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 Replies: 25 / Views: 4,492 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
One of the local guys I go to said that he doesn't bother with trying to sell online because it is way too much work as you get a lot of inquiries but very few actual sales.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
As an older coin collector I would like to offer a possible defense to this coin store owner who will not (or cannot) post pictures. I can empathize with him. When I went to school and college there were no personal computers. I never learned to use a computer until my employer required that I learn in order to perform my job. That was in the late 90's. My children and even my grandchildren know more about technology today then I will ever learn. This is because they have been brought up with it and exposed to it their whole lives. After reading some of these posts, I know a lot of you are very savvy technologically. For me, its like I am constantly playing catch up. I finally have become fairly proficient on a computer and then something new comes out, and I feel lost all over again. Don't get me wrong I am content at my level of expertise and will continue to muddle along. Just maybe that is how this coin dealer feels.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
He'll go out of business fast if he doesn't care about buyers. He might have just lost a buyer because he couldn't (was too lazy) provide a photo. That's nonsense.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
This would be like going to a coin show and not being able to see the coin before you buy.
Appearances are everything and pictures speak volumes. Whic is why I even photograph the $1 coins I sell.
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Valued Member
United States
77 Posts |
Well, I'm certainly in the minority on this one. I know nothing of that particular dealer, or his motives. But I do know successful coin dealers that had websites and closed them down for lack of ROI. A good dealer has a LOT of coins, and not as much markup as some might think. Some dealers want to sell to a given segment he feels he does well with. One of my friends that deals in coins does ALL the major and regional shows. I consider him to be the most professional dealer I have ever encountered. I bet that even if I emailed him and asked him to photograph a coin so I can see it, he would refuse. I suppose the best reason I understand is from TRYING to sell things through Craigs list or classifieds. :-) Just my Two Cents. The person you are dealing with may be a scoundrel for all I know. I'm just saying I don't think refusing to take photos is evidence of that. |
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Valued Member
Canada
173 Posts |
gotta have a pictures in order to buy online-but even that doesn't mean you get the coin from the image!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7840 Posts |
I sent another inquiry about this coin asking for "a couple of images from his cell phone" on Dec 19th 2012, and followed up on 11 Jan 2013 "anybody there?".
I finally got a response; "Im sorry John but this coin was sold this week at the FUN Coin Show in Orlando."
I want to say something along the lines of;
"Yes, I know, I bought it through the dealer that you sold it to.
Wishing you better luck with you future sales."
I have the above reply in my draft folder, but I am holding off from sending it to see if a cooler head will say something more tactful.
Edited by oih82w8
01/14/2013 11:43 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
Oh my goodness! I am looking for a "variety" Buffalo nickel for my 7070 and found another so-called "major dealer" who does not provide images, but will describe it to you on the phone;  "Secure (PCGS). Gorgeous toning! We are unable to provide pictures. Please contact us to receive a detailed description." This sounds like an old-time dealer, no Internet sales, no electronic sales, strictly cash (through the mail?) check and money order. Edited by oih82w8
01/25/2013 12:57 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
 While looking for a Lincoln Memorial cent for my variety 7070, I found a potential candiadate, but they have the same inability; " we are unable to provide images". This is a different dealer than the OP. It must be contageous "camera-phobia". I asked him/her to use a phone a take a few images...I guess I wil have to wait and " see". UPDATE: It did not take long to receive reply stating that if I would read their description, I would have been informed that they cannot provide images. That they would not use a phone to take unprofessional images and to rely on their expertise to satisfy my collecting needs.  Next! Edited by oih82w8
10/03/2013 5:06 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
919 Posts |
I buy from a few dealers that don't have images. They have a return policy and take back anything I send. If they post images and people don't like the quality they complain about that. For older dealers it is easier to describe the coin and have a generous return policy. I have received some of my best coins this way.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2135 Posts |
I talked to dealer a few months ago about this.
He provides images on request for coins priced at $80.
He said
"I figure my time is worth $40 hour. It takes me 3 minutes to scan each coin side and another 6 minutes to send 2 images to you. That's $8. I don't mind doing it for a coin worth $80 or more but I won't do it for cheaper coins unless you'll pay me my $8", and to a certain extent I can see his point.
I have bought from dealers who listed coins without images but I would hesitate to buy from a new dealer unless I could return coins that were graded wrong.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
I figure my time is worth $40 hour. It takes me 3 minutes to scan each coin side and another 6 minutes to send 2 images to you. I find it amusing when 'businessmen' argue that less service is necessary--sort of like a cable company scaling back their service when they have a captive market. But, dealers compete against people who will provide pictures. And, the way I see it, the photos are integral to your 'product', ie coins. I'm pretty sure the quality of my photos contributes to the briskness of my coin sales. Edited by DVCollector
10/09/2013 6:08 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4594 Posts |
I bought from a dealer at ANA2013 in Chicago. When his wife asked me for my address, I rattled off my email. "Oh, we don't do the internet."
This is an old-line dealer with an impeccable reputation, who advertises each week in NN, has a generous return policy, honest grading, fair prices, etc. I.e. somebody I'll do business with in the future.
But at the same time he's lamenting the decline in the number of customers, he's not doing anything to engage with the next generation...
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
If that dealer was smart, he would buy a photography set up, even a cheaper one, and hire a college student part-time that is photography and internet savvy.
He can then state photos on request or something like that.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
Quote:
If that dealer was smart, he would buy a photography set up, even a cheaper one, and hire a college student part-time that is photography and internet savvy.
He can then state photos on request or something like that. That is a great idea!  If they were smart. Edited by oih82w8
10/09/2013 9:14 pm
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Replies: 25 / Views: 4,492 |
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First Page
Posted 12/19/2012 7:27 pm
