Littleton company head wins ANA award?

I just read a Coin Update article that David Sundman won/will receive an ANA award for dealer of the year. Do any serious collectors buy from this company? The article said there's 300 employees! I don't follow the news on this company, but from what I've heard is that they overcharge and pressure you into buying. I'd think a lot of newbies get suckered into their sales. If this is all mostly true, I've lost some respect for the ANA honoring the head guy David. What do you think?

 

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"The award honors a professional numismatist who shows uncommon dedication to strengthening the hobby and the Association and displays exemplary ethical standards as a numismatic dealer."

Yeah...
He might help introduce many to the hobby, but you can only wonder how many have been put off from the hobby by the tactics of this company.

http://news.coinupdate.com/david-sundman-receives-harry-j-forman-dealer-of-the-year-award/

 

So what are the tactics, if you don't mind? I think I've seen a SLQ offer for 4 or 5 dollars from the company, but it comes with strings attached like getting mailed coins you don't want.

 

That's what I meant. They make it seem like you are getting something for a cheap price, but then you get mailed a bunch of coins that you have to cancel/return or else you end up paying high prices for them.

 

It's probably a decent business model for them since they have been around for such a long time. However, it seems to prey on those that are less likely to read the fine print.

 

Well said.

 

They do attract new collectors to the hobby with their offers, but at some point (like Columbia) I say to myself, 'I can pick my own music'...........

 

So I guess my comment about losing respect for the ANA is not far off the mark. My local shop is a lot more consumer friendly; unfortunately, smaller shops that do so much for their communities don't get a mention by the ANA. I'm glad I didn't fall for Littleton's gimmicks when I started out five years ago. I just wish the ANA didn't give its stamp of approval to them

 

You can go to the internet and find a lot of customer reviews of the company. I read them and drew my own conclusions, which I will keep to myself. Disclosure: I have never personally dealt with them.

 

If you are an ANA member, and the shop owners in your area that you are talking about are ANA members(or members of an ANA member club) you can submit to the ANA for their recognition for contributing to the hobby. The ANA gives out many awards of recognition to people who work to better our hobby. It is possible the ANA may agree with you about the shops in your area and chose to honor them in some way.

 

I read some customer reviews and I was appalled! This company has done more harm than good. What is the ANA thinking?

 

Thanks. So I guess the way Sundman got the award was by the family members of his 300 employees lol

 

I remember way back when I ordered from them and they sent me a bunch of stuff I didn't order and I had to mail it back at my cost or else face collection. I was a ten year old kid, and yes it turned me off to the hobby for a good while. To top it off the stuff they sent me was all cleaned junk according to the local coin shop (well respected and honest guys). ANA shame on you.

 

Exactly! I was looking on their website and couldn't believe the mark up for common coins, like a 1922 or 1923 peace dollar in low unc was around a hundred. A common admiral Gardner shipwreck coin that goes for 10-20 easily or less was selling for 75! What a shame indeed. I believe their main business is coin on approval, and these are total crapshoots.

 

I really really dislike littleton

 

I've done appraisals on collections that were largely numismatic items from this company. I always end up the bad guy. EVERY TIME! The uninformed overpay for product yet, I'm the one who's trying to screw them in their eyes when I make an offer or appraisal. At this point, I won't even appraise a collection with a lot of this material in it.

 

How many here remember Harry J. Forman , I do.
No I won't say anything about him.

 

How many coin shops are in Littleton,NH, I've been there 1
and is probable the only north of Plymouth in NH.
I would bet that QDB put his 2 cents in also.

 

He gives a lot of $'s to the ANA