Are you turned-off by dealers who are too "corporate?"

291fifth

I certainly am.

FatMan

What does "too corporate" mean here? Who are some dealers that you consider as such?

UncleWiggly

You mean like a coin company like DLRC? Compared to someone like Julian?



Jerry

ram1946

I think I'm more put off by dealers who not corporate enough, i.e., lack of professional courtesies, lack of basic customer service, sloppiness in overall business practices, etc.

mirabela

If you mean do I appreciate the personal touch -- yes. A certain large mega-dealer/auction house, for instance, gets low marks from me when it comes to things like timeliness in shipping, communication, etc.

Fairlaneman

I wear a Tee shirt most of the time. Buying from a guy with a tie and white shirt seems strange.

Ken

RYK

Quite frankly, yes. I like the more personal service. I do not care to deal with coin dealers in suits--too intimidating. I do not like talking to receptionists on the phone.

I think I'm more put off by dealers who not corporate enough, i.e., lack of professional courtesies, lack of basic customer service, sloppiness in overall business practices, etc.

One man (or woman) shops can provide all the services, accurately and efficiently, without the frills just as well as the corporate types.

In some ways, the more corporate firms seem to be trying to be something they are not; it is an awkward fit for a coin dealer.

Longacre

I like to deal with the decision maker, not some stuffed shirt corporate type who knows nothing about coins, but can give a polished sales pitch.

ER

<< <i>What does "too corporate" mean here? Who are some dealers that you consider as such? >>


Zackly! Please clarify. Don't be a "hit-and-run poster".

JSsson

I always feel better when I deal with dealers who seem to be self employeed or work in a small team. That way the people seem more accessible and willing to solve more problems with you compared to a person who works for one of the larger companies, and has to ask permission from his supervisors before he can make a decision on an important matter.

291fifth

"Too corporate," refers to dealers who have lost the individual touch. Everything they say seems to be scripted. When you talk to them you feel as if you are talking with a financial pitchman, not a coin dealer.

Lakesammman

I prefer guys in Hawaiian shirts. If they are in a suit, it makes me feel like I'm paying too much.

291fifth

<< <i>I prefer guys in Hawaiian shirts. If they are in a suit, it makes me feel like I'm paying too much.

>>



In this market, you are probably paying too much even if they are wearing Hawaiian shirts.

CharlieB

When I browse tables at a show I am not too concerned by the dealer's attire, but I have to
admit that my first impression of a corporate suit type representing a larger company, is
that there is typically not going to be lot of price negotiating there. I typically size up a dealer
simply by the showcased items, and that doesn't take but a few seconds. The presentation of
the coins is very important. If the dealer has nicely organized items in a case, I am impressed.
If I see a display of nothing but NGC coins then I know what to expect. If I see a case with mostly
PCGS coins I know I will be spending my time at that table. The way the dealer's coins are laid
out in the display cases totally reflects the dealer in my opinion.

Sometimes I see a dealer with maybe 60 coins that's all, all PCGS spread on black felt with the
contrast and that's all he had. But they were awesome. naturally I hit that table. No suit, just a
plain shirt without a tie. But he had the material. All high grade 64 and above and rare. Yes he
negotiated and fairly.

And then there are the dealers who are just out of town salespeople who know little about coins
only the specific ones in their display case and are passing along the same rhetoric they picked up
from the dealers who have sold them the coin. You all have experience this.

In the final analysis, I want courtesy, straight talk, and a fair deal with a little price reduction and a little
more price reduction on a package deal. I seem to always manage that. You have to be humble, always
when you are doing a deal.

pharmer

<< <i>"Too corporate," refers to dealers who have lost the individual touch. Everything they say seems to be scripted. When you talk to them you feel as if you are talking with a financial pitchman, not a coin dealer. >>




Probably just a personal problem. Haven't noticed anything of the kind, and the word corporate has been vilified of late to imply all sorts of unspoken perjoratives.

mgoodm3

I like the personal service that I get with smaller dealers. You know them, they know what you like.

BillJones

<< <i>I wear a Tee shirt most of the time. Buying from a guy with a tie and white shirt seems strange.

Ken >>



I'm more comfortable with a guy in a Tee shirt that a guy in a suit and tie. I guess that attitude dates back to the 1970s when people in such attire tried to pass themselves off as "investment advisors." If coins were "investments," which they are not, the prices that many of those dudes charged were so high and out of line that whatever profit potential may have existed in the foreseeable future was down the tubes.

I like dealers who wear nice shirts or even a sport coat if it's rather cold in the bourse, but you can leave the ties in the closet. I don't care for them.

TheRaven

Going to shows, which is how I purchase nearly all my coins, other then stuff from the mint and foreign bullion stuff off of the internet I have to say that a nice display of your material is the key.....

If you have nice coins I don't care what you are wearing, as long as it is clothes and you are not sitting or standing around naked.... Would not be a pretty site at most coin shows.....

I do agree with that above statement an entire case of NGC coins, does cause me to drift away rather quickly.....

BillJones

The thing about many "corporate dealers" is that their pricing policies often seem to inflexible and bureaucratic. I guess these guys can sell their stuff retail, so they don’t want to see the likes of me. Nevertheless, it’s worth it to check with a select few of them now and then because they can come up with some viable prices. Others are not worth the time.

You can say what you like about Heritage at the shows, but they do respond to counteroffers and in fact encourage them if you are a small dealer. Most of the other “corporate companies” get grumpy when you make counters. And don’t get me wrong. I rarely make counteroffers because you can make yourself into a pest very easily that way. AND once you get the “pest” label, you are screwed.

Barndog

I don't care who it is that offers coins. I care about quality, value, integrity, and customer service. If IBM could do that with coins, I'd buy from them. If my neighborhood brick and mortar can't provide it, I will stay away.