I met a real slimeball dealer yesterday...

ksteelheader

I was looking through some SMS sets at a dealers table at Baltimore. He finally asked, after I had looked at about a dozen sets, "What the hell are you looking for?" I replied that I was looking for cameo coins. He replied, "I don't play that game at my table!" So, I just calmly told him that I just don't buy from people like him and walked away........

LucyBop

hmmm......


you handled it well.........

good for you........

MFH

Good for you. Rude dealers only get what they deserve. NOTHING.

mercurynut

There is one slimball in every crowd.

sumnom

Unfortunate.

RGL

And, even if you were not looking for CAMs, he expects you to take just any old set without looking through them? Geeshhh... too many dealers and sellers and coins out there to tolerate people like him. You should have brought along someone to pow him in the Frankies, Ken.

DHeath

Ken,

When I'm dealing with a dealer I don't know, I usually start by explaining I'm working on a few proof sets, and that I'm only looking for cameo coins, but I'll be happy to pay ask if I find anything I need. Sometimes they'll say, "Oh, well what you want is here", and pull sets out you wouldn't get to see.

razorface1027

Rude individual Ken...Steer clear of such knuckleheads. Reminds me of a local fellow that sells coins. After the 3rd time visiting his store for coin supplies, I stopped going. Rude!

MrEureka

He replied, "I don't play that game at my table!"

Then he shouldn't have put the sets out for sale.

BTW, I also wouldn't "play that game". That's why I won't even bring my proof and mint sets to shows.

Jupiter

what a pointless thread..i woulda said the same thing steelhead

MatthewBabcock

Pointless thread or not, but I was at Baltimore yesterday (Sat) and I ran into a few that couldn't care less that I was there...

One was rude to me... I spent several extra minutes trying to coral my 4 kids, blocking access to his table...

One looked down his nose at my kids being there... I turned my 9 year old daughter loose on that table to pick through everything... She had her shopping list and kept checking it against what she was finding on the table... Too bad she didn't find anything that she wanted to buy...

Most weren't sure what to think when my clan approached... Most of these people seemed to decide that a smile was best...

All in all, I'd have to say that I thought that the dealers this year were nicer to deal with (over all), when compared to last year.

lathmach

I've had dealers get real upset when they realized I was cherrypicking them.
Whose fault is it though, when they're too dumb or too lazy to find out what they have?

Ray

BeeMan

I have had an experience like that before. Are you supposed to just buy anything without looking at it? Do they? If they are too lazy to look through what they are selling that is their problem not mine. Don't put it out there then.

LucyBop

oh look jupiter the troll crawled out from under the bridge, and with yet more valuable input....

jupiter, really, whose Alt ID are you?

XpipedreamR

I don't understand this mentality regarding mint/proof sets. Why shouldn't you look at the coins in each set? I collect coins, not pieces of plastic. Because it's in a freaking piece of plastic from the mint, the coins are somehow irrelevant? What a load. I'll look at every damn coin until I'm satisfied it meets my standards, whatever they are. If that's a problem, then I'd be happy to recommend the dealer a new storage location for his rotten coins

fcloud

This is how one dealer, at a local show, had treated my son when he was 8 years old. We used to hit about four shows a year up to that point. The only coins he now collects are the coins I give him for Christmas.

He had picked out a nice Proof Ike Dollar. He paid the guy and they guy switched to coin. To this day I have only been able to get him to about three shows. (He is now 22.) And when I can get him to go he will not buy a single coin. So, who loses? The dealers in my book. I refuse to buy from any dealer sight unseen, and when I purchase on the internet, I make sure there is a return policy!

Rodius

So, let me ask?? Is it a bad thing to cherry pick at the shows. I was one of the Long Beach shows and at the PCGS table they made an announcement about the days greatest find. It was a Franklin that graded MS69FBL and was worth over $10,000. The person bought it cherry picking and had it graded at the show. It this a bad thing????

roadrunner

Ray,

If I ever see you cherry pickin at my table again I'm gonna have you tossed off the bourse floor!!!

roadrunner

LucyBop

<< <i>It was a Franklin that graded MS69FBL >>




MINT STATE 69!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????????????????????

LucyBop

I don't even think one has ever graded ms68......

Rodius

You are right about the grade, more than likely a 67 or 68, but the final value of the coin and the point of digging and searching at the shows. That's what makes it so fun.

oreville

Interesting thread.

Back in the 1970's when I was known as the mint set man and did coin shows in Ohio and New York, I put out my mint sets for sale with a card next to them as follows:

<<<<<<<<<<<<Feel free to pick out the best of my mint or proof sets. $2 extra each for the u-pick them sets. >>>>>>>>>>>>>

The cherrypickers had no problem with that because I was upfront about that. The $2 then is probably more like $5 to $7 today.

