What a jerk!!!

How do dealers stay in business with an attitude like this?

Earlier today I posted a question about the worth of rolls of shield pennies.

Before I got an answer, I thought I'd call my local shyster, I mean coin dealer. I've talked about him before. I don't like to deal with him, but he is the only dealer around open on Sunday. I figured, advise is free. Yeah right. Here's how it went.

First it took about 20 rings before he answered, and it sounded like I woke him up.

Me: Hello. I have a few questions about the new shield pennies, please.
Him: Shield pennies?
Me: Yeah, the new shield pennies.
Him: Shield pennies...shield pennies. Hmm. I'll have to look that up. I've never heard of a shield penny. I know they recently minted some shield cents.......
Me: That's what I'm talking about.
Him: Well, they're not pennies, they're CENTS.
Me: Doesn't everybody call them pennies?
Him: Well, everybody's WRONG. What did you want to know?

I explained to him what I wanted to know. Are they worth saving, selling on eBay, or just spend them?

Him: Are you a collector?
Me: Yes. I'm a collector, but I also sell coins on eBay.
Him: Spend them. And while you're at it you might as well spend the rest of your collection because you obviously know nothing about coins.

"Click"

What's wrong with these people? I have seen these people rip so many others off with their high prices. There are three people working there, and all three are like that.

 

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That is sooo not nice...

 

Maybe his "evil twin" answered the phone?

 

it's like an old buddy used to say...

"there are more horse's asses than there are horses"

 

Well there only a few coin shops here in Northwest Indiana, I don't want to mention any names here but that kind of treatment from all but one doesn't surprise me.

 

That's very unprofessional. That's when you go to the shop, and cherry pick all the good stuff. Maybe you should start your own coin shop and provide actual service.

 

There isn't much good to say about that dealer.
BUT
He had one thing correct.
They are CENTS, not pennies.
Yes, the general public DOES call them pennies.
BUT
Since you are a numismatist you should be using the correct term.

If you use the term "double die" other people on this site are ALL over you (the correct term is "doubled die).
But if you correct someone about the cent/penny terminology you are treated poorly.

 

But why would a dealer 'talk down' to a potential customer? Use a little tact, for crying out loud.

 

Agreed - sounds like he got up on the wrong side of the bed. I figure as long as you know what someone is talking about there is no reason to correct them, especially if you are a dealer wanting to cultivate a new customer.

 

Agreed, he did it wrong.
Since it took 20 rings to get his attention the dealer was probably in a foul mood by the time he picked up.

 

If you search back, you'll find CT threads that do nothing but discuss how a penny/cent should be addressed...pretty ridiculous if you ask me. I call them "pennies" just to annoy the evil Cent-urions...and their Cohorts! :thumb:

 

To me, it's easier to say penny.

BTW--I also sell Canadian quarters.

 

If you market it right, you can get some nit-wit to pay more than face for them.



Otherwise, you gotta do what dealers do: buy low, sell high.

Buy for less than face and sell for more. Profit.

And then, you'd be what you hate: A dealer.



Best wishes with your eBay auctions. Remeber. Market them right and you'll get some bidders.

 

Dealers like this prefer to receive calls around 3am-4am several times a week. Just from what I've heard.

 

no sweat, he IS a jerk

 

Yes, he was a jerk. Maybe he had a customer he had to watch carefully, or maybe he was asleep. I have no excuse for him being "corrosive" , but if I may say in fairness, that he saw nothing for a profit to him as he wouldn't be making any money on your transactions, and he would be using time with you he could be using better in his mind. True, he might be killing any deals with you in the future, but most people live in the "now" time. As most time happens in life, bad interactions can continue to hurt you much more than him~~ If you let it. Don't allow him that power.

Jim

 

Desertgem is correct.

I used to spend time coming up with revenge scenarios but the outcome was always anti-climactic. Now, I just don't acknowledge the person's existence anymore. I don't waste anytime about them. Life goes a lot smoother.

 

Using the same logic, we shouldn't say nickel, dime, quarter or dollar either, only 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, and 100 cents. I'll call it w/e the I want, afterall it's not worth just one cent is it? I guess I could see why he might be a little aggitated but he didn't have to be so rude. Why don't you browse the completed listings on ebay and see if you can find a price range they sell for?

 

Incorrect.

The denominations are:

One Cent

Five Cents

One Dime

Quarter Dollar

Half Dollar

Dollar

 

This is correct...it's exactly what the coins say on them. Originally...US coins had denominations based on 10. They were: Cent, Dime, Dollar and Eagle. 10 Cents = 1 Dime, 10 Dimes = 1 Dollar, 10 Dollars = 1 Eagle.