my local coin shop

There is a coin shop in my neighborhood.

I don't go there much though.

Prices sometimes seem a bit high (although not totally ridiculous), especially when factoring in sales tax. Not sure what some of the stuff is supposed to cost anyway.

IMHO, owner is a bit of cranky old man.

However, I have gone there for basic supplies like 2x2's, Whitmans or plastic coin tubes.

 

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Many older shops seem to be run by oleo cranky men
lol

 

I think they're all cranky because local coin shops aren't doing so well lately.

 

same here ... run by a cranky old man... but my local shop's prices are pretty ridiculous

 

Whenever I visit my local shop I ask the owner: "How's the rare coin business?" He replies: "Terrible." I think he has programmed himself to say that.

 

*

 

If he uses that comment as a programmed response, he would only be hurting himself because it would indicate to me, above all, that he is unable to move some of his costlier stock. If this were the case, then I would expect to be able to get some pretty good deals from him. However, if he were reluctant to negotiate, then I would understand why "his rare coin business is terrible" and move on.

Chris

 

I have pretty much given up on my only local (20 miles away) coin shop also. He too is a little cranky and when I ask if he has anything new the answer is always the same, "No". That seems strange to me as there are people there alot of the times I am there selling coins to him. I was a steady customer of his for over a year but being told "No" after a 40 mile drive gets to be a little old. He won't budge on his prices either, not one dollar. I haven't been there in over 2 months now, maybe I will try him one more time today, I have to take Mrs. Slick to Quincy anyhow, I do need some 2X2's, unless he is out of those too.

:dead-horse:

 

The closest shop near me (1 mile) is so smokey I have to drive home with the windows down and shower after going in. The next closest (5 miles) is smoke-free.

 

Over the last year or so, three local shops have closed their doors. The ones still open have no interest in selling or spending time with customers wanting to look at coins. All they want to know is if you have silver or gold to sell. If your answer is no, they move onto the next person in line.

The monthly coin show is the only place where I get to peruse coins. I'm avoiding the shops.

 

I think his initial response is probably just a reflection of the economy in general. Buying "rare coins" requires expendable income that many of his customers may no longer have. But his prices are negotiable, and I always get a decent discount. But as already stated on this forum, buying and selling bullion (or junk silver) seems to take precedence over the rare coin business.

 

Most of the coin shops in my area are nice and are willing to help but there is one local shop where the owner is not very nice and the employees smoke inside the shop. The main dealers that I go to are very good at what they do and are very friendly.

 

I thought that would be the more likely situation. With the economy the way it is, he would be foolish not to try to generate some income.

Chris

 

My local coin shop has just opened second shop just down the street solely for the purpose of buying silver and gold.

 

Hmmm. I actually LIKE the cranky old guy running the coin shop here. The cranky old guys are part of the hobby's attraction.

 

:thumb:

Most of them are FULL of knowledge and if you can break their crusty coating they will do the world for you.

 

I love the shop that's close to me. It's run by and older couple (older to me, as they're probably only in their mid 50's). The woman is always very nice and friendly to me when I come in and the man is as well.

 

True. There were 3 coin shops in my town growing up, one run by a "cranky old man", one by a young wheeler and dealer, and a third by a young cranky old man. Once I proved to the "cranky old man" I was serious about coins, and respectful to him, he was by far the best and most helpful dealer. He had been in the business since the early 50's, and I could listen to his stories for hours. The young cranky dealer is, to put it bluntly, off his rocker. The young wheeler dealer you could tell would sell you a used car or a copier as soon as sell you a coin, he was all about the deal.

Bottom line, give the "cranky old men" respect, show your coin intelligence, and in a few visits maybe they will not be so cranky. Don't interrupt them when they are buying, or offer to buy from a patron, as buying is how most B&M shops stay open nowadays.

Chris

 

The only shop near me sells what looks like slabs that have been opened and have a lower grade of coin inside. The guy reminds me of a circus carny.

 

I for one can see why they may be a bit cranky.
Place yourself in his shoes and what he looks at all day.
He first sees my head come into his shop and show a coin id like to sell.
He then looks at both sides the coin heads and tails.
Then he sees my unhappy tail leaveing because he told me my coin wasnt the price i wanted it to be.
Looking at that all day would make me cranky as well.