With some recent posts about sub par customer service from certain auction houses, I thought I would take the time to tell a story of mine of a most impressive interaction with Spink! A while ago I had asked my CT friends what was a good book to purchase as I start my journey of collecting early English coins (I only have a handful at this point, though have some very early ones awaiting export permission soon to be on the way ). @Orfew and @TheRed had my back and recommended me getting the Spink catalog. I, being financially "shrewd", found a decade old copy on Amazon. I had been using it for a bit as I decided where to begin (why, the beginning, duh Ryro) when this curious little offer fell out... Double sided coin puzzle?!?!? Immediately saddened by the fact that I was about a decade late to redeem the offer, I listened to my wife (the only good ideas I have come from her ) who said I should reach out to them and see if they still might have any laying around. I did just that, letting them know what had happened and pressing my luck that a king Henry VIII puzzle might be kicking around, and got a response! Though, apparently, Hank the 8th was out, they said: "Many thanks for your email. We have two jigsaws left in stock – the Charles 1 Triple Unite and Petition Crown. Would either be of interest?" Simply amazing!!! If I am 1 day late with a coupon to jiffy lube or great clips there is nothing they can do for me. Spink however is offering me a choice, that's called class right there folks . I responded, "Thank you so much. surprise me." To which they did...again! I received the package yesterday, having forgotten all about it, and opened it to find: They had sent me both and their simply BEAUUUUUUTIFUL Spink Insider!!! I had a great time with my oldest (the 3yo, my twins are 1 and would have simply eaten the little golden pieces) putting together a near foot around puzzle of Charles I (son of Mary queen of scots!). I'll post the other when time provides. Thank you very much to the fine folks of Spink Please, post any positive surprises that you have received, above and beyond service or anything you deem relevant.
A wonderful story. Great puzzles btw, I love those. I have always been treated kindly by Spink. I have won coins in their auctions and bought books from them directly. They are professional, polite and very helpful.
Cool puzzles! Wonder if they still have any in stock - I may reach out to them as well! The folks at Harlan J Berk continue to surprise me. I visited their office on a recent business trip to Chicago. When I mentioned that I had two young children, Harlan grabbed a big handful of late Roman bronzes (mostly just slugs) and put them in a gift bag for the kids. Huge dad win. And this was *after* Harlan had spent an hour with me combing through some old auction catalogues, and showing me his collection of 17th century Dutch masters. Getting to spend time with one of the legends of our hobby was so cool. If you're ever in the area, make a special trip to see them, it's worth it.
What a great story, @Ryro! Cool puzzles too . @Pishpash and I are both jigsaw fans, although I tend to do virtual puzzles these days. EverydayJigsaw is a good program. I have it on my Macbook and enjoy making puzzles out of my coin pictures . @Archilochus, that's a wonderful HJB story!
I use microsoft Jigsaw. Any online photo, use the snipping tool to make your own jigsaw. Max is currently 600 pieces which I'd quite enough on the pc. Done most of ancient Joe's coins.
That is awesome service from Spink @Ryro. If you are waiting on export licenses for your coins they must be good. I can't wait to see you post them here. Spink also publishes a catalogue for Scottish, Irish, and Anglo Gallic coins that is worth picking up on the cheap. I had a really good experience with the people at Harlan J Berk. I skipped out early on a work conference and walked down to their store. After talking with the front counter folks I got to spend an hour with Curtis Clay in their upstairs offices going through a large number of Ptolemaic bronzes and tets of Lysimachus. He also let me go through a number of their books in the library and gave me some bid/buy catalogues. As a really small time collector that has never spent 4 figures on a coin I came away feeling like I was one of their moist valued customers. On a side note, if I won the lottery I would strive to recreate the Harlan J Berk offices in my house. The decor, ambiance, and floor to ceiling numismatic library is what I've always imagined a den of numismatics should be.
Thanks all! I'm just a lucky fella. The second coin puzzle is even cooler than the first (even if not a gold piece)! The outside of the obverse is actually the outer rim of the coin: When I sent Nik, over at Spink, a thank you and told him of my post he said it made his day. Again, just what a class place. I do LOVE some puzzles me self. Putting together ancient Joe's collection would be an oober fun time! I'll have to check out these make em yourself sites @TIF and @Pishpash speak of Since the trip to Europe is still a few years out, with the little ones being so little and all, it sounds like I may need to take a trip to Chicago sooner rather than later to check out Harlan J Berk And I'll certainly be posting those late ancient/early English bad boys when they finally get to their new home Thanks again CT pals
Yes, Spink is a great company. I used to collect foreign military medals and purchased many from Spink. They always went above and beyond.
Great to see stories like this that show customer experiences can still be positive. I’ve had my eye on some of the books they offer. Now I think I’ll have to pull the trigger.
I love hearing about great experiences with dealers. It caused me to go and register and take a look at the next auction!
