Once again I am astonished by the rudeness of some people. I was at my favorite shop today when a man walked in, started asking questions about buying silver bullion, discussed different ideas, theories, etc basically took a good hour of the dealers time soaking up the heat, advice and knowledge then walked out without so much as buying a single silver eagle or Morgan because .. and I quote.. some place else online will sell them for 50 cents less. I'd LOVE to see that guy call ONLINE and yak for an hour. The dealer was telling me it's been a week of insanity because one of those 'hotel' silver buyers is in town so he's done a ton of 'free' appraisals and knows FULL WELL he's offered more than the hotel folks but the sellers are too embarrassed to come back. More and more it's understandable why you see fewer and fewer brick and mortar coin shops. The dealers probably get tired of the aggravation.
I understand what you are saying, and yes there rude people. But, retail business have to know that is part of dealing with the public. I deal with the public every day I work, and some are really nice while others are not. Luckily those on the nice do outnumber the bad.
I agree, but the person that chatted for an hour might very well come back and purchase or sale something. Another part of the reason is the internet - you can now comparison shop for the best coins and the best price. And yes ebay is part of this, but not always. What I like best about the brick and mortar shops is that you get to hold the coin in hand, look at it - big difference than just pictures. I have to admit some of the coins I purchase my local shop never gets in - not in the grade that I want. I like my brick and mortar shop and the guys in it - I can always find something that is worth it. Also people come in and scoff at the high prices, yet then they jump on ebay and pay more - or worse end up with a bad problem coin. And then they get upset at the guys in the local shop when they offer them something low. I know not all brick and mortar shops are honest, but mine is as far as I am concerned and they will continue to get my business.
I was in a craft store, and the owner said a woman had been in 5 times, took up at least a half hour of her time each visit, and still hadn't bought anything. When I get tired of customers, I go to (The Customer Is) Not Always Right for a laugh.
It's a shame when things like that happen. You just have to take it as part of the job, chuckle about it with your buddies, and move on.
I think what you have described can happen in just about any business. People can choose to spend their money when and how they like even if they take up the business owners time. Personally, I like the B&Ms. It is always nice to see a coin in hand before buying. I do not think I have ever left a coin shop without buying something so maybe it all works out in the end. TC
I've worked with the public too but I'm sad to say that it's the minority (moronity? Dat a word?) that really gets to you at times.....
I am a firm believer in customer satisfaction, but I know that it is an impossibility to please everybody. Years ago, I read Bob Tasca's book "You Will be Satisfied." This man had one of the most successful automobile dealerships in the country, all based on his theories of customer service. One of his statements was that 2% of people will not be pleased no matter what you do. This 2% comprises the customers that you do not want. If someone is being unreasonable, and I have been honest, and I have done everything I can to make them happy, and they still are not, then those are people I do not want for customers. I am not afraid to anger 2% of people by telling them to do business elsewhere.
I work with the public too. We call them pips or PIA's. There is a certain narcissistic selfishness you can spot right away. I want, I want. No I don't want that anymore I want this now. Maybe I'll wait. The coin is just the momentary object of his selfishness. It doesn't really matter if he buys it or not. Most of them don't know what they want. And they spin themselves in circles, feeling elite, while spinning everyone around them going through life. Narcissis was a youth in Greek mythology who rejected a nymph's advances. His doom was to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.
Whoa! Cool. You never know what you'll learn when you open up one of these threads! I sometimes deal with the public and my wife does every day. What you'll learn is there are a lot of people living boring, miserable lives, that revolve around themselves. Some people live for money alone. Many have no interests at all and it's a fight for them to go through daily life in general because that's all they have to think about. For some, I doubt there is anything that truly makes them happy. A shame and a waste, really. To think that a guy talked for an hour and left without buying something is nothing. At least he didn't yell at the owner before he left!
A subject near and dear to my heart and I can certainly relate. This happened to my boss yesterday with a jewelry "non" sale. First, I must point out that his memory for faces and names isn't what it used to be. I will also note he can be EXTREMELY rude at times. So yesterday he shows a woman a lot of different rings and believe me all well under regular jewelry store prices. She hems, she haws, changes her mind umpteen times and walks out with nothing. She did this last time she was in. I remembered. He didn't. While he's busy getting frustrated I'm waiting on a kid of about 12 and his father. I spent about 45 minutes to make a $12 sale. I showed them a lot of coins to accomplish this huge sale. When the store was empty of customers my boss commented how much time he had wasted and I shouldn't have spent so much time. I then told him this lady has wasted HIS time twice now whereas every time the kid comes in I sell something and the YN learns something. I also told him that if I was busy at the time I would not have spent all that time. I've already explained it to the kid. What did he learn yesterday? He got a brief history of the Feuchtwanger Cent when he spotted one in the case. Made it worth my time. I'll give my boss this. When I explain stuff like that to him he thanks me for being patient. He KNOWS he just doesn't have it in him anymore. He is generally involved in the bigger deals. I am generally the guy that waits on the "tire kickers". It takes patience but some become serious customers. Some don't but if I can give them some of my time the chances are better they WILL become a customer. Finally some people are just PIAs. I've dealt with the public long enough and believe me it does not sadden me to see these people leave vowing to never come back. Now for you CoinGal. A good way to combat the hotel buyers is for your friend to "loan" a roll of silver halves, for instance, to a trusted customer and have them take it to the buyer for a price. We do it and the boss will toss in some gas money or buy them lunch perhaps for the help. Last time one was around we could honestly tell customers they were paying HALF what we were. We bought a lot of coins in that period by checking the competition.
Brings to mind something that I once saw posted in the boss's office many years ago...... All of my customers please me. Some by coming and some by going.
thanks alot!!! Because of you I have spent atleast the last hour reading Not Always Right quotes, thanks :rolling: LOL
The reason for fewer dealers is the the Buy Vs Sell spread is too large. And the internet. Let's be honest.
Clembo you are right. Hotel buyers are here in Norwich, CT, Big ad in newspaper says they pay 50 cents for silver dimes and $3 for 90 percent silver halves. And the store business, I will commend you for your attitude. Sounds like you are cultivating a repeat customer there.
