Coin dealer arrested for buying stolen goods including coins. I guess there is always some bad apples in the bunch. It is always a good idea to know who you are dealing with even within a hobby. TC http://touch.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-72551604/
Well yes,......... but then again no, Actually, the VAST majority of dealers whom I have met are decent people. They need to derive an existence from their profession. (Is it somehow just , fair, or reasonable that their childen not have orthodontics, tutoring when necessary, or be able to pay tution to Kollitch?) ---- I do not feel that it is fair to characterize them universally as bad people. They (necessarily) buy cheaper than they sell. They also add value when they share with others their expertise, expert opinion, buy/sell prices. ---- Frankly, I wish more aspects of our society were nearly so frank, honest, and open. ---- John
The person who really got me started with coin collecting once told me 'there is a little bit of a crook in all of us.' I guess we are only human.
I absolutely agree, unfortunately my very first dealings with a coin dealer was with a bad experince. I have since found a reliable and trustworthy dealer in my neighborhood and have had many good encounters with other dealers.
Coin dealers are just like anyone else trying to make a liveing. You buy low and sell for profit. Call your dealer what you like but in a backroom deal they are all the same. Unless he knows the coins were stolen from another dealer close by the coins will be bought. We would all do the same when the price is right. Being human is easy for us all.
WOW....this guy was plain, old DUMB. The "seller" told him the stuff was stolen and he bought it anyway.
Many legal questions at issue here. However, from a moral view, one does not participate in the taking of another's property with the intent to deprive that person of possession of the property. Maybe Robin Hood would be an exception.
I'm sure there are quite a few dealers that would offer very low prices on certain items to people that seem uninformed.... much like the gold buyers that rip everybody off.
you have to wonder how much of the coinage that people collect has been stolen at one time or another. I bet the percentage would be much higher than one might think.
That is part of the history of a coin, but hopefully a part of its history that occurred many years in the past. When looking at a coin, it is much more romantic to think the coin may have been part of an old west heist or some bank robbery in the 30-40's instead of a month or two before your purchase.
I work with the local police on a semi regular basis recovering items which were stolen which we have purchased. The difference is that the crooks who have stolen them have signed documents stating the items are theirs to sell and have provided ID and thumbprints. This guy is buying items he KNOWS are stolen and not filling out the required papwework. That's a completely different animal.
