Am I Being Unreasonable?

You have to remember, they are a business, so every transaction ideally would generate them some profit.

This story reminds me of a friend that wanted to trade his loaded (and paid for) Dodge HEMI truck for a Neon (wholesale value on that truck was considerably more than retail on the Neon). Even though they would come out ahead in the long run, they said they would do it for $500.

I almost forgot, to the forum!

I don't think I would walk in off the street and expect a deal like that from a dealer. If I were a regular customer of said dealer, I may consider asking for such a trade. As jbuck stated, they are in the business of making money, even a trade transaction takes time - and that is money. Spend some time getting to know one or two of the dealers, and spend some money at the shops- a good relationship with your dealer can reap big rewards in the long run.

Welcome to the forum !

There is a coin dealer in my city that has 5 gallon buckets of 90% silver coins mostly Washington quarters and Roosevelt dimes. People bring them in and he gives them 90% spot money and just throws the coins in these buckets! He would trade your Halves for Quarters any day of the week. I guess it just depends on the dealer. He also gives in change, if you pay cash, beat up red seal $5 notes and worn Wheaties. Just keep looking, you'll find someone.

The simplest retail coin store costs over $100 a day in fixed overhead before the owner makes anything for himself (like wages?) If he had a buyer for the halves, he might be able to make an even swap, but if he's like most dealers, he's dumping all of it for scrap, so there's no benefit to him taking the time to count in new inventory and do the paperwork to end up where he already is.

Another thing you have to remember is when you are offering to swap "even up", you are offering something you don't want in exchange for something you do want. I'm sure if the dealer would be the one to offer excess stock in exchange for what he needs, he'd be willing to trade even up. Usually what you want to get rid of, he's already got too much of, from other customers who don't want it, either.

The dealer is in it for a living, the same as the guy who expects to get paid for his labor when he goes to work. Even too many dealers don't understand this, which is why there are now five dealers in an area that used to have a couple dozen.

As already said. A dealer in a coin shop has to make a really decent profit on every sail. Not only is there rent, but gas, electric, phone, water bills, maintenance on the store, fixtures, supplies and then there is that thing called a family. All such things are paid for with his sales so a trade just doesn't help much.