Want List Or Wish List?

I agree with leebreeze. And do form a relationship with a dealer or two, and make sure they know what you collect. They'ss usually keep an eye out for your wants, especially smaller local coin shops. Make sure to visit (and shop!) regularly. That makes 'em happy.

The "Want to Buy" section here would suffice for that



I think you are missing the point of what a Want List is. It is not an official, set-in-stone list of anything- it is merely a list of what particular coins you happen to be looking for. No two people will ever have the same Want List.



That is a great idea, provided that your dealer will deal with Want Lists. Most dealers handle Want Lists one of two ways. First, some dealers will actively search shows and other dealer inventories for coins you want. This method obviously involves a bit more work for a dealer so they may charge you a small commission in addition to the price of the coin. This is really the only way to go when you have high dollar or hard to find coins on your Want List.

The second method would be to set aside anything that comes through the shop that is on your Want List. This method involves the least amount of work for the dealer and will probably yield the best prices for you. In general, a dealer would offer you a good selling price on items obtained this way because he does not have to add them to his inventory- tying up money, so it is an easy sale for the dealer.

Word of advice, if you give your list to a dealer and he gets items for you and you pass on them several times he will stop working your want list. If you pick up something that is on your list, let the dealer know right away so he doesn't keep looking for that item for you.

Giving the list to family and friends may not be a good idea unless they know coins. Otherwise you may find then paying top dollar for some polished slick piece that should have been priced at melt. (You may feel good getting that $11 coin you wanted, but you may not feel as good when you find they paid $75. And even worse is when they expect you to reimburse them for it.)

I do not share the entire want list, just a short list of what I am currently most interested in. I also make notes on the desired grade and price I am expecting to pay.

I also put an "expiration date" on the list. This forces me to check in with the dealer; not only to remind him I am out there, but to show I am still interested.

wish lists are good to give out to dealers and family/friends. in my opinion, the smaller the list, the better off you are. giving a 4000 item list to a dealer is a little overwhelming, but a list of about 10 coins gives him the idea that if he finds them, you're going to buy most if not all. I would keep the list down to about 10-25