Lately I’ve noticed the venders at the flea market (some) are asking outrageous prices for coins & currency. This past Sunday one gentleman wanted $30 for a 1964 proof set, more than double the current value, And this guy Has had these sets sitting in his display case for at least several months. Another vender was selling a well worn (fine at best) $1 Hawaii note for $150,outragous. I told him the bill was worth approx $35-$40,he pointed out the low serial # so I conceded it may be worth A bit more, but $150 is way out of line. I did end up walking away with VF-1935 peace dollar for $15, which seems about right price wise. I think these vendors are counting on selling to people who have no knowledge of coins and are making impulse buys. Reminds me of Shop at Home
I think it just depends on the dealer. I went to the flea market on Friday and picked up a 1956 Franklin half graded by NGC MS 64 for 22.00 and she had about 12 more deferent date Franklin's graded MS 64 by NGC for the same price. I also picked up a 1977 New Zealand proof for 4.00, 2 flying eagle cents for 8.00 each & a GEM BU 1967 quarter with some kind of cat on the obverse for 1.50. You just have to look around and it helps to know the dealers. Lou
i look at coins at flea markets but never buy. i just simply know better than to do it. otherwise i might as well take my money outside and set it on fire. i watched shop at home the other night. man they sell coins for outrageous sums of money. i dont remember what they were selling but they were selling ten of some coin and it was like 5 times what the coin would cost you normally. i was like WTF?!?!?!?!?! i know not to buy from them but that one lot they had convinced me to let otherts know how much they rip customers off.
I have gotten some good deals at flea markets. I bought this Morgan raw at a flea market for $20.00 Charlie
I don't think anyone can make a blanket statement that flea markets are good or bad. It always pays to check out the merchandise. Even if practically everything is overpriced, there's always the occasional bargain to be found. I like the bargain-hunting approach to collecting. I get a lot more enjoyment out of finding an underpriced coin in one of the series I collect than in trying to complete a set of anything. Charlie - Great deal!!!
"Caveat emptor"-- before it applied to eBay, it applied to flea markets, swap meets, etc. etc. and it still does. I do think the eBay effect is in play in some cases: hey, I saw this sell for $$$$ so the one I have must be worth that much too. This is true in my other hobby (model railroading) as well, and what usually happens is that the stuff brought for sale at those price points goes right back in the truck at the end of the day.
