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 Replies: 13 / Views: 2,415 |
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Valued Member
United States
58 Posts |
I went to the Whitman show in Baltimore, it was the spring and fall shows of 2014. I encountered many dealers, some of which were very friendly and were more than happy to help a potential customer. Of course I also ran into the dealers, this was both times that I went, they seemed to be irritated to be bothered with pulling a coin out for me too look at. Now it seems that if you pay for a table at a show, shouldn't you be happy to help a potential customer. Instead these dealers acted annoyed that I would want to see a coin. Of course I did not bother with completing a sale with this unprofessional service. I'm curious as to what kind of bad experiences others have had in this type of situation and how you deal with these types of dealers.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
I have had similar experiences at shows but not many. Most dealers are great to deal with and can be very helpful. However, one who did not seem to want my business lost a sale worth 2500.00 because he was unpleasant. I took my money elsewhere. I never return to such sellers hoping that someday they will get the message that being pleasant to potential customers is worth their time.
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Valued Member
United States
274 Posts |
I wonder if some of these dealers at shows are not really there for retail customers, but to deal in the wholesale market.
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Valued Member
United States
95 Posts |
I was dressed casually at the March Portland ANA show, and a dealer I bought silver from seemed upset (grimaced) that I bought his best duplicate. I felt as if he wanted me to buy the poorer quality ones, which were cheaper, but I bought his best. I asked about its history and he said he had no idea, then he moved on to another customer. Others were quite friendly. But I finally found the World Coins "booth" and nothing under $200.00 was on display. Only one dealer had out a "junk" bin, and he was busy!! Seemed most dealers were focused upon high priced items, and the lowly base coins did not exist, unless they were 200 years old. Most of the coins I left with were from that one "junk" bin. I brought with me several hundreds of dollars, and only spent $70.00 and most of that was for a book. Also, only 1 one 1, (emphasis!), coin supply booth! I have been to much smaller local shows, where it was like a big family gathering - quite friendly, and everybody had a "junk" bin out! Hey "Torpedo" liked your post! Keep posting.  Edited by GSDykes
09/17/2015 11:36 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
757 Posts |
I've noticed the smaller the show the friendlier the people.
It could be due to economics though. A small show at a VFW or fire hall the vendor may have spent $20 on a table. With that little of an investment you can toss out a $3.00 bin of junk for people to look through and leave with money in your pocket. If you are talking a bigger show it could be $100, $500, or even $1000+ a table. Ten if they are an out of town dealer and in tavel, food, and lodging. With that kind of an investment are you really going to want to take up space with nickel and dime pieces or would you rather fill it with $100+ items? Not saying that being rude to a customer is ever the right answer, but a "tire kicker" could possibly cost you a sale which could make or break you for the weekend.
G SDykes Casual dress shouldn't really be an issue. It's not the 40's or 50's where everyone wore a suit out. An older dealer may be stuck in the past and judge someone based on dress, but the majority shouldn't.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1211 Posts |
Davec really hit the nail on the head. It is a matter of economics. Dealers typically don't bother with "small fries" when they have bigger clients in mind at these larger shows. It is nothing personal, just business.
Go to some smaller shows and I think you will find the types of coins you are looking for.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19963 Posts |
I just leave when a dealer sucks. There's always another one more than willing to help me with his inventory.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
You just ran into a standard situation. The larger the show, the more the dealers have to pay for a table. The more they pay, the more irritated they usually become with what may or may not be a great customer. And too, many dealers look you over to see if they can judge how much you can pay for a coin. It's dumb, but many do that. At large shows you must remember most dealers full well know they may never see you again so why bother being nice. You either buy or don't so it's only if you do buy that they care. I too have run into just dumb dealers. Remember that dealers are just people and there are a lot of really irritating people out there. You can't expect a dealer at a coin show to be anything but a person. If they irritate you, just walk away. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
These experiences described are not unique to coins, but happen at all trade shows. If a dealer prepares all year for a show, it is natural to ignore the small sale and focus on the bigger deals. I was a dealer in another field for 20+ years, and at every show I got a new lesson on how disagreeable a customer could be. Rent a few tables and you will get a whole new education. My attitude was just to treat others with dignity and respect and they would usually respond in a similar fashion. On one occasion, I spent a great deal of time explaining a process to a young man with a hearing disability. I made a $15 sale, and he wanted to give me a $20 tip, claiming I was the only person that would help him.
Be your best self, and if someone else falls short of your standards, be thankful you are not him. (And have fun.)
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Moderator
 United States
188952 Posts |
Quote:
I just leave when a dealer sucks. There's always another one more than willing to help me with his inventory. Yup. Coin shows are great, the competition is just a few steps away. So easy in fact that I cannot even remember the last dealer who slighted me as they were quickly forgotten. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4593 Posts |
Some dealers are people-people and some aren't. Two experiences at the recent Worlds Fair of Money stand out. In both cases I'm asking to look at a $200 coin. Nothing major for this major show. But it might be a sale. #1 - still does business like it's 1950. He reluctantly publishes .pdf lists of coins for sale on his 'web site'. I've run into him three times that I remember. First time I was looking at a couple of inexpensive, raw, Half Cents and Large Cents. Wife was running the booth while he was puttering in the back. No interaction. Second time - 2 years later. Wouldn't even answer a question referred through her. This time he's alone. Reluctantly gets up, shows me the coin I ask about. His grading is fair, but he's just a PITA and so I pass. #2 - collector since 1951, professional numismatist since 1983. Has a web site that actually tries to sell coins. Greets me as I arrive, "what can I show you, what are you looking for". Pulls the coin I'm asking about, but instead of pushing a sale or just standing there, he has to get to know the potential customer. The coin? It either was or wasn't going to be what I wanted. But we talked about the coin series, other coins of the same era, his interests, my interests. We must have spent 45 minutes chatting. Both coins are honest PCGS AU50 3 cent silvers... both the same price... Guess which coin is filling the AU50 slot in my grading set? The one from the dealer who couldn't wait to be rid of me? Or the one from the dealer who was more interested in me than making the sale... -----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
I owned a successful business for years. One simple truth I came to know is that people generally do business with people they like.
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Moderator
United States
188952 Posts |
Good story, BStrauss3.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
Torpedo and a great thread. We don't have very many coin shows in my immediate area (only 4 a year) but over the last few years dealers seem to be warming up a bit. The first time I went to one there was only 1 dealer that was really helpful so I always look for him first and he takes a great amount of my budget every time. Great selection, fair prices and he likes to talk! |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 2,415 |
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Posted 09/17/2015 9:54 pm
