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Harlan Berk ?'s

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Thundercoin's Avatar
United States
675 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  5:58 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Thundercoin to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
I purchased my first coin from Harlan Berk on Monday with a credit card through the website. When I bought the coin, it said that it would be processed the next day, (Tuesday). I haven't heard anything yet, and usually with internet businesses I get an email confirming my purchase, etc.

There also appears to be no place on my account on the HB page that indicates that I've made a purchase, however, the coin has disappeared from the inventory, and is listed as a pending charge on my credit card.

So, is there any problem here, or am I just way to antsy? Also, other Harlan Berk patrons, what is a general estimate on when I might receive the coin?

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Tpatna's Avatar
United States
1626 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  6:54 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Tpatna to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I made my 1st purchase there last week. I did receive an order confirmation after my order. The confirmation was from info@harlanjberk.com. You may want to check your junk folder?
I actually received my coin in the mail today.
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Tpatna's Avatar
United States
1626 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  6:55 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Tpatna to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
By the way....I ordered my coin last Friday night, so it took 4 days
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SsuperDdave's Avatar
United States
23522 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  7:33 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add SsuperDdave to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
My experiences with them mirror Tpatna's, although my impression is that their email system is not automated - a human being decides to send each email. For that reason, it's possible that your confirmation email slipped through the cracks. They're not automated enough for an online ordering/confirmation/status system - I imagine they don't do enough online business by comparison to warrant the investment.

I would say, "not to worry."
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shatsi's Avatar
United States
1541 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  9:03 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add shatsi to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I've never ordered online from their site. I usually go through the same person that handled all my orders. If your coin is no longer listed chances are its on its way to you. Like SuperDave said I wouldn't worry.
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BRUCE 1947's Avatar
United States
834 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  9:16 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add BRUCE 1947 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I have heard they are very good and they show a picture of all there coins, I will be ordering some coins for my type set from them. I don't like to order on line so I will call them and place my order Tim when you get your coin from them let us know if the coin is what they say it is and if the grade is accurate.

Bruce.
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Tpatna's Avatar
United States
1626 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  10:21 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Tpatna to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Hi Bruce,
I received my coin today. The coin was graded by NGC and I posted it in the grading section

https://goccf.com/t/14825

Most people agreed it was XF, however NGC graded it AU53
I am happy with my 1st purchase from Harlan Berk
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okie-colin's Avatar
United States
1083 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  10:42 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add okie-colin to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Glad you are satisfied. I bought a Trade dollar from HB and I was pleased. If you have any concerns you can always call them. They are helpful and courteous on the phone.

Colin
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I Palindrome I's Avatar
United States
56 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  10:43 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add I Palindrome I to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Harlan Berk is a really reputable dealer with a strong inventory, but I think a lot of their stuff is overpriced. When I used to work a block from the store, I would shop there on occasion, but found them to be rather inflexible when it came to prices.
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  10:52 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add just carl to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Glad someone is having good luck with them. I live in the area of that place. I USED to go there a lot. I even went there before it became Harlan J. Berk. Then about a few years ago something changed. They started to carry a lot of cleaned coins, became rude to customers, raised prices way out of normalicy. One of my last trips there I asked why so many coins were cleaned. They said that's the way the get them and if I don't want them go somewhere else. Another time there the guy behind the counter walked away from me in the middle of a conversation. A lady said it was his luch time so away he went. They are never at coin shows in the area and when I asked someone there why not I was told what for. No one there worth our time. Rude, over priced, lack of good merchandise, many cleaned coins.
Very big store that has artifacts of very old stuff from places like Rome, Egypt, etc. I feel they are just to big an not really to interested in customers unless you wave large bills in their faces.
Only my experience with them over the years. Like I said I go by there almost every day.
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AnemicOak's Avatar
United States
70 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  11:17 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add AnemicOak to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I've bought from them quite a few times, & been happy with every purchase (both US & Ancients). They can be on the high end price wise, but nothing I've been interested in has been way off. The stuff I've looked at has been high end grade wise & sometimes you pay a few extra bucks to get a coin with just the right 'look'.


