@lablover said:
When will @MFeld begin to answer all of these questions?
Anyone who'd like to ask me their question, feel free to message me. If I know the answer, I'll be happy to provide it, and you'll be free to post it if you wish. But depending upon how many questions I receive, it might take a while for me to reply.
So then your title could be considered clickbait since you had no intention of answering our questions?🤔🤣😂
@bsshog40 said:
Would you rather buy a collection from a person that knows nothing about the collection they have or buy from an experienced collector?
Experienced collector. They have the great coins.
But probably the highest prices?
Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
@bsshog40 said:
Would you rather buy a collection from a person that knows nothing about the collection they have or buy from an experienced collector?
Experienced collector. They have the great coins.
But probably the highest prices?
Oh for sure.
But the experienced collector also knows the dealer can't buy at retail.
@lablover said:
When will @MFeld begin to answer all of these questions?
Anyone who'd like to ask me their question, feel free to message me. If I know the answer, I'll be happy to provide it, and you'll be free to post it if you wish. But depending upon how many questions I receive, it might take a while for me to reply.
So then your title could be considered clickbait since you had no intention of answering our questions?🤔🤣😂
I was not being serious when asking if @MFled was going to answer all of the questions. But, I believe his post was/is an interesting one. Been fun reading the questions. Thanks Mark!!!
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers
@lablover said:
When will @MFeld begin to answer all of these questions?
Anyone who'd like to ask me their question, feel free to message me. If I know the answer, I'll be happy to provide it, and you'll be free to post it if you wish. But depending upon how many questions I receive, it might take a while for me to reply.
So then your title could be considered clickbait since you had no intention of answering our questions?🤔🤣😂
I think you're joking around, but I'll reply anyway.
1) I didn't indicate in the thread title that I'd be answering questions, so there was no click-bait involved.
2) However, I have since stated that I would answer the questions that I can, and have already started doing so.
3) Any message exchanges I have with forum members will remain private from my end, though those who ask questions are free to post my replies if they care to.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I don't think that he physically "made" anything, as in make a mold, melt metal, pour molten metal into the mold, etc., but I do not know if that has ever been positively established or not.
There are some people who insist that he was duped by Paul Franklin, who made up fantasies and then convinced Ford that the fakes were real. I have my opinion on that question, but I would love to have been able to ask him the question under the original premise of the thread.
Captain
As I mentioned in a different thread to Coinosaurus, Karl Moulton's meticulously written book really leaves no doubt as to what Ford knew.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
@lablover said:
When will @MFeld begin to answer all of these questions?
Anyone who'd like to ask me their question, feel free to message me. If I know the answer, I'll be happy to provide it, and you'll be free to post it if you wish. But depending upon how many questions I receive, it might take a while for me to reply.
So then your title could be considered clickbait since you had no intention of answering our questions?🤔🤣😂
I think you're joking around, but I'll reply anyway.
1) I didn't indicate in the thread title that I'd be answering questions, so there was no click-bait involved.
2) However, I have since stated that I would answer the questions that I can, and have already started doing so.
3) Any message exchanges I have with forum members will remain private from my end, though those who ask questions are free to post my replies if they care to.
My question is, when selling coins to another dealer, what kind of discount do they get vs. a collector, if any? Or do you just offload coins at breakeven that aren't moving?
I don't think that he physically "made" anything, as in make a mold, melt metal, pour molten metal into the mold, etc., but I do not know if that has ever been positively established or not.
There are some people who insist that he was duped by Paul Franklin, who made up fantasies and then convinced Ford that the fakes were real. I have my opinion on that question, but I would love to have been able to ask him the question under the original premise of the thread.
Captain
As I mentioned in a different thread to Coinosaurus, Karl Moulton's meticulously written book really leaves no doubt as to what Ford knew.
I have a well annotated copy of Moulton's book, and a strong opinion on the matter, but I would like to hear what Ford would have said upon compulsion to tell the truth.
When I started at ANACS the battle over the U.S.A.O.G. $20's was still raging. Eric P. Newman was leading the side that said they were fakes, and we agreed with him.
