Friends and the PCGS Forums.

keets

So, do you have any success inviting any of your collecting friends to the PCGS Forums?? I recently encouraged another local club member who went online----finally----to join, or to at least lurk for awhile to test the waters. This isn't the first time I've done this with someone in my local collecting fraternity. To date none have shown up and all have given rather pathetic excuses as to why not.

Is this place really that frightening or intimidating to newcomers?? I can think of no other explanation for resistance to what goes on here aside from plain and simple fear!! The twist is startling as seen from my lofty perch. The wealth of information and collector experience available here has pushed me past the others who regularly attend our area's coin clubs. It's noticeable when comparing where our collections are going. I give due credit to these Forums and plead, beg for them to check them out.

Please don't mistake anything I've said as being egotistical. I've learned so much here that it can be mind boggling sometimes, and yet I constantly am taught how much more there is to grasp about the hobby as a whole or even a small segment of it that I focus on. Members have encouraged me to attend shows of all sizes, to look at as many coins as possible, buy books and read them, ask questions and share what I've learned. It's sometimes humorous and sometimes sad to see the locals collecting with their feet firmly cemented in the concrete of 20 years passed!! To an extent, they don't even realize what they hold in their collections.

Have any other of you regulars had similar encounters when inviting collectors here?? Are we really that intimidating?

Al H.

a couple of gems snapped up at local club auctions in 2003 from collectors who had not the foggiest idea what they had. my advantage was gained from being involved with the Forums.

currently in a PCGS PR67 Rev. 1938 holder/highest grade 1 of 8.


currently in an NGC MS66 holder/Breen 7540 and 1 of perhaps 25-40 known.


currently in an NGC MS63 holder/Breen 7541 and 1 of perhaps 13-20 known.

MatthewBabcock

I'm new here... I joined because I wanted to learn more. I have no fear...

As to inviting others to join, I have had a crazy schedule that hasn't allowed me the opportunity to meet with other local collectors (other than a few shows in Baltimore).

rottnrog

I am a Newbie" also. I was invited by DPoole and src53 when I met them at the FUN show. I have not really felt intimidated but it did take some getting used to!

Now if I can learn to keep quiet on the political threads I will be OK!! But I doubt that will happen, sorry GSA!!!

cosmicdebris

I starting emailing back and forth with a guy from Greece after I won a coin from him on eBay. He now posts here all the time. We even met up and had dinner at the ANA in Baltimore last year.

GottaGetCoins

As a newcomer I can say that this forum is anything but intimidating. Everyone has been so helpful here. I cannot tell you how much I have learned in such a short time. The forum has given me the direction I needed.

To me it is less intimidating than joining a club. By the way, anyone know where I can find local coin clubs on Long Island NY?

Stuart

Keets: I am taking a different approach and am trying to encourage local Houston Forum Members to meet regularly (in person) once or twice a month so that we can socialize and hold swap meets to get to know one another on a personal basis.

My first suggestion is for us to meet at tomorrow night's Bellaire Coin Club Meeting, which meets twice monthly in a relatively central Houston location. The facilities are already appropriated, so it's a no brainer... It also may stimulate more membership in that specific coin club (at only $10 a year membership fee).

I'll keep other members informed of whether or not this takes off...

EVillageProwler

I have a good friend who lurks here regularly. I've encouraged him to register so he may post if and when he wants. Yet he refuses to register because he says that he doesn't want anyone to know who he is. Lame, I know, 'cuz many people already know who he is. What can I do but shrug? He lurks here so much that he occassionally calls me to tell me of a thread that I need to read.

I hope he reads this.

I have a few others, some of whom are already registered, who can't find the time nor desire to spend any meaningful time here anymore. Their excuse? Mostly that they're simply too busy and they find the content here to be incidental to their numismatic activity.

But, I have no friend who is afraid of this place -- Wild, Wild West it can seem at times to newcomers.

EVP

DHeath

I've invited several friends who are good collectors. I think we'd benefit from their participation, and so would they. So far, they haven't taken the time. On is a VAM collector with a great eye for coins who likes color. He sets up a booth at all of the local and most of the regional shows, and attends some of the nationals. Smart guy, who puts lots of energy into the hobby. Maybe he'll get off the fence.

ksteelheader

I've a least gotten one person to come here and lurk. Now, I need to do a little more prodding to get him to register......Ken

keets

interesting responses thus far. i think it's fascinating to understand that fear is such a strong motivational emotion, basic and primal, that it forces many into denial of it's mere existence. hence, the many excuses for not wanting to join. funny actually. Winston Churchill summed up quite well.

al h.

