Question for dealers about etiquette

WhiteTornado

I was in a local shop today and another customer came in with a key date Morgan. I had my back to her and the dealer, as I was at another counter browsing. I could hear them talking about it and they started discussing the option of having it slabbed. The dealer said he would normally suggest PCGS or even NGC, but "with this stuff on it, it's likely to get what they call bodybagged". He also mentioned the Net Grade feature of ANACS slabbing, but overall he suggested she simply keep it raw for the time being.

My question: would it have been rude to ask to see what that "stuff" on it was? I was just curious about it, in an attempt to further my own numismatic knowledge. I didn't interrupt as I wasn't sure how that would have been received by either the customer or the dealer.

Note: I realize this involved a Liteside coin, but I do trust the opinions of our Darkside dealers.

CIVITAS

Tough call. Generally, I consider it good practice to stay out of other's people's business (whether you're a dealer, collector, buyer or seller). Asking after the fact would be OK though. I wouldn't mind that, as I'm always happy to educate my customers. But when purchasing an item, I always like to be in control of the situation, and having a customer nosing in (even with the most innocent of intentions) takes away from that control.

WhiteTornado

I suppose I could have asked the dealer about it after the customer had left. I was especially curious because I had a Mexican peso at one time that would have been a choice BU except for some brown junk on one side. I was wondering if this junk looked like that junk.

danglen

I totally agree with Josh

markglicker

If you inquired politely, no one should have minded.