Somewhere along the way, before they were finally, conclusively established to be counterfeits, Eric said to me: "There's one way we can prove these things to be fake! Give John J. Ford a lie detector test!" Alas, that never happened.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
@ProofCollection said:
My question is, when selling coins to another dealer, what kind of discount do they get vs. a collector, if any? Or do you just offload coins at breakeven that aren't moving?
One coin dealer who I did a lot of business with once told me "I sell nice coins to you for a little less that what I would sell them to other dealers since when I sell them to you there's a good chance that I'll have a chance to buy them back again some day but when I sell them to another dealer, I'll never see them again."
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
@ProofCollection said:
My question is, when selling coins to another dealer, what kind of discount do they get vs. a collector, if any? Or do you just offload coins at breakeven that aren't moving?
One coin dealer who I did a lot of business with once told me "I sell nice coins to you for a little less that what I would sell them to other dealers since when I sell them to you there's a good chance that I'll have a chance to buy them back again some day but when I sell them to another dealer, I'll never see them again."
@ProofCollection said:
My question is, when selling coins to another dealer, what kind of discount do they get vs. a collector, if any? Or do you just offload coins at breakeven that aren't moving?
One coin dealer who I did a lot of business with once told me "I sell nice coins to you for a little less that what I would sell them to other dealers since when I sell them to you there's a good chance that I'll have a chance to buy them back again some day but when I sell them to another dealer, I'll never see them again."
Did his nose grow?
No. He was a good friend and we both belonged to the same coin club for many years. He was a retired Civil Engineer as am I and he had a good pension from the government but he became a coin dealer to keep busy and because he loved the coin hobby. He was one of the good guys and had a stellar reputation for honest dealing. A couple of times he talked me out of buying a coin which he had on consignment because he felt it wasn't a good deal. Unfortunately, he died a few years ago.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
@ProofCollection said:
My question is, when selling coins to another dealer, what kind of discount do they get vs. a collector, if any? Or do you just offload coins at breakeven that aren't moving?
One coin dealer who I did a lot of business with once told me "I sell nice coins to you for a little less that what I would sell them to other dealers since when I sell them to you there's a good chance that I'll have a chance to buy them back again some day but when I sell them to another dealer, I'll never see them again."
Did his nose grow?
A number of dealers are smart enough to do that. There's no good reason to think that one wasn't being truthful.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@ProofCollection said:
My question is, when selling coins to another dealer, what kind of discount do they get vs. a collector, if any? Or do you just offload coins at breakeven that aren't moving?
One coin dealer who I did a lot of business with once told me "I sell nice coins to you for a little less that what I would sell them to other dealers since when I sell them to you there's a good chance that I'll have a chance to buy them back again some day but when I sell them to another dealer, I'll never see them again."
Did his nose grow?
It's really less about dealer vs collector and more about the relationship you have with the person. If a "dealer" I don't know comes by, I'm not giving him a significant discount unless he's spending a lot of money. If a "collector" I know and like comes by, he may get the biggest discount of anyone.
The reason "dealers" usually get better pricing is because they know each other. Relationships matter.
[I'd also add that dealers don't spend 4 hours looking through my inventory to buy one cherry coin. You can always get better pricing on a pile of widgets.]
@ProofCollection said:
My question is, when selling coins to another dealer, what kind of discount do they get vs. a collector, if any? Or do you just offload coins at breakeven that aren't moving?
One coin dealer who I did a lot of business with once told me "I sell nice coins to you for a little less that what I would sell them to other dealers since when I sell them to you there's a good chance that I'll have a chance to buy them back again some day but when I sell them to another dealer, I'll never see them again."
In my days in Chicago I sold one collectible (i.e., not bullion) European gold coin three times. The first collector passed away and we bought he collection from his widow. The second collector needed money for something else and sold it back. The third collector still had it when I retired.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
@bsshog40 said:
Would you rather buy a collection from a person that knows nothing about the collection they have or buy from an experienced collector?
Experienced collector. They have the great coins.
But probably the highest prices?
