Should you look at your dealer as a mere service provider, or should they be something more?
Longacre
Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
I know that dealers sometimes get a bad rap. I know how difficult the life of a dealer can be, with all of the traveling, fickle collectors, the competition, etc., etc. I think that collectors sometimes think that dealers should be something they're not. Dealers will not necessarily be your partner or collecting buddy, or even get whipped into a frenzy about a coin that you get whipped into a frenzy over.
Personally, I look to my dealer as a service provider, and a source of information and expertise that I don't have. It's sort of like going to the doctor. There is a commercial on TV (I can't remember what it's advertising), but there is a guy on the phone talking to his doctor, and the doctor is giving the guy instructions on how to do surgery on himself. The guy on the phone then says to the doctor, "shouldn't you be doing this??" I simply do not have the expertise to do surgery, and I don't have the expertise that dealers have with coins. Therefore, I go to the coin dealer when I need a particular coin.
Are we being fair to dealer when we expect them to be something more than a coin dealer? They are in the information business and the product business (coin products). Personally, I don't view them as anything different from any other service provider that I use for something else that I might purchase. What do you think?
Personally, I look to my dealer as a service provider, and a source of information and expertise that I don't have. It's sort of like going to the doctor. There is a commercial on TV (I can't remember what it's advertising), but there is a guy on the phone talking to his doctor, and the doctor is giving the guy instructions on how to do surgery on himself. The guy on the phone then says to the doctor, "shouldn't you be doing this??" I simply do not have the expertise to do surgery, and I don't have the expertise that dealers have with coins. Therefore, I go to the coin dealer when I need a particular coin.
Are we being fair to dealer when we expect them to be something more than a coin dealer? They are in the information business and the product business (coin products). Personally, I don't view them as anything different from any other service provider that I use for something else that I might purchase. What do you think?
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
1. Competitor
2. Sage
3. Source of inventory
4. Selling outlet
Brother, right now I do serious business with just two. They treat me good and I like 'em. There are some others that I'd like to try but I'm just a poor curly and I can't deal with all of them.
I think a little of both.
There are some great Dealers that would make terrible friends.
Something to think about..........would you ask your friend to sell you something below the price they are offering it to everyone else?
sometimes you want a nice assortment, sometimes you have a taste for that rich belgian chocolate and sometimes you just want some good old fashion penny candy.... you go where the candy is you have a taste for.... and of course there is the candy that won't taste good no matter how much you sugar coat it..
it gets old after a while. collectors thinking they need others to pursue
a hobby. sure, a tpg is nice that authenticates things but after that...
you just need yourself and a brain.
speaking of brains.. i am beginning to think this hobby has a way of systematically
brainwashing collectors into believing a certain set of standards is the norm.
"you need us collectors! you are like a little wabbit in the midst of wolves! without
us you shall get eaten! i sell the best and shall take care of you as long as you
line my pockets with lettuce!"
sigh
<< <i>What do you provide to your dealer in addition to being a customer? >>
Very good point. The answer is really nothing, other than word of mouth reccomendations when I am talking with my collecting buddies. I am a bit old fashioned with this thought, but I think any service provider should earn the right to have a customer spend his money at that particular provider.
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)
When I first started learning to grade Indian gold my local dealer spent some time with me by pulling articles on counterfeit detection.
Only a couple of times has a dealer given me an opinion and it was on something in their inventory. (other than my local guy who never stocks anything I am interested in)
That's it.
<< <i>Brother, right now I do serious business with just two. They treat me good and I like 'em. There are some others that I'd like to try but I'm just a poor curly and I can't deal with all of them. >>
Similar to Curly, I buy coins from or through only one major dealer. We've established a good business relationship over the past couple of years and I consider him a friend.
<< <i>Just tell me the price..... It is my money, up to me to shop and determine how to spend it. When it comes to the exchange of money, I trust no one... I consider all merchants to be car salesmen at heart. Cheers, RickO >>
I feel the same way. I've already got enough friends. Save all the stories and just tell me how much. I'll either play or pass. That doesn't mean I won't be polite and courteous though.
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 feel the same way. I've already got enough friends. Save all the stories and just tell me how much. I'll either play or pass. That doesn't mean I won't be polite and courteous though.
I feel just the opposite. Don't get me wrong . . . I don't expect every dealer to be my friend. Hardly. But every so often, what starts as nothing more than an "exchange of money" can turn into a true friendship in which coins are merely a part, not the purpose. A friendship doesn't necessarily mean first shot. After all, business is business, and coins generally go to best buyer, not the best friend. But, over time, a friendship provides mutual benefits and makes collecting much more enjoyable. I think it's best to stay open to the possibility of friendship.
I have a feeling that I'll be badly razzed for this post . . . .
<< <i>I loathe the random ebay transaction. There is more to coins and the hobby than just buying stuff, and I want something more. I think it is valuable to develop relationships with dealers. Through some of these friendships, I have learned quite a bit about the coin biz, the players, the game, the history, etc. I have also met other collectors through dealers. Absent these contacts, my circle of collecting friends would be much, much smaller. >>
RYK---Do you belong to any coin clubs? I'm active in three clubs which include several smaller coin dealers. You can get your fill of social interaction with other collectors that share your interests.
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