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 Replies: 16 / Views: 1,883 |
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Valued Member
United States
462 Posts |
Can someone please explain to me why coin shop owners and workers are the way they are? I always get the feeling from them, "How much can I gouge this customer for" when I walk in. I am not talking about making a profit, all store owners need to do that, I am talking about the attitude towards the customer. I would think that Coin Shop owners would have a real passion for Coin Collecting. I have done some sky diving, and whenever I go into a jump shop, the owner and employee's also sky dive and are passionate about it. Sure they want to make money, but they also want you to enjoy the sport. I am a certified SCUBA diver, and the same thing happens in every Dive Shop I have visited. I love to hunt, and when you go into a gun store, the owner is excited to see you and loves to talk hunting. But when you go into a coin shop, you feel like a fresh piece of meat thrown into the Shark Pool. The shop owner in Durango wants 10 bucks for a Lincoln Cent that is worth a dollar. Yesterday, at the coin shop in Farmington, New Mexico, the owner told me that it was the 1969 Kennedy that came in mint sets only and I had to tell him it is the 1970. The Albuquerque Coin Shop owner sold me a coin for $100 that I see on this website for about half that. I ended up buying a couple of Dansco's from the ABQ shop and a couple from the Farmington shop, but I think I am going to stick to this site, ebay and maybe some bullion dealers for coin purchases. I am just so disappointed that I can't walk into a coin shop and "talk shop" with the owner. Is this fairly standard for coin shop owners? |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1077 Posts |
I'm sure there are all types, as in any profession. However I have to say I usually get a sense of superiority and unfriendliness from most that I go in. It's almost like they don't really want to sell you anything.
And if you dare to ask for the cheap bucket of world coins to look through, a lot give you a look of disdain.
And why do they all smell so bad?
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Moderator
 United States
16677 Posts |
I believe you had a bad experience with these shops. Most dealers are knowledgeable and are willing to work with you on all coin purchases, at least the dealers I most deal with. Go armed with a Greysheet. This will give you an idea as to the "bid" and "ask" on coin prices. Everyone makes a bad purchase at some point in their collecting future. Don't feel bad about that. Just seems to me that these were out of the norm for most dealers.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2269 Posts |
I can relate to you feeling like you are fresh meat while walking into a coin shop. But sometimes its those dealers who make you feel the most comfortable, that are the ones ripping you off. The dealer I used to go to seemed so nice. It took a year for me to realize that he was not as honest as he appeared.
The dealer I go to now seems like a grumpy old man, but he is the most honest and knowledgeable person,I ever did business with. His prices are very fair and I know I'm not being ripped off.
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Valued Member
United States
447 Posts |
Spider Where is this great sounding shop? Please share  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1429 Posts |
I had the same experience and early on had a dealer that took me for a ride. Guess what - he doesn't get my business anymore. The next dealer heard it from me upfront = I expect the following - advice, patience and fairness. Otherwise, let's not even start the relationship.
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Valued Member
United States
405 Posts |
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And why do they all smell so bad? I have been to many many coin shows and trading card shows and I agree with Quicksilver that a lot of those dealers and customers that attend those shows should bathe before going out into the public...my wife refuses to go to the shows with me anymore because she says most of the people there stink!! The above statement excludes anyone on this board because,I know the moderators here will not admit anyone who is not properly bathed and perfumed.....although,I dont know who's checking them...  |
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New Member
United States
27 Posts |
In my little city (50,000) there are two shops, the old place and the new place. The old place has been in business a long time, used to be the only coin shop within 200 miles. I go in and the old fella says nothing until I speak, gives me mono-syllabic replies and then stands and stares while I browse.
The new place (couple of years old) is a partnership of two fellas, both greet me by name at the door, both ask "Have you seen...have you heard of...", both are quick with a joke or twisty tale, and both thank me when I leave my money there.
I will never be anything but a stranger in the old place and never anything other than a fellow coin fool in the new place.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
I know around my city, there are both types - the gougers and those interested in the hobby while making a profit. Growing up, one was notorious for gouging, but he just didn't care (and most didn't know it at the time). It is a shame that there isn't something that can be effectively done to protect the consumer from the bad shops. Word of mouth only goes so far and is usually contained the the numismatic community.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
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However I have to say I usually get a sense of superiority and unfriendliness from most that I go in. It's almost like they don't really want to sell you anything.  That's the classic "shopkeeper demeanor". I consider it a natural consequence of spending too much time in one's shop...to the point it becomes their "little kingdom", and they begin to assume every customer should act on cue. I've seen this at many kinds of shops, but some coin dealers take this to the extreme because they equate total control with "getting what they want" from customers. That's highly ironic, because inflexible dealers are the least appealing to collectors, imo. Who needs the attitude?  This is why I prefer shows, because it takes dealers out of their little shop and places them in direct competition with other sellers. Friendly dealers are also at an advantage at shows, and I make a point to give them my business.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
I've ranted before about the shop in my town of 25,000, so I won't give them any more air time. But I would like to note that a shop in St Louis (actually Des Peres, a suburb) is a refreshing change. I've seen up to three employees there and all of them are a breath of fresh air. They spend as much time as needed with you, are very knowledgeable about the hobby and are willing to shoot the "coin breeze" with you if they have the time. I say if they have the time because the store is relatively small and it's always packed. They are spot on with pricing in both selling and buying. The atmosphere and fair deals are why they are always packed.
