Coin Show etiquette question

So I was at a dealer’s table looking through his coins, and I was listening to a conversation he was having with a customer. However, this dealer started saying some things that were blantantly wrong (knowingly or unknowingly I can’t say) to the customer to make a sale. I chose to stay quiet and not interfere.

There was another time when a collector was looking at a dealer’s trade dollars, and the dealer had an AU-50 trade dollar in an old soapbox ANACS holder (these are VERY unreliable) which had been quite harshly cleaned. The dealer advertised this coin as being the epitome of original since it was in a straight-grade slab. I told the cutomer that this was not correct and showed him the abundant hairlines. [EDIT: The customer did ask for my opinion.] I then showed him some of the (more-expensive!) examples the dealer had that were original, but I still got an uncomfortable glare from the dealer. The conversation ended up with a no sale.

What is the proper way to deal with this? Should I stay quiet, or should I try to educate both parties?

 

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Other people's transactions with a dealer are not your business. Unless the dealer asks for your opinion, you should keep it to yourself.

 

I would leave well enough alone. I would also put that dealer on my no-dealing list.

Frankly, you’re lucky you only got a glare. With so many people wired with short circuits these days, there’s no telling what can happen.

 

IMO I would think it's ok to answer as long as the customer asked for your opinion. If the dealer is honest he shouldn't mind too much.

 

You should keep out of it. It's not your business. That is the proper etiquette. Your opinion could be just as wrong as the dealer.

 

The whole point of a "Show" is to draw in the uninformed to make more revenue.
It does not matter what kind of a "Show" it is, Gun, Boat, Coin,....
Experience is the best teacher, you get the test first and the lesson afterwards.
I think you foiled the other guys opportunity to learn something.
He didn't learn anything from you, he just realize that dealer was praying on him and moved on to the next table. JMO. I do agree with post 2,3,4 &5.

 

alurid- You're right, he should have learned from the experience, but its best to watch others at the show, and what the dealer says to them. If the information is just to make a sale, he will give out different info. For example if someone wants a more affordable, cleaned coin of the variety, he'll say its cleaned, and its a more serious collector wanting an AU, he'll say its an AU...

 

Coin dealers are there to make money on coins. I would stay out of it period. If it's a coin dealer I buy from I would totally stay out of it because they give me good discounts on coins and I would not ruin that relationship. If the person asked my opinion I would flat out tell them I do not know that coin well enough to give you my opinion and then tell them that the dealers have much more experience than me to answer that question. I then might ask them to bring over another coin dealer near by to ask them for a second opinion on the coin in question if the coin was a very expensive coin.

 

Apparently, I have no etiquette. If asked, I would have given my opinion of the coin even if it differed with the seller's opinion. BS needs to be called out at every opportunity.

 

It is a given that in these days so many folks will be disingenuous with their wares in pursuit of the all mighty buck. If a person asked me my direct opinion I too would have offered it knowing full well the dealer would be burning holes through me with his eyes..... On the other hand though, I have been know to be drawn in to a coin purchase that most others would find unattractive in today’s world. I recently purchased an early 1800’s half eagle at spot that had a letter lightly scribed on the reverse. Totally damaged coin and I totally love her. In the end, it’s best to leave well enough alone.

 

This is why I don't go to shows anymore. It takes forever to cut through the BS and get a price. I could look through 100 internet coins in the time it takes to get a straight answer from one dealer.

 

To me, that is being completely dishonest. If my opinion (or fact!) greatly differed from that of the dealer’s, then I would probably ask the dealer if it was okay to give my thoughts if the other customer asked. If the dealer says no, then that will speak a whole lot to the customer to the integrity of the dealer.

 

Being as polite as I can but to get my point across I'll say, you are not the coin police so stay out of it. If your opinion is asked by either party (the seller or buyer) then politely give it without insulting the dealer. A simple, it looks cleaned to me so I'd pass, would be all you need to say. You can suggest that another dealers opinion may be helpful as well as a 10x loop. There's also no harm in saying buy the coin not the holder. Again, only speak if asked.

Your tastes are not the same as the buyers tastes. One last thought, sometimes a stare will suffice without saying a word and note that dealers name and add him to your no buy list as you don't want to waste your time with them.

 

As I said before it is NOT your business, so again I would stay out of it. This is my opinion only from going to coin shows in Las Vegas for 10 years. I learned coin etiquette the hard way. You learn as you go. I think Collecting Nut nailed the right way to do it in the post above this 1. Now if you asked the dealer to give your opinion that's a different story. If I had the dealers permission to give my opinion then I would probably give it then. If the coin had hairlines or looked cleaned...then I would look for a better coin and then tell that person that down the road he/she would want the best grade they can afford.

 

Never do anything at a show that you would not do inside a dealers store. The dealers table at a show is his store. I respect that and don't get in the middle of his business.

 

This is tough. You are supposed to practice good Etiquette, but the dealer doesn't have to practice good Ethics. I usually have the dealer pull out a few of his other AUs and let the buyer do a comparison without saying much. That way, if he is sharp, he will see the difference and either pass, go to the higher grade pieces, or attempt to buy it as a discounted. price.

 

Ive seen plenty of original AU50 type coins with hairlines. I also disagree with the sentiment that hotel soap slabs are un-reliable. Unless ofcourse you are only talking about the grading of Trade Dollars? I dont have an opinion but i know most of those coins have been cleaned anyways. I guess it comes down to whats acceptable & whats not

 

That's a rock and a hard place situation. To me, if you were asked your opinion and gave an honest one, well then you did right. At the same time, you probably know what he paid for his table, but doesn’t give him the right to misinform a novice. You do owe him a beer though.

 

What are you, the coin police? Of course you don't intervene. Caveat Emptor!

I would like to know why a complete stranger asked you what your opinion on a coin was simply because you were standing there.

 

Warning: philosophical monologue.

Lots if strong opinions here. Remember that we all have opinions and we all are correct, as no opinion can be wrong. What can be wrong are the facts an conclusions we draw from to come to that opinion. If you were not asked, I think it would be more on the side of improper for you to chime in. After all, your opinion could also be from incorrect facts or conclusions. Imagine someone who knows nothing about coins coming to your imaginary table and advising customers that your coins are all cleaned or fakes. I’m sure you would not appreciate it. I personally see no difference between a used car salesperson and a coin dealer (sorry folks). How would a mechanic who stood next to cars at a dealership and contradicted the salesperson be taken?

Having said that, we could also very much criticize the dealer yelling knowing or unknowing lies. I would not have a problem if you spoke to him privately and told him you found him to be dishonest. I would also think it wise to never buy from him (unless you can cherrypick something nice) and tell your friends to avoid him as well. Also, if you called him out in front of the buyer, I would say you broke the rules of etiquette, but that I’d silently smile at the fact that you saved someone from being ripped off and later shake your hand. Why should the rules of etiquette protect the dishonest, after all?