What a great experience!

Just wanted to share a great experience i had today.....here it goes...
well, the pickings are slim around here when it comes to coin shops in the philadelphia area. With the mint right here you would think there would be an abundance, but no. I have been searching the internet to find coin shops and as i find one, i stop in to get a feel for the place. I have been striking out left and right going into shops. i was ignored twice, told to come back when i learned something. It was quite an unpleasant experience. I decided to drive to the coin shop i use to go to when i was 10 years old, only to find out that the original owner had passed away about 5 years ago. The son who now owns the place asked if i was going to buy anything, because if not, i needed to get out so he could close early because he was tired. I was beginning to think there was no hope for me.
Then today i stumbled upon a little shop as i was driving down the road, so i stopped in. What a great experience. The owner was very polite, greeted me right away, and asked if he could help me with anything. I told him i was new at collecting, and he kind of just lit up. Over the next hour and a half or so we talked, and he explained a lot of things to me. From how to check for luster, to terminology, to cleaned (whizzed) coins, to grading......and on and on. Before i knew it, it was 30 minutes past his closing time, and i apologized for keeping him. He told me it was quite alright, and asked to see what mercurys i had so far. I pulled my album out of my bag and he got right in there with his loop to examine what i had, and told me so far so good. I was then invited to attend his coin club meeting at the end of the month. I couldnt be happier today. I finally found a place that i know i will be a customer of for a long time. I wish everyone could have an experience like this. Thanks

Greg

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

That's a nice story. Your lucky to have found a decent coin shop where you are.So many American businesses act like they don't want to sell anything, then they wonder why sales are down!

 

It amazes me how many stories I read about totaly rude dealers. Like they don't want your potential business.

I have four shops within strking distance and all four want your business. Two want to give you the business as well - overgrading, overpricing but they are polite and happy to see a customer.

The other two I deal with extensively and have for years. They know a lot of their customers by name and when a newbie pops in will invite you into the conversation for your opinions and input.

Glad you finally found a nice dealer! It will pay off for both of you.

clembo

 

Greg:
Sometimes you can get lucky.
It's a shame that you are so far away (I'm on Long Island) there is a good coin show locally and the dealers seem to really enjoy 'talking coins'.

 

Man, great! Glad to hear this one wasn't playing Solitaire, lol. This is the kind of story I love to read. Do you remember the shops name? I might be visiting friends in the Philly area in a few weeks, and I might have a chance to stop in. Glad to hear you found a good dealer man, and best of luck with future visits! :thumb:

Phoenix

 

Very nice story! Did you buy anything?

 

You are truly lucky to find a coin shop, store, etc that is decent. Most are really getting some bad reputations. Of course that is a little understandable since so many are poping up and the owners think they are going to become rich overnight and at your expense.
I too at one time not long ago attempted to find a coin shop from when I was a kid. When I got to the area the entire building it was in had been torn down and a new building was there with everything except a coin store. Coin stores around me are rare due to so many coin shows.
Glad you found a great place. Keep on going there.

 

The name of the shop is called Village Coin and Stamps. It is in Haddon Township, New Jersey. About 15-20 minutes from philadelphia. I purchased the ana grading guide book. As much as I wanted to purchase some mercs, I decided to read the grading guide first and then go back with more knowledge of what I was looking at. Phoenix, if you ever come to Philly, drop me a line and if you have some free time, maybe we could get together and talk shop.

Greg

 

Great story! Glad you found a good shop. The one I use they always make time for me, are patient with me and do a lot of answering questions for me. I can chat with them all day and I do not think they mind. Last couple of trips have been short cause I found something I wanted pretty quick.

 

Cool man, I will try. Be neat to meet up, maybe could meet up at that shop, lol. Be nice. :thumb:

Phoenix

 

good to see a great experience like that!

 

Must be a conicidence, but first coin store I ever went to was in Pennsylvania too lol... a nice little store in Newtown. The owner there was very patient, glad to answer questions, didn't mind talking about coins for its own sake... didn't mind me spending tons of time just looking and was always helpful in finding what I was looking for. Often gave old $2 bills in change too... Likely would not still be collecting today if not for him, wish could remember his name. This was about 20 years ago (remember that because bought a 1988 American Silver Eagle from him).

 

Thats a great experience and story...I realy wish we could hear more of those. Maybe you could tell the owner about cointalk if he is online.....

Thanks for sharing !!!

Jack

 

That's awesome. It's so nice to hear that there are decent dealers out there. My original dealer is still my primary source for new pieces. He's about 140 miles away, but I still see him every time I'm in town. He offered to sponsor my ANA membership. I hope you enjoy your coin club and learn a lot.

 

Yes, it is great that you found a nice shop. It is beyond my comprehension why people would treat potential customers poorly. Even if you don't spend a lot of now, you may very well become a repeat customer and maybe years from now, you'll be making the big bucks and spend a bundle in their store. Even if you don't, people should just treat others kindly.

One more note, and it sounds like you did this. If you ever spend more than just a couple minutes of a store clerk's or owner's time talking to them and if they are friendly and they help educate you, I would always make at least a token purchase of a few dollars. This is just a good practice and will keep the shop owner thinking good of you and willing to help you out in the future.

 

I live outside of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. I have been going to Hen's Coins on Main Street in Lansdale, PA. Hen is a nice owner who has been pretty helpful to me.

I would love to learn of other good coin shops in the Philadelphia area. I will certainly be visiting the Haddonfield store.

 

It's good that you found a store in which you were treated with kindness, all the coin shops we had around here closed up, and now, unless there's a coin show going through town the only place you can get coins is at pawn shops!!! (which I dont buy from) Glad to hear that there is still hope.

 

It is great to hear of such pleasant experiences. I also am very fortunate to have a well respected and trustworthy coin shop nearby. I don't know what I will do if he decides to retire. I already told the wife I'd probably have to take it over. That's where the conversation ended.

 

The nice guy in me would say: I'm glad you found a nice local shop.
The cynic in me would say: Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing. Said another way, nice doesn't mean honest or fair.
I'm not sure which I am today, so you got both.

 

Coinnewbie01,

If you are ever in the West Chester area, stop by Coins of Chester County on North High Street. The owners are very nice and patient with new collectors, as I was when I first walked in there.