How long have you been going to the same coin dealer? I have used one dealer for 35 years and another for 15 years and sometimes I go to new people every now and again.
When I lived in The Washington State so had a great dealer. I was with them for as long as I can remember. After 20 years or so they retired and sold the business. I ended up moving to Pennsylvania and I haven't found a good dealer yet. I think I have one that would be good. He was great at a coin show but his store is over an hour away in the wrong direction. I only get over that way once a year, if that.
I have two favorite dealers, one because of his knowledge and willingness to share what he knows/talk coins and the other because he offers the best rates he can on coins and offered me fair deals. I met both of them just a few years ago and sadly, they live on opposite sides of the country and in a different one than I currently do...
1 for 15 years. But ever time I go to a Vegas show the very nice new coins are not there as much and I seek other dealers at the show for their new inventory.
When I was young collector, I went to one dealer almost exclusively, Gimbels Department Store in Philadelphia, PA. Their prices were on the high side, but they gave me a lot of good advice, and I learned a lot from them. When I was 16, they offered me a job. Gradually I went to a number of Philadelphia dealers and did some business with a few of them. I bought a fair number of coins from Catherine Bullowa over the years. Once I started going to the bigger coin shows in New York City in the 1970s, I bought from a number of dealers. I have continued that pattern and see a number of dealers at the shows. When I moved to Boston, I bought a lot of items from the Worthy Coin Shop bid wall. Before you start laughing at “the bid wall,” I bought the 1793 Chain Cent and the 1796 Quarter that are in my collection off that wall. They offered a lot of neat coins. I also saw other dealers. All of these dealers from my younger days have retired or passed on. Today I have a list of dealers I see first when I go to a major show. After I’ve seen them, I go down the list. I’ll buy a coin from “the devil” if he has something I really want and the price is viable. It’s my brain and knowledge against his. Most of the time you can’t buy from “the devil,” but sometimes you get a surprise. There are few dealers I don’t bother with at all. They either have an inventory that is completely full of “traps,” or they have personalities that are like that of a rabid pit bull. I don’t buy from rabid pit bulls.
I had used the same guy from the 1980’s until maybe six years ago. I like the fellow a lot. However his coin shop caters to the average collector which is exactly what I have been most of my years..... Five-six years ago I began doing business with the last dealer I’ll ever use. He has become a friend. He can fix me up with twenty dollar coins. He can fix me up with ten thousand dollar coins if need be. Best thing is he helps me with everything. When the Apollo coins came out I had to be in a meeting so he ordered them for me. Didn’t charge me anything for his troubles. If I want to send a coin to a friend, he is happy to send it for me and let me square up when I stop in. We trade emails over veterinarians, A/C repairmen, grouchy wives. He’s just a good guy and is the last dealer I will ever need.
That's the way my coin shop in Washington State was, they were my friends and they would do anything for you.
When I am in Greensboro, NC, I frequent Ashmore Rare Coins. I have a very good relationship with them, and they have always treated me fairly.
When I used to travel to Nebraska, a little coin shop in downtown Kearney was a regular stop on my business agenda.
