What Do You Like About Your Local Coin Shop?

My favorite local shop has an electronic lock that doesn't buzz, and even though I know I am locked in or out, to me, it isn't as obnoxious as the ones that make a buzzing sound when they are unlocked.

Also, he has 2 comfy chairs in the corners. They are mostly so when his mom and dad (he bought the business from his father) come on (which they do regularly) they have a nice place to sit. But as someone who grew up with a father who hit the bid boards every sunday, and would spend hours looking through world coin boxes, I know what it's like to have to wait on someone spending an awful lot amount of time doing something he loved. While he could have been sitting on the floor, or an uncomfortable stool, and been fine because he was participating in his hobby, having somewhere comfortable for the tag alongs would be a good idea.

Third, he has a TV on the wall that is used for a.) watching of the markets, as people who invest in coins generally want to see how the economy of the stock market and bullion prices is going. He also uses it to make his regulars comfortable (one guy comes in to watch an inning or two of the padres games with him on an almost daily basis). Would again be good if you had a regular come in with his/her kid(s) to keep them entertained, instead of bored and hanging on their parent "When can we leave?"

On another note, if you are thinking about this, I would definitely get your gun license, and find out what your state's carry laws are. At this shop, the owner carries at all time when in the shop. While it was a bit of a shock the first time I saw it, it quickly made me think about the fact that he is serious about his work, will protect it, and if I am in there when someone thinks about robbing it, I have a retailer who won't let myself get robbed either. A definite advertisement of "Don't rob me." Makes me actually feel safer when I am in there than other shops in which I worked.

several tables for sorting through the bins of foreign coins or the boxes of junk silver.

The friendly, welcoming atmosphere is the big deal. They never make me feel like I'm in the way or taking up their time.

ahh, another one what with the table comment for sorting through junk bins. All shops I've worked in basically had glass cases, and no where that I felt completely comfortable to sort on, afraid of scratching the glass and all. One dealer I worked for had a number of velvet trays for himself and customers to sort on, to keep the coins from being directly on glass, giving them a soft surface so they weren't damaged, and also, they had frames to make it just that little bit harder for someone with slippery fingers to slide something off the table and into their pocket

I love mine because Berry (shop owner) is very knowledgeable and helpful. I will go into his shop just to shoot the breeze with the guy. He has prices on most of his inventory. I went into the shop one day and he handed me a one gallon zip-lock bag about 3/4 full of darksiders and told me to take it home and pick out what I wanted and bring the rest back. How many people do you know that would do that? I did return what I did not want and also added to it with some of the 100's darkies I have in a large tub up on my desk. Lastly, if he does not have it in the shop he search high and low to find it. The guy searched for three weeks just to get me a 64D Kennedy.

How about if I tell you what I don't like about my local coin shop.

I have been collecting for a little less than a year now and started with my change jar. Looking for anything collectible even though I really didn't know what I was looking for. I spent my first couple of months collecting here at CCF, trying to learn what I could.

When I was finally ready to set foot into a coin shop, I went to the closest one to me. I guess through my first couple of dumb questions, it didn't take them long to figure out I was a newbie and they completely lost interest in helping me whatsoever. I even gave them a want list of several coins and a couple of books and have still yet to receive a call!

I kept going back a few times and even bought coins that I didn't even want or need, thinking that if they seen me spending money they would take me a little more seriously.

Well, that never happened. So, after that I only went there long enough to buy supplies only (which probably by now had only convinced them not to take me seriously). But, now I don't even do that anymore. I just order supplies online now.

It's a real shame, because even though I still have a lot to learn, I've learned a lot and have been spending a lot of money on coins. Money that could have been going to them.

So, I guess my point is, try spending as much time with the newbie as you would the seasoned veteran. The newbies are where the seasoned veterans come form.

Sorry, didn't mean to vent.

My only local coin dealer is the Littleton Coin Company. And with their prices, NO WAY will I buy from them!

Friendliness and know-how are factors. The more a person can tell me about it without resorting to cheap sales tactics, the more interested I am in obtaining a piece of history. Sometimes you have to sacrifice cost for quality.

I've never seen a coin shop with a TV before. Pretty fair and handy (Business updates)!

Also, I always respect a person who "saves" or protects their investments.

Friendly know-how is the takeaway. An extra buck or so goes a long way in terms of respect. You want to keep these likeable people in business, correct? You wouldn't want a " Walmart" of a coin shop. They just wouldn't know how to help you and they would flood the market with cheap knockoffs.

(Are 64D Kennedies that hard to find?)

Oh, and keep the showcases fresh. New arrangements and items keep the regulars hooked. Chairs are good, too, who doesn't like chairs?