on eBay.
Is there a local jewelry shop (not pawnshop) he can go to?
He could do so, but thought the stores wouldn’t provide the best prices.
That is definitely a fall back option.
When I had to sell off some of my PMs a few years ago, I got about 10% more for them on eBay than Apmex offered (After subtracting the eBay fees). , and 30-40% more than any of the area jewelery shops offered, (and 50% more than the “we buy gold” outfits and pawn shops offered).
I did refuse to sell to anyone with very few feedback ratings, or low feedback ratings, but had absolutely no problems.
I don’t where you live but I have used this place myself. It was an easy process.
https://doralrefining.com/selling-your-scrap/what-we-buy/