Got those "I don't like dealers blues"? Well, here is the story of how I learned to "

SeaEagleCoins

I collected coins as a child and young teen w/ my Grandfather...strictly out of change...this is pre-64 up to around 67 or 68...

Then...when I was 13, I worked in a coin shop for about a year...after schools and weekends...

This was in the hippie days of the mid to late 60's and as I entered high school days...women (well, girls) and "other" things got my attention and the coins slipped away...

...until 2001... when I saw an ad for the Buffalo Commem in a magazine...I ordered the set on a whim as I remembered always being attracted to the good old Buffalo Nickel...

Once I had it in my hand...well...it was "all over"...I caught the bug and caught it bad...

To make a longer story shorter...within a little more than a year I had put together a full set of Buffs, one of Walkers...another of Morgans and also a full set of 1/4 Eagle Indians... ...and a slew of other stuff!!!

I did all this without knowing about this place (was it even here then?) and knew nothing of a thing called the sheet...

As you can imagine, I overpaid for ALOT of coins...bought more than my share of "bad" coins...and got some good ones...

...some I got thru a local dealer who I am still friends with...some at local/regional shows...ebay and Heritage/Teletrade...

I got burned quite a few times...ate some of it...returned some of it...some rude awakenings with grading services...etc.,etc. ...got some good deals too...

Came to a point where I realized I needed to pull in the reins...sell off some of the extra stuff I had accumulated...and get some focus...maybe read a few books...

Tried ebay and did not enjoy it...realized I was gonna lose alot of $...what to do?

Knew I'd get "raped" selling to dealers...

Then my friend told me there was only one logical way out... get a few display cases, a few lights and start selling at local shows...

I tried it, thinking I would just do it for awhile...just to get rid of the extras...

Well....one thing led to another and now...3+ years later...I have a Business license...Tax ID...Business cards and invoices...and a slowly building business...

I still have my personal collection...much more limited and pared down...Buff set, 7070 and exonumia...

And my "stock" is my "rotating collection"...

There are many dealers whom I do not trust...and some that I do trust very much... (same for collectors, actually) ... but I chalk up all my "bad" deals to tuition... the good deals were learning experiences, as well...

...of course I learned about the "sheet" (and how meaningless it can be)... and who to deal with and who to trust... how to grade (better)... how to tell original from not... how to tell a counterfeit... and most importantly, I realize there is SO MUCH I don't know and much I may never know... and I even know some stuff I wish I'd never learned...

...got turned on to this place and learned even more...

...and now I am able to treat the collectors who come to me as I would like to be treated...

Not as marks...my coins are not just "product"...and I look for coins to resell with the eyes of a collector...and my collection has gained new "luster" and meaning...

Basically, I just turned it around...made some lemonade, so to speak...

Yeah...there are always gonna be the a-holes...on both sides of the table...I just don't let it get to me...

This is a hobby for me...1st and foremost...

I've said it before...if it ever gets to be "no fun", then I'm gonna find another game to play... heck... life should be fun... if not...then why bother...so I just look for ways to "turn" the negative around...

There are now dealers who had "ripped" me in the past...many are jealous of me now...some now buy from and sell to me ... and I treat them fair...and if they don't do likewise, I shine them on with a smile...


Well...that's my story...and I'm sticking to it...


Hope you have a great 4th of July... and happy collecting, Everyone...

Respectfully...

Larry Greenstone

GFourDriver

Great story Larry.

ArizonaJack

Best thread of the day award here !!
EDIT, My story is very similar

Greeniejr

Do you notice that dealers treat you differently now that you are a dealer rather than a collector? I am interested to know from someone who has been on both sides.

ajia

Larry,

Thanks so much for helping me out with my 'Herd'.
Very few would even entertain the idea of a trade, let alone instigate one because of a 'wanted' thread!

A million thanks.

Augie

ricko

Great story Larry... I am impressed... Hope someday to do business with you.. it will be a pleasant experience. Cheers, RickO

bidask

good attitude

JZrarities

WHAT A GREAT STORY...Thank You for sharing.

messydesk

<< <i>There are now dealers who had "ripped" me in the past...many are jealous of me now...some now buy from and sell to me ... and I treat them fair...and if they don't do likewise, I shine them on with a smile... >>


Would that be a horizontal or vertical smile?

Good story!

SeaEagleCoins

<< <i>Do you notice that dealers treat you differently now that you are a dealer rather than a collector? I am interested to know from someone who has been on both sides. >>




Absolutely yes...

At first...they tried to cherrypick me...some managed to do so...and I learned some more...

Some were wary of me..."Who does he think he is?"...

Some were supportive and very helpful...

Some have never even acknowledged me...at least not to my face...

And, yes... now it is like I have a "backstage" pass... maybe not "full access"... but the seats are pretty good...

...and I continue to learn from the other dealers...how to do it...and how to not do it...

...I also learn from threads here... listening to the collectors... and dealers here... the comments...the suggestions... the complaints and the kudos...


edited to add --- I am STILL a collector...and always will be...

lcoopie

Larry

I can see the same thing for me after retirement

but I have a lot to learn first

Cam40

thats called `taking the high road`

and if they don't do likewise, I shine them on with a smile... >>

robkool

Kool story Larry... Hope to see you at the next Long Beach Coin show.

Greeniejr

It is a sad truth which I am really not sure where it came from. I walked the Baltimore show and they made me use the generic earlybird ID. Most of the smaller dealers who didnt know me wouldnt give me the time of day as far as pricing. Its amazing that the second i replaced the ID tag with my PNG badge I started getting much more favorable responses.

jmski52

Very interesting, and good luck to ya! The plain truth of the matter is that collectors are better off if there are some "good" dealers out there. I hope things work out!

