Coin Dealers at Shows Attitude Rant...

Well, I am glad I used "we" in my post. What are you doing in LI, NY? Moved there for family or a job I assume? Anyway, I guess you know we Virginians get proud of the Commonwealth when we think about it. I do have one coin that has ties to Virginia, a slabbed MS-64 RB 1773 Virginia Half Penny my wife and I gave to each other on our wedding day.

 

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Hobo: This is true and I could never understand it back in the '70s and '80s when I really got into numismatics. Here I am, wanting to give you my money to buy something of yours and you treat me with contempt??!!!! It still doesn't make sense!

 

Baking potatoes. Apparently they ran out; perhaps that's why they gave french fries in the first place. Of course, they could have offered to microwave one...

But anyway... back on topic... overall, I have had good treatment from dealers. If they're rude, I'm done. I cruise and don't come back. Most folks in coin collecting are pretty easy to be around. :thumb:

 

I love it when Virginians think they are Southerners.... Personally I think the South has crept away from Richmond long ago... I live in Virginia BTW, but IMO it's about the most Yankee Southern state out there.
Uh oh...

 

I take it you haven't been to south Florida.

 

No, Virginian, you misunderstood me. I don't hail from Virginia like you (originally a Pennsylvania boy). What I actually meant was that you handled that particular situation much in the same way I would have....hence the referance to northeast.

Would love to see a picture of that Virginia Half Penny...has it been posted?

 

Oh oh, Rhogg....I think you better duck.

 

Prove it...

 

Had to chuckle when I read that. Living in the Clearwater(Tampa) area it's funny that I meet ALOT more northerners than native Floridians so I think we are the most southern "Yankee State". Lol. Back to the topic, There are alot of small local coin shows in this area and those dealers always seem to be courteous and helpful, But, I always go to the F.U.N. Show and that is where I seem to find rude dealers. I stress, NOT all of them. Maybe from the traveling I don't know. If they are rude or ignore me I make it a point to buy something from the dealer RIGHT next to them. And believe me they always see cuz my voice just seems to get a tad louder. My money spends most anywhere and I don't pay anyone to ignore me when I ask to see something.... John

 

We are Southerners, just not deep southerners, like we in Northern Virginia are almost Yankeeized but then again as was pointed out, South Florida is full of Yankees! LOL. Getting back to the subject, I think it is also a matter of how often a dealer comes into contact with the public, if they do lots of shows, they seem friendlier than those that do a show or two a year. Just a theory.

 

I mostly attend the smaller shows in Northeast PA and my experiences have been almost all positive. I usually have one or both of my sons with me, and they always end up with freebies and special deals.

 

If ever a picture was worth a thousand words :whistle:

now that brings a tear to my eye i am touched :thumb:

 

A jerk crosses all boundaries, be it culture, location, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.
I had an experience at a show where the dealer, actually negotiator, was very abrupt to me. My intent was to learn, and then trade. I got ticked off when I left, but thought it over. I'm fairly certain this fellow was simply trying not to conflict with his previous messages delivered to others in the immediate listening area. At the end of our conversation, he did recommend someone that I should be talking to, a "warming up" if you must.
I certainly feel better if I try and practice some empathy and give the "jerk" another shot.

Coin Talk, or beer talk?

 

I beg to differ on at least two "Northeast" shows...

The folks at the regular Syracuse coin show have been super nice to Thalia Elizabeth. One US coin dealer just handed her a ziploc bag of foreign coins, which included a couple of small silver pieces.

Although not exactly "Northeast" since it's in Canada, the CNA's national convention has a scavenger hunt that many dealers participate in, and even the ones that don't are usually great with the kids.

That having been said, there's usually one or two in every crowd who are, let's say, somewhat less than friendly.

 

(((are usually great with the kids.)))
You got that one right on!
All the 'trouble' I have had with the coin dealer in our county... I can't count the times rudeness was the answer at the beginning and end of a question I asked. But, bring my nine year old grand daughter in and she pesters him with everything she can think of, like 'what is the biggest penny ever made'?... and she gets smiled at.
Go figure!
I guess it merely means the coin dealer had a childhood of 'arrested development' and is more at ease with children his own age.
jeankay

 

I feel your anger. I was 15 a year ago at the Whitman Coin Convention in Baltimore and there were multiple dealers who tried to pull a bait and switch on my brother and I.

 

My experience of the FUN show this year was the same - I was amazed at how many dealers would outright IGNORE me standing in front of their tables. I was there on Friday & Saturday and I understand they have long days of travel and selling but that's no excuse. I also realize 'some' discount me immediately because they don't think being a female I am a serious collector and buyer; they've probably had their share of wives saying 'oh, I'm just looking, it's my husband who's the real collector' but come on - it only takes a second to stop talking to the dealer behind the table and acknowledge me.

My final thought on some of these dealers is they were long time collectors who decided to sell off their collections but never acquired the people skills to do so. So they sit there at their tables with their heads in the books and then complain at the end of the show about poor sales, never realizing they are their own worst enemy.

 

I don't go to coin shows to see how dealers conduct themselves, but I have met some Northeast coin dealers at the casino and they are just like everyone else from the Northeast, rude as hell. I really think at this point that the people who live in the Northeast have become so accustomed to rudeness and giving it to others that we don't even recognize the behavior as rude anymore. We just accept how we treat others as normal, which is really sad.

Everytime I travel outside of the Northeast, I am astounded how nice people are, and yes that includes Virginia. I am originally from PA and now reside in Atlantic City. A city where every visitor is from the two rudest places on earth: New York & Philadelphia. For those of you who want to point out that Philadelphia is the "city of brotherly love" try this on for size. Philadelphia has one of the highest murder rates in the country and has earned a new nickname "Killadelphia". For anyone who disagrees with my assessment, I invite you to attend and NFL game in either of these two cities wearing the opposing teams uniform, you will become a believer very quickly.

Sorry for getting a little OT, but I had to chime in, my Northeast rudeness just took over. LOL

 

LOL!!:mouth: Not to pick on Philly, but it is anything but the city of brotherly love. Years ago the Washington Redskins had a guy that dressed up like an indian chief to cheer on our fans at the home stadium and he went up to an Eagles game, on the way out the Eagles fans, after they lost, beat and kicked this poor guy so badly he had to go to the hospital and even had several broken bones. OT, but I know what you mean. I have relatives from the Northeast that don't realize they may seem rude and I take every opportunity to let them know nicely. I guess it is the culture, but they need to realize when they go to shows outside the NY-Boston-Philly Axis, they should leave their rude ways and attitudes at home. I am also going to say that they are the bad apples in the barrel, with several of them that I do business with are very nice and treat me with respect in every transaction. Some CA dealers come in a close second to the Northeastern dealers.

 

Just for refrence, I grew up in/near the D. If I need a dealer to get me something, I just ask nicely. I'll be like:loud:hey you, yeah you with the loop. Get yo lazy butt ova here and bring some coins wit 'cha so's I can look at 'em. Then, when they get that deer in the headlights look, I just snap my fingers and point to a spot on the ground right in front of me. Works every time. J/K lol. Seriously though, I like my space when looking at coins and don't really like it when a dealer is hawking over me. Best when they bring over a box or whatever for me to look at then go away. I'll call them back when I'm ready. If they are feeling chatty, that's cool too.