Sneaky trick that works

maddox

With so many prices to remember, going into coin shop can be a challenge if you don't know the prices, plus most dealers get a little ticked if your caring around a redbook or greysheet. Here is my sneaky way of dealing with this.

I use one of those generic slab storage boxs, I always take one with me to the coin shop, I'm always looking to sell and I'll show the dealer a few coins etc...What he doesn't know is on the inside of the top part of the box, i've taped a small price sheet that only I can see, and If he does see it, i just looks like an inventory for the box. As I'm looking over his inventory I can check out list prices, this is not always correct as pricing is subjective, But it sure gives a reference point. Especailly for those coin shops that don't price there inventory and you have to ask, I get really iritated when they use that code system, way to many times I fealt like the price of the coin was based on how much I looked like I could afford.

baccaruda

my dealer hands me the greysheet when i walk in.

ScarsdaleCoin

dont feel that way, a good dealer doesnt mind you and your red book....in fact I look at it like this...if everyone remembers phone numbers why do they publish the yellow pages....have a great day! Jon

baccaruda

i find it impressive that he doesn't need the sheet. i'll ask what he wants for this '36 D and he'll take a look at it for 2-3 secs and give me a price.

Steve27

That's very clever. I hate when the dealer has prices on the common coins but nothing on the rare/key coins. Then, as you point out, they want to charge based on what they think you can afford.

paigowjohnny

<< <i>plus most dealers get a little ticked if your caring around a redbook or greysheet. >>



That really baffles me. I've never seen that contempt outwardly from a dealer, even if they're feeling it inside. The day a dealer gets openly ticked off with me when I want to look at my references is the day he loses my business. As long as I'm not being a jackass about it or somehow negatively impacting his dealing with other customers, why should a dealer care what I'm looking at.

Hey dealers...remember the golden rule of retail..." The customer is always right...even when he isn't"

baccaruda

As long as I'm not being a jackass about it or somehow negatively impacting his dealing with other customers

like you hanging around the store all day yelling to the customers "oh man you got ripped!" while pointing to your price sheet?

Russ

I have an even sneakier way. I don't bring any pricelists at all, and if I see something I like and can afford, I buy it.

Russ, NCNE

baccaruda

i never even think about it. the first thing i usually do is grab a copy of coin world and pop it open to the price list while i look around.

the guys i go to know i only use it to get a "ballpark" number. if the coin looks great i'll pay more, if he really wants to move it i'll offer less.

i can see how they'd get agitated if you had your list there and went down the row offering exactly half of sheet no matter what the coin looks like. maybe they get the idea that you're there trying to get deals rather than enjoy the coins.

airplanenut

<< <i>I have an even sneakier way. I don't bring any pricelists at all, and if I see something I like and can afford, I buy it.

Russ, NCNE >>

Extraordinarily novel concept, Russ!

TheNumish

The only reason why I can think that the dealer doesn't want you to use a pricelist is that they are charging too much. Seems rediculous that you have to be "sneaky" to have to use your price guide.

maddox

Case in point, just got back from a shop that I rarely visit, picked out 15 PCGS Morgans, all MS64's common dates, asked the dealer his price and they were all about $10-$15 over the PCGS price guide. Checked my price list and mentioned that the prcing seemed kinda high for the grade and so I countered with an offer, which he accepted. Saved myself about $90. This was one of those shops with the code system. I have to admitt that i'm getting much better with the grades and pricing, but until I have the Morgan series memorized with regards to common-Key dates and mint marks, i'll keep using my little system. It works for me.

When I go into a shop I am always easy going and try my best to work with the dealer, I totaly respect dealers and never make a scene or hang around and waste there time, when I go in, I go into buy. I simply want to be as well informed on the pricing as possible.

paigowjohnny

I generally carry a copy of a recent CoinWorld Trends ...and I also bought a copy of the greysheet a few weeks back. When looking at coins, I'll bounce the price off those numbers and see if we're in the "reasonable" category. If some dealer is gonna get huffy about that...well he obviously doesn't need my meager business...

Barry

<< <i>... plus most dealers get a little ticked if your caring around a redbook or greysheet... >>


That is a dealer with whom I won't do business.

izzy452

At many coin shows, I have seen people wanting to sell coin to a dealer. And the first thing the dealer bring out are the sheets. So I see nothing wrong when you bring out the sheets.


Walt