Coin Shops

I believe you had a bad experience with these shops. Most dealers are knowledgeable and are willing to work with you on all coin purchases, at least the dealers I most deal with. Go armed with a Greysheet. This will give you an idea as to the "bid" and "ask" on coin prices. Everyone makes a bad purchase at some point in their collecting future. Don't feel bad about that. Just seems to me that these were out of the norm for most dealers.

Spider
Where is this great sounding shop?
Please share

I have been to many many coin shows and trading card shows and I agree with Quicksilver that a lot of those dealers and customers that attend those shows should bathe before going out into the public...my wife refuses to go to the shows with me anymore because she says most of the people there stink!!

The above statement excludes anyone on this board because,I know the moderators here will not admit anyone who is not properly bathed and perfumed.....although,I dont know who's checking them...

I know around my city, there are both types - the gougers and those interested in the hobby while making a profit. Growing up, one was notorious for gouging, but he just didn't care (and most didn't know it at the time). It is a shame that there isn't something that can be effectively done to protect the consumer from the bad shops. Word of mouth only goes so far and is usually contained the the numismatic community.

I've ranted before about the shop in my town of 25,000, so I won't give them any more air time. But I would like to note that a shop in St Louis (actually Des Peres, a suburb) is a refreshing change. I've seen up to three employees there and all of them are a breath of fresh air. They spend as much time as needed with you, are very knowledgeable about the hobby and are willing to shoot the "coin breeze" with you if they have the time. I say if they have the time because the store is relatively small and it's always packed. They are spot on with pricing in both selling and buying. The atmosphere and fair deals are why they are always packed.

A side note ... we had a relatively large show here in St Louis this past weekend and they were held-up Saturday afternoon just as they pulled into the parking lot of their store. Four thieves snatched three cases of coins and made off with them. One of the owners was cut on the neck but the wound was not too serious. The police apprehended the thieves about a mile away and recovered all the coins.

Almost exactly what I was thinking as I was reading through the posts. I enjoy going to coin shows; a lot of choices with very little drama.

Lots of reasons for what people run into in coin shops or many stores similar. If you were a cab driver and after many hours of work and someone suggested we just go out for a drive, what would you say? If you dealt with the public all day long at a cleaners, and when you get home you have to wash or iron your cloths, what would your attitude be like. Usually when working for or with people you really can get tired of their attitudes, problems, loud mouths, know it all remarks and on and on and on.
I know that when you work with people for a living your supposed to be a person people. Know how and what and when to say or do anything. However, you just have to see things their way also. You may be the nicest person in the world but you walk into a coin shop right after about 10 weirdos have just argued with the help there and poof, you get it too.
This does sound like a defense for the shops but some are just full of people that don't care about you at all too. I've run into one like that. Right in the Middle of the Chicago area. They really don't have to be nice to people when they are surrounded by millions of potential customers. You don't like the place, so what. Move on and let someone else in.
However, I would have to say as a rule the majority of coin dealers I know are really decent, hard working people and try hard to please all customers.

I deal with the public every day in my job and it involves sales so I have to be extra nice, even if the person in front of me is a bozo. And that is the be all and end all of it.

If you are in sales, you HAVE to be nice to people. The thing you quickly learn is that if you ARE nice to people, they are usually a lot more pleasant back.

Plus it does not matter how much the last person you dealt with rubbed you the wrong way, you cannot be mean to the next person you meet. Otherwise instead of one no sale, you just got two!

This does not just apply to coin shops of course but it is a lesson some of them should learn. The strange thing is, in coin shops especially, it is not just the gruff owners but the way they eye you suspiciously which I find strange.

I think it may be that a lot of coin shop owners get into it because they love coins and not because they love retail and dealing with the public. Or because they particularly thought it would be a good business venture.

What I mean is that if someone wanted to open a shop (not a coin shop, they just wanted any shop) They would look at what was needed in their area and open one of those. Be it selling underwear, or doing dry cleaning. These people are shop owners. No one sits in a small town and thinks "We really need a coin shop"

Coin shops are mostly opened by coin collectors who want to make a living out of their hobby. And as we all know as a collector yourself the last thing you really want to do is sell any of your collection. Especially to strangers who wander in to your house (I mean shop!). Maybe that's the mentality?

Just a theory!