Did I miss something? The price of presidential dollar proof sets at the mint is still $14.95 at the US Mint, but a number of dealers are offering them for $13.95. Is there some "back door" way of getting them at a discount? Why would people be taking a loss on the sets while they're still on sale at the mint?
prez set some dealers even sell at $12.50. because the mint sold them much cheaper. for me. i don't buy it. too many.
No. I paid $14.95 when they went on sale. Dealers buy them thinking they can sell them a little higher in their shops as people looks for gifts, etc. When they don't move, as with any inventory item, the prices get cut to move product. The dealers are needing to offer them below cost since the mints availability is their competition.
Dealers may sell for a dollar or two less to gain a customer and hope to sell another item or two, along with the prezzies. Good plan, in my book.
I wish I would have known before ordering them from the mint. I'm breaking up a few sets to put into albums.
The Mint does still have a bulk program in place. I am positive of this as I took advantage of it for the 2007 Mint Sets. It's 4% off for orders over $5,000 (5% off - 1% for S&H). The dealers selling the coins for less than the Mint are probably using it to get customer addresses. They also might be making it up on S&H charges.
Another good possibility is that these President sets are the leftovers after they break up regular or silver proof sets for the state quarters. I believe the President set comes in the same box either way, by itself or as part of the proof sets. If that is true then the President proof set only cost the dealer about $4.
That's a good thought. I hadn't even noticed that the increase in price of the clad proof sets from 2006 to 2007 was only $4.
