Reasonable Prices = ?

And as for Mercury dimes they are selling almost everywhere for $2.50 up to $3.00 each for just plain, ordinary, well worn ones so those prices you mentioned are OK.

This is so very simple. If you think the price is too high then go buy somewhere else.
I think you have a nice buying opportunity. I have $30 coins that I enjoy owning as much or more than some I paid $1000s for. Buy what pleases you within the budget you have to work with.
I bet a lot of collectors who have more experience than I would say that too.

Personally I would feel lucky to have a brick and mortar coin dealer local to me.
Id be glad that my local dealer is not dumb enough to sell coins for less than value.
If he goes out of business you can deal with long distance sellers and guess and hope and maybe cry when the deal goes wrong. You might pay a little more at the local store but you can hold the coin in your hand before you negotiate for it. The more coins you buy from him (even cheap ones) the more he will be inclined to give you a little price break once in a while. Id be in that store buying a coin each weekend from the junk bin just for fun and fellowship. You wont be known as a big spender but after a while the dealer will know you and take you as a serious coin guy!

Give the local coin dealers a break they are trying to run a business.
DONT about coins in the junk bin! Not every dealer has one!
Those are made available so everyone can afford a coin not just the wealthy.
The dealer only makes minimal if any profit from individual coin junk sales.
Its a customer good will gesture, not a profit center. (8-)

Good points, all of them.

I just have to set aside the cash to buy all three, which means over $65 if I were inclined to buy the uncirculated Morgan and the other two in a grade higher that what he's deemed junk.

I can't help but reiterate that having a good relationship with your local dealer will serve you well in the long run.

My guy has saved my bacon on a couple counterfeit coins bought online and has sold me the nicest uncirculated sets I have in my collection for a little more than half what he could piece out and sell separately. If I didn't have the relationship with the guy, I'd never have had the opportunity to buy any of them.

If you like the coins and they fit within your budget, don't worry about an extra dollar here or there. Then when it's time to make a more expensive acquisition ... you'll have someone who knows you, appreciates your fairness in doing business and will work on your behalf.

In a country which now seems to think everything should be free ... the small timers will never learn that it's not making a buck off somebody today, but developing relationships that will allow you to better your financial position now and in the future.

For the record, part of the reason I started this thread was to figure out if I should START haggling hard at this place. Just doing my homework before my third purchase at this place.

Looks like I ought not haggle very much. It also looks like it would be in my better interest to take it slow and buy one of those wanted coins at a time, rather than all at once, even if I HAVE the cash saved up to buy all of them at once.

Dealer had a plate marked $10. Buyer asked his best price, he said $7. Buyer went on and on about how it wasn't worth $7, he'd give him $5.

Dealer got fed up, picked up the plate and smashed it on the edge of the table.

"Here, now it's $5".

Buyer threw a fit, "I'd have paid $7!"

"I gave you that chance!"

HAHA....good one Big Fred. I, personally, will not haggle over a couple of bucks on a single item at my local shop. They have a lot of expenses related to running a business. Now I am not saying I like to pay top dollar or overpay for a coin but I would rather wait and haggle a bit on higher priced coins. I feel if you don't give a dealer grief over small purchases he, or she, will be more willing to give you a better deal when it counts and you are spending more $.