You know what happened? At nearly show the cherrypickers bought out my entire stock of proof and mint sets rather than waste time picking them out one by one. There were too many tables to cherrypick. But of course, I got to keep the best of the best ahead of time for my personal collection.

LAWMAN

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Dealers who are rude, obnoxious, or inattentive are just plain dumb.

Russ

<< <i>It was a Franklin that graded MS69FBL and was worth over $10,000. >>



I have a hunch that an MS69FBL Frankie from any year would bring just a bit more than $10K.

Russ, NCNE

Barry

<< <i>...I collect coins, not pieces of plastic... >>


Pretty unusual for around here

ksteelheader

A thread about a slimeball and another one shows up....Jupiter

tradedollarnut

With all due respect, the dealer's comment hardly makes him a slimeball. Rude? Perhaps.... but so is taking up a dealer's time with very little prospect of a sale.

CoinHusker

<< <i>All in all, I'd have to say that I thought that the dealers this year were nicer to deal with (over all), when compared to last year. >>



Why is it that the people with lousy people skills get jobs that have to deal with the public?

JadeRareCoin

Ken, you should have reported that pinhead dealer to the show officials. They would at least have walked over and given him a verbal reprimand. As a dealer, I have had many similar experiences and I will NEVER understand why some people (dealers and collectors) act that way.

Here's one example: I was set-up across the isle from a dealer at the MSNS show several years ago. I was in the annex room. This guy had 2 or 3 tables and has his cases tipped at a 45 degree angle. Traffic had slowed down, so I walked over and asked him for his best price on a bust half. This old grump's eyes got scrunched together and he started to literally yell at me; "the price marked is the price....I don't need people coming around trying to bust me down on my best coins, blah, blah, blah..." I was walking away as he was still babbling. I went back to our table and James and I had fun watching him react with the public for the rest of the show. I think he sold 1 or 2 coins after that. Why was he so rude? I dunno. Maybe he had a 4 pound hemmorhoid, but still, if that's the case, then just stay home. I still see the guy at many shows and avoid him like the plague. Another dealer at a St. Louis show yelled at my 4 year old son one time. I wanted to slap the taste out of his mouth, but why stoop to their level?

MrEureka

I wanted to slap the taste out of his mouth, but why stoop to their level?

To teach them not to do it again?

razorface1027

Rude? Perhaps.... but so is taking up a dealer's time with very little prospect of a sale.

Correct me if I'm wrong...Have I been under the gross misconception that the "Customer is king?" Without the buyer/potential buyer, how would the vendors survive? I didn't think rudeness was part of salesmanship.

stman

These "poor" dealers. They are just trying to make a buck (in between picking their nose and eating hamburgers all the time) and you guys always wanting to cherry-pick them and say they are rude and grumpy. They are just trying to educate us dumb collectors for the better of the hobby. They are tired, away from their families, jet lag, attending auctions, staying up all night buying and selling in hotel rooms, and putting up with a bunch of nickel & dime stupid collectors.

Just ask them what are the undervalued coins and they will help you out. Simple as that.

BTW.... when are all the "NEWPS" gonna be posted?

MrEureka

I didn't think rudeness was part of salesmanship.

It's not. But that doesn't change the fact that it is inconsiderate of a buyer to waste a dealer's time, doubly so when the only possible purchase is a cherrypick.

MrEureka

These "poor" dealers. They are just trying to make a buck (in between picking their nose and eating hamburgers all the time) and you guys always wanting to cherry-pick them and say they are rude and grumpy. They are just trying to educate us dumb collectors for the better of the hobby.

Stman - As a vegetarian coin dealer, I am somewhat offended by that hamburger comment.

razorface1027

It's not. But that doesn't change the fact that it is inconsiderate of a buyer to waste a dealer's time, doubly so when the only possible purchase is a cherrypick.

True! I guess the vendor had buyers out the wahzoo this particular instance and couldn't afford the time to allow a cherrypicker to peer upon his/her goods.

stman

<< <i>Stman - As a vegetarian coin dealer, I am somewhat offended by that hamburger comment. >>



Sorry guy. OK, while you are gobbling up your sprouts. Better?

ksteelheader

Actually, I was the only customer at the time. And, I went by there many more times that day and never saw anybody at his table. So, maybe he already has a bad reputation.....Ken

darktone

Sorry to hear of your bad expewrience Ken. Just remember the guy and share his name with your freinds. I saw the bozo I had a problem with at another small show today and he was standing all alone at his table while the rest of the show was packed. I guess in the end these people get what they deserve. As far as dealers not wanting you to look through their mint and proof sets is idiotic! What Oreville said about charging $2 more for sets if you pick them out is kind of stupid also(sorry Oreville) but if a dealer is not smart enough to know to put a higher price on a better set then it's his fault. It's like having three $5 libs one in MS61($200) one in MS62($300) and one in MS63($600) and asking MS62 money($300) for any one of them and then getting upset when you pick out the MS63 coin - what the hell do they expect you to do? Look through their sets and not take the best one? mike

BAJJERFAN

Who was the sorry SOB?

