Until someone can show a detail and pricing basis on the $145 k vs $85 k this is all just speculation. A 70% markup over cost - so somebody's not in it for 5c on the dollar? Many dealers mark up coins and currency 100% anyhow. Many shops whip out a blue sheet on certified coins offered over the counter paying 50-60% of grey sheet bid. Shall we tar and feather these guys too? I don't think so, they're just buying it right. The guy paid retail and if too much well too bad so sad - its called tuition. My GF, an x stripper has a term they use in the strip club business for people who spent way too much - PL (Pathetic Loser).
Just a thought. If I had that much "jing" to throw into an investment, I sure as heck wouldn't sink it all into one thing. I'd spread it around, and not rely on any one option to be a "winner". Sounds like this guy got a "tip" from a friend/colleague who said this sort of investment was a sure thing. Found out otherwise real quick didn't he......
Let's just say that if you see it advertised on TV, in large full page ads in newspapers and magazines - then you probably should not be buying any And green - if somebody had $140k to invest in gold you can bet they have several times that much invested in other things as well.
This really is nothing new. I personally would do a whole lot of research before dropping $140k on anything! He's definately not alone though. People get taken for a ride every day on those cable coin dealer's shows. Did anyone ever find a good deal on those fraud-a-thons?
Doug, dear friend, if he has that much invested else ware, then He can afford to loose a few shekels here and there......