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Bryan1315's Avatar
United States
14454 Posts
 Posted 05/16/2007  11:48 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Bryan1315 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I have dealt with HJB many many times and I have never had anything but very considerate emails from them. I have always been very pleased with each purchase and if the coin is cleaned atleast they will tell you its cleaned unlike most other dealers which I find rather pleasing. I have ordered a coin that HJB called whizzed but I be derned if I could tell it even looking at it under my QX5 microscope and also ordered a "lightly cleaned" according to them and also could not see any evidence of the cleaning
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Thundercoin's Avatar
United States
675 Posts
 Posted 05/17/2007  07:50 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Thundercoin to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Thanks for the feedback guys. I will wait a few days, and if I don't get the coin or hear anything I'll get in touch with them and make sure everything is going fine.

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SsuperDdave's Avatar
United States
23522 Posts
 Posted 05/17/2007  09:00 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add SsuperDdave to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
An important point is being made here, especially by Carl and I Palindrome I. Nothing is ever perfect, and even the best dealer will have (rightfully) dissatisfied customers on occasion. The lesson, as always, is due diligence on the part of the buyer, and the willingness to stand up for yourself and not accept what you consider to be a poor deal.

Carl is a respected member around here, and relates his story in a fashion which proves that he does not have any personal agenda other than education. IPal is a personal friend of mine, and his experiences with Harlan Berk are a topic we've discussed in other venues even before I was a member here at CCF. I believe what they have to say. It has a bearing on my decision whether to deal with Harlan Berk or not.

I still choose to do business with them, and to endorse them as a place to do business. That opinion is based on my own level of knowledge - I trust my ability to grade a coin, to determine whether a price is fair or not, and to stand up for my rights if I feel that I've been done wrong.

There are very darn few dealers out there who sell coins in our price range (I'm unlikely to ever spend as much as $1000 on a coin), and can be considered as absolutely trustworthy from both a grading and pricing standpoint. We're lucky enough to be posting on a forum founded by one such dealer. But never forget, these people are in business to make money. They have families to feed, and individual views of what's "right" from a business standpoint, and they also have flaws like any other human being.

So, Caveat Emptor. Do not place blind trust, as a buyer, in anything, ever. Educate yourself. Know what you're buying. Know what you should be paying. Don't stretch your willingness to make a purchase - there's always another coin around the corner at least as nice as the one you're looking at. We're not discussing Top Pops here, we're talking about coins that are relatively common on the market.
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hunter20ga's Avatar
United States
1173 Posts
 Posted 05/17/2007  09:03 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add hunter20ga to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I was in their store this spring...about a month ago...and was treated very well even though I was a first time customer and from out of state, to boot. I made a couple of minor purchases, but have every intention of doing business with them again.

Yes...they had some cleaned coins...that were clearly marked as cleaned. They also had a lot of nice pieces that appeared to my eyes, at least, to be original.

According to my local dealer, the boom in coin collecting has left most dealers with limited inventory (tons of low grade common dates, but few high grade and/or key dates) to offer. The demand is such that dealers need to have something to show customers. The true mark is whether or not the dealer is honest and indicates clearly if a coin has problems.

As far as price...I'm sure Harlan J. Berk is pricing their coins at what the market will bear, and more power to them. I'd certainly want to get the maximum for coins in my collection if I were selling.

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AnemicOak's Avatar
United States
70 Posts
 Posted 05/17/2007  10:11 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add AnemicOak to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Thundercoin, I know they've been working on redoing parts of their website so something could have always gotten lost in the shuffle. They do send out an order confirmation email (just the one, no separate email when the item ships). It certainly won't hurt to shoot them an email so you don't have to worry about it.


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