Is this a common thing? In my area we don't have a coin shop, only pawn shops, and haggling is a must in a pawn shop, but what about coin shops? Do you haggle over the prices, or just accept what they have marked?
Usually, but it depends on the situation. One shop near me has a strict "What its marked is what you pay" policy, and on the (very) rare occasion that I find something I want, I either pay the price or skip the purchase. In general, I'll ask for "the best you can do" when I've found multiple potential purchases, but not on single coins.
My local coin shop closed last August - the owner was retiring to enjoy his leisure. He told me he'd started and closed several businesses over the years, and wouldn't particularly miss dealing in coins. But he would often go out of his way to make up a nice selection for me (NOT his biggest spender!), according to my interests and budget; and I only had to demur slightly over what seemed to me to be slightly too pricey an item, for him to discount it immediately by up to 15%. He was an experienced dealer, and knew he'd make more by cultivating a customer relationship than by sticking rigorously to a marked price. So I'd venture this thought - if the coin shop wants your business, they'll probably indulge in a little discreet haggling - and if they don't, try elsewhere! Successful businesses have clear objectives, but they're also flexible in the methods they use to achieve them.
That's my standard line, and a 10-15% discount from the marked price is about right. I believe the longer you deal with a particular shop, the better you will do.
I've never had any luck dealign with pawn shops. They appear too rigid, and their selections are from "royal" hoards....lol However, I like to deal with coin shops and if they seem reasonable, I'll continue doing buisness with them. So, cultivating a relationship is an important aspect. Its also nice to have some ecclectic tastes. I was negotiating with a long associated coin dealer for some fairly nice Indian Head Pennies and he really didn't have much room to negotiate; however, he found a box full of Notgeld which I was interested. So, to sweeten the deal and secure my purchase, he threw in the Notgeld, if I were to purchase some broken bank notes at very reduced price. Sure, I spent more but in the end I felt I came out ahead. Its also a good idea to know the local market.
Depends. At a coin market in the street I may pick a coin and do a little haggling, especially when buying more than one piece from the same booth/vendor. In a coin store, or at a show, I pay what the price tag says - and if in my opinion that is too much, I won't buy the coin. Now that is a rule of thumb only; the person behind the store counter may well ask me why I don't want to buy that I was interested in, and ultimately I get a discount. My point is that at a coin market I consider some (limited) haggling to be the rule while at a store it is the exception ... Christian
