Things You Should Never say to a CoinDealer

I'm sure this has been addressed in some thread or another but I thought it may help some of our newbies as they venture into coin shows or shops. Basically similar to the things we warn about Ebay. So how about a list from those of use who've spent time hanging out for long hours and witnessing some of the mistakes newbie sellers say to dealers. I'll start with a few that come to mind:

1) I have no idea what this is - I looked it up on the internet and couldn't find it. It was a gift from an elderly lady I used to take care of and she knew I liked coins.
- The item was a $25 proof platinum eagle 1998
2) I can't figure out what these are ... are they tokens? My dad gave them to me although we weren't very close. I looked on Ebay and couldn't find anything like it.
- The seller had a 4 coin 2002 gold eagle set

3) Is this silver platter worth anything? I found it one day in a field looking for aluminum cans.
- The platter was tiffany and was engraved to a lawyer as recognition for best argument. What did the guy think .. the dealer would believe the lawyer left it in the field from a picnic?

Ok.. that's 3 ... some others w/show, shop experience want to wade in here with your fav 'don't say that'?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Various versions I here when in the shop.

....but I paid $15 for this on (name your TV "coin dealer") and you'll only give me $3?

This line is usually followed after the owner of the shop tells them truthfully - "I'll make you an offer but it will insult you".

"Redbook says it's worth (name your amount). Yes dealers pay full retail to hold your coins...Duhhhh.

One of the favorites comes on the phone. "I have this quarter that has two dates on it!"
Response: Would they be 1776 and 1976?

Great thread CoinGal. I could spend hours here but need some sleep.

clembo

 

I find it's a good idea to always be corteous, and never ever say negative things about the dealers coins, even if they are true.

 

zane:
Good point, just negotiate the price, not the grade.

Also, NEVER say, hey that 1909 S Lincoln that I got from you...
Well it is now in an NGC holder as a 1909 S VDB.
Thanks.

(Actual cherry pick).

Never tell someone that you cherried a rare variety, they won't let you look again.
Or, they just may look for themselves.

 

Chuckle, never ask "where is my receipt" or "what will the total with tax be?"

Ben

 

here are a few i've heard while working the tables:

- "all your coins are ugly and over priced, how much is this one?"
- "do you sell coins?"
- while holding a coin from our case "do you know where i can find this coin cheaper?"

and the best one ever...

him "do you have any boat money?"
us "not at the moment, i think dealer X has some."
him "just came from him, he didn't have anything with a boat on it either."

several guys digging through boxes started to laugh as the guy walked away. i tried very hard to not laugh. didn't work.

-Steve

 

Don't say " I don't know anything about coins ".

 

Now if your in the Chicago area what you shouldn't say is things like:
1. I've got a gun, NO, NO I mean for sale.
2. Are there any counterfeit coins here?
3. If I sell you some coins, do you need my name?
4. Why all the cops out front all the time?
5. Was that your store mentioned on the news about all the fake stuff?
6. Pssst. I need cash fast. Want to buy this stuff?
7. I found these coins somewhere and just want to sell them fast.

 

LOLOL, nice! :thumb:

Here are some (not really funny, but stuff you shouldn't say IMHO):

1. "Dealer X offered me more" (then sell it to him).
2. "That's way overpriced!" (then either barter, or walk away)
3. Think of what to say before you say it (tip, don't tell any jokes. )

Phoenix

 

"The guys at Coin Talk say you're overpriced and sell overgraded coins!"

 

"I don't think it's worth much, but can you look at it?" I have actually heard that in coin shops.

 

I was looking at the display of a certain dealer. I get the feeling from this guy that he probably wouldn't have any problem with making alot of money off of someone else's stupidity.
A guy comes over at starts looking at some very very expensive gold coins. After a few minutes he says the the dealer, and I'm quoting this spelling exactly how the guy said it,
"Do these coins have any numtistic value?"

All I could think was "WHAT?!?"

 

My dealer would say "Great - see what good deals you get here,now you can by more coins." They don't have junk bins like some stores.

How about - "Do you have any of them SGS coins?"

 

I can get this for "so and so" at "so and so's shop".

A few years ago I stopped by a small shop (no longer in business) and the guy was selling silver rounds etc. UNDER spot. I bought what I could
I had actually only stopped there because it was close to where I was working.

Called the owner of the shop I'm currenty working at and he sent the manager from his other store in and bought ALL of his silver. Then it was taken to Chicago where he made a nice profit real fast.

Now I did this because I know the dealer (obviously) and gave him a tip. If a buyer comes in and spouts that out and it turns out to be true they better get back there fast! It could well be gone before you get there.

 

Good one ! LOL:loud:
rzage

 

I once said after looking at some Seated Liberty halves , " do you have any this nice that haven't been cleaned " , a second after realizing how ignorant that was , I tried to make it better by saying , " I mean more natural " talk about feeling stupid , lesson learned if you can't say anything nice about a dealers coins don't say anything .
rzage

 

i see nothing wrong with that question

-Steve

 

Probably not , but the store was full of customers , I'm a little hard of hearing & tend to talk a little loud , so everyone heard it , it would of been better to just ask if he had any others .
rzage:hatch::hammer:

 

LOL, nice. :thumb:

Phoenix