A side note ... we had a relatively large show here in St Louis this past weekend and they were held-up Saturday afternoon just as they pulled into the parking lot of their store. Four thieves snatched three cases of coins and made off with them. One of the owners was cut on the neck but the wound was not too serious. The police apprehended the thieves about a mile away and recovered all the coins.
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Valued Member
 United States
462 Posts |
I guess I will just have to place "Coin Shops" in the same category as "Used Car Lots" and "Realty Offices" (I owned a Realty office for 16 years). Coin clubs and coin shows seem to be the better place to "talk shop." As a side note, I have a different definition for 'small town.' I live in a town of 1,700 and have lived in a town of 700 in this area. The nearest large town is Albuquerque.
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
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This is why I prefer shows, because it takes dealers out of their little shop and places them in direct competition with other sellers. Almost exactly what I was thinking as I was reading through the posts. I enjoy going to coin shows; a lot of choices with very little drama. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
I've stated before that I'm into collecting coins primarily as a hobby, and for fun, not as an investment. Most of the dealers whom I've encountered seem to be either into those two categories: hobby or investment. I'm wondering if some of you "fun" types like me expect "investment" dealers to "do" fun with you when you walk into their shop? Ain't gonna happen. Also, no retail establishment is going to waste much time on repeat "lookie-loos" who expect shop personnel to answer all their questions for free, and by free I mean never spending money there and going directly to ebay to buy after obtaining that info. Yesterday, my local owner was not happy after spending two hours trying to set up a sale of a coin for a customer (for a percentage), only to be told in the end that the price that the customer had come up for the coin was not enough for him to turn loose of it. All this clown was doing was using the owner to research the price of the coin for him - for free. I can't speak for the smelly aspect - never noticed that problem - but I will say that dissatisfied customers can easily speak with their feet, while shop owners have to deal with anyone who walks through their door or calls them on the phone while the store is full of people. My feet get going when I realize that I'm in an establishment that caters only to investors. And they keep walking back into the store which caters to hobbyists. Simple as that. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
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I guess I will just have to place "Coin Shops" in the same category as "Used Car Lots" and "Realty Offices" (I owned a Realty office for 16 years). Coin clubs and coin shows seem to be the better place to "talk shop." As a side note, I have a different definition for 'small town.' I live in a town of 1,700 and have lived in a town of 700 in this area. The nearest large town is Albuquerque.
Lots of reasons for what people run into in coin shops or many stores similar. If you were a cab driver and after many hours of work and someone suggested we just go out for a drive, what would you say? If you dealt with the public all day long at a cleaners, and when you get home you have to wash or iron your cloths, what would your attitude be like. Usually when working for or with people you really can get tired of their attitudes, problems, loud mouths, know it all remarks and on and on and on. I know that when you work with people for a living your supposed to be a person people. Know how and what and when to say or do anything. However, you just have to see things their way also. You may be the nicest person in the world but you walk into a coin shop right after about 10 weirdos have just argued with the help there and poof, you get it too. This does sound like a defense for the shops but some are just full of people that don't care about you at all too. I've run into one like that. Right in the Middle of the Chicago area. They really don't have to be nice to people when they are surrounded by millions of potential customers. You don't like the place, so what. Move on and let someone else in. However, I would have to say as a rule the majority of coin dealers I know are really decent, hard working people and try hard to please all customers. |
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Valued Member
United States
462 Posts |
just carl, the nearest coin shop to me is 18 miles, the very next one is 70 miles and the next one is 240 miles away. It's not like I can just shop around. If I drop several hundred dollars in a store on my first visit, I would think I would be a welcome customer the next time, but that is NOT the case. I don't care if you have had 100 bufoons before I came in, I am a new customer and deserve quality service. If you can't provide it, then you shouldn't be a shop owner. My goal is to accumulate $5,000 worth of coins and bullion this year, don't you think I would be a much sought after customer?
I apologize if this is getting to be a rant, but finding quality service is getting as rare as an 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 1,883 |
Posted 02/17/2009 8:52 pm
