Help with an Alexander the Great Drachm

Whether we are collectors or dealers a decision has to be made whether and how much to allow for negotiations. This is a lot like the car sales industry when a couple brands came out with no negotiation policies. Some people live for the 'game' while others are bothered by it. In fact, it makes no difference as long as both parties are playing by the same rules. If I am selling asking my bottom line number and you are buying expecting a discount, the chance of a sale is reduced. Every show I attend I am greeted by a dealer with the words, "I can do better." He'll say that before saying, "Hello." One of my favorite dealers never negotiates but puts old stock on sale at some point. Of course his first price is half what the same coin would be labeled at that first guy's table.

I do disapprove of one practice. I mentioned buying a coin the other day for $75 as a Best Offer on eBay. That lot is now marked as 'Best Offer Accepted' but the price shown is not $75. It is marked $250 which was that seller's original dream price before he applied his 35% off sticker and before he accepted my offer that I almost did not submit for fear of offending yet another dealer. Over the years I have offended a lot of dealers but I see no need to waste both of our times looking at $25 coins marked $250. If this listing is seen by a beginner either on eBay or on one of the Wildwinds/acsearch places he may be misled into thinking someone paid $250 for the coin and that he should buy one like it for that much. The coin I bought was IMHO overpriced at the $75 but I needed it because it completes my 'set' of something. Most people would not care and most of you would reject the coin if I offered it for $50. You don't want it; I did. Simple.

So, what is the answer? I would like it better if we all played the same game but we don't. You have to know whether the seller is a player or clings religiously to his numbers. I guess buying from big name dealers is a lot like buying slabbed coins. When you take the coin out of the holder it is like driving a new car off the lot. The resale value goes down fast.

 

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I make offers to vcoins dealers all the time. Now I know why I'm never refused :s

 

=> Kentucky con't ... the "sigh" was merely because I'd just finished squabbling with jwhitten about slabbed coins and then immediately afterwards came KSorbo's thread, so it was kind of a jokey-thing like I was too tired to say my argument all over again (anyway, I'm sorry that my comments seem to get taken the wrong way from time to time => I honestly love coining with you dudes and I mean zero-harm)

 

I hear even Mother Teressa was taken wrong several times : - )

 

Ummm... very much agreed. I trust John. Period.

 

*edit*

sure ... Honest John, that's what they called him in prison

 

Nah...the only time I got pulled over was when I was driving a Dunkin Donuts truck.

 

My thoughts: Our hobby (market?) is demographically skewed towards 50-70 year-olds. The Baby-Boomers are slamming into that age group, allowing for more players to enter the Hobby... And, GENERALLY more discretionary cash to spend on the hobby... Just musings.

 

It will be our younger demographic 18-35 that will hope to outlast you. Our numbers are few but our coins are many!

 

=> I think that our 50-70 year old crowd would rag-doll you YNs!!

 

Hey all we have to do is out last ya...once the evening news comes on you guys are done and we will have the day.

 

LOL, NOTE: As a Marketer I stated SKEWED. I think ALL collectors are awesome...

 

Wait...was I just called a YN?

This is just fantastic!!! Except it's 8 pm and I wish I would have went to bed an hour ago

 

Noob, are you in that age group? I didn't realize you were so young!

 

What is hilarious; WE said the same exact thing when WE were in that age group!

However, I will say it again...in my mind, I am still 20, as taught to me by my Mother.

 

I'm pretty sure that Noob is still in his 20's .... oh my gawd, TIF

=> Noob might be our lil' coin-baby!!

 

And, my rude: @KSorbo , your OP Alexander Drachm is gorgeous! This is one of mine (and it USED to be slabbed, but I freed it):



Then FREEEEDDDOOOOOMMMMM



Kingdom of Makedonon
Alexander III (MEGAS) 336-323 BCE
AR Tetradrachm
24.5mm, 16.9g
Lifetime Issue
OBV: Herakles
REV: Zeus on big-ball throne, holding Eagle, staff; very faint trident in field l

 

'AL', Absolutely LOVE that Tet!!!

 

He's my buddy, hence my corrupted Avatar name...

 

I am 31 and a half.