Grummpy Old Men

How about a post entitled "Nasty, surly customers who think you are trying to rip them off because you told them "Grandpa's Treasures" were really fakes from 1960's cereal boxes"?

I bet dealers could write 20 pages of posts on that one. I know I could help them.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I do not relish the "flippers" who are only in this game to make money and collect nothing. Buy low, sell high trend setter coins that will cool down within weeks or months, so now they have to be unloaded at any cost when they begin to plummet. They do nothing for the hobby but skim off money.

Happy (grumpy) Collecting

 

I think there are grumpy old men in all hobbies! Maybe it's time for the youth to get off the pity pot and try a new approach!
If you chase the hobby of collecting coins the way you play video games then you will reap the rewards! I think some old men don't have time to coddle a newbie and maybe they expect y'all to act like a man at 12 yrs old, I don't know what the real issue is but I'm sure you don't want to hear what I had to go thru as a kid. That said, I stick to my original comment about trying a new approach!! welcome youngsters!!

In reality there are many coin shop situations where you will go unnoticed, I suggest you go to a coin club!!

 

And now for the "other" side of the story.

Here's a link of a Stamp Dealer who does shows ranting away. Interesting perspective from the "other" side!

http://www.stampnotes.com/PhilaTopics/showdeal.htm

 

You get the feeling from this thread that there are only grumpy old men in this world and no grumpy old women?

 

Just a thought, but if coin dealers appear to be grumpier than other retailers, has anyone heard about the negative health affects of contact with nickel? Are nickel or clad coin collectors grumpier than collectors of other coins? I read an article awhile ago that said nickel was band in most of Europe for use in jewelry due to these health affects and would soon be band industry wide. They do or once used nickel in white gold jewelry.

 

Nickel Hazardous?, Interesting!!

If your "report" is correct, the cause for "grumpy" dealers may be overeating, as I believe you'll find that the composition of "18-10" stainless steel utensils is 10% Nickel. I'm amused at the supposed(?) correlation between clad coins and disposition, LOL.

 

Yes, meant to be funny, but that is true about nickel and not using it in jewelry. I'll have to find that report again someday and post what the health risks are.

 

Well I made it to the local monthly coin show yesterday and found all of the dealers friendly and helpful. I was kinda looking forward to meeting the Grumpy Old Man coin dealers after reading this thread. lol
I was only buying dimes to fill in holes in the binder and probably spent 10-12 dollars at 5 or 6 dealers but they all treated me like I was handing them hundred dollar bills. Maybe it's not an East TN thing.

 

Sensitivity To Nickel - Facts vs Fiction

I believe you will find: "Nickel allergy is commonly associated with earrings and jewelry for other body piercings. But nickel can be found in many everyday items — from coins to necklace clasps, from watchbands to eyeglass frames." If you visit the internet, querying Snopes about this danger, there isn't a response, but certain "health advocates" claim that numerous metals including Aluminum and Nickel can cause "sensitivity". I suggest that these people have little understanding of many uses for these metals, being exposed constantly, without their knowledge, debunking their claims of sensitivity and the associated adverse health risks. However, I would strongly caution against oral consumption of any metals, especially in elevated doses. I suspect that these same "health advocates" would ban consumption of rain water, as it is irradiated by harmful Beta, Gamma, X-rays from the sun. I'm certain that you've read these "suggestions"concerning the use of various metals for jewelry, but I'm still amused at the supposed(?) correlation between clad coins and disposition, LOL.

 

By age, temperament, training and experience, I'm thoroughly qualified to be a GOM. So, with this month's retirement, SS and VA checks safely deposited, this GOM took himself and a portion of the discretionary amount to my favorite coin store.

The owner, about my age, is another GOM and now that we know each other quite well, he is friendly but brief. He has a business to run --- always on the phone, desk piled high with coin to grade, consulting reference books and all the other burdens associated with being a store owner. Rightfully, he is more busy than grumpy. Customers expect more attention than he has time to share, so they misunderstand him. His salvation is that he has a charming wife to help keep the customers happy.

The owners son, maybe mid-40's, was working the counters when I walked in. He has a bland personality and prefers to keep quiet while people browse around. You have to get his attention in order to get help. He is also brief --- polite, but sparing with words. You almost believe that he is disinterested in your presence. He's probably a grump in the making.

Now to the best part. There were three generations working the store that day. It seems that the owners son is a single parent and he had his two boys, ages 7 and 9, working the counters with him. When I entered the store the 7-year old greeted me and asked if he could be of any help. When I told him what I was after, he turned to his dad, looking for instructions. I was after big Mexican silver and these coins are kept in a series of three ring binders. One binder is of the 3-inch type and is so heavy that the little guy couldn't lift it high enough to place on on the counter top. Dad had to come help him.

After selecting the two coins I was hoping to find --- an 1872, one peso, Scales of Justice coin and a 1950, five peso, Railroad [steam locomotive] coin --- I handed my young helper the two coins and more than enough to cover the amount owed. Junior placed the coins in a bag while dad rang-up the sale and made change. The little guy made certain that I knew the coins were in the bag and counted my change, laying out the bills on the counter and then we shook hands. I complemented my young helper on his excellent customer service and told dad and granddad how fortunate they were to be blessed with their two fine young men. Big smiles of pride on everyone's faces.

Some day that youngster may grow into a GOM, but as of now, his bright cheerfulness and willingness to be of help is a beauty to behold. While I'm well pleased with my two newly acquired coins, I'm overjoyed with the customer service that that bright, eager, attentive child gave to this GOM.

 

I'm 34 years old and I really haven't had a problem with the older dealers at coin shows and shops. Most of them have commented that it is nice young women like me have an interest in coins. Maybe they are just trying to get a date with me J/K.

 

Whats silly about this thread is the idea that being grumpy has something to do with age.