Coin Show etiquette question

Thanks everyone for your opinions! I’m glad I went with my gut and stayed out of it when unprovoked.

I’m not even going to consider your pathetically-condescending comment.

I also find it amusing that this is the only comment baseball21 has liked in this thread even though it adds nothing to the discussion other than condescending remarks. Are you two best buds or something, united by faith in the PCGS overlords? Are you two really that peeved that the TPGs, including the almighty PCGS, have been demonstrably shown to not be as reliable as you two want to lead people to believe? As Phil Ham stated, BS needs to be called out at every opportunity, and this certainly qualifies.

 

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Thank you for the personal demonstration of poor etiquette.

 

My comment isn't condescending at all, it is factual. Several other members espoused the exact same sentiments that I did, and one even told you that you weren't the coin police. Where is your outrage towards them?

Then you have the audacity to claim that baseball21 and I are somehow in league together. Your little outburst here is nothing more than projection and confirms that you have an issue with us because we call out your lunacy regarding TPG grading.

Furthermore, why didn't you answer my question. Why would a total stranger ask you, a bystander, your opinion on the grade of a professionally graded coin that he was negotiating to purchase with a floor dealer at a show. Did you know this buyer? Was he friend? Were you talking to him before this? Your story doesn't make sense, and since you shared it, the members of this forum are entitled to the entire story.

In case you are unaware, TypeCoin routinely presents himself as an expert on this forum and does not go out of his way to sugarcoat his opinions, so why should I treat him with kid gloves? In addition, as an expert numismatist, he should already know the answer to his own question. Beyond that, he had already once done what he was considering doing again, and learned his lesson by the nasty look given by the first dealer he interfered with.

 

I see we are doubling down here. Good call!

 

I found this to be very strange as well. I don't think I have ever seen total strangers asking each other their opinion like that like they could just sense the ultimate expert was standing next to them or something.

Not to mention I can think of many shows where someone getting in the way of sales like that would be quickly shown the door and told not to come back

 

On rare occasions I've asked a stranger for their opinion. Not advice, just an opinion. Not because I think they are an expert, not because I think they have more knowledge than me, and not because of the dealer. The only reason I have done this is to get the opinion of another person I believe to be there for the same reasons I am, someone not interested in making a sale. I think we've all asked a stranger for directions so why not an opinion?

 

I don't play black jack, just poker.

 

In this case, the stranger and I had been talking about surface originality sometime before. He then showed me the coins he was considering buying and asked my opinion. I gave my opinion as I try to be honest, but I was uncomfortable doing so because of the dealer. It is not a thing I done before or since.

 

That's fine. A bit unnerving but nothing wrong in doing so as you were asked. It's a lot different if you were not asked but spoke up. You gave your opinion and nothing else. The dealer may not have liked it as it may have cost them a sale but you were honest with the other buyer and that's what counts.

 

If asked, I think it's all right to give an opinion, despite the 'glare'......as for educating dealers? Don't even think of going there.

 

If the purchase was significant and the buyer was naive and the dealer seemed like a scumbag, I would call him out.

 

I've occasionally been asked for information by a stranger when we were both at a dealer's table. Usually, they overheard me talking about coins with the dealer. However, it has never involved whether a coin was a good buy or accurately graded, but was more along the lines of where was it minted, what is the meaning of some of the design elements, what's the metal, etc. Then I back off and let any business proceedings between the dealer and customer occur in private. Likewise, if I'm approaching a table where there are business proceedings, I steer clear and come back later. I think dealer/customer negotiations should be as private as possible. If it keeps me out of trouble for butting in, so much the better.

Cal

 

If someone asks for my opinion they'll get it. Dealer can glare until their eyes pop a la Total Recall. I expect the same from potential buyers when I'm the dealer.