Coin shop - siege mentality

There is a difference between a reasonable amount of security (which, alas, does depend on the neighborhood) and treating people as if they are assumed to be in a shop for the wrong reasons.

This attitude isn't restricted to coin shops. I'm familiar with stores of other types where it is evident that the clientele, including me, is being carefully watched.

There was one store in another state where it was amazing how one of the staff always seemed to have something important to do in the same aisle that I was in. And how that task changed suddenly from one aisle to the next as I moved. Need I mention that I never returned?

 

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What is a gun? security doors and bars :O? i ve never seen or heard these in here

 

Go into practically any convenience store like a 7-11 etc. in the Washington DC area, and you will see far more than you see in coin shops.

 

I didn't even know there was one in Sheridan. BTW, I've been to Powell a few times even to the site on Medicine Mt when I was in the USAF.

Take Care
Ben

 

i understand you clembo but this is not a personal collection we are talking about. i know coin dealers in our area who will let people walk in and show them the expensive coins. By all means have security but there is a difference between security, paranoia and treating customers like would be thieves

 

I figured you did Spock and you can't be paranoid and treat every customer like a potential thief.

I figure you have built a rapport with your dealers through "coin shop etiquette". Here's a funny story that isn't so funny.

The FIRST time I went to the shop that I NOW work in I asked to see a 5 cent type set. Nothing fancy - was priced at $95. Two other customers in the shop. A lady and a guy trying to haggle on selling a watch.
I looked at the set and put it back on the counter towards the rear. Guess what? It got stolen and know damn well which guy did it. The boss didn't call the police although
I urged him to.
Well, I was the last to touch it so I offered to pay. He refused. I felt awful. Great first impression right?
Left the place and went to the dealer that I had been going to for a few years. Kinda needed to vent you know?
Well that dealer had already been called by my current boss and he vouched for me as an honest guy.

So basically it took a while for my current boss to really trust me. I played the etiquette game and gained his trust. Enough for him to now be employing me.

Okay a big digression there but a good story. Ours is an open store. If you show that you are a serious buyer we are more than happy to show you the big stuff.

If you come in to buy a state quarter we're not yanking out slabbed gold. Just the way it is.

People on the forum understand the etiquette and "rules" better than most. Yesterday a guy came in with his wife and sister in law. His sister in law spent about $20 and I could tell the guy had a passing interest in coins.
We BSd for a while and he asked me what was the most expensive coin we had. I was not paranoid but could only offer I have no clue. I'm not going to point that information out to anyone that we don't really know.

Rambled enough but that IS how it really works in many shops.

 

next time someone asks them whats the most exp coin you have tell them its 1/12anna that you will sell for $5000 ill go halves with you if the deal goes through (of course ill supply that 1/12th anna coin)

 

Pathetic.

 

Why pathetic? Because it has worked?

Seriously not quite sure why you say this. Could you elaborate a bit?

 

People these days are too soft. I think society as a whole needs to man up and face the reality that scum bags exist everywhere that would just as soon kill you (or your family) than look at you. The US, Canada, England, anywhere. It's just that most of us are lucky enough not to run into them.

I'm all for concealed carry in the US. An armed society is a polite society. It's sad that so many people would rather be a victim than protect themselves and their property.

 

Sure it works when the criminal is unarmed. When the criminal is armed, the police have to run like everyone else. I've seen it. Just doesn't compute. I'm saying it's a shame that they're getting so soft that they don't even trust their own police.


Anyway, I was just at a coin shop in Rockford and the guy had a loaded shotgun by the counter. I can't blame him and I didn't think twice about it. I'd rather he had it than not. Not just for his security but for my own safety as well.

All the security cameras will do is record the chaos. I don't want to be on the receiving end of anything.

 

That's a little different , a coin shop , when it closes must have all kinds of protection , ie , burglar alarm , safe , business insurence , thats a little different from your average collector .
rzage

 

I don't think it's different. I see what he's saying and it makes sense. He's talking about when the doors are open and anybody can walk in off the street. These places are a target. Just as a jewelery store would be. I would be very uncomfortable having strangers wander through my home, looking at my stuff, while I'm standing there, day in and day out. It only takes one bad apple. Call me paranoid but I've watched and read too much.

