Not to be mean....

secondrepublic

But coin dealers don't do a whole lot to help their collective image. If I were a dealer, I don't think I'd post these pics on the first page of my website.

ajaan

edited: Poor taste on my part

TwoKopeiki

I can care less what the dealer looks like if he has the coin that I want for the price I am willing to pay. That said, however, making judgemental comments about someone elses' appearance is childish. It's like saying "my dad can beat up your dad". Numismatists are judged on merit, knowledge and love of the hobby - everything else has little relevance. I have learned a lot of new and interesting facts from LordM posts over the last year, which puts him much higher on the totem pole than this guy, as far as I am concerned.

Just my 2k.

clarkbar04

I've bought coins from him on ebay on one occasion (2 coins) - seller name jeffone. He has a very generous return policy, but offers no description of the coin in the auction itself, and provides small pictures and will not send larger ones on request.

As far as the pics - no comment.

Preussen

I don't want to start an argument, but that was mean . Despite his gruffness (some of which I believe is put-on just to get a rise out of people) Jeff is a genuinely nice guy and an honest dealer. -Preussen

coinpictures

I'm assuming, since the OP is apparently critical of the physical appearance of those in the photos, that he himself is utterly flawless in appearance, and is the second coming of Tom Cruise. Otherwise he needs to pipe down, IMO.

Making fun of people because of their appearance is juvenile.

lordmarcovan

It's perfectly fair game to make fun of Jeff Zarit's appearance. He gives as good as he gets, and then some. He once greeted me at a coin show with the line, "you DO realize you look like a f____ing idiot, don't you?", upon seeing me in the Holey Coin Vest and Holey Gold Hat. I laughed it off and still think it is kind of funny, but it took me aback for a second, since I didn't know the guy from the man in the moon and this was my first contact with him.

It's OK to ridicule my holey coin garb, since I wear it with a sense of whimsy anyway. But you really should know people before poking fun at them. If you don't, it is insulting. And he wasn't smiling when he made the insult, either. (Well, okay, he was, but it was more of a smirk.)

I thought it rather ironic, coming from a man even fatter than I am, who had food on his shirt and a long, yellow-stained beard. He looks positively well-groomed in that photograph, in contrast to how he looked when I met him.

The man is a Class A jerk, and probably knows it, and probably doesn't care who else knows it, which is why I don't mind calling him that here- he'd probably admit that he is a jerk and tell me to go f___ myself, since he already demonstrated his proficiency in that word.

That being said, he sells some beautiful coins. Long after the incident above, I purchased a lovely UNC 1901 British halfcrown from him on eBay, not realizing until after the trigger was pulled that it was him. I paid, he shipped, I loved the coin. Done deal.

I couldn't resist a good-natured jab at him by leaving positive feedback that said,



<< <i>NICE coin! Guess I'll forgive you for calling me an idiot at the 2004 FUN. ;-) >>



I never received feedback in return.

clarkbar04

Was that your positive you left him? If so NICE!

MacCrimmon

Remember my suggested retorts for next time; "So, Mr. Zarit! Did you buy that nice Hawaiian shirt at Dallas Tent & Awning?" . . . . . or,

"Jeez, man!! A good seamstress could clothe half of Calcutta with the material in your shirt!!"

lordmarcovan

Nah, I couldn't go there.

Let's just say the Holey Coin Vest has more fabric than the sailbags of your average 19th century clipper ship.

clarkbar04

Look at it this way - if you coin vest didn't need so much fabric, you couldn't put as many coins on it.

StrikeOutXXX

<< <i>I'm assuming, since the OP is apparently critical of the physical appearance of those in the photos, that he himself is utterly flawless in appearance, and is the second coming of Tom Cruise. Otherwise he needs to pipe down, IMO.

Making fun of people because of their appearance is juvenile. >>



I agree with you here. So their images probably won't make it into GQ, Cosmo, or Good Housekeeping. If I was dealing with them, it wouldn't be to get fashion, fitness, or housekeeping advice, it would be for their coin savvy, so who cares what they look like?. You could look at it the opposite way and say they don't have a lot of overhead with fancy clothes, gym memberships, and lavish office space, maybe they can sell the coin a bit cheaper than the next guy.

