Is there a need for a listing, by a reputable organization, of dealers who are first rate?

TahoeDale

Maybe politics will eventually take over, but in the meantime, would the coin collecting community benefit by an acceptable company rating coin dealers?

Many professions have published information on the integrity and experience of its members.. Can it be done with Auction companies, dealers, coin show promoters?

Lawyers have Martindale Hubbell, Doctors are Board-Certified in their specialty, and even politicians have approval ratings. Not all are accurate, but it is a start.

It might be fun to see the wars that would be waged, when a big firm is left out, and/or a supposed wannabe is included.

Just a thought.

tradedollarnut

It wouldn't work. For a prime example of why - see BigDave's rant thread over ANR in the Coin Forum. First class organization takes it on the chin over a mixup on a $50 coin.

roadrunner

You could never come up with a suitable criteria. On a top 10 list generated by this forum we could all come up with numerous holes in each company's business. These are not publically owned companies who are responsible to a board or shareholders.

Look where coins came from in the 1970's. That mentality, while somewhat eased by slabbing, is still prevalent. Maybe in another 10-20 years we can see where we're at again. The majority of coin firms are about making money for the owners, not for the customers. If you want to judge them on that, it would be fair.
Dealers are not in business to give stuff away or make 5-10% a year.

PNG is probably the best seal of approval in the business. But it doesn't ensure you against loss. Just guarantees that a dispute can be heard, not that the result will be to your favor.

roadrunner

dpoole

I always thought that a "Goodhousekeeping Seal of Approval" sort of thing would be useful, if an organization or trade magazine published a set of standards criteria and were able to secure data and customer ratings concerning individual dealers, rating them or simply certifying them as meeting said standards.

tradedollarnut

I always thought that a "Goodhousekeeping Seal of Approval" sort of thing would be useful, if an organization or trade magazine published a set of standards criteria and were able to secure data and customer ratings concerning individual dealers, rating them or simply certifying them as meeting said standards.

In the real world, such things are usually political or bought..

dpoole

<< <i>In the real world, such things are usually political or bought.. >>



The real world sux, TDN. You really should consider joining me in mine.




Seriously, thouhg. Were such an organization allow their certifications to be debased, the fact would quickly become apparent to the knowledgeable audience, the word would go out on places like CU Forums before the brbery had been spent, and the group would have gone to all the trouble and expense to no purpose.

"Bought" raters become known in short order. Conscientious raters (like Consumer Union) are widely respected, are valued, and thrive.

tradedollarnut

The ANA's grading company endorsement is bought. Knowledge of this fact doesn't seem to have impacted them at all.... nor the price it takes to purchase it.

michael

currently the michael rating is unsurpassed on who is reputable in the coin game

DMWJR

Ah, popularity contests!

roadrunner

Michael, are there more than 2-5 dealers on your "seal of approval"
list? That might be a too rigid for most around here.

roadrunner