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 Replies: 37 / Views: 4,809 |
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Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
Hi CCF! I had a small problem that I was looking for the community here to help me solve. I am 16 years old, and I frequent a lot of coin shows. Most dealers are very nice to me and explain things to me ,but a few dealers are very cold and nasty. For example, at a local coin show this past weekend, I asked to look at Proof Three Cent Nickels ( I have a collection that I am building). The lady looked at me and said, "You DO understand the price range, right?" I got so offended but kept my mouth shut. Any ideas how to handle this cleverly? Thanks! |
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Valued Member
United States
359 Posts |
My advice: Just respond politely. In my experience, some dealers at coin shows are just plain crotchety. I got the cold shoulder from one at my most recent coin show, and I'm in my 30s! Responding with a snarky comment won't help matters so just take the high road. If you reply by saying, "Yes I do, I'm working on a collection and have XX remaining in the series to buy," you may turn him or her around.
If they continue to be rude after that, just move along and give your business to someone else who better deserves it!
Edited by cheezyfryes
07/10/2013 07:33 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2335 Posts |
The best way to hurt a seller that is rude and/or makes assumptions is to buy from another dealer.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1109 Posts |
Yep, I posted a similar issue I had with a dealer at a show last year in Las Vegas. I went to the booth next to him and unloaded some cash there just because the first guy was a jerk. I didn't get attitude with him, I just took my business elsewhere.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1211 Posts |
I am 29 but look like I'm only 18 so I feel your pain. You have to learn to deal with the situations that occur with being young (or appearing to be young). You cannot chnage the way people react to you but you can adapt to these situations.
Often, instead of a peer to peer relationship that most adults establish, people will automatically assume a student/teacher relationship. Use it to your adavantage, as I have learned countless pearls of wisdow at coin shows from folks who want to be my teacher or mentor. If they were encountered with a "peer" they may not be so quick to open up and educate that person.
Also, if you are a shrewd negotiator, like I am, you can hit em with a surprise attack when it comes down to negotiating a lower price. They will not see it coming. I have often left people stunned at my negotiating skills - you know, because I'm just a kid and all.
Best of luck.
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
I have been going to coin shops/shows since 1971 and in general there are a lot of so called "crotchety" dealers. That being said there are also a few very nice dealers and it's your job to weed out the good from the bad.Here is what I do at a coin show,i first take a walk around to all of the tables and take a quick look at whats being offered. I also take notice of how the dealers are acting to the other people at their tables.If I see something that I am interested in I will go to that dealer and ask questions and see how they act towards me but most often will not buy at that moment,i will go onto other dealers that caught my interest with my first walk through.Then before I plan on leaving the show I will go back to the dealer/dealers and make offers on what I want to buy.I have noticed that over the years the younger collectors to get treated a bit unfair based on how old the look,after all I started at nine years old so I know first hand.Always take the high road (when possible)it works out best. John1  |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
If they continue to be rude after that, just move along and give your business to someone else who better deserves it! Quote:
The best way to hurt a seller that is rude and/or makes assumptions is to buy from another dealer. Agreed. No need to make a scene, just move along. Their punishment is having to watch you drop a large chunk of cash at the next table. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
The lady looked at me and said, "You DO understand the price range, right?" You do understand that some young people have lots of money don't you? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
I've given this advice before and it still works:
Reach into your pocket, whip out a stack of cash, and say:
"You do understand that some young people have lots of money don't you?
I'll let this speak for me."
When the dealer relents, put the money back into your pocket
and walk away saying, "You have just lost a paying customer."
I avoid dealers with attitude and advise you to do the same.
I like that answer Conder!
Edited by matthewvincent
07/10/2013 12:27 pm
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Valued Member
 United States
114 Posts |
Wow- thanks for the advice! I think I'll just respond politely, take a mental note of the dealer, and move on. My dad and I usually make fun of the dealers that are not nice anyway.
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
I'm sure this is a question with warrant as there are many more YN's out there that don't know the price range versus those that do. Step back and look at it from both sides.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36638 Posts |
It's not a problem of being young, some dealers are just plain jerks and don't belong at a show dealing with the public. I have run into it many times, and always ignore those people when I run into them in the future.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
As a young person, I find people do this to me a lot all over the place. Its annoying. In a shop, id tell them that if they wish to treat a customer like that, then they clearly dont want my money or my patronage and then id walk out. If theres a manager nearby, all the better.
Make it clear that your money is the same as the next persons and that prejudice simply drives away customers. Say it as loud as possible.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
624 Posts |
Here's some general advice from an old dude....
Think of every dollar you spend as a vote. When you spend your hard-earned money, you are casting a "vote" for the product and the service that is rendered to you. When you vote for good vendors with good products, you reward them and provide an avenue to flourish and grow. When you deny your dollars, you starve the business. I like to refer to this as capitalistic darwinism.
Voting for representatives in a republic is a civic duty... Voting with your money in an economy is a capitalistic duty.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Quote:
It's not a problem of being young, some dealers are just plain jerks and don't belong at a show dealing with the public. I completely agree that theres dealers that are just jerks and being young exacerbates that, but age is definitely a factor with some that may not otherwise be jerks. I can kind of understand it if theyre really busy going to the people they think would have more money first, but I've never understood why someone would do it if youre their only customer. Youre spot on though the best method to deal with it is to just not bother with people like that. |
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Valued Member
United States
211 Posts |
If someone will sell me a good coin for a good price, I don't care how they treat me. They can cus me out the whole time if they are willing to give me a good price.
Always take the high road and try to be polite. If they have the coin you want, don't walk away. In some cases I would factor their politeness into the price I would be willing to pay.
Edited by JimmyJames
07/10/2013 3:35 pm
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Replies: 37 / Views: 4,809 |
Posted 07/10/2013 07:35 am
