COINS - AS SEEN ON TV! "AVC Collectible Coins With Steve and Don" - A Review...

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Norsk64, Feb 19, 2019.

  1. Norsk64

    Norsk64 The Coin TV Critic

    Welcome to my latest Coin TV critique for 2019. This write-up features America's Value Channel (AVC) coin show, "Collectible Coins with Steve and Don." Steve Klimek and Don Davis' show is on several nights a week on DIRECTV as well as other Satellite providers.

    When watching Steve or Don, you get one on-air host on the screen. Not two. This can be very awkward for the audience during "time remaining" countdowns as the Host comes to a point where you've said everything there is to say about the presented coin. Not to mention uncomfortable for Steve, Don, or both. They could learn a lesson from RCTV's Jimmy Gerstel! If you do tune-in to watch AVC's Collectible Coins with Steve and Don, be prepared to swallow that imaginary Ambien, because you will get very sleepy. Both Steve and Don move at a snails pace and the coin offerings are for the most part, just plain BORING. It has taken all my self-control to not change the channel when Steve and Don's Show is on, just so I could write this review!

    Both Steve and Don seem to be nice enough guys, but they scream ho-hum. Don is constantly gushing over the coin(s) he is presenting and likes to repeat the same catch-phrases for each presentation segment when he has nothing left to say; "Umm-Umm-Umm" "Folks, you don't want to pass this up!" "My oh my." If Don were an ice cream flavor, he would be Store Brand Vanilla with Artificial Flavoring. And then there's Steve (also President of Collectors Alliance dealer firm) who throws out competitor pricing without mentioning who they are. Talking to a phone rep, I learned Steve was speaking of Littleton Coin Catalog, HSN, The Coin Vault, and CSN. And many of their graded coin offerings tend to come from ANACS or ICG. Uh-oh. Apples and oranges, guys. Much like HSN's "The Vault" with Mike Mezack. In fact, the PCGS "Premiere" Silver Eagle labeled coins are sold by both AVC and HSN. When you ordered from HSN, a Certificate of Authenticity is included with the signature of Steve Klimek of Collectors Alliance. Competition makes for interesting bedfellows!

    Pricing is predictably higher when compared to eBay for example. The other night, Steve was offering an 1878 8TF Morgan Dollar in a PCGS MS63 for $329.00. While on eBay, they began at $229 and went up from there.

    The variety of coins being offered is another let down. How many times must we endure the 3 piece Bicentennial Set? Or those late-date Franklin Proofs in a PR 67? Or common-date, single-coin UNC/AU Morgan Silver Dollars? As I said earlier...BORING!

    Below is AVC's Report Card on everything from Price to Personalities to Presentation.


    Personalities/
    On-Air Talent.............D+ "Zzzzzzzzzzz"

    Presentation..............C "If you want bells & whistles, this isn't the place"

    Price/Value................C- "You will find the same item cheaper elsewhere"

    Knowledge/

    Educational Value.......D "Very little, if any"

    Selection/Variety........D "Really nothing to get excited about"

    Customer Service.......A "Reps and Customer Service were very friendly"

    Ship Time/Charges.....C "FREE shipping is what the buyers demand!"

    Honesty....................B "No lofty claims. No ego issues. Genuine"


    Perhaps you have your own experience with AVC - Steve and Don, whether good or bad. Feel free to share! I just call 'em as I see them. I like watching and listening to just about all Coin TV. I try to be fair in my assessment. No agenda. Just my opinion. Be safe out there and thanks for the read!

    Till next time featuring "The Coin Vault"...


    Jeff

    P.S. Be sure to check out past write-ups featuring HSN, Rick Tomaska's RCTV, AAN-TV (defunct), and Chopper's Collectible Coins. More to come...

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  3. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Haven't had the pleasure of bumping into these guys. However I could use the help sleeping! On the edge of my seat awaiting the "Coin Vault" installment!
     
  4. SchwaVB57

    SchwaVB57 Well-Known Member

    Very good overall review! Don is very annoying with UMM.
     
    Norsk64 likes this.
  5. Norsk64

    Norsk64 The Coin TV Critic

    LOL! So I'm not the only one that notices that?! Umm, Umm, Umm!
     
  6. JPeace$

    JPeace$ Coinaholic

    I've watched this show from time to time. It is a bit boring. I agree about Don repeating himself often. Kind of like Jimmy "Two Times" from Goodfellas. "Get the papers, get the papers".

    I do find their pricing a bit more reasonable than the other TV Coin shows. I have never purchased anything from them though. Their inventory just doesn't interest me. The don't really focus on anything other than middle of the road and below coinage.

    One thing I wish Don would do, that Barry C. would do, is thank the people who purchase his stuff. For some reason, it really bugs me that he rarely, if ever says "thank you for purchasing our products" or something to that effect.
     
    GoldFinger1969 and Norsk64 like this.
  7. Norsk64

    Norsk64 The Coin TV Critic

    Thanks for Excellent commentary and observations! Couldn't have said it better myself!
     
