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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,784 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4868 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
I totally disagree. I don't think the mint needs to change anything except it's websites capabilities so it dosent crash. I'm actually getting pretty tired of all the wining and complaining. You're not going to please all the people period nomatter what you do. And what fun would it be if everything was status quo and hum drum.
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Moderator
 United States
188594 Posts |
Interesting commentary. I agree that the biggest issue is eCommerce handling the demand.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3161 Posts |
with the mint's issues on it's website, I think it's pretty exciting that there is that kind of demand that will make them look into larger capacity solutions. Hobby is doing well if that's the case.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1373 Posts |
I have read the article and pretty much agree with the need to alter some of the Mint's current processing/marketing habits.
I just learned about the Matte Kennedy's being pre-ordered. I think that system would be fine to use again. I don't know how long of a time period they gave to send in your order (one week, two, one month?), but as long as the orders are paid up front they can start processing them quickly. I do not have a clue to how many coins of one type need to be made to keep the expenses at the planned rate, so that needs to be considered also. I figure the coins would be mailed out within two months of the order deadline's finish.
Another way might be to post a limit of ONE to all buyers in the first two weeks of sale for all items. This might help collectors and hinder flippers somewhat. The Mint will never be able to eliminate the "surrogate" buyers, but might help some sellers from getting dozens (or hundreds) of coins prior to the common collectors who want them to keep for years.
I personally don't buy (want) most of the Mint's items, as I prefer circulated coins, but every so often one catches my eye and I try to pick one up. I'm thinking of getting the upcoming Kennedy C&C set to add to the rest of my Kennedy collection. I bought both the 2-pk uncirculated set and the 4-pk silver set (still available from the Mint) last year, and am happy that I have one of each. Hopefully I am successful in ten days for the C&C set.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
669 Posts |
Quote:
I totally disagree. I don't think the mint needs to change anything except it's websites capabilities so it dosent crash. I'm actually getting pretty tired of all the wining and complaining. You're not going to please all the people period nomatter what you do. And what fun would it be if everything was status quo and hum drum. I have to agree with this. I think in a lot of ways, what makes something collectible is that there is only a finite number of them; so I can't see why many people are calling for unlimited quantities. I know many will point to the 2009 UHR coin, but my counter argument would be the 2012 proof set and the current Eisenhower, Truman C&C, and the 1933 St. Gaudens (I know, an extreme example :D) My issue with the Mint is trying to order on the Mint with their big ticket items is running parallel to my experiences with Ticketmaster when trying to go to a big concert. I know there is a chance I won't be able to score, but nothing frustrates me more than when their website makes it impossible to navigate and becomes a matter of if you can catch the server in a good mood on a refresh instead of simply being a matter of who got in line first when the gates opened (figuratively). That said, maybe do something along the lines of how concert tickets are sold and do a pre-sale to established buyers (I don't mean dealers) who have a habit of buying (for example) a silver eagle or proof set on the site regularly before offering the remainder to the general public to allow the collectors a chance before the pure speculators. Not a perfect suggestion, but I think it would beat the status quo. Edited by mrpapageorgio
09/04/2015 1:15 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4868 Posts |
Having an item selling out in 15 minutes really isn't fair. The website jams up. Only chance you have is the secondary market with huge mark ups. Minting to demand is the way to go as its the fairest way everyone gets a piece of the pie. Setting super low mintages is ludicrous. Changes are definitely in order here...
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12837 Posts |
I don't believe that fairness is the first concern of the mint, nor should it be.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4868 Posts |
Perhaps not but there are thousands of collectors out there that want a piece of the action but due to limited availability and website issues they are unable to secure a set or two. And those people shouldn't have to pay 3-5 times more than issue price on the secondary market.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
My opinion only.
The job of the US Mint is to make coins for circulation. It makes a compromise for collectors by making proofs. As a government agency, they are not supposed to be a commercial enterprise, nor compete with any other commercial enterprise. That goes double for the Post Office.
If they want more of your money, they can operate the way other agencies do - require you to buy a minimum number of sets each year.
Whew. I feel better.
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Moderator
United States
188594 Posts |
If their being a commercial enterprise enables them to fund their own operation, I am not going to complain.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5208 Posts |
I didn't read the article but I will pose the following question and observation.
Other than the metallic value of any set that contains silver every mint set and proof set over the last 50 years is pretty much worth face value.
Nobody likes paying 10X over face for something is only worth face a year later. Just like buying new car and driving it off the lot and putting 3/10 of a mile on it and then going back to the same dealer and asking them what they will give you in trade on it 5 minutes later.
Even ultra low mintage issues that were available for a year with no mintage caps have a hard time selling for original issue price (2014 Civil rights UNC dollar)
I for one am happy to see a coin minted in the last 95 years actually considered an investment or worth more than face or issue price.
The old investment rule was supply vs demand.
The 2013 reverse proof and EU silver eagle sets were minted to demand. Now they are selling for $20 under issue price. So tell me how that theory is working.
Edited by jack jeckel
09/06/2015 12:11 am
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Posted 09/04/2015 12:13 pm
