Why shouldn't coin collectors buy at flea markets and antique stores?
laurentyvan
Posts: 4,243 ✭✭✭
If you can recognize the tell-tales of cleaning, thumb-rubbing, whizzing and dipping of coins, there is no reason why you shouldn't shop at these and other non-coin shop related venues.
Yes, 90% of what you'll spend hours looking at is common, over-priced, and cleaned.
But that other 10% will yield returns on dollars spent if you have the time and energy to educate yourself properly on grading..
Here's the gig- picture a seller of antiques, junque, someone who dabbles in selling coins at flea markets, related stores and locales.
A customer appears (you), and spends time making notes or taking pictures, buying at each visit.
It's worth it... despite the hours of walking up and down aisles of glass-fronted booths, waiting for service, staying near restrooms, saying the hell with it but starting all over again.
It can be worth it.
I get bit, don't worry- bought a $35 coin, didn't sell ( thank god) 'cause now I can't find it.
But so far it is worth it.
I don't come in as predatory, just another browser. The sellers price 'em, it's up to the browsers to buy 'em, right?
Hey, they're happy, I'm happy.
The coin store I used to make many successful purchases from over the years doesn't see the quantity or diversity of incoming collections that they used to.
So, venues...
Where do you find your raw coins?
Edited to add: uh, don't get me wrong, this whole post is probably dedicated to those who were in my position years ago, who didn't know anything, who were constantly advised (as newbies) against buying other than from a reputable source. Good advice! However, spend the time in the hobby buying and selling with dealers and forum members and reputable web sites and get educated. Then, venues...
Yes, 90% of what you'll spend hours looking at is common, over-priced, and cleaned.
But that other 10% will yield returns on dollars spent if you have the time and energy to educate yourself properly on grading..
Here's the gig- picture a seller of antiques, junque, someone who dabbles in selling coins at flea markets, related stores and locales.
A customer appears (you), and spends time making notes or taking pictures, buying at each visit.
It's worth it... despite the hours of walking up and down aisles of glass-fronted booths, waiting for service, staying near restrooms, saying the hell with it but starting all over again.
It can be worth it.
I get bit, don't worry- bought a $35 coin, didn't sell ( thank god) 'cause now I can't find it.
But so far it is worth it.
I don't come in as predatory, just another browser. The sellers price 'em, it's up to the browsers to buy 'em, right?
Hey, they're happy, I'm happy.
The coin store I used to make many successful purchases from over the years doesn't see the quantity or diversity of incoming collections that they used to.
So, venues...
Where do you find your raw coins?
Edited to add: uh, don't get me wrong, this whole post is probably dedicated to those who were in my position years ago, who didn't know anything, who were constantly advised (as newbies) against buying other than from a reputable source. Good advice! However, spend the time in the hobby buying and selling with dealers and forum members and reputable web sites and get educated. Then, venues...
One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics
is that you end up being governed by inferiors. – Plato
is that you end up being governed by inferiors. – Plato
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Comments
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
8 Reales Madness Collection
Cathy
JP
Capped Bust Half Dollars by Variety & Die State Pictorial Refrence
Thank you! Homework, homework, homework.
As I walk through endless aisles of both coin and non-coin related material I wonder how much I could find to resell successfully if I was only aware.
Information, books, experience, what I wouldn't give for quantities of both in relevant areas of collection.
is that you end up being governed by inferiors. – Plato
You have to sift through 90% common, usually-cleaned, often heinously overpriced material to get to that 10% decent stuff, as you mentioned, but if you're willing to sift the wheat from the chaff, you can sometimes make a good find. Sometimes, on those rare fine days, maybe even a good rip.
Y'never can tell.
It certainly does not hurt, but it cannot be considered as a serious alternative to replace the diminishing number of collections that your local coin shop has. Now if you were looking for books, maybe this is time better spent.
myEbay
DPOTD 3
An occasional nice coin yes,but it cannot replace the volume of Laurent's local coinshop's decreasing supply.That could only be a different shop, or ebay,I know people who buy off ebay and sell privately, with very nice returns because they are connected and trusted by collectors who never turned on a pc in their lives and don't intend to.
And if that doesn't work, we can all donate and send him to cure his addiction.
myEbay
DPOTD 3
<< <i>I know people who buy off ebay and sell privately, with very nice returns because they are connected and trusted by collectors who never turned on a pc in their lives and don't intend to. >>
Yes, you do. I am one of them. However, in my case, I would amend that slightly to "...people who buy off BST and sell privately, with very nice returns..."
On some of the rare occasions when I am actually able to meet one of my local customers face to face, I am often asked, "Where do you GET this stuff?", and I just smile and say, "The Internet."
It's a beautiful thing, the 'Net. Look, here I am talking to a fine friend I never met, in Greece.
I daresay the 'Net has shrunken the globe even more than the jet airliner.
These are some of my market finds that I have imaged