How badly can a coin dealer’s business be damaged by a misunderstanding and a post to these message
Longacre
Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
We frequently see posts by board members about bad experiences that they have had with dealers. Sometimes, the dealers are not named. Other times, the dealers are named. In either case, the masses rise up, grab their pitchforks (to steal a line from RYK), and brow beat the dealer in the form of scathing written rebukes of the same magnitude that one would give for a transgression equivalent to a crime against humanity.
Perhaps in many (or maybe, some) of these cases, it is just a simple matter of misunderstanding, which can easily be resolved. Does anyone know how badly a dealer’s business or reputation in the marketplace can be damaged by something that amounts to a misunderstanding?
Do we have an obligation to give a dealer the benefit of the doubt and allow him or her enough time to make a transaction right, before we create damage to his business that may be unwarranted? Should we give just as many courtesies to these professionals as we do to other skilled professionals in the marketplace, like doctors, architects, or lawyers?
Perhaps in many (or maybe, some) of these cases, it is just a simple matter of misunderstanding, which can easily be resolved. Does anyone know how badly a dealer’s business or reputation in the marketplace can be damaged by something that amounts to a misunderstanding?
Do we have an obligation to give a dealer the benefit of the doubt and allow him or her enough time to make a transaction right, before we create damage to his business that may be unwarranted? Should we give just as many courtesies to these professionals as we do to other skilled professionals in the marketplace, like doctors, architects, or lawyers?
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
0
Comments
I would imagine it would effect many of the opinions of people here on the boards, but ultimately, we only represent a very small percentage of the potential buyers for such dealers, so I don't think it would make too big a difference.
Steve
from time to time. These fine dealers will not suffer as a result
of being badmouthed. There reputation and honorable conduct
of business will be their shield.
On the other hand, the sleaze merchants and dealers with poor
customer relations and questionable business dealings will suffer
some as new collectors are warned away from them. They , unfortunately
seem to survive and thrive in spite of themselves.
While this Forum can be influential and helpful to collectors and for
collectors, we should never over estimate the limited impact we
collectively have on the hobby. It is commendable, that as limited as our
effect may be, we continue to weld it in defense of the average collector
and the hobby.
Camelot
here. Most of us can keep the incident in perspective and only a thousand
or two are likely to see the thread.
The shame of it is that these threads tend to hurt legitimate dealers more
than the out and out crooks. Legitimate dealers, no matter how they do
business, generally depend on repeat customers. This applies to the best
of the best as well as the "two page advertisers". The crooks don't get
much repeat business so these threads have little effect on them.
rainbowroosie April 1, 2003
I have to say there are some dealers that get praised regularly that I won't deal with.
<< <i>Even the best of dealers will have a client that is displeased
from time to time. These fine dealers will not suffer as a result
of being badmouthed. There reputation and honorable conduct
of business will be their shield.
On the other hand, the sleaze merchants and dealers with poor
customer relations and questionable business dealings will suffer
some as new collectors are warned away from them. They , unfortunately
seem to survive and thrive in spite of themselves.
While this Forum can be influential and helpful to collectors and for
collectors, we should never over estimate the limited impact we
collectively have on the hobby. It is commendable, that as limited as our
effect may be, we continue to weld it in defense of the average collector
and the hobby.
Excuse me but I think this post pretty much is the last word. New topic please!
To quote Yoda (or try to sound like him)
By one man's experience bad does not a good reputation crumble.
<< <i>A little story,
just recently I negotiated with 3 well known dealers and was shipped the 3 coin. Prior to negotiations with all of them I told them I want it only if it is a ms65 pq coin, if it isn't at least accurate for the grade with original toned surfaces I don't want it, lets not waste each other's time. On all 3 transactions the coin was an NGC ms65, all were absolutely without a doubt overgraded garbage, all were 64's or under, all had at toning and all had problems under the toning. One of the NGC holders even had a little crack in it and if one had the cahungas could easily open it with their finger nails. So I had to pay for shipping back which is a waste and my time to go to the p.o. another waste, but the dealers and again all very well known to the forum just wanted to sell the coins no matter what, period. I am frankly sick of this crap. Now I realize this isn't a story about a dealer completely screwing up the deal, but this is about dealers who would have if I allowed them to rip me off, I would have paid big bucks for these classic early 19th Century coins and been buried for years with the material, a crime wasn't committed but their selfish, greedy, sleezy, lying characteristics were evident
and it pisses me off how vigilant I have to be in order to protect myself from these thugs. >>
Most people claim that eleven grades of unc are too fine
for collectors and graders to consistently see. Yet it seems
you are expecting a dealer to guess your preferences and
divide each grade into three pieces.
I don't doubt your ability or even that the dealer might
have been trying to get rid of maxxed out dreck and knew
it, I'm just trying to put this in perspective. How can a deal-
er be expected to use 33 grades of unc and know what the
customer likes?
What was the question ?
I didn't know that coin dealers were considered "skilled professionals"...
I think that a dealer with any amount of social skill and sense of humor can do very well for themselves here...
<< <i>Many people here are incredibly reckless in how they will publicly call a dealer a crook without allowing the dealer a chance to make good on the problem (if any .) >>
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
The customer should like properly graded coins that are decent for the grade. So many are so used to dealing in low end coins now that they can't even figure out which end is up now.
I'm with Realone on this. I have 35 years of returning overgraded coins under my belt. And I was very persistent always thinking the honest guy is just over the hill........ There are very, very few national level retailers that I would order a coin from by putting my money out front and risking return postage. It's almost never worth it. I tossed in the towel on the last couple a few years ago. They should know better, and if they don't, I can't help them. Nearly all of my buying now is via wholesalers, middlemen, local shops, and auctions. And it works good for me.
roadrunner
Please understand this, I am not calling anyone a liar that has posted such posts. I also am not saying that anyone, anyone, who has previously posted has acted unscrupolously or or in bad judgment. I just think this is a extremely slippery path. Hardworking people's livelihood can be hurt tremendously.
If someone has a better way of doing this please post. (Perhaps requiring that when such posts occur the accused must be contacted.)
<< <i>Should we give just as many courtesies to these professionals as we do to other skilled professionals in the marketplace, like doctors, architects, or lawyers >>
No who in the world would brow beat a lawyer? Come on!
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
I told him if the cards are not centered I do not want them. I don't want 80/20 cards. He assured me that they were centered. The cards arrived and you guessed it, OC OC OC.
Why some sellers waste time is beyond me.
I specifically told him what i was looking for. That I did not want to have to return them if they were OC. The time wasted and the money tied up gets under your skin at times.
Oh by the way I agree, we should not out anyone b4 they have a chance to make good.
Steve
Box of 20
<< <i>Not much, I suspect. It usually reflects more poorly on the poster than the dealer. >>
It has certainly happened where it's the customer that ends up with egg on his face so to speak.
There is always 2 sides and if the dealer is given a chance to be reasonable in a bad transaction then he may deserve too be outed here , but so do unreasanble customers it should go both ways.
Just my opinion.
My list is my private little list and is subject to change depending on how good or bad I feel but for the most part, once you're on, you're on. It doesn't matter to me how top tier a business it is, or whether they have what I want or not I'll pass.
I doubt I could impact anyone greatly with my business but I promise you before I die I'll own a Cheerios Sacagawea and a 1907 High Relief Saint Gaudens in MS. That still may be chump change to some on the list but that's that.
John
Never view my other linked pages. They aren't coin related.