A tale of four coin shops...........
ChangeInHistory
Posts: 3,055 ✭✭✭✭✭
Today I had the day off to run around to some area coin shops. All in the ILL & IND Chicago suburban area. The first had some OK coins, but claimed they really only dealt in bullion and immediately gave me the card of another shop that I visit 2-3 times a year. Didn't really seem to want to sell anything, but nice enough.
Fine. The next one, I was told, was higer priced on collectable cards and such, but I'd never been there so I figured why not. I get into this store with stuff stacked everywhere! I'm thinking I can find SOMETHING here. I ask about 5-6 dfferent series, Washingtons, fractionals, blah, blah, blah. "Nope, don't have anything like that, we send it all off to be certified and send it right to auction. No, we have those locked up in a bank vault" He had an excuse for everything I asked for. Mind you there were stacks upon stacks of stuff! I couldn't even get around to see the display cases that had coins in them. Guy was an a$$. Probably nervous about being cherry-picked.
The next stop was at a higher end jewelry shop that has some coins. James and Sons (James Sundermeier (sp) Sr.) has several area shops but only one location for coins. I guess James Sr. was a mid-high level dealer in years past. I'm sure some of you know who I'm talking about. It took a while to park and was going to skip them but, eventually parked and went in. James Sr. was really great and let me look through plenty of stuff. He talked to me when he had a chance and was patient and pleasant with every customer. All this from a guy who is a good numismatist and probably has more $ than most people will ever see. I picked out about 25 very nice MS Roosevelts, a coin for Marty, and a pleasant little G-6 1820 quarter. All for about CDN ask. I'll be a bit more of a regular there.
The last one was a decent sized shop. They had some stuff and I picked up about $30 worth of decent stuff. It's a bit desheveled but I think it's the type of shop that if your a regular-you'll get better prices. We might be working on that one too.
Just my ramblings about 4 different area coin shops. Share any stories or thoughts.
Fine. The next one, I was told, was higer priced on collectable cards and such, but I'd never been there so I figured why not. I get into this store with stuff stacked everywhere! I'm thinking I can find SOMETHING here. I ask about 5-6 dfferent series, Washingtons, fractionals, blah, blah, blah. "Nope, don't have anything like that, we send it all off to be certified and send it right to auction. No, we have those locked up in a bank vault" He had an excuse for everything I asked for. Mind you there were stacks upon stacks of stuff! I couldn't even get around to see the display cases that had coins in them. Guy was an a$$. Probably nervous about being cherry-picked.
The next stop was at a higher end jewelry shop that has some coins. James and Sons (James Sundermeier (sp) Sr.) has several area shops but only one location for coins. I guess James Sr. was a mid-high level dealer in years past. I'm sure some of you know who I'm talking about. It took a while to park and was going to skip them but, eventually parked and went in. James Sr. was really great and let me look through plenty of stuff. He talked to me when he had a chance and was patient and pleasant with every customer. All this from a guy who is a good numismatist and probably has more $ than most people will ever see. I picked out about 25 very nice MS Roosevelts, a coin for Marty, and a pleasant little G-6 1820 quarter. All for about CDN ask. I'll be a bit more of a regular there.
The last one was a decent sized shop. They had some stuff and I picked up about $30 worth of decent stuff. It's a bit desheveled but I think it's the type of shop that if your a regular-you'll get better prices. We might be working on that one too.
Just my ramblings about 4 different area coin shops. Share any stories or thoughts.
0
Comments
I can guess who the first two people are.
TD
Stop in downtown sometime.
TD
Thanks for posting your experience.
That one guy who had a million reasons he couldn't help you sounds like someone I know in the NW.
Maybe related?
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
<< <i>Got a guess on the fourth one.
Stop in downtown sometime.
TD >>
I do owe you guys a visit.
<< <i>ChangeInHistory,
Thanks for posting your experience.
That one guy who had a million reasons he couldn't help you sounds like someone I know in the NW.
Maybe related?
Dennis? (or, someone from an actual store instead of just the show circuit?)
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Unfortunately, there is only 1 coin shop in the Duluth-Superior area (northern Minnesota). However, he is partly retired, and doesn't have the shop open that much. When I have been in there, all the display cases are covered with sheets and he doesn't sell to the public anymore. All he does is buy wholesale, and ships most everything he buys out to other dealers. So I have stopped going there.
There are 2 other places that have coins for sale, but are not coin shops. One is a store that sells rocks, minerals, and other tourist-type items. He has a very small display of coins, which are pretty high priced. The other place is in an antique mall, also with a very small display. However, these coins are generally priced correctly, but it is usually the common stuff and nothing special.
We need a new, full-time coin shop up here!!
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>With the internet, why bother with brick and mortar shops? >>
Human contact is nice sometimes
So ChangeInHistory....name some names. I'm from the Chicago burbs and I'd like to know who you're talking about...pm me if you want. Maybe we've had similar experiences.