Poll: Why Do You Visit Coin Dealers?

KurtS,

If the local dealer was worth a $^%* I would probably vote that way. As it is now I get most of my coins from online auctions and local shows. I have tried to establish a rapport with the dealer ... it's a mom and pop operation. He does all the traveling to shows and conventions and she stays home to mind the store. I've spoken to him on a couple of occasions ... nice guy and knowledgeable, but not around when needed. She on the other hand must be P-O'ed that he gets to travel. Her personality comes from the nectar of lemons ... really unpleasant to talk to. On my last visit to the store I was just looking in the cases ... no conversation. A young collector and his father asked her if she had any "Confederate" minted coins. She told them they didn't mint any and left it at that. When they were away from the counter, I told them of the Confederate take-over of the New Orleans Mint in 1861 and minting of numerous denominations of coins. Some with identical obverse/reverse of Union-minted pieces and some with a unique Confederate design reverse ... costing big bucks. If they wanted a verified Confederate piece, I told them to look for the 1861-O half dollar with a die crack from the rim to Miss Liberty's forehead. They are hard to find, but not impossible. They both thanked me. I looked over at the counter and Miss Personality had been eavesdropping. She gave me that "get out of my store and don't come back look". That was enough for me. I haven't been back. On rare occasion I do get to stop at shops over in St Louis, but I am not close enough to develop the relationship with them.

Our coin shop / jewelry pawn shop has a 6'.5 armed guard at the entrance who directs you to a rep. I had them look at a few coins for an opinion and without consideration of selling been offered half of book retail. Not what I call the warm and fuzzy feeling a hobbyist is looking for.

I had three choices that appeal to me...

"I buy raw coins from dealers in whom I trust their own grading/pricing standards." The dealers I purchase from definitely fall into this category, but "I buy coins primarily at shows for better access to inventory." This especially applies to my quest for the right keys to my LHC collection! BTW, the previously mentioned dealers are always at those shows, which is how I got to know them!

Although not 100% accurate, "I don't visit dealers. I collect coins from circulation." This choice reminds me that a lot, and I mean A LOT, of my coins came from circulation finds. It is my original passion and it doesn't cost much!

I can not lie- I answered
I collect very specific coins and want dealers to assist me with my continuing collection.

but Living in the US and collecting Australian Coins - most dealers I visit have little knowledge about Australian coins.

When I visit dealers- I usually do them a favor by taking the Australian coins they have off of their hands.

I have obtained many coins at below what they should cost due to the fact the dealers want to move them and have them gone from their inventory.

Great input everyone! It's very interesting to see how collectors go about acquiring coins. Similar to other collectors, my buying habits have been tempered by my experiences with sellers.

Locally, I have two good dealers with whom I have a good rapport, but the rest I wouldn't call "collector-friendly" to merit visiting. With those, you get the distinct impression they don't actually want you to look through their coins--and my hobby is all about the search. Similar to SeatedNuts experience, there is a palpable sense of control you feel once you enter their shop, and I don't like dealing with anybody who has "stacked the deck" this way. After a few of these experiences, it actually darkens my impression of the hobby, so now I just stay away. I mention this simply as one reason collectors need a community so their impression of the hobby isn't tainted the downsides of mercantilism.

For all these reasons, I primarily look for coins at shows. There I have the greatest possible inventory to search and unlike ebay, I can make a judgment on a coin within seconds. I also enjoy meeting dealers from outside my area, and having access to several helpful dealers with good inventory in a single day. Many of these dealers are flexible enough for negotiation on price, perhaps due to the "free market" nature of shows. Not surprisingly, all my best finds have come from these shows.

In my opinion, his being a forum member is more important.

And he has been honest and trustworthy and helpful to any member or collector I have referred.
Can't say much more without it sounding like an advertisement.