 

Well of course you do rzage but shops tend to have a LOT more than the average collector. Like by millions in many cases. Still, we invite people in to peruse as it is a business.
I used to run a truck stop in Gary man. I've seen my share of unsavory people believe me.

Insurance is great but not too effective if someone has a gun to your head.

I'm just pointing out legit concerns as a person that actually works in a shop. I think all of my other posts pretty much make that known.


Now Vess1,

We have guns scattered about the shop. I stated in an earlier post the only time I WOULD consider picking one up. Yes, it's your safety as well unless I miss and maybe kill you or someone on the street.
Keeping your eyes open is the first step.

I have done repos on the south side of Chicago, Chicago Heights, and lovely Gary, IN to name a few without a weapon. Did if for five years dude. Never got shot at. Never got beaten up. Got threatened a few times.

We all have a right to own guns and I have no problem with that. People that turn in their handguns in Chicago are just asking for it IMHO. THEN only the criminals have them.

However, everyone arming to the teeth is not a solution either. Too many, like myself, that are not trained nor qualitified.

All I'm going to say as this thread now really belongs in the PRWE.

 

I disagree. It works, so we'll keep going that way.
we're not afraid of our police,. More than likley we would be afraid of a gun itself. all the police around here have sidearms, and Im not worried about it, cause I know they have been trained... I have a feeling that is not always the case in the states.
I enjoy the saftey of knowing when I walk downtown and I walk past hundreds if not thousands of people, not even one of them has a gun

 

greetings all!
you certainly can tell the difference of opinion on the appearance of firearms due to geographical and legal considerations. just as a side note..you cannot tell whether a person is armed or not.
i have been in the martial arts (many different martial arts...i have 37 yrs of experience, my first black belt when i was 17) and still consider myself a beginner. i have also been able to train w/ legends in the martial arts.
there was a knife expert who would go to various police depts as well as prisons to help train the officers. he would hide close to 30 knives on his person and the officers' would have to find them all before he was "in custody". no one was ever able to find them all! you cannot tell if an individual is armed... a knife may not seem that big of a deal, but if you are in a phone booth...which is a better weapon, a hand grenade or a knife?
unfortunately, no matter what society or country you live in, there are those who value $ over human lives. if you are openly displaying money (bank, jewelry, coin shop, 7-11)..you at least should be allowed to have an even playing field.
awareness is your best defense, and if you are interested in unarmed defense vs knives and guns...check out the Israeli art of Krav Maga, as well as the filipino arts of Kali, escrima , and Arnis. Silat( Indonesian) has much to offer as well.
once again, just a side note and my opinion from my own experience.
as another side note..i have been around guns, knives and in the martial arts for my entire life. i have packed over 100k of jewelry from estate sales w/ me. never have i had violent encounters, or had to use any of of the above. just being aware of your surroundings and how you carry yourself can make a huge difference. better safe than sorry.
only my own opinion and experience.
Best wishes all,
steve

 

I don't think you can ever be too cautious in the coin business. There have been dealers followed home and executed. Recently a dealer who worked out of his home came home, there were two burgulars in his house, they maced him, held him at gun point, and forced him to open the safes. Fortunately his wife was in the car, and didn't go into the garage with him. She went and got the police.

Another dealer was followed into his shop after a show, was handcuffed and shot in the head.

I talked to another dealer who robbed, was shot 5 times, and fortunately killed the robber and managed to survive.

I have had reputable people tell me about people dropping a baby to create a diversion, nails being put in tires so that tires go flat a couple miles after leaving a show, and many other things.

Chris Napolitano from Summit RC was robbed in front of the Peabody (I think it was the peabody hotel anyway) hotel in Florida right in public to the tune of several million dollars.

You truly can never be too careful in the business, and I certainly do not fault anyone for having mantraps in their shop, as well as carrying a sidearm. Just my two cents.

 

I wholly agree as well.

Ted, White and Blue. The Nugent Manifesto.
God, Guns and Rock-n-Roll, another excellent read, same author.

 

nothing to do w/ thread,,,,i first saw ted play in 1976 (stranglehold tour if not mistaken) at indiana state fairgrounds...my ears rang for 3 days or so afterward from the decibel level.
same thing when my kung fu (san soo) instructor gave me some of his "special" .357 reloaded magnum rds to shoot....stupidly w/o plugs or muffs. learned my lesson w/ guns,tho not w/ rock music....................