Say you're approached by a dealer/friend who let's you know, in a subtle fashion, that he has a spec

pharmer

been off the market for quite some time, but that isn't quite in his hands yet. He says that if you will agree to pay a certain amount he will pry it out of the hands of the current owner. Trouble is, the current owner is your best friend. What would you tell the dealer?

Barndog

the truth

notwilight

nothing. I'd talk to my friend.

Zoins

<< <i>nothing. I'd talk to my friend. >>

I agree. Get it out in the open beforehand. I hope a coin isn't worth potentially ruining your friendship.

1921obsession

I'd cut out the middleman, and let my friend reap all the profit, if he's planning on selling anyways.

Zoins

<< <i>I'd cut out the middleman, and let my friend reap all the profit, if he's planning on selling anyways. >>

Presumably the middleman is better at "prying" coins from their owners when the owner is on the fence.

JRocco

<< <i>nothing. I'd talk to my friend. >>

stman

<< <i>What would you tell the dealer? >>



Nice try!

pharmer

Now, what if it develops that your dealer thought HE was your best friend?

Zoins

<< <i>Now, what if it develops that your dealer thought HE was your best friend? >>

Does he know you're friends with the potential seller?

stman

<< <i>Now, what if it develops that your dealer thought HE was your best friend? >>



They can all think what they want. I don't get into the soap opera stuff, hand holding etc. My Sig line always applies.
BTW, since the dealer seems to not have possession of the coin we wouldn't have anything to talk about.

pharmer

OK, now for the rest of the story. As fate would have it, your best friend does not have commensurate feelings for you. As a matter of fact, he feels that the dealer is HIS best friend.

stman

All this is REALLY easy for a person like me...... I have no friends!!! Heh heh Now once again, see Sig line.

RichieURich

I'm amazed and pleasantly surprised that a hypothetical came from anyone other than MrEureka or Longacre!

majorbigtime

I actualy had this happen! In fact, the dealer lied to me and said he owned the (my friend's) coin when he didn't.

I bought it directly from the friend.

sliderider

If the person holding the coin is your friend, I would go to him see what he would consider a reasonable offer for it, and try to buy it directly from him. If you send in a "closer" as they say in the auto sales industry, to weasel the coin away from him and he finds out, it could destroy the friendship (and likely end up costing you more money if you ever want to buy from that person again).