Bad coin shopping experience
carl
Posts: 2,054 ✭
Over the years there has been several requests for reputable coin dealers on this forum. I've noticed almost every time there is a reference to Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. I used to work in the towntown area of Chicago where they are located and used to visit very often. They USED to be one of my favorite coin dealers even over coin shows and flea markets. They USED to have a fantastic assortment of just about everything for really decent prices. They used to give me a great discount from the prices shown on the coins. So although not working in that area I decided to take a trip there which is a good hours time to see and buy some coins. I first checked out their web site, made a list of what I wanted to purchase and headed for that place. I was very disturbed at what I saw in the window where they usually put the best or most popular. Nothing on the web site was there. Went in and was ignored by the guy that has waited on me for many, many years. He just walked away. A lady that I never saw before did wait on me and had to go to the window to bring out the trays for me to look at. A large quantity of the coins actually looked cleaned and were noted as such. None of the coins on the web site were there. All the prices were higher than they should have been. I asked if there is still a usual discount over the listed price and was told would have to ask. Dissapeared into the back room and came out and said there is very little to take off of any of their super special coins. None of their so called special coins were worth my time. I wanted to discuss my concerns with the guy I usually deal with but he was to busy to even bother with a customer. My very, very last visit to that coin shop. I stopped at a bar prior to going home to drown my sorrows.
Carl
0
Comments
Russ, NCNE
This is the first bad report I've heard in a long time and most people seem very happy with
the experience whether they're newbies or advanced collectors.
Several of the coins that you picked out of the window were from the "NEW TOYS" trays. Our standard policy is that we do not discount new purchases for a month or so, or until they are transferred to the regular display trays. That is why I date the "NEW TOYS" trays with the day that they went in the window. This was nothing personal, since I won't even give discounts to other dealers on them during this period.
I did give you $5 off on the total because some of the coins, such as the 1925-D cent (cleaned, as noted on the holder) had been in the window (and on our website, along with approximately 1,922 other U.S. coins) for a while. This brought the total down to $127.
Tom DeLorey
For Harlan J. Berk, Ltd.
<< <i>Over the years there has been several requests for reputable coin dealers on this forum. I've noticed almost every time there is a reference to Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. I used to work in the towntown area of Chicago where they are located and used to visit very often. They USED to be one of my favorite coin dealers even over coin shows and flea markets. They USED to have a fantastic assortment of just about everything for really decent prices. They used to give me a great discount from the prices shown on the coins. So although not working in that area I decided to take a trip there which is a good hours time to see and buy some coins. I first checked out their web site, made a list of what I wanted to purchase and headed for that place. I was very disturbed at what I saw in the window where they usually put the best or most popular. Nothing on the web site was there. Went in and was ignored by the guy that has waited on me for many, many years. He just walked away. A lady that I never saw before did wait on me and had to go to the window to bring out the trays for me to look at. A large quantity of the coins actually looked cleaned and were noted as such. None of the coins on the web site were there. All the prices were higher than they should have been. I asked if there is still a usual discount over the listed price and was told would have to ask. Dissapeared into the back room and came out and said there is very little to take off of any of their super special coins. None of their so called special coins were worth my time. I wanted to discuss my concerns with the guy I usually deal with but he was to busy to even bother with a customer. My very, very last visit to that coin shop. I stopped at a bar prior to going home to drown my sorrows. >>
<< <i>A large quantity of the coins actually looked cleaned and were noted as such. >>
Actually, I'm quite pleased to here of a coin shop that would note such problems. Most coin shops seem to just plead ignorance.
<< <i>
<< <i>A large quantity of the coins actually looked cleaned and were noted as such. >>
Actually, I'm quite pleased to here of a coin shop that would note such problems. Most coin shops seem to just plead ignorance. >>
I had that experience recently at a brick + mortar shop. Looking through half dimes while the proprietor was pumping how great the cleaned ones were and downplaying the original ones that I ended up buying. Guess maybe they were trying to push off some damaged inventory and were hoping I didn't know the difference. I kind of laughed but didn't mention anything, bought my coins...which were great and had a good day.
<< <i>
<< <i>A large quantity of the coins actually looked cleaned and were noted as such. >>
Actually, I'm quite pleased to here of a coin shop that would note such problems............... >>
1. Whenever you go into a shop like that, approach it as though it's your first visit. Lower your expectations a little. The moment you felt let down in one aspect, it sort of set the stage for the rest of the dominoes to tumble. Have a brighter attitude.
2. Don't ask up front if they offer discounts on everything. Barter over individual coins as opposed to asking for an automatic discount on all their coins.
Guy
I've had several experiences with HJB and all have been first rate....Mike
Just my 2 cents
BigBen
i will steer clear of this shop if i ever get to the windy city
You need to treat each customer with courtesy. You can't afford to have a bad day.
Your loss then, Michael. HJB is a perfectly fine group of people to buy coins from IMO.
--Severian the Lame
You can have 10 tables in the restaurant, nine have a wondeful evening and you will be lucky if the tell one other person about it. However, the tenth table has a bad evening. You can bet they will tell every single person they know. And more than half the time that tenth table has never said a word to anyone who works there about whatever was bothering them.
<< <i>Sorry to hear you so unhappy. Had you asked to speak with me I would have been glad to speak with you, but I was working on a project and Laura says you never asked to.
Several of the coins that you picked out of the window were from the "NEW TOYS" trays. Our standard policy is that we do not discount new purchases for a month or so, or until they are transferred to the regular display trays. That is why I date the "NEW TOYS" trays with the day that they went in the window. This was nothing personal, since I won't even give discounts to other dealers on them during this period.
I did give you $5 off on the total because some of the coins, such as the 1925-D cent (cleaned, as noted on the holder) had been in the window (and on our website, along with approximately 1,922 other U.S. coins) for a while. This brought the total down to $127.
Tom DeLorey
For Harlan J. Berk, Ltd.
<< <i>
Carl--
Nice reply--sounds like you spent $127---or does he have you confused with somebody else? That said, in a perfect world Tom might have said "Hi, good to see you again. Laura will take care of you".