Actually, in my experience it's the inexperienced heirs who have the most unrealistic expectations about prices. They go on the internet, find the highest posted retail sale price for the highest grade example of the coin(s), and expect that is what they should get, because theirs is the same date...LOL... and by gosh they're not going to let any evil rotten crook of a coin dealer cheat them out of one cent they have coming out of their share of Aunt Sally's collection... so they'll wait until you've done all the work evaluating the material and then just whore your number around to everyone else... and whoever offers $20 more than the last guy gets to buy it, maybe.
The reason "dealers" usually get better pricing is because they know each other. Relationships matter.
[I'd also add that dealers don't spend 4 hours looking through my inventory to buy one cherry coin. You can always get better pricing on a pile of widgets.]
NO ONE, dealer or otherwise, wastes 4 hours of my time going through inventory, period. I'm not a babysitter. If you've been in the business any appreciable length of time and can't tell within 15-20 minutes or less whether or not the person is a serious buyer or is just killing time, then the problem doesn't lie with them. jmho
@ProofCollection said:
My question is, when selling coins to another dealer, what kind of discount do they get vs. a collector, if any? Or do you just offload coins at breakeven that aren't moving?
One coin dealer who I did a lot of business with once told me "I sell nice coins to you for a little less that what I would sell them to other dealers since when I sell them to you there's a good chance that I'll have a chance to buy them back again some day but when I sell them to another dealer, I'll never see them again."
Did his nose grow?
A number of dealers are smart enough to do that. There's no good reason to think that one wasn't being truthful.
@bsshog40 said:
Would you rather buy a collection from a person that knows nothing about the collection they have or buy from an experienced collector?
Experienced collector. They have the great coins.
But probably the highest prices?
Actually, in my experience it's the inexperienced heirs who have the most unrealistic expectations about prices. They go on the internet, find the highest posted retail sale price for the highest grade example of the coin(s), and expect that is what they should get, because theirs is the same date...LOL... and by gosh they're not going to let any evil rotten crook of a coin dealer cheat them out of one cent they have coming out of their share of Aunt Sally's collection... so they'll wait until you've done all the work evaluating the material and then just whore your number around to everyone else... and whoever offers $20 more than the last guy gets to buy it, maybe.
Yup. Just had someone come in to my friend's shop with a couple 2000 Sacs because "Cheerios".
I also once did an appraisal on an estate that was mostly Mint products. My offer was around $1000. I had to leave 10% for the guy whose shop I was in. My offer was $20 less than another coin shop. He offered it to me for $20 over that number. I said, "no, that's not fair to Jim." He said, "just match the number so i don't have to go back to the other guy. " I said, no. He didn't understand but actually sold it to me at my number.
That's why dealers generally won't give you a free written appraisal. Your appraisal just becomes the opening bid.
The reason "dealers" usually get better pricing is because they know each other. Relationships matter.
[I'd also add that dealers don't spend 4 hours looking through my inventory to buy one cherry coin. You can always get better pricing on a pile of widgets.]
NO ONE, dealer or otherwise, wastes 4 hours of my time going through inventory, period. I'm not a babysitter. If you've been in the business any appreciable length of time and can't tell within 15-20 minutes or less whether or not the person is a serious buyer or is just killing time, then the problem doesn't lie with them. jmho
Edit for clarity
Respectfully, I know in 20 minutes that the guy is a waste of my time. Sometimes you know in 2 minutes. But if you're rude to the guy, you lose more than just his business. Especially at a show, word will get around in a hurry.
The worst are the people that look like they might buy. They are pulling things. Asking for prices. Pulling things. Then after an hour, they buy one coin from their stack and leave me to put the stuff back. You smile and say "thank you" but I'm secretly hoping they get robbed on their way home.
Respectfully, I know in 20 minutes that the guy is a waste of my time. Sometimes you know in 2 minutes. But if you're rude to the guy, you lose more than just his business. Especially at a show, word will get around in a hurry.
The worst are the people that look like they might buy. They are pulling things. Asking for prices. Pulling things. Then after an hour, they buy one coin from their stack and leave me to put the stuff back. You smile and say "thank you" but I'm secretly hoping they get robbed on their way home.