Myriads

I am webmaster of two online forums, and the issue of people joining and actully posting is one that I have a lot of experience with.

For many it's a big mental leap to make a post. Feeling intimidated is only one of them. When a new person comes to an established forum like this one they are faced with a culture that is often totally new to them. For example I had no clue what 'Lightside and Darkside' indicated when I first came here. I figured it out after a bit, but it was a puzzle that prevented me from understanding some stuff for a bit. There are a lot of other things like that. They add up, and present a learning hurdle that a new person must overcome mentally.

Then there are the 'regulars' who all clearly know each other, and are able to banter and goof about easily. Such folks are the ones that define a forums culture. If they are welcoming and open the forum tends to be, if they are not, then you get an insular forum. BUT in either case, the new person is faced with a clique that for good or bad they have to approach. For many that's a hard step.

Others feel they have nothing new to say or add in the face of the vast knowledge already on the forum. So they stay silent. Others find what they need in older posts, and see no need to ask once they search a bit.

Asking questions is the main reason that people join and post on forums like this one (The other being to share thier collections with others who will appreciate them), and asking for help is a act that some have difficulty doing. So some take a while to work up to doing it. (Of course the more outgoing just dive in and ask) Eventully some do. Many just lurk, and read the answers they seek when asked by others.

A basic rule is that for every 10 people who join a online forum, 5 never post, 2 post one or twice then vanish, 2 post on occasion and stay active at a low level, and 1 becomes some level of regular poster. Some of the non-posters can be VERY active in PM's and direct e-mail communications. They are comfortable behind the sceens of the community so to speak.

This forum has an excellent culture. It's welcoming and open to new folks. Compared to many online communities it's wide open. The regulars do a great job at welcoming and encouraging those who come here. I'm always impressed by the group. It has an amazing range of ages, levels of skill in the hobbly from top end dealers to people who are filling albums from change, and it is trully is a communinty joined by the single aspect of all of us enjoying the hobby.

Myriads

wallstreetman

I just noticed everyone was thirsty for some Koolaid, so I joined in!

XpipedreamR

I think that it can be frightening/intimidating. That's pretty odd when you think about it, considering that the site can be as anonymous as you want it to be, and no one can reach through the screen to do you any harm. In the same way radio can be considered to be "theater of the mind," I think that these kind of internet communities are like "societies of the mind." People can create their internet world or identity anyway they want, but I think that what most people bring to the table is a pretty accurate reflection of their "real" personality, at least over the long term. It can be difficult to break into a new clique of people, whether in real life, or here on the internet. I that in this case, the difficulty may be enhanced by nature of the community, i.e., coin collectors. I think that most collecting is a generally solitary pursuit, and coin collectors in particular seem to me to be...well, maybe not the most social creatures I've encountered. This is, of course, a gross generalization and there are certainly plenty of exceptions.

I know that I lurked for a couple months, and even after I joined, I was still hesitant to jump into the fray. I have obviously overcome that

I'll admit, though,that even after 5000+ over the past 5 months, there are still certain prominent members that I see as grumpy and overly confrontational, and who give me the willies. I generally avoid their threads, or make very minimal contact with them. What can they do to me? Absolutely nothing. But I just have a certain image of them as someone that I need to watch my step around, just as in real life. Maybe my impression of them is baseless, just like some people I regard in this way in real life.


Anyway, it's time for breakfast now

keets

hey Myriads

the real icing on the cake is to drive 500 miles to meet some of the bozos you've known for a while and have an enjoyable meal and day together!! it never fails that they are smiling one and all. of course, i imagine there are lurkers there, also. darn those name tags!! i think i'll start wearing one that says Coinguy1!!

al h.

darktone

I recently invited a friend to join this forum that could teach us all a little something about coins but he decided that it would conflict with his coin business and that it would be best if he did not join. I wish I could change his mind somehow but he gave me indications that there was nothing I could do to change his mind. Too bad as he has the most enjoyable coin stories and coin talk. mike

EVillageProwler

he decided that it would conflict with his coin business and that it would be best if he did not join

This is a place where coin dealers must tread very carefully. The sentiment from at least a few around here towards dealers is very negative and vocal, and I've seen them initiate a groundswell of negativity towards dealers quite often.

I'm sure we have some idea of who these folks are -- the ones who feel that someone owes them for something, yet they feel that they owe nothing back to no one else. In short, they feel that the world revolves around them.

