Bad Coin Shop Experience...

This happened a couple of weeks back. I wasn't going to post about it, but the more I think about the incident, the more it ****es me off...

I went into a local coin shop (Lincoln Stamp and Coin, Worcester, MA, 01606). This is only the second time I've been in the shop.

I walked in around 11:30-12:00 (the time is important here). I grabbed a copy of Coin World and World Coin News. I then proceeded to shop.

In each aisle I was asked by employees If I could be helped, or I noticed them positioning themselves to watch me. (No, I'm not being paranoid...I've carried a back-pack/messenger bag since my school days. Even though I'm 47 now, alot of stores can't get over the fact.)

When I hit the "Bid-Board", I was asked if I even knew what I was looking at. My replying "Yes, if I see something I like I'll apply for a number". Didn't seem to faze the watchers.

I was ready to check out. I got the owner. I had brought the coin in the scan to see if they could suggest who to send it to. (An 1802 large cent).

I was told, by the owner, that these old coins have what is called variations. But they couldn't help me right now, cuz they were at lunch!

I felt like saying "Buddy, I've been collecting since I was 7. I just wanted an opinion as to who to send the coin to for verification!" But I didn't

I put my magazines on the counter. He rang them up. I presented my Debit Card. He had a fit saying things like you should have told me 1st...I can't do a small amout for debit or credit!

I guess my business was too much of a bother for these folks to deal with during their lunch! I will never go back to this store. I would preffer to pay higher markups on Ebay or other Web sites than to be treated like that again!

--Mike

 

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Man those guys are idiots!! I don't blame you for not wanting to ever go back

 

Well I hope they enjoyed their lunch while they were losing a knowledgeable customer.

I spent years in retail and didn't know what a real lunch was until I got out of it. Customers are not always right but losing one that knows what to look for is just plain stupid.

My dealer likes to have his lunch but will get up to help a customer. Fortunately, if it's me he just tells me to come behind the counter and look around so he can enjoy his lunch. Works for both of us but believe me there are just a few of us that he trusts that well.

Hopefully you'll find a dealer like that.

 

Clembo is right find a good dealer and your life is so much easier!! I am lucky, I have two in town that I trust and that trust me

 

I've had similar bad experiences, but also good ones. I haven't figured out yet if people with bad business sense are attracted to becomming coin dealers, or if being a coin dealer turns people into bad businessmen. So now I have a theory that about 1/3 of coin dealers are good and 2/3 are bad. I wouldn't completely surprise me if an employee acted that way, but the shop owner should be willing to delay lunch to make a sale.

I should add that I've come to prefer buying from internet dealers, although that brings up a whole different set of problems.

 

That sounds like a truly enjoyable experience. I can understand why you might not want to return. I doubt it will help, but let me tell you about my experience with them.

I don't have a lot of coin shops near home. I have been to Lincoln Stamp & Coin a half a dozen times while traveling for work. One day, I even went six hours out of my way just to make a trip to this shop. Why? They have a nice selection of Morgans and have always been extremely friendly. They let me sit at that large table near the bid board and search through boxes and boxes of raw coins. They don't watch me. At times, the two employees have stepped out for a smoke. They know I'm looking for VAMs. I've found quite a few. They just keep feeding me more boxes. One day I was there during lunch. They offered to feed me. I've bought from the bid board too. I live out of state. They didn't care. They didn't want my credit card number... just my name and mailing address. The owner was friendly enough to hold a reserve bid for me, send me notice that I won, and ship the coin. Oddly enough, I had a starting bid of $22 and a max of $79. I won it for $22.

Maybe you caught them on a bad day. Maybe I've been lucky to catch them on good days. Don't give up. Third time is a charm.

 

I know what nevst is saying, some days are better than others. But, if I had an experience like badger, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't go back.

 

sometimes you just can't get a good place.

 

I have seen a number of coin delers scoff at individuals for using debit cards for small purchases. Often, the coin business seems to be a cash and carry sort of business. But the reality is that people are now using debit cards for small purchases.

Sorry about the experience.

 

Can you please tell us what a 'Bid-Board' is?

Aidan.

 

Sorry to hear that...was it around tax season? Maybe they were audited or something and everyone was in a bad mood. I agree with nesvt, give them one more try and if they're still jerks than don't go back again.

 

The coin shop I go to didnt want to take my debit card at 1st. But then he saw I was becoming a regular he'll take for even the smallest amount. As for the lunch thing. with what I do, if someone confronts me during lunch I will stop and accomodate him. But an OWNER of a shop should never say we are on break. Thats just dumb. I wouldnt go back either.

 

The heck with him.
I feel the same way-- if my money isn't good enough, then I'll go else where.
But, I usually tell them how I feel.

 

Well, the owner's name is Bob. Maybe someone should say something. I feel awkward. I've sent a half dozen people to that shop and they've all been pleased (okay, five were pleased, one said the gold selection was way too small). I wonder if he's on a diet. That lunch must have meant a lot to him.

 

i have had an experience close to that myself. we dont have very many local coin shops around here. we have one that is ok, but the owner is a real peace of work. if you dont collect u.s. coins your a chump and he doesn't want your buisness. i cant stand people like this, funny thing is i walked in there on friday and he had a 5 mark german states coin in there. damn hippocrate. =/

 

Aiden Work

A bid board is:

1. coins left by customers for sale to highest bidder

2. also coins from the coin shop

3. people register to bid and get a number just like an auction or coin club

4. card is permanent.

5. signs a bid rules certificate

6. auction is held monthly and high bidder is notified by business owner.

7. usually there is no fee charged to purchaser or seller

If you need more info, let me know

Clinker

 

Yeah, Debit and Credit card purchase on sales under $10.00 really hit the seller in the wallet. The interchange fees that the card issuer charges the seller are like $1.50 or 2% of the sale whichever is greater. Some places post a sign that says something like "$10.00 minimum for CC purchases." These signs are illegal and the buyer has every right to pay for purchases anyway he sees fit. But some seller still try to enforce it anyway.

You would think with the economy stalling and gas prices over $3.00, they would be pleasant to anyone who walks in looking to spend a few extra dollars but it ain't so. I have 2 stores near me that offer terrible service and never have anything nice to say. I go into them about once every 3-4 months and look around and bait them a little but everytime they are still nasty ...lol.

Patronize coin shows.

 

SAY WHAT? The SELLER has every right to accept any form of payment he desires. The buyer has no options.

 

Actually when a vendor signs up with a card service to accept credit card payments there is small print in the contract that says:

Vendors may not charge a surcharge to the customer for the use of a credit card

Vendors are required to post signs of the cards they accept (Visa, MasterCard, Discover.. ETC )

Vendors must honor the sale when presented with a valid credit card and there are no indications of fraud (Signatures match, PIN accepted... etc)

This info comes from many years managing a bank and direct experience as a merchant. So it would be illegal to refuse the credit card payment because the contract is legally binding.

 

"SAY WHAT? The SELLER has every right to accept any form of payment he desires. The buyer has no options."

Yes and No ...sure the seller can decide to accept ccards or be a cash only business. Once he decide to accept ccards he has to accept them for all transaction no matter how small.


Dak is correct. If the store accepts credit cards, they can't impose a minimum purchase. They must accept credit cards for all purchases.

There are several interchange fee litigations going on at this time. Google Interchange fee litigation and that should bring you up to speed on the issue.