Been there. I'm honestly not all that concerned with word getting around that time wasters aren't desired at my tables because the only folks offended by that are usually other time wasters. Anyone who wants to buy something we have isn't going to let that deter them. In fact, I was actually thanked once for politely but firmly moving someone along who just wanted to sit there, cover my case with his stuff and shoot the bull rather than looking at coins. The person who thanked me spent 4 digits... You don't have to be rude. "I'm sorry sir- but I need your understanding. It was nice chatting but these folks would like to look at what's in the case here"... or something similar.
Respectfully, I know in 20 minutes that the guy is a waste of my time. Sometimes you know in 2 minutes. But if you're rude to the guy, you lose more than just his business. Especially at a show, word will get around in a hurry.
The worst are the people that look like they might buy. They are pulling things. Asking for prices. Pulling things. Then after an hour, they buy one coin from their stack and leave me to put the stuff back. You smile and say "thank you" but I'm secretly hoping they get robbed on their way home.
>
But if he gets robbed he might come back and buy another coin from you…after looking for four hours.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Actually, in my experience it's the inexperienced heirs who have the most unrealistic expectations about prices. They go on the internet, find the highest posted retail sale price for the highest grade example of the coin(s), and expect that is what they should get, because theirs is the same date...LOL... and by gosh they're not going to let any evil rotten crook of a coin dealer cheat them out of one cent they have coming out of their share of Aunt Sally's collection... so they'll wait until you've done all the work evaluating the material and then just whore your number around to everyone else... and whoever offers $20 more than the last guy gets to buy it, maybe.
Yup. Just had someone come in to my friend's shop with a couple 2000 Sacs because "Cheerios".
I also once did an appraisal on an estate that was mostly Mint products. My offer was around $1000. I had to leave 10% for the guy whose shop I was in. My offer was $20 less than another coin shop. He offered it to me for $20 over that number. I said, "no, that's not fair to Jim." He said, "just match the number so i don't have to go back to the other guy. " I said, no. He didn't understand but actually sold it to me at my number.
That's why dealers generally won't give you a free written appraisal. Your appraisal just becomes the opening bid.
I would assume you were invited to do said appraisal by the shop owner?
And yes... if it's a large amount of stuff or an estate deal that needs to be written/itemized for a bank/lawyer/insurance etc. then we usually charge for our time. If it's just a handful of coins that doesn't take any time to do, we will often just scribble something up as a courtesy.
I don't think that he physically "made" anything, as in make a mold, melt metal, pour molten metal into the mold, etc., but I do not know if that has ever been positively established or not.
There are some people who insist that he was duped by Paul Franklin, who made up fantasies and then convinced Ford that the fakes were real. I have my opinion on that question, but I would love to have been able to ask him the question under the original premise of the thread.
Captain
As I mentioned in a different thread to Coinosaurus, Karl Moulton's meticulously written book really leaves no doubt as to what Ford knew.
I have a well annotated copy of Moulton's book, and a strong opinion on the matter, but I would like to hear what Ford would have said upon compulsion to tell the truth.
When I started at ANACS the battle over the U.S.A.O.G. $20's was still raging. Eric P. Newman was leading the side that said they were fakes, and we agreed with him.
Somewhere along the way, before they were finally, conclusively established to be counterfeits, Eric said to me: "There's one way we can prove these things to be fake! Give John J. Ford a lie detector test!" Alas, that never happened.
As it turned out, there was no need for a lie detector. But it would still have been fun to administer the test!
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Actually, in my experience it's the inexperienced heirs who have the most unrealistic expectations about prices. They go on the internet, find the highest posted retail sale price for the highest grade example of the coin(s), and expect that is what they should get, because theirs is the same date...LOL... and by gosh they're not going to let any evil rotten crook of a coin dealer cheat them out of one cent they have coming out of their share of Aunt Sally's collection... so they'll wait until you've done all the work evaluating the material and then just whore your number around to everyone else... and whoever offers $20 more than the last guy gets to buy it, maybe.
Yup. Just had someone come in to my friend's shop with a couple 2000 Sacs because "Cheerios".
