Unethical Dealers

Post pictures and perhaps someone can help you determine value. Universal is a well-known dealer and I doubt they'd try to trick you into selling your coin for 20% of retail if it was really worth $1700. It's more than likely that the coin is worth exactly what they said (although paying $350 for a $650 coin is a bit low, perhaps $400 would be more fair).

Have to agree with both posters above me.
Don't forget that some auction house employees just like real estate agents will quote you inflated prices to get your business.
Retailers will offer you around half of what they think they can sell the piece for, more if they think it can be turned over fast and less if they suspect the item will hang around for a long time.

Don't have experience with universal but with downies had various experiences (from bad to good).
As 'zxcccxz' said, post pictures so that one can give you an indication of the grade and value.

Btw, I have seen coins (and other items) overpriced on purpose so that they would stay in the display.

Based on your past post and the dealer's $1750 price tag I'm guessing you're referring to your 1912-H half penny.

Here are some comparable coins at auction:
Numis Bid Sale 20, PCGS MS65RD, est $1950 - $2350, sold for $1488
Numis Bid Sale 25, PCGS MS64RD, est $600 - $725, sold for $900
Australian Coin Auctions Sale 314, lot 1558, full red nearly Gem Unc, est $1000, sold for $900
Numis Bid Sale 25, PCGS MS64RD, est $600 - $725, sold for $900
Numis Bid Sale 27, PCGS MS64RD, est $900 - $1100, sold for $715
Noble Numismatics Sale 102, lot 1666, Full original mint red, uncirculated/choice uncirculated, est $750, sold for $600
Noble Numismatics Sale 104, lot 1593, Full blazing golden mint bloom, est $600, sold for $600
Noble Numismatics Sale 104, lot 1594, Full original mint red, light toning on obverse, choice uncirculated, est $600, sold for $600
Numis Bid Sale 34, lot 62, PCGS MS64RD, est $675 - $850, sold for $413
Noble Numismatics Sale 104, lot 1595, Subdued full mint red, uncirculated, est $500, sold for $400
Noble Numismatics Sale 105, lot 1542, Nearly full original red, uncirculated, est $400, sold for $400
Numis Bid Sale 22, PCGS MS64BN, est $410 - $490, sold for $324
Numis Bid Sale 37, lot 36, PCGS MS64RB, est $230 - $290, sold for $300
Australian Coin Auctions Sale 317, lot 1457, mainly red Unc, est $350, sold for $300
Australian Coin Auctions Sale 314, lot 1559, in PCGS holder graded MS63RB, est $400, did not sell

and some price history charts:

MS64RD


MS64+RD


MS65RD


Why would you believe one over the other? Take from the above as you will but note that an auction house has a vested in overrating your coin (so you consign with them) while a dealer has a vested interested in underrating your coin (so they can profit more).

Considering the large variances in the pricing between the grades, it's entirely possible (and likely) that the range of estimates you receive are based on slightly differing grading opinions - even half a grade point which is within the margin of error for the best third party grading services would explain the large variance. To avoid this, get the coin certified by PCGS.

Also note that the coin is on a down trend so expect dealers to buy with a high margin to account for depreciation while holding the coin.

Can you confirm what level they both graded the coin at?

You said "I find this utter crap and people should be aware of coin dealers trying to make a buck at the expense of people like you and i."

You are right. They are trying to make a buck. That is why they are in business... To make money.

They don't owe you anything. They can offer you anything they want. The choice is simple: If you don't like it take your business elsewhere.

It is up to us, the collectors, to educate ourselves and to make sound decisions when it comes to our collecting choices.

Why go around blaming dealers for trying to make a buck? That is exactly why they are in business...

Not sure whats happening in North America but their going out of business(as far as shopfronts at least) in Oz. at alarming rates.Pawnbrokers & the Internet seem to be filling the void at this stage.
Dealers just can't get away with bluffing sellers anymore,stating the obvious I know but the average Joe takes a couple of minutes on Google to know the approx. value of his stamp or coin.
They(Dealers) had a good run in Oz.thou.,post WW11 to the early 2000's it was a very lucrative Business dealing in Stamps & Coins,many made small fortunes in the 1960's early 1970's as we changed over to Decimal currency and following that the Gold price "floated".

No one can be 100% sure what a coin will reach at auction. By definition it will sell at the highest bid, whatever that may be.

I'm afraid I agree with Jerseyben on this one. You are in a market place so if you don't like the dealers offer then don't accept it. As wwwww said, the auction house is going to overestimate it's value to get your business and the dealer is going to underestimate it's value to improve profit margins. It's all part of being in the market.
In my opinion the dealer you have mentioned has not done anything unethical in this case.

Even if 2 dealers both graded the coin at the same grade it isn't unreasonable for them to value it differently. Both my say "choice Unc" but dealer A may see that as MS64 and dealer B may see that as MS65. Dealer A may have seen a minor fault missed by dealer B and that makes him reluctant to offer MS65 prices that dealer B is quoting, plus he already has one in stock so he has no pressure to add another to his stock. So is he unethical in offering less than half what the other dealer says the coin is worth?