It is worth watching (on occasion) strictly for historical information dispensed by the "personalities" on camera to fill the time during the auctions while promoting them. There isn't a single coin sold there that couldn't be gotten for less money somewhere else. NGC slabbed coins do bring a slight to high premium (depending on the coin) but there is a additional premium placed on all items to pay for the set you see, the people you hear, the cameras/equipment used and the myriad of people behind the scenes including the order takers, director, editor, associate producer, etc. etc. and etc. How else could they pay for the show and keep it on the air if they weren't turning a profit by over-pricing everything?
I happen to like the show. In spite of the ragging that Robert Chambers gets, he's quite knowledgeable about numismatics, once you get through the hype. A few short years back, they dealt primarily in ICG slabs and other "garbage" coins (colorized/painted Silver Eagles, gold- and platinum-plated State Quarters, etc.). They've eliminated ICG completely and deal exclusively with NGC and occasionally PCGS, even though you'll still see them selling the gold- and platinum-plated quarters. As SPY88 said, you can get almost anything they sell cheaper at your local coin shop or coin show. [As a classic example, they were selling 40-coin rolls of 2004 nickels for $8 each recently. You can get them at your bank for face ($2).] Occasionally, they do have some decent prices, but they're still on the high side. Jerry
I see no problem in buying from TV if you fully expect to pay too much. In recent past, the products offered (especially certified stuff) have presented products that are hard to find, and if you know you will be paying more than you could, what is the harm? This is for the Coin Vault specifically - some of the other shows I wouldn't go near with a pole. My opinion is that some people will pay a premium for conveinence and expediency. For them, CV is a decent source today on some items. Regarding the 2004 nickels, well, that is a different story for a different time!
They do provide some good information and have put together some nice sets. As mentioned before, expect to pay double than you can get elswhere.
CohibaCris: What hard to find material is on CoinVault? I watch the show, and get a good laugh. Mr. Chambers and his staff are serious buyers and sellers. They do know a lot more about coins than most, and do a fantastic job of marketing. Do yourself a favor, and never buy off TV.
Thanks for the input. Just to let everone know I work for Shopathometv.com and know Robert Chambers personally. Correct on the fact that you can buy coins from other scources cheaper and all. I have been working at this job for a year now and I started out as a Sales Representative taking calls for orders and part of the salary is commission. Found out really quick that the coins have the lowest return rate so have taken a special interest in selling coins. Before this time last year the only use I had for coins were spending them and now I think I will start collecting, just wnated to get teh opinion of educated collectors. Thanks and I did not mean to bait anyone in just trying to get an honest opinion.
Well I have met some of your buyers at the larger shows. If you go back through some of the older threads, you will find many threads concerning TV coins. About the same theme in all of them. You will also see that I for one, think that the TV shows are marketing their coins to customers that we (dealers) don't. How can I blame a TV show for making money that I choose not to. Welcome to the forum....
well i watch the coin valt for about 15 minutes in the morning. i do not buy but i get alot of info from them. definatley way out of my bounds on price feild.
Some of the materials that are assembled (full collections of X, special certified collections, etc) are not easily come by. If one were to go and look around, the search could be an elongated one. For me, I much prefer the hunt. All I am saying is that more people are interested in coins than the normal defnition of a coin collector. If that someone knew that they could buy from other sources and chose to buy from TV to save on time and searching around, let them have at it. Noobgw, I figured that you worked there given the info in your profile. I enjoy watching the show, but as most have indicated I don't plan on making any purchases from it. Robert is a hoot, though!
That is the second time you have said how hard this material is to find. Is NC that short of large dealers?
Unfortunately, yes. In Raleigh, there is one built out (decent selection) dealer storefront, in the fleamarket that is open on the weekends only. And most of the items I am referring to are specialty items. PF69 Bicentenial sets, collections of date/mintmark sets, full ASE sets, etc. Even going to a show or two, these are items that I rarely see. I know that those that are deep into the coin world scoff, but I haven't ever seen these items offered anywhere else. I am NOT saying that I'm running to TV shows to fill a void. My only point was that the lowest price means very little to some, and if that is the case (Even if it means buying at 2-3x the greysheet price), then those people shouldn't be considered "off" for making their choice. On some other threads, time was mentioned. I'll bet my best Morgan that the difference in price to a lot of people out there means less than to place an order in 5 minutes and be done with it. For that person, the hunt is out of the question. They will never come to this forum and post - there is no time.... I'll shut up now...
cris, please take this in a lighthearted manner. We have to get you into the 21st century The internet is an amazing tool. All of us larger dealers have websites. I currently have 200 full sets of Eagles. I supply more than a few registry set customers who only buy the best money can buy. I am certainly not alone in this. You also need to get a copy of the dealers numismatic directory. 8 more Raleigh dealers listed there........Remember that like collectors, dealers sometimes keep their business a secret. I know, boggles the mind......
Lighthearted mode : On Oh, I know... I simply cannot bring myself to buy stuff online (outside of the Mint). I simply HAVE to touch them. I can spend hours looking at coins, but that time is spend over a loupe for sure, not on the screen. The dealer thing is crazy - if there are legit dealers in Raleigh, then they are hiding in the bushes for sure. Through the bloody phone book, calling from the registry, etc. All I get are offers to setup an appointment. (BTW - I am one of those that time is my enemy, so kabash on the appt thing). Sounds like someone needs to open a satellite storefront in Raleigh. Ripe pickins to be had down here, I tell ya...
I only work from appointments. Too much security issues to have strangers walking in.......Scared me with that thought.... Small dealers love shops, and there is some good advantages to having a shop. Merchandise walks in off the street, you see the customer first hand, you make new and exciting friends, you get broken into and robbed...OOPS, we were talking advantages weren't we?
I enjoy watching the Coin Vault. Robert Chambers is a natural born salesman and he is very convincing, knowledgable, and humorous. Is Julie married or not?
To the best of my knowledge Julie is not married She is a good host and whiel surfing the net I have found that there is a cult that tapes/records every show she does and they even have message boards where they discuss her. If you are the type who like to watch people make innuendoes every now and then when Shaun Leflar is the host, (shorter blonde haired guy) Robert will say, Shaun today this item is on 2 pay just for you. What he is doing is poking at Shaun becuase here a few years ago Shaun had an accident and he wore a toupe for a while. I have learned a lot about coins from being in the set and get to look at some really impressive items such as gold fractional coins, assay coins, and most recently the coins from the SS Republic. Speaking of the SS Republic NGC graded/slabbed most of the seated liberty halves as "Shipwreck Effect". Those coins were first aired on 15 May during the coin marathon. Oh if any of you have any Mint State 1996 Silver American Eagles in the original rolls or boxes you want to sell let me know and I will give your information to Robert.
You might be interested in the thread "Shipwreck Coins of the SS Republic" started here by, yours truly, about a week or two weeks ago. I would love to own one of those pieces especially since the Shipwreck site is only about a hundred miles off of the Georgia coast. I had hoped they would be available to regular coin collectors for around $200.00 to $500.00 but the starting price is near a thousand dollars. Maybe I will drop some hints to my relatives and perhaps Santa will leave one under the tree for me next Christmas. Welcome to the forum! It is great to have a Coin Vault insider here.