I also once did an appraisal on an estate that was mostly Mint products. My offer was around $1000. I had to leave 10% for the guy whose shop I was in. My offer was $20 less than another coin shop. He offered it to me for $20 over that number. I said, "no, that's not fair to Jim." He said, "just match the number so i don't have to go back to the other guy. " I said, no. He didn't understand but actually sold it to me at my number.
That's why dealers generally won't give you a free written appraisal. Your appraisal just becomes the opening bid.
I would assume you were invited to do said appraisal by the shop owner?
And yes... if it's a large amount of stuff or an estate deal that needs to be written/itemized for a bank/lawyer/insurance etc. then we usually charge for our time. If it's just a handful of coins that doesn't take any time to do, we will often just scribble something up as a courtesy.
Yes, that is correct. There's a couple people who use me for such things. They generally want 10%. Makes it hard to buy some things... but I can buy as many stamp collections as I want. Lol
I don't think that he physically "made" anything, as in make a mold, melt metal, pour molten metal into the mold, etc., but I do not know if that has ever been positively established or not.
There are some people who insist that he was duped by Paul Franklin, who made up fantasies and then convinced Ford that the fakes were real. I have my opinion on that question, but I would love to have been able to ask him the question under the original premise of the thread.
Captain
As I mentioned in a different thread to Coinosaurus, Karl Moulton's meticulously written book really leaves no doubt as to what Ford knew.
I have a well annotated copy of Moulton's book, and a strong opinion on the matter, but I would like to hear what Ford would have said upon compulsion to tell the truth.
When I started at ANACS the battle over the U.S.A.O.G. $20's was still raging. Eric P. Newman was leading the side that said they were fakes, and we agreed with him.
Somewhere along the way, before they were finally, conclusively established to be counterfeits, Eric said to me: "There's one way we can prove these things to be fake! Give John J. Ford a lie detector test!" Alas, that never happened.
BTW, I bought two copies of Moulton's book, one to write in and one to keep new, but I never opened the new one. Anybody interested in one in an unopened box?
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
Comments
So then your title could be considered clickbait since you had no intention of answering our questions?🤔🤣😂
But probably the highest prices?
Oh for sure.
But the experienced collector also knows the dealer can't buy at retail.
I was not being serious when asking if @MFled was going to answer all of the questions. But, I believe his post was/is an interesting one. Been fun reading the questions. Thanks Mark!!!
I think you're joking around, but I'll reply anyway.
1) I didn't indicate in the thread title that I'd be answering questions, so there was no click-bait involved.
2) However, I have since stated that I would answer the questions that I can, and have already started doing so.
3) Any message exchanges I have with forum members will remain private from my end, though those who ask questions are free to post my replies if they care to.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
What coin doctors do the best work? Any stories (assuming the stories are credible)?
Wouldn't the "Best" coin doctors be unknown and undetected
Sometimes. Others have come to Jesus and are known.
Captain
As I mentioned in a different thread to Coinosaurus, Karl Moulton's meticulously written book really leaves no doubt as to what Ford knew.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
Yes. I was joking. Hence the laughing emojis. 🤣😂
My question is, when selling coins to another dealer, what kind of discount do they get vs. a collector, if any? Or do you just offload coins at breakeven that aren't moving?
http://ProofCollection.Net
I will happily sell “at discount to anyone willing to ask/engage…
I have a well annotated copy of Moulton's book, and a strong opinion on the matter, but I would like to hear what Ford would have said upon compulsion to tell the truth.
When I started at ANACS the battle over the U.S.A.O.G. $20's was still raging. Eric P. Newman was leading the side that said they were fakes, and we agreed with him.
Somewhere along the way, before they were finally, conclusively established to be counterfeits, Eric said to me: "There's one way we can prove these things to be fake! Give John J. Ford a lie detector test!" Alas, that never happened.
One coin dealer who I did a lot of business with once told me "I sell nice coins to you for a little less that what I would sell them to other dealers since when I sell them to you there's a good chance that I'll have a chance to buy them back again some day but when I sell them to another dealer, I'll never see them again."
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Did his nose grow?
