Coin Shop Etiquitte

Sounds like a shop I would like to visit. I deal with a similar minded dealer by me in Green Brook NJ. I also was pushed the RedBook when after I told him I wanted to get back into coin collecting. I wouldn't go as far as to say he wouldn't sell me anything but he did say take a look in their before you just pick out a coin. I did buy on my next two visits presents for my father.($5 Black Eagle)(2009 Us Mint Set) But A pretty cool thing happen a month or two later I was turning 30 and my lady went in by her self and picked me up a $5 1909 D AU-58 Gold Indian/Eagle.(12/18/2009) She kept it a surprise to my big 30. When I opened it it was such a shock but then fear crept in thinking what did she pay for this. After finally wiggling it out of her I was happy to hear $420. She said he was very helpful didn't rush her Let her pick out a few different ones until he said if you really want to get him something he will like this is the one. I must say it did the job. It was my first gold coin. My father has one in MS-63 so it was great to have something like him. I'd like to believe that its after he learned who she was shopping for he cut her a good deal and not cause she's beautiful. Or he just a honest dealer. At times a little short. But no ones perfect. He always lets me look through his dealer boxes. Witch I Love. But I don't ever just buy from the box. I make it a point to buy something else. So far I have nothing but good to say about the guy.

I usually bring my iPad with a copy of the latest Grey Sheet PDF. Some shops overprice everything by 2x but at others you'll find well priced coins and even some bargains. Depends on how they make money, I guess. A coin shop can either pay Grey and overprice everything or they can pay a fraction of Grey (i.e. buy from consumers not other shops) and then retail near Grey. I prefer the Later.

I see it completely reasonable to bring in your own Red Book. If the dealer is going to get offended by you covering your bases it sounds like he is just preying on people, and I don't want to spend my money at a place like that.

In my situation the dealer would have sold me anything I liked. He only stressed to look further into my decision by offering the Red Book and its history. Being I was new he was looking out for my best interest. Or hopefully making a long term customer instead of a quick sale. Being an informed buyer is what Its all about for me. I don't want to pay 30% over on a coin When I'm dead and gone my kids have the most of what I leave. I've spent to much money off impulse buying, and if I have to read a little bit to save money, that only helps me buy more coins. Say it was a car dealer in stead of a coin dealer. I guess if someone has it like that. Its easy to just buy what ever you want. But even if I did have it like that I'm pretty sure I would still do my homework. And for me the research is part of the enjoyment. And for the shops that wont allow you to bring in your own price guide. Just ask to look at every coin. Spend all day their and don't buy anything. LOL

I think as long as you are polite about it, you can bring the book and reference it. If you feel the dealer's prices are inflated, just be polite and say you're not going to buy right now, or that you'd rather look around a little. Of course, you could always throw out a number if you buy a bunch of coins. If you want 10 $5 coins, offer $45 and a lot of dealers will take it.

Even better, coin shows are usually a place to pickup a good deal. Go early, many dealers will want to move stuff for the first couple of hours and then leave. I always knock 10-15% off starting prices at coin shows and a dealer has never been offended by this. Again, I'm buying several things from the guy at once, not just 1$5 coin.