How many people on this forum ever wonder if they are paying 'fair / reasonable' prices for the rest of the things we buy (yes, some of us buy things 'other' than coins now and then)? I just wonder because of course the experienced collectors here certainly know a fair market range for coins & currency. And we all know that most of the time ANY coins you see advertised on TV or in Magazines are going to be very overpriced. But what about other commodities? Do you ever watch those infomercials for Product X and think "gee, that sounds like a great deal... where's my credit card'? Meanwhile, the Product X dealers are laughing all the way to the bank on the profit they've made. I guess my point is ... sometimes some newbies are raked for paying too much for Littleton or Franklin Mint or HSN coins before they come here and get a lesson. But are there other forums for other things so that we can all walk away with confidence? (like ... a complete set of top 60 hit records for $$ or a full set of rare books for $$ or the sliceomatic / clapper / snapper/ ... etc?) Get the point? Yes, 'we' are shocked at the prices those people sunk into their Littleton coin collections. We feel bad at the loss they take when trying to sell their hobby to a dealer expecting a huge profit only to find out the opposite. But what about the rest of life? Where are those forums? I'm aware this is a rambling email with little direction .. in fact.. I'm not sure what I'm trying to ask or say here but I've already typed this much so I'm not going to delete. Thanks for reading.
Well - I think I see where you are going. For example buying cars, buying electronics, etc. Well I use consumer reports and word of mouth on some products. So for those things I do not need to share "what is the best dish washer", or how to go about buying a car. I do some research, but I am not interested in learning(or collecting) those type things. I am sure if you collect those things you can find forums for them. So for day to day consumables - I do not need to learn/share those things. Now this is a life long enjoyable hobby - with the right encouragement even littleton buyers can continue the hobby. If I was going to start collecting cars, or even baseball cards - then I would search out forums and experts.
Mark H got it. I think it's like people who collect old music, old records, old movies, etc., It's hobbies, collections, etc., like those that if I were watching TV I'd say 'sounds like a deal' when I see the commercials. But when HSN or Coin Country comes on I'd be shouting 'are you kidding me??' at the TV. I'm glad this forum is here. I'm glad I never bought Littleton. But I will confess I did buy one of those x-omatics from an infomercial. I bet all the experienced x-omatics folks feel I was taken because they probably know a better place to get them. That's the point of why I think some of the 'belittling of the littleton buyers' should be a bit softer.
