Busy day at the local coin shop
g097103
Posts: 279
We rolled in to a full house. The place was packed with buyers, sellers and little kids.
There was the couple with the buffalo 1 oz. round who thought it was worth the same as a US mint buffalo
dollar and couldn't understand why it wasn't. He was very gentle with this couple, they looked very
disappointed.
On the other side was a waiting line of sellers with rolls of Ikes and Franklins, as well as assorted other misc.
coins in ziploc bags. One seller had a stack of ACG slabs, my impression was that he didn't fare well in the
price department.
The wife was digging through the cents as she just got her grandfathers unfinished cent album and wants to
complete it. Good for her, she got some 30 cents to plug the holes of the common dates. She was enjoying
herself so much I didn't even offer any comment on what she bought, but did get her a book.
We may yet
turn her from the dark wilderness of stamps.
Two very young children were running loose having a good time pawing through the junk bucket and running
to show dad and mom their prize. The owner gifted each youngster with a couple coins they liked. I thought that
was very cool.
Then it was my turn, the owner pulled out the trays (2 each) of mercuries and roosevelts, set them in front
of me and we chatted for a couple minutes. He had to go deal with more customers and tossed me his
price sheets and sales pad and told me to write up whatever we selected and call him when we were ready
to check out. No doubt when time permits he will double check, but I feel like I passed a test I didn't know
I had been taking today. All in all a pleasant coin day.
Scott M
Edited for spelling errors.
There was the couple with the buffalo 1 oz. round who thought it was worth the same as a US mint buffalo
dollar and couldn't understand why it wasn't. He was very gentle with this couple, they looked very
disappointed.
On the other side was a waiting line of sellers with rolls of Ikes and Franklins, as well as assorted other misc.
coins in ziploc bags. One seller had a stack of ACG slabs, my impression was that he didn't fare well in the
price department.
The wife was digging through the cents as she just got her grandfathers unfinished cent album and wants to
complete it. Good for her, she got some 30 cents to plug the holes of the common dates. She was enjoying
herself so much I didn't even offer any comment on what she bought, but did get her a book.
We may yet turn her from the dark wilderness of stamps.
Two very young children were running loose having a good time pawing through the junk bucket and running
to show dad and mom their prize. The owner gifted each youngster with a couple coins they liked. I thought that
was very cool.
Then it was my turn, the owner pulled out the trays (2 each) of mercuries and roosevelts, set them in front
of me and we chatted for a couple minutes. He had to go deal with more customers and tossed me his
price sheets and sales pad and told me to write up whatever we selected and call him when we were ready
to check out. No doubt when time permits he will double check, but I feel like I passed a test I didn't know
I had been taking today. All in all a pleasant coin day.
Scott M
Edited for spelling errors.
Scott M
Everything is linear if plotted log-log with a fat magic marker
Everything is linear if plotted log-log with a fat magic marker
0
Comments
I'd love to have a place to go like that and take the cubs with me (my wife might go if it was a cool place.)
Alas, I don't know of a place in our neck of the woods such as this.
For some life lasts a short while, but the memories it holds last forever.
-Laura Swenson
In memory of BL, SM, and KG. 16 and forever young, rest in peace.
You mean there are places other than eBay where one can buy coins?
A Tale Of Two Coin Shops.
There are two coin shops in my town (and three more within 15 miles).
The first I visited when I renewed my interest in collecting is fabulous. Plush. Impressive. It is very large, I would guess at least 3000 square feet. Thick carpeting, rich wood finishes, beautiful counters and terrific merchandise. There are deep leather sofas and so much on display. Gold and silver coins of every era, reasonably priced, rare coins, international coins, top quality supplies, a vast array of commemoratives, and tray after tray after tray of a full range of grades of just about any US coin you are seeking. It has been a very rare event that I have ever asked if they have something that they don't have.
The second coin shop is a hole in the wall. They have an average, or decent selection, but not great and certainly nowhere in the same universe as the shop mentioned above. The carpets are worn, the stools at the counters look like they were left over from a surplus sale at a tavern. Stuff is kinda, sorta everywhere. The folks who work there are just as likely to be wearing shorts and a T-shirt as anything else.
I love visiting Coin Shop #2, and really do not enjoy going to Coin Shop #1.
Going to Coin Shop #2 is like going to the old neighborhood barber shop. Even if you aren't buying or selling that day, stop in for a cup of coffee and talk about coins with us, or some of the grizzled veterans you will occasionally find there. Very nice folks - prices are about the same, and if they don't have something, they'll put it on your wish list, and they actually call you when they find it.
Going to Coin Shop #1 is like going for a root canal. The primary customer contact person is probably the most condecending individual I have ever purchased goods from. You just never know what new way you will be made to feel like you were an insignificant bother today. I never leave that shop feeling positive about the business I have transacted there. The real pity about Shop #1 is that there are two other folks who work there who are very helpful and personable - but they, for the most part, work in the back and you rarely see or talk to them. As an outgoing and gregarious individual, it is a disappointment not to enjoy transacting business in my favorite hobby.
One thing that really is an indicator of the difference between these two shops is a simple sign. In Coin Shop #2, as you are looking at Coins, you can reach over to the counter where books are sold and find the coin in question in a book - read about it - ask the owner questions - refer to price guides. In Coin Shop #1, there is a sign in the area where they keep books - These books are for sale - please do not read them!
I have spent a fair amount of money on my collection in the last few months - probably about $4-5,000 of it at Shop #1. While some folks might spend that on a single coin - which may be the clientele Shop #1 seeks - to me, it's a decent amount of business. I have probably spent another $3,000 on ebay, all of which I would have spent at Coin Shop #1 if I had felt more welcome there.
I only recently discovered Coin Shop #2, and have spent about $2-3,000 there. I wish I had found them earlier and given them all of the business I have generated in the last few months. I certainly would have enjoyed it more.
editted just to add part I left out.