    JPeace$ likes this.
  8. Norsk64

    Norsk64 The Coin TV Critic

    Tonight is a Coin TV Quinella play with 4 Big players, fighting it out! Where do I start? You've got RCTV Rick Tomaska's Network, AVC Collectible Coins with Steve and Don, The Coin Vault, and the last and loudest...HSN Coin Collector with Mike Mezack. Enjoy!
     
    GoldFinger1969 and Murphy45p like this.
  9. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    I think I'm gonna choke..........
     
    Kentucky likes this.
  10. cladking

    cladking Coin Collector

    Thanks for the heads up...
     
  11. Don Davis

    Don Davis New Member

    Sorry I haven't been as "enthusiastic" as usual guys, my bad. My chemo is almost over, strength and stamina will come with it. I really and truly appreciate the insights and observations. And I will "get back in form" so to speak. My whole life doing this has been a philosophy of don't mislead and don't promise the moon. We always try to better our competitors when it comes to pricing. We are constantly searching for the "unusual" that most don't offer, hence the reason some of our items are so limited. We will continue to add more products into each hour, currently we average 6 or more, unlike many in TV which do 3-4. I always try to keep the show fast paced... And will attempt to "kick it up a notch" Thanks for the input, yes I do listen... And remember... CANCER SUCKS... take care and see ya soon.
     
  12. SchwaVB57

    SchwaVB57 Well-Known Member

    Welcome Don to CoinTalk! I do tune in to your show to see what is being offered. I admit I have never pulled the trigger on any offerings, mostly because I pay only with cash. No credit cards here! You do seem genuine on your deliveries of the product, and as stated in the report Honest! Thanks for the reply.
     
    Don Davis likes this.
  13. Norsk64

    Norsk64 The Coin TV Critic

    Hi Don,

    Thanks so much for your insight and post. Sorry to hear of your battle with cancer. I'll pray you make a full recovery. As I have dealt with severe, daily chronic back pain for 20 years now, I never forget there is someone out there that is battling something more challenging than I. I Never forget that. I look forward to watching more AVC and re-reviewing show sometime down the road. Despite comments from some readers of COINS - AS SEEN ON TV!, I have no agenda when writing about a particular coin show or network. I've enjoyed Coin TV for many years, and seek to inform and educate as to the shows out there and opinion on various aspects of Coin TV programming. Thanks again for checking in!
     
  14. chascat

    chascat Well-Known Member

    Watched a little bit by accident one time...Not worth your time even if you're in the hospital...probably make you more sick.
     
  15. whopper64

    whopper64 Well-Known Member

    Get e-mails from them - always boring coins with a fancy write-up, and always overpriced! Haven't "unsubscribed" them yet simply to see if they might come up with a truly worthwhile coin. Besides, it's not that hard to press "delete"!
     
  16. twoshadows

    twoshadows Member

    I kind of live by the "If it is on TV, magazine or newspaper it is WAY overpriced!" I watched Home Shopping Network selling the Apollo gold coins, the first weekend they were available, for only $999.00! I guess the thought of 4 easy payments is much easier than doing some homework before you buy? Oh, and the silver dollars were only $195.00 again with 4 easy payments and that's not to mention the credit card fees! These folks will be shocked if they decide to sell their acquisitions in the next 20 years!
     
  17. Don Davis

    Don Davis New Member

    Thanks Jeff.... Believe me... After all the years of doing this... Yeah I have thick skin and no ego to feed... Lol. I get a kick out of and some really good feedback from reading your posts and the replies. Keep up the good work my friend
     
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  18. Norsk64

    Norsk64 The Coin TV Critic

    Thanks Don. I'll keep at it!
     
  19. Murphy45p

    Murphy45p Active Member

    I admit I watch the coins shows, including Steve and Don's show. The only show I simply cannot watch is the HSN show. I have purchased coins from Tomaska, Steve and Don and the coin vault. In general, yes, the coins are priced over some other market options and the vast volume of my purchases are from other sources, but values can be found on the shows from time to time.

    I will say that coins I have received from any of these shows have always been exactly as advertised and all have arrived well. For Tomaska's coins, the wallet needs to be big. He generally offers very high quality coins and some harder to find dates. With Steve and Don's show, they tend to offer more of a variety than any of the other shows and have more limited quantity type offerings. With the Coin Vault, most of their offerings are of recent U.S. mint type items or coins that can be offered in large quantities.

    As with everything else, being aware of the market and doing your homework is very important. Don, if you're still watching this, I have sure said a few prayers on your behalf and you've been a trouper throughout this battle of yours.
     
  20. Norsk64

    Norsk64 The Coin TV Critic

    Well said! There are good deals to be found, albeit a very small percentage of all coins being offered. You have to know your coins! Most buyers of Coin TV do not, or at least don't know enough to make an educated buying decision. Thanks for the comment!
     
  21. Murphy45p

    Murphy45p Active Member

    I think that AVC, TCV and RCTV generally are at least informative in some respects and can offer good deals from time to time. HSN and "Chopper's" show are complete ripoffs as far as I can tell. I can't stand to watch Mike, but Chopper is at least entertaining, although VERY deceptive.
     
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