Is the dealer in the wrong on this one?

achtey

I was in my local coin dealer last week. Now being a poor college student, I don't have alot of extra cash laying around. But I do buy enough coins to keep me satisfied. Right now I'm collecting the indian head cent set. I'm doing really good, only like 12 left to the set, but of course the 1877 and 1909-s are missing. Well, I was in the shop and talking to this guy about my collection and he gave me a hard time about the way I was collecting. He told me that I was wrong for collecting the easy dates first and then going after the hard ones. He then told me that my collection can't be very good if these are the coins I was buying and this was the way I'm building it and then he said that college students shouldn't be collecting coins because they can't build a worthwhile set. I was so offended that I walked out of the shop without buying any coins. Am I doing things backwards? I was buying enough coins to keep me happy until I get out of college and start getting some real money. I thought coin collecting was suppose to be fun. Let me know what you think.

Achtey

MrEureka

The dealer doesn't "get it". That is no way to give encouraging and friendly advice. (Or to build a business!)

Of course it's OK to start with the less expensive issues.

semicycler

There is only one rule to collecting: Collect what you enjoy.

Every other rule just doesn't matter. Keys first, keys last, quantity, quality, modern, classic, by type, by date & mint mark. Who cares what I think versus what you think. If you enjoy that way your are collecting, then its the right way.

BillJones

I think that the person you talked to was jerk!

Most collections contain far more common coins that rare ones. So far as holding a piece of history a common date is just good as most any rare date and just as worthy of becoming a part of a good collection.

Yes, some people say buy the rarities and key dates first because they are more likely to increase in value. But one really can't say that without looking at the market. Even rare dates can be overpriced a some point in time, and holding off on them can work out for the best. At any rate your collection is for you to enjoy, and as long as you are having fun, that's what counts.

Are there coins that I like better than others. Sure! Are the coins that others like that I don't care for? You bet! I catch flac because my detractors say I don't like modern coins. NOT TRUE. I only don't care for OVERPRICED modern coins, and I only warn people about them.

dan1ecu

It sounds to me like you're right, Achtey. I'd keep on collecting what makes me happy.

Dan

Russ

I think some coin dealers paid their Coin Dealer Training Seminar tuition by trading in their personality.

Russ, NCNE

CarlWohlforth

BillJones said it well as did the others.

I'm working on a complete type set. If I bought the keys first I would have no coins at all after years of collecting I may never be able to afford them. However I really enjoy learning about each new type I buy.

Clankeye

The dealer is totally in the wrong about this one, achtey.

There is no model that must be followed. Nothing carved in stone. No absolutes. There are people who will get more joy out of collecting souvenir spoons than some of the most well-heeled coin collectors in the world.

Have the courage and the guts to collect what you want, when you want it... and if it makes you happy, then you're ahead of the game.

I've been doing this off and on for more years than I care to admit, and the longer I do it the stronger my conviction grows that the rewards are totally personal. And to seek any kind of blessing, or validation from outside sources is bound to lead to confusion and unhappiness. Go with what ya know. Hi ho.

Clankeye

kranky

You thought coin collecting was supposed to be fun? You are absolutely correct!

Perhaps that dealer thought he could shame you into buying what he feels are "worthwhile" coins from him even if you can't really afford them. It might have been some weird reverse-psychology sales pitch. No matter - ignore him. I hope you are enjoying the way you are doing it right now and you continue to pursue your collection in whatever way you like. There are people who think any coin that's not worth slabbing isn't worth collecting, but that's not what everybody thinks.

The Indian Head set is very cool to me because it has the different metal composition coins, those two oddball mintmarked ones at the very end, and it's a long series. Best of luck with tracking down the last twelve! You've made great progress already.

Dog97

They say buy the keys first, they say buy the best grades you can afford, and I don't exactly know who they is but that's what I've always heard.
Most collectors buy the easy ones first then get discouraged when it comes time to buy the toughies because by then they are tired of it anyway so most "sets" are mostly complete sets but are always missing 1 or 2 coins. The "except for" coins, like I got all the IHC except for the 77 & 09-S or I got all the Mercs except for the 16-D.
Buying the higher grades keeps you from buying a GOOD, then updating to a FINE then going for an XF or VU. Instead of buying all the coins 4 times and taking a loss when you sell them just buy the higher grades to start with.
I can understand what the dealer was saying. He was trying to give you some friendly advice but he sounded like an arrogant a$$hole that acts like he is better & smarter than you because he had just finished reading that in CoinAge or one of the rags and he believes what they say too.
Just collect whatever you want but get decent coins don't be buying any junky problem coins, especially keys.

keets

you should probably return to his shop on a regular basis and when he tries to sell you something repeat the same answer to him, ad nauseum----I'M SAVING FOR A BU 1877, SO I THINK I'LL PASS FOR NOW.

do you think he'd ever get it?!!?

al h.

ldhair

Don't let anyone mess with your goal. Do what you wish to enjoy.

Heck, there is one here on the board that collects the lowest grade he can find and has fun doing so.

Sounds like your dealer wants you to buy what he has and not what you are after.

MacCoin

that dealer sure ain't the smartest guy around. A real pro would have pulled out the 08s,09s and 77, than told you what a great layaway plan he has and how nice these beautiful IHC would look in your collection.

Wondo

Your dealer is a few fries short of a happy meal!!! Collect what you want and what brings you pleasure. It doesn't matter what order, keys or commons, just make sure you get all the bleached blondes before the Mrs.

Dave99B

Achtey -

That dude sounds like a real jerk. Ignore him.

I must admit, though, he is partially correct (about buying the keys first). No one does it, but it will indeed save you a lot of money in the long haul. But on the other hand, you're a starving college student, so coughing up $1500 for a nice XF '77 is nuts!

Hang in there. Your IH cents are CLASSIC, and will make a great set.

Dave

achtey

Thank you all for your support!!!!!!!!!

I will continue to collect my set with or without any aid from this so called dealer. I think I will also be checking out other coin shops in the area. We'll see how it goes. Thanks again.


Achtey

Topdollarpaid

Congradulations! You have found a shop that is not worth waisting your time on, there are lots of Friendly coin shops out there. If you are ever in the area stop in at our shop. You will find that we sell coins from
4 cents on up. We always recomend that you collect what you like.

GOT KIDS? Please bring them along we have Hundreds of used albums and will gladly let the kids have one to help get them started. Every saturday we have free drawings. I have seen a little girl draw her own name out of the drum and get a $50.00 gift certificate. DID SHE EVER SMILE

Remember collect what you enjoy and enjoy what you collect.

lava

Hope i'm not too late to get my two cents in on this one. You have already gotten good advice to collect what helps maximize your enjoyment of the hobby. If I had to guess, I would think the dealer has mind in the clouds thinking about giving you investment advice. When you start spending serious bucks, then you will need to revisit your strategy. That day will come. I commend you for trying to enjoy the hobby in the meantime on your college budget. We have all been there. When I was in college I lived in the ghetto to save money. Turns out, with stolen tires, damage to car, breaking into apartment, gunfire into the windows, etc., not to mention a murder just a block down, multiple car accidents outside the front door, and along with several thwarted rape attempts, the fire caused by the prostitute high on drugs, ... well, you get the idea .... Not everyone is in the same league of collecting. It won't be long until you get to the big time, but in the meantime, get educated, in school and in coins. The mistakes you make now in your coin buying get out of your system while the purchase amounts are small. When you can afford more, you want to have all of those buying mistakes out of your system.

just my humble ipinion