Another Slabbed ASE Query

My mother is a saint. Heck, she had to be to raise me. I hurt that saintly woman’s heart far too many times as a youngster and never ever want to do it again……. Mom has always supported my coin collecting and would sit at the table and marvel at the worn slick V-nickels and such that I was able to purchase as a youngster…….. Well, mom has discovered television shopping. Each holiday, I receive a slabbed ASE from her and I cherish each as the loving gift that it is. Thing is, I know she is paying waayyyy too much for them. If she was buying them for herself, I could gently tell her that she was being taken to the cleaners. Should I tell her to save her money and not buy those overpriced ASE’s that she buys as gifts for me?

 

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I would leave it at this, Randy.

 

Yeah, that’s what I probably should do.

 

Great mother. Cherish her, as I am sure you do.
Perhaps you could non-chalantly guide her to some place or site where the prices are more reasonable, provided she uses a computer.
If that is not an option, just leave well enough alone. Not only is she spending that money on you, but she is thinking about you during the whole process of getting the coin(s), and I am sure that makes her happy, and you can’t put a price on that.

 

Best to leave things as they are. I can think of several things you could do to save her money but I also think it’s best to let your mother do what she is doing and be happy with that. Cherish each piece she buys for you.

 

I agree with the others. Her feeling good about buying these for you is more important.

 

Not so sure it's unbroachable...think it depends on the relationship with Mom and how well you know her at this point in your lives...some can be more sensitive and/or hurt with something like this, and others can be more logical and/or practical at opps to save money. "Hey, Mom, sure do like my ASEs...where do you get those beautiful coins...?" If she tells you, mention how much she can get them for less, elsewhere. You might also find a reason to watch or discuss those TV shopping networks with her some day or evening, and mention/comment on how overpriced things seem plus bring up other sources to obtain the same products for much less. Again, depends on the Mom, the relationship, etc.

 

You may tell her that you truly appreciate the yearly coin and IF she's ever looking to buy more then one or a few that there are place with better prices.

 

Randy, unless you think she's really getting ripped off, then let it ride! When I buy something for myself, I am very cost conscious; but when I buy for my wife, kids, grandkids, I don't even look at the price (well, actually, I do at checkout, but only as a matter of principle - usually doesn't stop me). The important thing is that both the giver & the receiver are happy! It's the cost of happiness!

And we have a name for her: Saint Randy's Mom!

 

Well said, Steve.

 

Is your Mother buying you a "collectable" or a "gift"?

 

Just say Thanks Mom, I love you!!! Money doesn't matter!!! My Mom seemed more interested in what she could get than what she could give! You're very lucky!!! Treasure each one!

 

A gift.

 

Great gift from Mom.

 

Keep in mind the happiness mom gets from buying sonny boy his favorite coin is priceless vs. the savings on mark ups. A gracious way might be to direct her to a better source like Provident or JM Bullion. Maybe a follow up thank you card; "I love those ASE's almost as much as I love you mom! Please be careful where you buy these, mark ups can vary widely. A great source would be XXX".

 

I did this, what happened? I never got coins again from Mom. Same thing, Home shopping. She used to do the tv shopping shows, still does publishers clearing house and yada yada mail order stuff.

I'd say as long as she's buying a gift, it's her money and she can spend it however she likes. If she's paying too much for the item, you can say something like I did, but this is going to lead to her possibly feeling dumb for spending too much, and not necessarily see it as you are looking out for her, and rather than say anything to you, decide just not to do it anymore since you won't like it.

Again, it's her money, maybe she's overpaying for whatever it is, but it makes her happy to make you happy, I kind of wish I hadn't said anything, Hindsight is 20/20.

 

Yeah, my mother in law is driving us nuts with the publishers clearing house bs!

 

I was very lucky with my parents and grandparents. My father was an army sergeant and didn't make too much money. With 4 children, most of our Christmases were clothes and a toy. However, my grandparents picked up the slack. Each Christmas, we would get a large box. We knew it was Christmas from our grandparents, but my parents would not let us open it until Christmas day. My grandfather was a letter carrier or postman and they didn't get much more than my father did, but we cherished every gift that we got. On my 18th birthday, I was given a 1928 Two Dollar Bill. That was in 1966. I didn't know much about coin and currency at that time, but I saved it and still have it. I didn't take to good of care of it, but I finally got a currency cover and am now protecting it.
I guess what I am saying is, to cherish every gift you get. Don't worry about the cost. The difference between what your mother paid for your gif and what you would spend is called L O V E. Take care of your Angel Mother. You only have one, if you are lucky.

 

Remember, it is the thought that counts, not the price of the gift.

 

We had Christmas and birthdays similar to those described by @Jim Dale.
My Mother described the time she got a 50 cent piece for her birthday. This would have been about 1925. She took the bus to town to spend it. It was a moderate sized downtown with several 5 & 10 stores and many of the regular department stores. She said that she walked all over downtown and couldn't find anything worth giving up that 50 cent piece for.