Lately, I've been reading alot in various coin publications, mainly Coin World, about potential buyers experiences in various coin shops and coin shows about how they are treated when they approach the shop clerk or bourse salesman with interest in coins they possibly want to buy or may have coins for sale. Sometimes the salesman acts like he's too busy to help or just rudely states that he's not interested. Now, it seems to me that if these shop owners want to stay in business and want to stay competitive with online coin shops they would put a little more effort towards being friendlier and helpful. The ones that are rude to customers can hardly complain when they're locking their doors for the last time. I remember when I first started collecting coins, going to coin shows around my area. As a 12 year old boy in 1977 walking around at a coin show I can tell you from my experiences that I've ran into my share of rude coin dealers and it made me think about giving up collecting. Back then, nobody offered their knowledge or cared to sit with a kid and talk about coins. We didnt have the internet yet to be able to just look up information at any time. You bought magazines and books for information. I still run into rude dealers now and again but I know who they are now and I just avoid them. Makes my life alot easier. Sorry, I've just had this on my mind for the past few days and had to get it out.
Part of the problem here is- there exists in America today just plain rude people. The rude coin dealer is rude everywhere else too, not just his shop. These people were never taught manners. Please and thank-you are not in their vocabulary. They don't understand human sensitivity. Self is all that matters. Selfishness is a learned behavior and the only behavior they know. They don't have the mental capacity to include their fellow man, their fellow collector in their thoughts. And the prognosis is not bright and rosy. This self centered way of life is not easily altered.
At the recent Tucson show, I saw a dealer I see at all other AZ shows, a guy with the big Pompadour hair and a huge display of high end paper money, as always. My wife wanted a redseal $5 bill, low price, just cause they are " neat". When we approached him, he was so aloof he could not spare the time other than an offhand remark that it all depends, blah blah blah. We were the only ones at the table and the show was dead. I know where I will never spend a dime, let alone a dollar.
Interesting point Indianhead. Victor hit a big part. People are just plain rude and it carries over. I still respect my elders (for the most part), hold a door for ladies etc. Problem is no one is taught that anymore. Your point about a dealer "closing his doors for the last time" never occurs to these people. AZJack told of his experience at a show and I'm sure this has happened to many of us. Let's see here - he could have made a few bucks on "worthless" stuff that Jack's wife thought was cool or made nothing. Arrogant idiot - I'd never buy from him at face value. I'm lucky enough to have several coin shops in my area although I really only frequent two (and not much as of late). However, I have known these guys for years. If they are busy they know I'll wait or come back, call or even (gasp) email them. The difference between them and what you described is while I'm waiting they are either involved in a bigger deal or cultivating a new customer. Doing business and I have no problem with that. One of them can get a bit rude when REAL busy. He just gets flustered even after all the years he's sold coins. Nice thing is though the next time I stop in he's apologizing. Hey, we all have bad days. Now I'm rambling but you started it! That in mind here's another point. A lot of dealers are making good money selling modern "crap" in my opinion. Easy sale at a nice markup. In walks a collector looking for an XF, no problem Type I Standing Liberty quarter and they know it's NOT an easy sale as you KNOW your coins. They can't push a piece of garbage off on a buyer like this and they know it. Plan B - back to the roll of the newest state quarter. Lots of factors but these are things that I have observed as well.
It was too much trouble for 1 $10-15 sale to get out the box we could clearly see on his back table marked redseals. Another dealer was great, a guy from Cali who had a bunch of RPM Lincolns, I bought 3, spent $9 and will look forward to seeing him again in Janurary at the Mesa show. We talked for 20 minutes and he actually gave Sheila a loupe and a chair to see for herself. I actually felt guilty, I never took the time to show my wife what a RPM was in person rather than in a book or on the puter.
There is a coin shop I go to in Flagstaff, and my friend helps out there as well - nice people, and great prices
Jack we have both types of dealer you have mentioned over this side of the pond as well. I went to a small show a while back, it was not planned I just seen the advertising board and called in LOL one of the dealers had some sovereigns for sale but I had forgoton my glasses so I asked him for info. His response was 'What cant you read' Mine was ' Stuff you Pal' and walked away. Stopped at another stall and the guy had a Gold French Cocrkrell again I asked for info and he litrally went into the history of the coin LOL I told him I had forgoten my glasses, so out came the magnifier for me and a chair (I walk with a cane) Needless to say I bought it and a few other bits not only was he helpful but he also discounted the coins for me LOL and yes I now buy from him on a regular basis.
Woe to the dealer that snubs me to my face. Just ask Ardatirion if I look like the type of guy that someone wants to PO, face to face. As stated before, common courtesy has taken a horrible downfall. I'm just the type of guy to alert these poor souls of their rudeness. Can you guys start a bail fund for me ?
since i am a young yn many dealers either doint give me the time of day or try the best at teaching me about coins even if the stuff in there case is 10 grand over my price limit At the baltimore show a while back a dealer with no buiness just shooed me away becuase he thought that a little kid couldnt have much money so i went to the dealer next to him and he was really nice and told me something about coins and i bought a 400 dollar coin from him wow was the other dealer surprised
