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 Replies: 25 / Views: 2,609 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
Well as some of you know, I attended a small regional show this weekend over in Ocean City, MD. A bit larger than I had anticipated, and well thought out by the show promoters. There were about 70 dealers in all, and had a pretty good turn out from the public despite the heavy rain. However, as most regional shows go, they are put on by clubs and tend to have smaller dealers, (ie: vest pocket, small shops, and home business dealers.) Now granted, I don't attend many small shows, but the level of dealer was pretty small. I was ignored at most of the tables, and even treated rudely at another. There were 2 dealers there in attendence that I knew (from many national shows) and I did get to buy some good coins, but if this is norm for regional shows, I can see why so many collectors bash dealers. I took a client with me on Sunday, and this was by far the worst day for the show. As we walked the floor, I pointed out an obvious altered coin. It was a Quarter with a Nickel design pressed into it. The holder was marked "Error or Oddity". Of course, I told my client that this coin was altered with a press or vise, and the dealer went off on me. This gentlemen, was of course a "wannabe" dealer and had absolutely NO CLUE about coins, but has successfully (or as I was told) sold many coins via ebay. Of course this revelation did not shock me at all. My client of course came to my defense, (which was nice), but I let this person ramble on and on, then walked to the next table and spent more than he owned in his current inventory. I was dressed very casually yesterday, jeans and a dress shirt, and many a dealer left with far less money than they could have. I only spent a fraction of what I had wanted to this weekend. Now I am sure that many collectors suffer this same experience at the national shows, and NOW I have a much better understanding. Edited by national dealer
10/11/2005 09:17 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
980 Posts |
BY and large I was treated very well at the SFANA. Doubtless some of this was due to ND's good advice to me prior to the meeting, and some due to the fact that I was introduced to several well known dealers by another collector. Yet another dealer, a former ANA president and book author, took time to teach em a bit. However one very prominent dealer, and her employees were startlingly rude. I understand not talking to someone if one's table is busy. Hers wasn't-there was no one there save for this dealer and her employees. I was dressed in khakis and a business shirt. I waited politely for someone to offer to let me see a coin that they had in hand. It was incredible to me that they all ignored me. I'll never purchase a coin from that company. THis dealer is very controversial, and I now understand why. Don |
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Valued Member
United States
421 Posts |
I was at our twice a year local show just yesterday. There were probably 20 to 25 dealers there. Maybe a couple more. Maybe it is the area of the country I live in (small town midwest) but the dealers were all quite friendly and helpful. I always keep my ears open when I am browsing and hear quite a bit of stuff going on. Not once did I notice anyone being a jerk. There were some dealers there that I know have brick and mortar places and some that were probably part time or appointment or maybe even internet dealers. I was treated well by every delaer I interacted with. Twice I was at tables where the dealers were doing fairly large buy deals with another person (one a dealer, one a customer) and each of the dealers stopped what they were doing to acknowledge me and ask me if I needed anything. I was looking at about 10 dollars worth of stuff from one guy and about 30 from the other. The show was fairly brisk and there was usualy a line of one or two to get to stuff at each table. It was a pleasant show. It is only on the rare occasions when I have been to larger shows that the level of jerk-ness seems to grow exponentially. It is rare that I am even looked at except by the smaller dealers. One notable exception I can remember at the Silver Dollar show a year or two ago in StL was Anthony Swiatek who was very engaging even though it was obvious I was not in the market for anything he was selling. But that is the only one that sticks out in my mind as being decent. I wouldn't let most of the other dealers I saw there that day kiss my ... (never mind)  . |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
980 Posts |
Stujoe, Anthony Swiatek was the gentleman to whom I referred when I mentioned a prominent dealer taking the time to teach me a bit. I did give him a good restaurant lead, which he mentioned the next day  Others of note were Wayne Herndon, Anaconda (don't worry ND, I didn't buy from your competitor ) and the guys at gold rush Gallery, in particular Carl Lester and David Patton. Don |
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New Member
United States
47 Posts |
Some of the good guys:
Pinnacle
Mark Feld
ANR
Mike Printz at Whitlow
Dave Wnuck of Coin Rarities
Tom Caldwell at Northeast
Jon Rosenthal at RCNH
Don Willis at Premium Numismatics
Dick Abrahams of Great Toning
There are others. I apologize for not remembering, but my memory is gone.
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Valued Member
United States
363 Posts |
I haven't been to a show for a lot of years, but remember selling a coin once to Julian Leidman. He was so nice. When he gave me a price for my coin, I decided to think about it for awhile. When I returned a few hours later he was just the same and stood by his original quote. Lots of dealers would have told me to take a hike, or offered less than before, but not Julian. I will never forget that.
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Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by national dealer
[Snipped for brevity]
However, as most regional shows go, they are put on by clubs and tend to have smaller dealers, (ie: vest pocket, small shops, and home business dealers.)
Now granted, I don't attend many small shows, but the level of dealer was pretty small. I was ignored at most of the tables, and even treated rudely at another.
There were 2 dealers there in attendence that I knew (from many national shows) and I did get to buy some good coins, but if this is norm for regional shows, I can see why so many collectors bash dealers.
This gentlemen, was of course a "wannabe" dealer and had absolutely NO CLUE about coins, but has successfully (or as I was told) sold many coins via ebay. Of course this revelation did not shock me at all.
