Coin store attitude? Just mention ebay!!

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by fretboard, Nov 15, 2009.

  1. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    I went into one of my favorite coin stores and in the middle of conversation realized that some of these dealers really get angry when you mention ebay. Even if there is nobody else in the store and you're not talking about a good deal you got. In this particular store there are 2 partners and one of the guys doesn't really say much, he'll just say one negative ebay comment and then takes care of business.

    The other partner, (with attitude) makes a few bad comments and then becomes rude and will actually start to ignore you. Luckily I know these dealers and I know which one to deal with but I was wondering if this is a common element or if anyone else has run into rudeness when you mention ebay? Anyone?

    Actually it's a bit funny to me and I've gotten used to it so I try not to mention ebay unless it's just in passing or I'm prepared for the "reaction". :D
     
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  3. coleguy

    coleguy Coin Collector

    Never had that problem. Of course, I've never been into a shop yet that didn't also have an Ebay store, so maybe thats the difference.
    Guy~
     
  4. bigjpst

    bigjpst Well-Known Member

    its funny, one of the coin stores I deal with has an e-bay store, but I think the dealers daughter runs it, because I have asked him about it and he seems not to really care(even though I watch his auctions from time to time and he sells alot of higher end coins) and the other store I deal with was very nice about me mentioning prices for coins I was interested in purchasing(he was just quick to mention he could do better)..but I could definately see where some would get upset....now more and more people can do their coin shopping right from home...
     
  5. Cloudsweeper99

    Cloudsweeper99 Treasure Hunter

    When I'm talking to a coin dealer, I never mention another dealer, internet site or Ebay. I just don't like the "I can get it cheaper at so-and-so" game. I consider it bad manners and not a particularly good negotiating tactic.
     
  6. Otter

    Otter Likes shiny objects

    There is a parallel in many other industries. Go into a Scuba Shop and mention that you can get the same identical product for 30-40% less (which on some equipment is $100s of dollars) and you get the 'its life support, why would you buy it on the internet' or 'its not warrantied'.

    The smarter, more progressive shops have (1) opened an online store, (2) lowered their prices to be more inline (usually slightly more) with online retailers, (3) realized they can make more in volume at a lower prices serving the entire country vs. just their local area, (4) provide more immediacy of getting the product and demonstrate extra value (through better service) to justify a ~10% premium to online retailers.

    I reflect back to one of my favorite quotes by Dr. Peter Drucker, (paraphrased) "Its not the customer's responsibility for you to make a profit."
     
  7. mark_h

    mark_h Somewhere over the rainbow

    I agree..about the only thing I say at my local dealer is that I could buy some of their cheaper coins and sell them on ebay for a profit. I enjoy talking to them - they help me a lot.
     
  8. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Ebay wasn't mentioned in that manner at all. I have mentioned it when talking about fakes and when saying something like. "Oh yeah, I've seen those in ebay for around the same price".

    I would never use ebay as a bargaining tool b/c I think it would work against me, at least when dealing coins at the store I'm referring to. I wasn't just :hatch:
     
  9. volker00

    volker00 Coin Collecting Noob

    The people that work at the coin store I go to have an attitude, and I don't even need to mention ebay!
     
  10. tmoneyeagles

    tmoneyeagles Indian Buffalo Gatherer

    Mentioned eBay to my dealer, and we seemed to be in a position of agreement, actually a pretty nice conversation.
    So no, never had the problem you are having, but some people are just like that, I guess
     
  11. boxerchip

    boxerchip Runnin' Buffalo

    Like any business you will come across this often. Dealing with stupid people all day long can get annoying. Coin shops are one of those places where the majority of people who come in are not going to be educated and your going to have to deal with that. On the other hand, if you take the time and show people whats up you will gain a new customer and life long coin collector. Sounds like your dealer does not care about customers but cares about money. Ebay is out there, it wont go away, but any good coin dealer would just shrug, say there are some great deals to be had on ebay but you HAVE to be careful because you can get ripped and you can be mislead by coin images rather than seeing them in person. Educate your customers while making your point that ebay sucks :p
     
  12. clembo

    clembo A closed mind is no mind

    These two posts point out a lot about ebay and etiquette.
    We see it all in the store that I work in. We sell on ebay as well. It does get tiresome to hear that "I saw this coin sell on ebay for such and such" when someone wants to sell. Fine, then go for it but also realize I'll start doing searches while you're standing there to see what the coin is REALLY going for. We have two computers and research on ebay EVERY day. When a shop buys a coin they will NOT pay what it goes for on ebay because we just might sell it on ebay. We are not in business to break even. So that's a quick glance from a person selling to us.