Although you didn't want to be mean, I think it was. It does sound like many who have met him and have personal experience with him don't have a very flattering opinion of them though - but at least that's for the right reasons.

coinkat

I have talked with the dealer mentioned herein and to be blunt, it is not about appearance but something else that goes well beyond afew trite and witty sentences... I have to say I am looking forward to seeing LordM with the vest and hat someday and the mad one with the chicken. Lets not loose sight of the fun and the personal side of this hobby that makes it truly unique.

Bailathacl

I had one transaction with Mr. Zarit. I did not find him to be a nice guy -- quite the contrary. He was rude and abusive and in the wrong in a matter that I will not air here. I will never conduct business with him again.

spoon

Hate to say it, but the average person would likely chuckle at all of us for being coin geeks, regardless of appearance.

Anyhow, from a marketing perspective, I'd rather see some impressive coins on a dealer's front page, not mugshots. The mugshots can be relegated to an About Us page.

That said, where on that entire site do you find a link to anything for sale?? THE ABOUT US PAGE!! Now that's dumb.

Stork

I've bought a couple from him...always been happy with the result though each time I felt like I was taking a chance with his photos. I wish his website was more of a selling place.

This was my feedback for him after the 'LordM Incident'

<< <i>Great coin/as pictured-Thank you! !!!!!!!! (Didn't you like Lord M's vest?) >>





<< <i>the second coming of Tom Cruise. >>

A classic example of behavior cancelling out looks. Maybe it's a girl-thing, but a personality makes an otherwise plain guy kinda attractive...or the opposite in the case of Tom Cruise.


I'm assuming the OP wasn't meaning to be cruel, but it is refreshing to see Preussen and Coinpictures basically agreeing on something .

Preussen

[q...it is refreshing to see Preussen and Coinpictures basically agreeing on something . >>

Hey, I resent that!

-Preussen

coinpictures

Why I oughtta...

spinaker2000

secondrepublic

<< <i>from a marketing perspective, I'd rather see some impressive coins on a dealer's front page, not mugshots. The mugshots can be relegated to an About Us page.

That said, where on that entire site do you find a link to anything for sale?? THE ABOUT US PAGE!! Now that's dumb. >>



My post was admittedly a little mean.

I'm not making fun of how he looks -- God knows I could stand to lose 50 pounds myself. I'm just making a comment about the marketing on the front page of website. A coin website should be primarily about coins, not other stuff. NEN and Teller and the others get that.

As an aside, I've purchased a few nice coins from Jeff Zarit via Ebay including one key piece. The purchases went through just fine and the coins are great. However, I haven't met him in person.

clarkbar04

Well, now I've gotten first hand experience. I bought what was advertised as an UNC 1898 mexican peso. Not an expensive coin, but still a nice example of the cap & ray type. I get it and it had been wiped or rubbed with something on part of it between the rays so I sent it back because of the striations. Today I ask a question about another coin he has, if it is cleaned or scratched. He proceeds to tell me that nothing was wrong with the coin I returned, and he relisted it. Whatever. I get the run around about the question I asked to start with. I replied: "Regarding the 1898 peso, if you think it has no problems, we can agree to disagree there. I am trying to ask as many questions as possible since you do not have descriptions in your auctions, and I don't like returning coins. So, if I want to know if a coin has been cleaned, or if it scratched, I think this is reasonable."

His next message, lol, "I cannot help you. Perhaps it would be better if you did not buy coins from me."

I couldn't agree more!

I have an ebay score of 647 and 100%. This is the first person that has told me not to buy from them.

Ricke

I've never done business with the man, but I've seen his auctions many times - what he doesn't give in coin description, he more than makes up for in an 8 chapter 'terms of sale'. Seriously, it's like a novel version of 'I'm sick of hearing complaints.'


...which brings me back to my first comment, I've never done business with the man - I doubt that will change.

Aethelred

I am not going to comment on how people look, that is something that can olny be helped in part.

However, I will say that this thread has made me laugh, some of you are very funny!

Rickc300

<< <i>Let's just say the Holey Coin Vest has more fabric than the sailbags of your average 19th century clipper ship. >>


LOL, IF I had a holey coin vest and IF it were only adorned with Aluminum coins, I would surely drown if pushed off any clipper in water that was deeper than I was tall! Even with my extra buoyancy. I am about as wide as tall which makes me almost round. So I am in shape, round is a shape right?

BTW, I have won an auction or two from the man on eBay and was pleased with the coins I received.

Rick...