It's too bad, though, 'cuz the average person around here is quite nice and normal. Yet, the average person also tends to lend credence to anything he reads in print. And, that's how you start a groundswell based on factless assertions.

For dealers, it's their livelihood (their reputation, profession, etc.) being attacked and threatened. Then they ask: "Why bother? What do I gain from coming here?" And, they stay away. Dealers are business people first and foremost. Their decisions tend to be the result of a cold calculus.

For the typical collector, this is a place of fun.

EVP

Bear

I suppose people are afraid of looking stupid and foolish in front of a lot

of cyber folks.It nothing to be afraid of. You get used to looking stupid and foolish

rather quickly.Some of us are charming, brilliant and nice. I havent met any of those people as yet,

but I am sure that they exist.

Now seriously, we are just a bunch of down home folkes, having fun and exchanging knowledge.

Everyone has something of value to contribute to this Forum. Remember, If we all knew everything

there was to know, we would all be rich, successful and happy. Since we are non of those things,

I guess we must be your everyday average folks.

mdwoods

It can be intimidating to newcomers. It is a great source of information, valuable contacts and can be a place to develop friendships.

clw54

I don't know any collectors outside of this place, so I can't say I've ever recruited anybody to this forum. It's the other way around, actually. Outside of work, I've met more people because of these forums than I have for years. This is a good place.

cladking

The amazing thing to me was the number of old friends and correspondents I found when I got here.
It's mostly coincidence probably that so many preceded me here. Despite my actively trying to recruit
other dealers, collectors, and correspondents there have been none to join. Go figure.

Many people just don't seem to have much to say publicly. Where some can't stay away, others have
no interest. It is what makes the world go round.

stman

<< <i>I'll admit, though,that even after 5000+ over the past 5 months, there are still certain prominent members that I see as grumpy and overly confrontational, and who give me the willies. I generally avoid their threads, or make very minimal contact with them. What can they do to me? Absolutely nothing. But I just have a certain image of them as someone that I need to watch my step around, just as in real life. Maybe my impression of them is baseless, just like some people I regard in this way in real life. >>



Who is GRUMPY? It's OK, I'm used to being ignored and avoided.

mgoodm3

You guys are the only collecting friends that I have.

Jody526

There are probably many reasons people don't join in discussions here. Most have already been mentioned. It can sometimes be very frustrating trying to navigate through all the chat and off topic posts. It's also probably not the best forum I have seen for the average young collector. This is quite understandable though, as most collectors aren't interrested in "top pops" or "killer toners".
For the most part, this is a great forum, and I'm glad I joined.
But in reference to the OP, I really don't think fear or intimidation is a big factor in getting people to participate. JMHO

Jody

LucyBop

<< <i>Who is GRUMPY? It's OK, I'm used to being ignored and avoided. >>



I like those GRUMPY cats!

stman

<< <i>

<< <i>Who is GRUMPY? It's OK, I'm used to being ignored and avoided. >>



I like those GRUMPY cats! >>

RCDB

I lurked for about a year. I got some great tips and info in that time. I guess what stopped me from jumping right in was a lack of familiarity with the culture that obviously exists between those of you that are long time members. I enjoy collecting different things, so I don't have any overwhelming expertise in any one coin or series. If you don't specialize, you might initially be outside your comfort zone here.

slothman2000

Is the movie "The Spy Who Loved Me"?????

Bear

A coming out on the Forum is a little like a maiden speach in the US Senate.

One always uses care in the early comments untill the players and personalities

are understood. Just as with real life, we are really not as we appear on the net.

Our grumpies turn out to be very nice and polite in real life, and the nice people

turn out to be even nicer. Once in a while, all of us may get a bit snarley and gnash our

teeth , especially if we have had a bad day or a bad week. But we all recover and life goes on.

Everything worth doing in life means taking a risk and venturing out a ways in uncharted lands.

Sure it can be a little scary, but on the whole it is very rewarding. In 6-12 months , you will be the

old timer welcoming the new folks to the Board. All the advice one needs to do well, is be polite,

be friendly and be honest. If you do those three things, then you will do well on this Forum and in

life. Bear

doop

<< <i>I am a Newbie" also. I was invited by DPoole and src53 when I met them at the FUN show. I have not really felt intimidated but it did take some getting used to!

Now if I can learn to keep quiet on the political threads I will be OK!! But I doubt that will happen, sorry GSA!!! >>


Son, coin collecting and/or dealing is a serious affair
that which contains much passion and Very serious regard