Low Balling...

Rule #1: If someone contacts you to purchase something you never advertised as being for sale, hold on to the item and research the heck out of it.


I don't have a problem with someone low-balling me.
I might tell them that they are a moron, or something.
But if I'm totally clueless, sell, and find out later that they made a bunch of money off of me, I call myself the moron.
If that person was a supposed friend, I'd probly punch them in the mouth.

 

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There's a lot of cheap people out there, in addition to the cheats. Certain hobbies may be more cost-conscious than others, and where moreso than in coin collecting? We pore over every aspect of money, literally. So it's little wonder that sensitivity is so high. What looks like cheat may just be villainous cheapness. Or extreme disinterest- there's coins I have no interest in but if you go crazy low on the price I guess I'll buy it just because it's stupid not to..

Another hobby full of cheap folks is the car-modifying arena, quite specifically DSMs (talons, eclipses, lasers) though probably all but the most exotic makes fall into this category.
You take a used stainless steel exhaust that would cost someone $900 new, offer it for $220, and people want to know how much lower you can go. Heck, they might save themselves a big mac if they "just ask." People like that know who they are- I really think it's an issue of lacking integrity when you low-ball.

 

Interesting thread there Ben.

Personally I would not leave a forum over this as has been suggested. I'd just decline and politely explain why IF I were looking to sell in the first place.

I think we all look for deals as it were. I know I do. I'll pay good money for a good coin but if I can get it cheaper I'm all for it. On the other hand, I do NOT intend to PM someone asking for an opinion with a ridiculous buy offer. Bad etiquette plain and simple.

Almost sounds like going into a shop or a show. Ever notice (sure you have) that a dealer will almost always grade your coin lower than you do if he wants to buy but same coin in his case is a notch higher?

I'm not saying dealers are all dishonest either but this is what they do for a living. I've bought coins that were overgraded, politely explained why and got the next lower grade price. As long as the dealer knows that YOU know what you're talking about.

Experience and knowledge are keys and I know you have both.

 

Very interesting thread.

Rule #1: If someone contacts you to purchase something you never advertised as being for sale, hold on to the item and research the heck out of it.

I would say that Rotobeast's rule is a very good rule to follow. I like to think that most people are not dishonest, but there are certainly those lowballers out there.

 

I am all for getting a great deal when and where I can but I draw the line when it comes to stealing (per say) someone's coins (inherited, purchased or gotten in another manner)! That is why that you will see me post information about a coin such as it being a VAM, RPM, Over Date, or other errors and/or varieties even though this information was not asked for by the inquirer or even seen by other Coin Talk members. I may not always be right on but I always try to shoot straight when helping someone with a question about a coin! Again, I state that I believe that sniping or low-balling is suited for eBay, the Flea Markets and Coin Shows and not Coin forums where people are asking for help. At least on eBay, at Flea Markets and Coin Shows, the person selling has already set the price on the coin or the price will be determined by a fair playing field of other bidders!

I deal in coins and am trying to start up a Coin business for when I retire! However, I will not be dishonest in my dealings in the interest of starting or maintaining my Coin business. I have tried many times to partner up with other longtime and even potential Coin Dealers to purchase coins from individuals, only to be let down because they only want to make a quick buck or make a large amount of money at the Seller's expense. You either have a code of conduct or you do not and if you have one, then you should stand by it!


Frank

 

Very intersting thread.
Thanks for the posting.