Hey guys. Ameteur questions here. Ive only been to one a couple coin shows here and there and didnt really know much when i went. Im going to another one soon and i was wondering if it is rude or unorthodox to try and bargain with a dealer. Like if he has a half dollar priced at thirty dollars but i dont think its worth that much can i be like " hey will you take 27 for this" or is that rude. Idk maybe its what your supposed to do. Just thought id ask instead of looking like an idiot if its rude. Thank you guys so much. I<3CT -Ryan
I find sometimes it's better to ask "can you do better than this?". That puts it back in the dealer's court and more times than not, he'll give you a lower price than what you were going to say. Once he tells you his price, then you can ask "how about ...." and see if he accepts. Quite a few times, when buying several coins from one dealer, he'll give me a discount and then just throw in some of the lower value coins at no charge. It all depends on what you're buying and who the dealer is.
You mean haggle? Sure, there's nothing wrong with offering less for an item so long as you believe it's a fair price. In fact, most dealers expect that most customers are planning on offering less than what they're asking for a coin and as a result list the coin at a unrealistically high price. When it comes to prices, coinshows operate the same way flea markets and car dealerships do in that there is often quite a difference between the asking price and ultimate selling price.
Yeah Ryan, definitely bargain with a dealer. I just ask if he can give me a better price than what's marked. I never have a problem getting at least a few dollars off, and sometimes a substantial amount. Just recently at the Whitman Baltimore show I bought a note for $150 that was marked $185, and a counterstamp discounted from $250 down to $200. I always make a polite request and never argue if he won't come down on his price. I've never run into a dealer who was offended when you bargained with him, or don't honestly recall ever being told no. Always treat them with respect and they generally treat you the same way. Good luck and let us know how you do. Bruce
baltimore whitman show? I was there too man. I live like twenty minutes away from the convention center. Its coming back in mid june if you didnt know. And thanks for the advice. And i do planning on buying multiple coins from this one particular dealer so maybe i can add up all the prices and say somethin like, can you give me a better price for this lot?
I think trying to get a better deal is to be expected. Offering 10% less than his marked price is entirely reasonable in my opinion. What they don't like is very low offers and some will be offended and refuse deal with you, even if you then offer to pay full price. I guess the trick is to figure out how low you can go without ticking him off.
Yah i mean i think it depends on the price too. If something is marked at two bucks even asking for fifty cents off is a lot but if something is at like two thousand dollars you could ask for possible as much as a hundred off without sounding crazy
I never ask for a particular amount off Ryan, I just ask if he can give me a better price. Many times on smaller purchases I didn't even ask but was given a better deal anyway. It seems common to me from going to so many shows over the years that it's pretty much the norm. I'll be at the next Baltimore show too, so maybe I'll see you there. Quite a few CT'ers go and some of us try to get together at a certain place and time on the bourse floor. Bruce
Yah maybe we could all meey up at the end and show off what we gought haha. Itll be a good show so hopefully i can make it. Thanks for all the advice. It was just what i was hoping for.
Just ask him what his "show price" is. When he comes back with it, just say you were hoping for xxx. But just take off a dollar or two on his come back price. Don't do this unless you really mean to buy the piece. It's not meant to be a game but a legitimate business offer. If your not in the ball park at all with his show price, politely say thanks and move on.
I always ask what the best price is. My money is just as green as any dealer money. Bring your Grey Sheet. Don't be afraid to walk away.