Russ

<< <i>But that doesn't change the fact that it is inconsiderate of a buyer to waste a dealer's time >>



There would be no waste of the dealer's time if said dealer actually had some nice sets or coins to buy. I don't go to shows to browse, I go to BUY. The problem is that I see the same old junk show after show and usually find nothing worth a damn.

Russ, NCNE

JadeRareCoin

show etiquette is applicable to both dealers and collectors. I have had similar bad experiences with collectors who are rude. Like the guys who come up to your table and set their 3 gallon Big Gulp on your case and sort through their papers. After blocking your case and scaring away customers for 15 minutes they move on.

One time a guy came to our table and asked us to buy his GSA CC dollar. James told him that we weren't interested and suggested that he find a dealer with Morgan Dollars in his case and then ask him to offer on the coin. I guess he liked James and kept asking him to offer. James kept saying stuff like "well, we don't deal with that type of material, so our offer would be weak", etc, etc. Finally, after pushing James several times, James made an offer. I don't recall the specifics, but it was something like 10% back of bid. The guy went nuts! Starting yelling and hootin' and hollerin'. He called James a few choice names. After the smoke cleared, it was kind of humorous. I got the full story from another dealer at the show later that day; the guy bought the coin from a telemarketer for 2 or 3X retail.

Russ

<< <i>Like the guys who come up to your table and set their 3 gallon Big Gulp on your case and sort through their papers >>



You dealers should like me. The only thing I carry around at shows is a loupe and money. Plus, because I'm skinny, I take up very little room in front of the showcase.

Russ, NCNE

JadeRareCoin

The only thing I carry around at shows is a loupe and money.

What about your Slab-Caddy?

Russ

<< <i>What about your Slab-Caddy? >>



It's not carried. Hangs on a belt loop.

Russ, NCNE

ealandg

I think what dealers sometimes fail to realize is that numismatics is just like any other business. Customer service is important. Quality product is important. No one would think it even a little odd for a woman shopping for a sweater to go through the rack and pass over ones with a pulled thread in favor of one without.

The "grumpy dealer syndrome" makes me laugh. What a bunch of morons! That seedy looking guy with the ponytail and the full beard could be the next Eliasberg. It is not unusual for large buyers to "sample" first, to see how you behave towards your clients.

I used to work with big department stores selling some wholesale product in my previous job - Sears, Macy's, Fred Meyer, etc. We had shows for our products and you never knew which person might be a "big shot" and who was just a mom 'n pop. You treat all of your customers like gold because you never know which one is going to turn out to be the "big shot".

MICHAELDIXON

Ken,
You can cherrypick my sets at the June show. The only time I sell a cameo set or variety set is if the person sold it to me as such. Otherwise, I won't cherrypick sets-EVEN if board members ask!

nickel

to stman , jadecoin,beeman and others on this thread . while i agree with many of the boards comments , i would like to post my two cents worth . I have worked tables at florida fun and baltimore a few times . while it does matter on a dealers attitude , any given day , dealers will walk up to our table , ask to see the stack of proof sets in the late fifties and early sixties , and spend time 'cherrypicking' the ones they like . they are 'allowed to do that , cause they will drop many dollars , and see us at the next big show . my 'boss' will allow collectors to poke through the sets also , but doesnt 'work' with them . Want it? its XX dollars , dont like it? Bye. Some need to make maximum dollars , Others make less and are content

mnmcoin

Cool thread, very fun read. It is funny as much cherry-picking I do, I really never had any problems like this. I guess it does pay to be 6'7" 330 pounds...no one harrasses you.

morris <><

RYK

With all due respect, the dealer's comment hardly makes him a slimeball. Rude? Perhaps.... but so is taking up a dealer's time with very little prospect of a sale

I tend to agree with TDN on this.

Rude: "Get the hell outta here."
Slimeball: Slits the plastic, cleans the coins, and reseals them to be sold as original.

Neither is good, but at least you know where you stand with Mr. Rude.

LucyBop

<< <i>That seedy looking guy with the ponytail and the full beard >>



You've seen Russ?

K6AZ

There will always be three or four of these kind of dealers in any show. I've pretty much learned who they are and avoid them. Then you have dealers at the other extreme. I remember last year at Charlotte waiting for a dealer to finish up with a kid so I could ask him about some Morgans he had. He spent about 15 minutes with the kid, explaining how to handle and store coins. When the kid was done picking out what he wanted, the total came out to $12. The dealer knocked off $2 and took $10. I bought several coins from that dealer, some a little more than I would have otherwise simply because he had a great attitude.