No. He was a good friend and we both belonged to the same coin club for many years. He was a retired Civil Engineer as am I and he had a good pension from the government but he became a coin dealer to keep busy and because he loved the coin hobby. He was one of the good guys and had a stellar reputation for honest dealing. A couple of times he talked me out of buying a coin which he had on consignment because he felt it wasn't a good deal. Unfortunately, he died a few years ago.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Thanks for taking time to entertain and respond to challenging questions... I do not have any at the moment
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
A number of dealers are smart enough to do that. There's no good reason to think that one wasn't being truthful.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
It's really less about dealer vs collector and more about the relationship you have with the person. If a "dealer" I don't know comes by, I'm not giving him a significant discount unless he's spending a lot of money. If a "collector" I know and like comes by, he may get the biggest discount of anyone.
The reason "dealers" usually get better pricing is because they know each other. Relationships matter.
[I'd also add that dealers don't spend 4 hours looking through my inventory to buy one cherry coin. You can always get better pricing on a pile of widgets.]
In my days in Chicago I sold one collectible (i.e., not bullion) European gold coin three times. The first collector passed away and we bought he collection from his widow. The second collector needed money for something else and sold it back. The third collector still had it when I retired.
Actually, in my experience it's the inexperienced heirs who have the most unrealistic expectations about prices. They go on the internet, find the highest posted retail sale price for the highest grade example of the coin(s), and expect that is what they should get, because theirs is the same date...LOL... and by gosh they're not going to let any evil rotten crook of a coin dealer cheat them out of one cent they have coming out of their share of Aunt Sally's collection... so they'll wait until you've done all the work evaluating the material and then just whore your number around to everyone else... and whoever offers $20 more than the last guy gets to buy it, maybe.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
NO ONE, dealer or otherwise, wastes 4 hours of my time going through inventory, period. I'm not a babysitter. If you've been in the business any appreciable length of time and can't tell within 15-20 minutes or less whether or not the person is a serious buyer or is just killing time, then the problem doesn't lie with them. jmho
Edit for clarity
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
These days> @telephoto1 said:
Yup. Just had someone come in to my friend's shop with a couple 2000 Sacs because "Cheerios".
I also once did an appraisal on an estate that was mostly Mint products. My offer was around $1000. I had to leave 10% for the guy whose shop I was in. My offer was $20 less than another coin shop. He offered it to me for $20 over that number. I said, "no, that's not fair to Jim." He said, "just match the number so i don't have to go back to the other guy. " I said, no. He didn't understand but actually sold it to me at my number.
That's why dealers generally won't give you a free written appraisal. Your appraisal just becomes the opening bid.
Respectfully, I know in 20 minutes that the guy is a waste of my time. Sometimes you know in 2 minutes. But if you're rude to the guy, you lose more than just his business. Especially at a show, word will get around in a hurry.
The worst are the people that look like they might buy. They are pulling things. Asking for prices. Pulling things. Then after an hour, they buy one coin from their stack and leave me to put the stuff back. You smile and say "thank you" but I'm secretly hoping they get robbed on their way home.
Been there. I'm honestly not all that concerned with word getting around that time wasters aren't desired at my tables because the only folks offended by that are usually other time wasters. Anyone who wants to buy something we have isn't going to let that deter them. In fact, I was actually thanked once for politely but firmly moving someone along who just wanted to sit there, cover my case with his stuff and shoot the bull rather than looking at coins. The person who thanked me spent 4 digits... You don't have to be rude. "I'm sorry sir- but I need your understanding. It was nice chatting but these folks would like to look at what's in the case here"... or something similar.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
But if he gets robbed he might come back and buy another coin from you…after looking for four hours.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I would assume you were invited to do said appraisal by the shop owner?
And yes... if it's a large amount of stuff or an estate deal that needs to be written/itemized for a bank/lawyer/insurance etc. then we usually charge for our time. If it's just a handful of coins that doesn't take any time to do, we will often just scribble something up as a courtesy.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
As it turned out, there was no need for a lie detector. But it would still have been fun to administer the test!
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Yes, that is correct. There's a couple people who use me for such things. They generally want 10%. Makes it hard to buy some things... but I can buy as many stamp collections as I want. Lol
BTW, I bought two copies of Moulton's book, one to write in and one to keep new, but I never opened the new one. Anybody interested in one in an unopened box?