You know, I don't even know where to begin, but I knew I had to create a thread about this. My wife and I had to go to a family reunion deal about 80 miles away today. So I got online and found a coin shop in that city. Called ahead and confirmed that they would be open. We left early and I was excited because the guy had some 90% junk silver...my local shop is out and has been out for a while. He quoted me 9 times face value on the phone. So I checked on www.coinflation.com and saw that 9x was almost exactly spot price...seemed like a good deal compared to the premiums I've been seeing on eBay. So we got there and told the guy what I was there for. He asked how much I wanted to buy. I told him $300-$500. Then he goes on this huge tirade about how that was an awful idea. He said IF I really wanted silver, I should buy 1oz rounds or 10oz bars, etc. Said it was a bad investment and a guessing game. Said I'd be much better off buying a rare coin for the same money. He went on and on. I talked to him about recent silver prices and the fact that so many places were sold out, but it didn't matter. He was rude and condescending. Assumed I had zero knowledge and started explaining what a CC Morgan dollar was. That's about the time we left. My wife wanted me to go ahead and buy the silver, but by then I wasn't going to spend ANY of my money there...good deal for me or not. I'm still in awe that he was able to ruin a sure deal. I had $500 cash in my front pocket and told him what I wanted to buy. 15 minutes later and he had gotten us to leave without spending a dime. Been a looooooong time since I've seen someone that deals directly with customers have such bad people skills. Makes me even more thankful for the owner at my local coin shop I frequent. My guy has taught me things and can convey his opinion without being so offensive. Very lucky he's only 20 minutes from my house. BTW the GSA Morgan the guy was showing me was $225. The same year GSA Morgan at my local shop sells for under $200.
So much for the customer always being right..... Glad you didn't spend a dime there, however you spent 14 minutes too long at the shop.
I have two shops close by. One has the most friendliest people working there it's a pleasure. The other I walked in one time and will never go back.
I know the type of personality you're talking about here. Some over-bearing sellers can practically force a sale on customers who are non-confrontational and thinking they're getting good advice from an expert. I would have done the same as you. The guy was trying to push inventory that you didn't come for. I'm wondering how much 90% silver he had. I'm doubting he had even close to what you wanted so he went right to pushing other inventory.
Sounds like the guy is a real rube. Now my boss can scare off a customer when we're real busy but he would have sold the "junk" in a heartbeat. The other day I traded in a Krugerand for junk and tossed in a few more bucks to sweeten the deal. I made my decision and gave the boss gold and cash. He made money and I'm good with that. After all, HE had it. Easy deal. If someone has called ahead, has cash and is ready to buy only an idiot would try to upsell. Hell, had he treated you right he may have tweaked a few more bucks out of you.
You did right. Apparently the guy doesn't want any business. I would have done just like you, but as I left, I would have let him know that's not the way to treat a customer, and he lost out on $500 in sales. Customer service is very important to my wife and I, and we will spend more if need be to get it.