SeaEagleCoins

<< <i>Kool story Larry... Hope to see you at the next Long Beach Coin show. >>



Hope to be able to get there...sometime...

Right now, I am limited by family obligations to regional shows...here in the NJ/NY Metro area...biggest show I do is the Coinfest...

ajia

Makes me wonder about the name 'Larry'

Another member that I thought was just a 'normal guy', went out of his way to help me, yet was way out of my league was also a Larry.........Larry Shapiro.....
Larry S. long time no hear, whatcha doing?

Believe me Larry G., this is a compliment, and I hope your success is equal.

Walkerguy21D

I agree - great story, and very inspiring for collector/part time dealers like me! Also very accurate, from what I do know about the biz....are you sure you don't do the shows on the Florida circuit? Lot of similarities ....I'm sure it's basically 'the same' everywhere, what with human nature and all.

ArizonaJack

The first time you set up at a show, you are fresh meat and they test you, lol.

It has been a fun ride, and Larry, the coin hobby is better because of dealers like you. There are still some good guys in this crazy biz, and you sound like one of them.

bidask

What kind of 'inventory' or captal did you start with?

How many hours a week do you put in as a dealer?

What do you do when your not at shows?

SeaEagleCoins

<< <i>What kind of 'inventory' or captal did you start with?

How many hours a week do you put in as a dealer?

What do you do when your not at shows? >>




Started with my extras and slowly added to it by paring down my collection...at one point I had a full Morgan Set in holders w/ major varieties...full Walker set raw and short set holdered...full buff set raw with many also in holders... sold off the 1/4 Eagle Indians for $... slowly but surely...

1st show...2 lites and coins on a table...now...4 cases, 4 lites and as many as 2 tables at a show...

I am set for 54 days at shows this year...and folks...the hours that need to get put in between shows is monumental... hunting down newps... cataloging... grading...2x2's...pricing... sure has taken a bite out of my golf time...

I have a FT career with the VA... I work at a local VA hospital... Lead Medical Biller for NJ...

Swampboy

Continued numismatic fulfillment!

SeaEagleCoins

Good Morning, All...

I'm up early to get ready for work...


Just thought I'd bring this to the top to share with the morning gang...

TavernTreasures

Larry----Nice story. And it was a pleasure meeting you at the last Parsippany show.

johnsim03

Larry,

This is a most excellent thread, and thanks for sharing your interesting story!

John

gecko109

Looking at early numismatic mistakes/blunders as a "tuition" for learning the hobby is an interesting perspective. Perhaps if I adopted the same reasoning, I could lower my blood pressure a bit. Excellent story Larry.

RichieURich

Excellent story, Larry! Your story also shows the benefits that accrue to someone who has a very positive attitude; i.e., doesn't let the naysayers get him down.
I hope to meet you at ANA or Coinfest.

Longacre

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

jobiwan115

Thank you for sharing this great story, Larry.

guitarwes

Great Post Mr. Greenstone. I'm "prospecting" on becoming a dealer/dealer partner one day. My local dealer (who is a good one) has approached me about a partnership or taking over his biz after he wants to get out of it. I would LOVE to, but I'm scared to death about my skills and lack thereof. I think it would be awesome to have a "Job" where you played with coins all day. Maybe someday. I think I would be very similar in circumstance like you. Keep up the good work and your rewards will be plentiful..........or, at least you'll be able to sleep goooooood at night!

-wes

lkrarecoins

Cool Beans, Larry....and thanks for letting me look thru all of your Morgans at the last Staten Island show

lasvegasteddy

awesome walk through and a great read

dwssws

great read!

sTONER

mazal tov , my friend,,

SeaEagleCoins

Hi everybody...

Hope you don't mind me bringing this thread to the top...one more time...for the weekend...

I'm glad a number of folks read this thread and I appreciate your comments and questions...


I put a piece of myself "out there" in the hopes that some might benefit from my experience... especially in light of the many "sour grapes" threads I have seen here of late...


Just thought the weekend crowd might enjoy the read...

JSsson

It's a good story and I would go on a limb and say that the story is probably similar to what most collectors and maybe even dealers have experienced at some time or another.

BillyKingsley

Larry, that was a very good read. Sounds to me like you have the right ideas. I'm going to try and get to the next Parsippany show and the Coinfest in November, so I'll have to see if I can stop by and say hello. I believe there is a show at the PAL in Parsippany on July 5th so that will likely be my first coin show as a real collector, at a real show-not just a uneducated partial buyer at mall shows. I can't recall if it's there or in Danbury, either one I think I will get to it.

bidask

<< <i>Larry, that was a very good read. Sounds to me like you have the right ideas. I'm going to try and get to the next Parsippany show and the Coinfest in November, so I'll have to see if I can stop by and say hello. I believe there is a show at the PAL in Parsippany on July 5th so that will likely be my first coin show as a real collector, at a real show-not just a uneducated partial buyer at mall shows. I can't recall if it's there or in Danbury, either one I think I will get to it. >>

If you live back east, consider going to the ANA in Baltimore end of July. It will be a real eyeopener for ya.....

BillyKingsley

Unfortunatly I don't have the funds for that-this year. Now that I know of it's existance however I will plan for the future to attend Thanks!

WTCG

This is a good read for anybody who is considering becoming a coin dealer. Everybody makes gains and mistakes along the way, and it's from the mistakes that allow you to learn and become better at what you do.