Just wondering what the starting wages are for someone new to collecting to work at a coin shop? Knows how to use a loop, some key dates, a little on how to grade(much better with a grading book in hand), great with research(cause of CT) and people and EF-AU on computing and marketing. Also, what are the different activities such a person would preform? Thanks!
Easy: 1st year apprentice: one flying eagle cent an hour. 2nd year: One XF large cent an hour. 3rd Year: you get to scan the junk silver that comes in.
Frank, you crack me up. I don't know what coin shops are paying for what is known as an intern I guess. I would say thats its minimum wage. It takes alot of time away for the experienced personnel to train and watch over interns. I own an IT company and it drives me crazy everytime we add a technician in the field. Getting daily reports from my seasoned techs on how they did what they really know etc.. It cost alot of money behind the scenes to bring an intern on board.
Jim, If you pay minimum wage, you get what you pay for. That's why your experienced people are loosing so much productivity.
I have a coin shop by me that I worked in for a year. I would say you need basic knowledge to work a coin shop. 1) should know the key dates with the lincoln cent seriers 2) Should know most of your double dies and different die doubling 3 )Have some basic knowledge of all denominations key dates also.4 ) No some information on proof sets and mint sets no your grading companys 5)OH I forgot learn how to sweep floors and throw the garbage out . and have a little knowledge of some different error coins. and some grading skills etc etc. Some people come to a coin shop they want to know what kind of coin it is and value. The main thing is to be nice to people and don't try and rip them off like most dealers do. As far as pay goe's i would think they start you off at minium wage and then raise you depending how your performing on the job. jazzcoins Joe:whistle:
I suppose it depends on how big the shop is and IF the dealer is looking for someone. I made better money doing the painting and drywalling but that pretty much died. I make enough at the shop to get by and still buy an occasional coin. One has to remember though that my boss approached ME not the other way around. He needed help and has known me for years. I needed work and he offered me enough money THIS time. Wasn't the first time he talked about bringing me on. As has been pointed out training an intern takes time and a watchful eye. My boss wasn't so worried about me stealing. I've pulled enough good coins out of old boxes, etc. in the past that he didn't even know he had. I'm still learning the jewelry angle as we do buy it (mainly for the metals). I'm also spending a lot of time looking up world coins and paper money these days. We do have people ask occasionally if we're hiring and NOT people we know. Well, that won't happen as it would require WAY too much supervision. Stepping behind the counter is kind of an honor actually. It's one thing to have a rare coin shown to you. It's another to have full access to them. So long answer made short. I can't answer it.
Most of the coins shops that I frequent are members of the gool ol boy network. They don't hire outsiders. They practice nepotism and cronyism. They pay $8.25 to start.
it's called I have close to $40,000 in inventory at an average show, can I trust someone off the street with $40k? my pay has been at or sometimes under minimum wage + lunch. Buit here's the real payoff. I have profited from the exposure to and experience with coins most of which I couldn't see if I went to 100 ANA shows. I have been asked to grade, buy, price and sell items and it is the experience that I have garnered that I feel has been worth more than the money. An education that money can't buy.
Thanks all. The training part would be easy as I'm trying to get back to be able to work. My case mgr says insurance will pay the wages for 6 mo to a year and I'l be bonded i think. By that time, I should have enough knowledge and reputation to get a decent wage and be on the inside track.
