"Sold" Items on Dealer Websites

mike92694

Pet peeve of the day.

I dislike very much the idea of "sold" items on Dealer websites, especially those commingled with unsold items. I would much prefer dealers to have a separate category for sold items.

BECOKA

Fixed.

ArizonaJack

I only do it for snail mail orders with payment pending, or when waiting for checks to clear.

airplanenut

It can be annoying, but on the flipside, if you see that a dealer has sold something you're interested in, it means they probably can get another. When inventories can be so varied and change so frequently, listing sold pieces is a good way to ensure that customers can see what is available in general, not just at any given time.

pheh

This topic came up on the currency side of the forums, and while I can't take credit for this answer -- I thought it was pretty amusing. The response was something along the lines of: Dealers, like fishermen, like to show off trophies of the fish they've caught.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>This topic came up on the currency side of the forums, and while I can't take credit for this answer -- I thought it was pretty amusing. The response was something along the lines of: Dealers, like fishermen, like to show off trophies of the fish they've caught. >>



Yup, kind of like winning a nice jackpot at a casino; they want people to see that one can actually win so they stage a big fanfare and make you wait forever.

ziggy29

<< <i>Pet peeve of the day.

I dislike very much the idea of "sold" items on Dealer websites, especially those commingled with unsold items. I would much prefer dealers to have a separate category for sold items. >>


Two problems there, though I share your frustration when a coin that looks good to me is "sold":

(1) Dealers may still want inquiries about "sold" items in case the sale falls through -- then they can notify you that it's available again;

(2) Few collectors will bother to click into a "sold coins" category.

Beyond that, yeah, I hate seeing nice coins that would interest me show up as already gone...

jmski52

If I were a dealer, I would explain on the first page of my website that if a coin is displayed as "sold" that means it is pending, and that other inquiries, while appreciated, will only be considered if the original sale falls through.

Better yet, instead of "sold" you could just put, "sale pending". That would actually function as good advertising, especially if the coin is a trophy coin.

In either case, I'd take the time to explain to potential customers on the website as to why the coin is still displayed. Make your communications clear, and customers will be appreciative.

Barndog

worse than "sold" items listed as such on a dealer web site: items ostensibly for sale, but not yet taken out of inventory because they actually sold a month (or more) ago.

bestday

<< <i>This topic came up on the currency side of the forums, and while I can't take credit for this answer -- I thought it was pretty amusing. The response was something along the lines of: Dealers, like fishermen, like to show off trophies of the fish they've caught. >>



some dealers keep the sold coins for weeks on the their website..makes me wonder how much business they really do