Professional Dealers: Do you need to be careful with what you post here?
braddick
Posts: 24,179 ✭✭✭✭✭
There was a thread regarding a large coin show where a dealer- tongue in cheek- expressed his opinion regarding a large city and whether it is fit to host a large show.
He took a bit of heat for his comment. Warranted or not, it got me thinking. Are Dealers here (and I mean the large national ones, not those like me who sell on eBay and whatnot) guarded in what they post?
For example, there is one well-respected dealer/numismatist who works for one of the largest coin firms who never- as far as I've seen- post a photo.
Are there insider rules some of you have where you either won't involve yourself in certain debates or if you do, tread lightly?
Just curious.
Quick edit: a word.
peacockcoins
3
Comments
Speaking just for myself...
When posting comments, answering questions or making suggestions here, I do my best to be accurate, direct and helpful. I do so, knowing that sometimes, someone else might not like hearing what I have to say.
I feel that Heritage gives me a great deal of latitude in my participation on this forum. And I'm careful to differentiate when I'm giving my personal opinion from when I'm speaking on behalf of Heritage.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Yes - security and business proprietary reasons.
It’s not really worth it get in argument with some collector or quote hobbyist. On a gut level I think good strategy lurk, lay low, keep it plain vanilla.
At shows I don’t discuss this place. It’s more of an intelligence gathering source (market news, what’s happening). This site valuable news source on various subjects.
Different posters here have different agendas, financial resources, goals.
Even though I work for a dealer, I post here on my own behalf however, even with the freedom to post whatever, I still strive to be professional on here and only offer advice if it’s positive.
If I see a coin that I do not care for, I’m usually more inclined to just not say anything. I would rather be polite.
If someone is thinking about a coin and wants brutal, honest feedback, I will then offer advice even if it’s negative towards the coin in question to help them avoid a mistake, perhaps.
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If I was a successful dealer I probably wouldn’t post on here. I don’t see much upside potential and all it takes is a bad or misinterpreted post and you run the risk of alienating customers. If I was starting out as a dealer I would probably post but I would be very careful what I had to say and refrain from negativity or criticism.
The real successful dealers have marketing teams that handle posts on social media etc. But the information, history and knowledge that people like @mfeld and @tradedollarnut @ianrussell @MrEureka etc. bring to us loley peasants of numismatics is priceless. I'm glad that these types of numismatic heavyweights post here and its unfortunate that others have gone away because they either didn't want to deal with the drama, or couldn't help getting caught up in it. You will always risk alienating customers if you open your mouth in public, or post on a forum, but you could also be missing out on lots of potential customers becuase they are looking for what you have to offer.
My Ebay Store
Yes, we do. Wannabes, dreck merchants, riff-raff, and other miscellaneous posers, well, not so much.
Most likely no different than LinkedIn, FB, etc. where what you say could have an impact on your employer's business, their customers or business partners.
Makes sense to keep discussions constructive and civil.
USAF (Ret.) 1985 - 2005. E-4B Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief and Contracting Officer.
My current Registry sets:
✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
At least one major dealer has a history of trashing forum members (sarcastically referring to us as chatroom geniuses and boo birds) and even effectively calling bidders in the firm’s auction idiots for bidding up an item. That dealer seems to be okay. Frankly, If you have an in demand item, someone will deal with you long enough to buy it if the price is right. In the age of the internet business relationships seem to matter a lot less than they once did.
To be clear, I’m not advocating for that sort of behavior. I think the most prudent course is to avoid negativity and controversy and to be polite.
I think that there was a time that this forum, like all message boards, was the social media of the day. In 2023, there are other social media channels for dealers to interact with their clientele (and potential clientele) and have greater control of the conversation and their message. I have seen numerous dealers use Instagram (and other SM sites) very effectively. These have replaced the need for dealers to come to the forum and make contacts and build relationships. Of course, many have their own websites and blogs in which they can completely drive their narrative, but the audience for these is far more limited.
A guy who shall remain nameless who worked for an auction house gave me a lot review of a coin on which I was thinking of bidding. For me, it was an expensive coin. He started describing the coin's toning, a pause, and said, "you don't want to bid on this coin, it's a POS (except he didn't use the abbreviation)." To this day, I really respect him for his candor.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
They should. I've never understood why some people who are in the business of making as much money as possible would alienate potential customers, but they do. If you've been to a lot of B&M shops or attended many large shows, you know that the industry has more than it's share of outright rude dealers.
Despite the disclaimer in my sig line, I do filter what I post here. There have even been a few times where I've typed out a reply only to delete it after reconsidering. I have a number of regular customers (both for ANACS and eBay cmerlo1) who tell me they read my posts here, and I don't want to alienate them or any potential new customers for either business.
It seems that many of the big time dealers/ collector heavyweights have moved on from this place, likely to avoid said controversy and negativity. It is quite unfortunate, and in my opinion we are the poorer for it. I long for some of the discussions that used to take place here in the glory days, and I respect and appreciate any of the old guard that have stuck around to continue to grace us with their knowledge and experience.
Founder- Peak Rarities
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Yes, I definitely try to stay neutral in what I post here as that is good business sense.
The one thing I do defend is the Great State of California where I was born, my dad was born, my wife was born and my children were born. We just bought our first house here in California.
California Bashing is a sport on this forum and most of it is falsehoods.
This is the California I know, 20 miles from my doorstep ....
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Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Whoa. . . smart.
peacockcoins
Agree and not to hijack the thread but give credit to those who have stuck around and contributed. Much appreciated.
Well, I'd like to answer that one, but...
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Me ?
Hey, I'm on the shy side of being easy.
No drama, stress, no stupid stories, looks, browning eyes, alternative motives,..
If something don't feel right, good or bad, I giggle in my thoughts, which produces my smile reflex, good or bad.
But I don't have to explain this here,