    As for us selling to them? If you got a great deal on ebay (especially if you have the coin in hand to show us) we'll congratulate you. We like coins after all. If a person gets a great deal we're happy for them. Not like we don't have other buyers.

    I suppose some dealers get it and some don't when you get down to it. Ebay has changed the hobby a lot. It's also brought out a lot more counterfeits and rip off artists. In the long run it's all balancing out.

    There have been many occasions when we have shown a customer a coin that is on ebay as we spoke then given them our user name. Then it's up to them but at least they've actually seen the coin.
     
  13. Phil Ham

    Phil Ham Hamster

    When I was at the coin show last weekend, I asked a couple of the dealers if they sold on ebay. They both said that they had sold on ebay but the fees were taking away all their profit. Thus, they preferred selling at their shops or at the shows. When I asked them about the cost of the shows, they both said that it was cheaper than ebay. I was surprised. I wondered if they calculated all the costs like the cost of their booth, transportation cost, dinner, time, etc. I have to believe that it would add at least 15% to their costs. Does ebay really cost that much?
     
  14. LostDutchman

    LostDutchman Under Staffed & Overly Motivated Supporter


    With paypal fees it ends up being very close to that.
     
  15. SilverSurfer

    SilverSurfer Whack Job

    I'd search for another coin dealer online. No reason to take anyone's bad attitude........especially if you are spending money in their store. What happened to "the customer is always right"?
     
  16. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    What happened to it ? I'll tell you what happened to it. People (meaning customers) became jerks is what happened to it. And a saying that used to be true is true no longer. The customer is NOT always right.

    That saying originated when people, meaning pretty much all of them had these things I was taught as a youngster - they are called manners. And I was taught that if I didn't mind my manners then I was gonna get smacked. And since my mother was 6' 3" and weighed about 225, wellllllll, I minded my manners.

    But the world is not the same place anymore. People, and not just the customers, no longer have the manners they used to have. So I don't care what side of the counter you stand on - you are not always right.
     
  17. Collector1966

    Collector1966 Senior Member

    That reminds me of a Monty Python sketch where a newlywed couple go into a mattress shop, but every time they say "mattress", one of the salesmen puts a bag over his head :smile
     
  18. clembo

    clembo A closed mind is no mind

    Amen!

    I recall several years ago when I was managing a truck stop. A lady got very belligerent and abusive (language) toward me then spouted "the customer is always right".
    I proceeded to cuss her out and then asked if she wanted to talk to the manager.

    She did or course.

    Then I said "Fine. What do you want to talk about? I'M the manager". She left.

    I suppose I shouldn't have cussed her out but you shouldv'e seen the look on her face!:)
     
  19. SilverSurfer

    SilverSurfer Whack Job

    I guess the next question then is......do you expect these customers to come back for more abuse? Or do you think they'll find someone else who treats them with respect. I for one won't do business nor go back to a place that doesn't treat me with respect, especially since it is my money that is being spent. If I say I'm right, even when I'm not, I'd expect a bit of curtesy in an attempt to resolve the issue. I have no qualms to simply pay what the owner wants and then never come back. This isn't conducive of a business that will be successful in the long run. And honestly, that's the way I want it.
     
  20. justafarmer

    justafarmer Senior Member

    I am of the opinion that Ebay is one of the vehicles that helped the coin industry grow and therefore has been a positive for most honest coin dealers.
     
  21. WashQuartJesse

    WashQuartJesse Member Supporter

    My Services Marketing Professor would give you a hug.

    Depends on item value, seller status, etc... but combined PayPal/Ebay fees of 9-10% seems to be the rake.

    This is true, there's a group of customers nobody wants. Today, we are taught to actually break relations with these people as they are too problematic/resource demanding. Marketing textbooks clearly identify these people and also disprove that old "cutomer is always right" garbage. These are the people nobody can please silver surfer, they have certain identifiable character traits. I'm not suggesting the OP is one of these types.

    I completely agree, it is a wonderful tool for both parties. Every market is flawed to some extent but that's a given. If I had to guess, these dealers are just upset with change they need to face.
     
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