My client of course came to my defense, (which was nice), but I let this person ramble on and on, then walked to the next table and spent more than he owned in his current inventory.
ND, while I don't have a lot of experience with coin shows, the treatment you received and your observations of many of these smalltime dealers is comparable to my experience with smalltime venders and others in other fields such as gun shows, Boy Scouts, ham radio, academia, and indeed probably could be extrapolated to most other fields as well. A lot of people are self-proclaimed "experts" who can't acknowledge their own shortcomings, even to themselves. They may have had a few successes here and there which temporarily bolster their images locally, but they fail to recognize their limitations and their "expertise" becomes permanent in their own minds. As a result, they are boorish and arrogant, and will denigrate anyone who has the temerity to disagree with them. Little people with little minds. The problem is exacerbated when there are enough of them in one location where outsiders take their behavior as the norm rather than the exception. I do not know of any cure for this "little mind" affliction except to ignore them. |
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by national dealer
Well as some of you know, I attended a small regional show this weekend over in Ocean City, MD. A bit larger than I had anticipated, and well thought out by the show promoters.
There were about 70 dealers in all, and had a pretty good turn out from the public despite the heavy rain.
However, as most regional shows go, they are put on by clubs and tend to have smaller dealers, (ie: vest pocket, small shops, and home business dealers.)
Now granted, I don't attend many small shows, but the level of dealer was pretty small. I was ignored at most of the tables, and even treated rudely at another.
There were 2 dealers there in attendence that I knew (from many national shows) and I did get to buy some good coins, but if this is norm for regional shows, I can see why so many collectors bash dealers.
I took a client with me on Sunday, and this was by far the worst day for the show. As we walked the floor, I pointed out an obvious altered coin. It was a Quarter with a Nickel design pressed into it. The holder was marked "Error or Oddity".
Of course, I told my client that this coin was altered with a press or vise, and the dealer went off on me.
This gentlemen, was of course a "wannabe" dealer and had absolutely NO CLUE about coins, but has successfully (or as I was told) sold many coins via ebay. Of course this revelation did not shock me at all.
My client of course came to my defense, (which was nice), but I let this person ramble on and on, then walked to the next table and spent more than he owned in his current inventory.
I was dressed very casually yesterday, jeans and a dress shirt, and many a dealer left with far less money than they could have. I only spent a fraction of what I had wanted to this weekend.
Now I am sure that many collectors suffer this same experience at the national shows, and NOW I have a much better understanding.
I've never been to a coin show. Just there arent many around here. However, I can tell you, never order coins online. Of course you probably already do on ebay, but I learned the hardway not to do this. I ordered online several times, and gotten several good coins, until I just recently got burned. The coin was obviously polished, whizzed, or cleaned, and may or may not have had a filled scratch. more likely a grease mark from the minting process |
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
As I have said before, many times, the internet is an excellent tool if used responsibly. This means educating yourself prior to a purchase; reading and accepting the terms of the return policy; reading and accepting the shipping terms; asking any questions you have prior to the purchase. If any of these answers don't satisfy you, don't buy the coin. This works for ebay as well as other internet dealers. Buy responsibly.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2724 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by GoldCoinLover
Of course you probably already do on ebay, but I learned the hardway not to do this.
I HAVE NOT and WILL NOT buy nor sell anything on ebay until they change drastically from the business practices in use today. I DO NOT recommend that site for that very reason. I do know of 3 good ebay dealers, and if someone has no other choice but to shop in that Flea Market, I will recommend those 3. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
2884 Posts |
Where and what do you think is being edited on your thread? If a moderator or administrator edits your thread you are automatically notified and one of our names will appear as the editor. On this thread I only see your name as an editor. Mike
Edited by Mike
10/11/2005 09:21 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by Mike
Where and what do you think is being edited on your thread?
I don't receive emails from the forum, but Susan let me know why she edited the post. So I changed the title to better explain the thread. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
2884 Posts |
Sorry Steve, I did not know that a thread title could be changed without notification. Mike
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Pillar of the Community
United States
980 Posts |
Not trying to hijack your thread ND, but for the lurkers here, or those who are new, I want to add my opinion to the ebay comments. I understand and respect ND's decision not to use ebay. But, there ARE honest vendors-keys are a no questions asked return policy, reasonable S&H fees, a good reputation, no restocking fees, etc. Most of us here wouldn't hesitate to buy a coin from each other, and some of us (like Bobby and Susan!) sell on ebay (I haven't). Don |
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Forum Mom
United States
5877 Posts |
Mike, I can do all kinds of secret things....  Actually, I don't know why it doesn't show up when I edit something. That's why I usually make an additional post or a comment in the post that I'm editing. Don, Thanks for the vote of confidence. We do try to be as honest as possible in all of our dealings. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by SFDukie
But, there ARE honest vendors-keys
I totally agree with you sir, but it is far from a safe place given the current code of ethics, and lack of accountability and enforcement. My BIGGEST complaint with ebay is their lack of desire to do what is right. They consistantly allow their own rules to be broken while spouting off "We are only the venue" logic. If that is the locig, why bother with rules? Now of course ebay is not alone in this. Many dealers do this, the ANA does this, and each and every numismatic magazine. My question is why? Do we really have to be this pathetic? Unfortunately (I have no idea why) we live in an age where we glorify stupidity, promote ignorance, and happily strive for mediocrity. |
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Replies: 25 / Views: 2,609 |
Posted 10/10/2005 5:17 pm
