Why coin dealers drink (cont.)
CaptHenway
Posts: 32,508 ✭✭✭✭✭
Had a guy call yesterday asking what we paid for maple leafs. I ask him "Gold, silver, platinum or palladium?" He says "gold" like I should have known without asking. I tell him "spot minus x dollars commission," and he says OK. Then he asks what we are using for spot, and I quote him $1144 at the time, from KITCO.
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
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Comments
<< <i>I have several hundred maple leaves in my back yard that I will sell for considerably less then that
Some are golden, some are bronze...some are copper. Very few silver though...
-In the title
-At the header of the auction
-In the photo of the slab
In fact, the date was even in the subject line of his email to me, because the eBay system puts the auction title in it.
<< <i>
<< <i>I have several hundred maple leaves in my back yard that I will sell for considerably less then that
Some are golden, some are bronze...some are copper. Very few silver though... >>
My neighbor has a silver maple in his back yard. I get the leaves for free!!!!!!!!!
<< <i>Had a guy call yesterday asking what we paid for maple leafs. I ask him "Gold, silver, platinum or palladium?" He says "gold" like I should have known without asking. I tell him "spot minus x dollars commission," and he says OK. Then he asks what we are using for spot, and I quote him $1144 at the time, from KITCO.
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
I think that this is an honest mistake, and the caller just did not know all of the nuances of buying and selling gold bullion. I think that you guys* have a pretty low threshold for blasting your customers/potential customers. Everyone who walks in or calls is not going to be a walking, talking QDB, Jr., and the attitude of arrogance and disdain exhibited by some* speaks of a lack of professionalism. There is a whole series in FUNTopics where dealers list funny and not-so-funny questions and requests from customers in their shop, and I find it mostly rude and inconsiderate...on the part of the dealers. This has become a pet peeve of mine.
* I placed the asterisk here not to suggest that you (Captain Henway) are necessarily guilty of this, but if this episode described above is cause for one to need to drink, perhaps you are in the right business because in many other businesses and jobs little trifling things like this are no big deal and hardly worth spending the time making mention. Just my opinion, feel free to blast away.
I have been meaning to make this point for some time and chose this opportunity to do so. Sorry for making it your thread.
Who is John Galt?
<< <i>
<< <i>Had a guy call yesterday asking what we paid for maple leafs. I ask him "Gold, silver, platinum or palladium?" He says "gold" like I should have known without asking. I tell him "spot minus x dollars commission," and he says OK. Then he asks what we are using for spot, and I quote him $1144 at the time, from KITCO.
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
I think that this is an honest mistake, and the caller just did not know all of the nuances of buying and selling gold bullion. I think that you guys* have a pretty low threshold for blasting your customers/potential customers. Everyone who walks in or calls is not going to be a walking, talking QDB, Jr., and the attitude of arrogance and disdain exhibited by some* speaks of a lack of professionalism. There is a whole series in FUNTopics where dealers list funny and not-so-funny questions and requests from customers in their shop, and I find it mostly rude and inconsiderate...on the part of the dealers. This has become a pet peeve of mine.
* I placed the asterisk here not to suggest that you (Captain Henway) are necessarily guilty of this, but if this episode described above is cause for one to need to drink, perhaps you are in the right business because in many other businesses and jobs little trifling things like this are no big deal and hardly worth spending the time making mention. Just my opinion, feel free to blast away.
I have been meaning to make this point for some time and chose this opportunity to do so. Sorry for making it your thread.
Ie.....that was RYK on the phone and your story outted him
(note: I actually agree with RYK and really shake my head when things like this bother dealers....makes me wonder why they work in a job that has to deal with people/customers)
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
<< <i>I figured dealers drank so their coinscience wouldn't prevent them from sleeping. >>
OUCH!
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
but they are certainly part of our
Story-Telling and sharing.
I shake my head, but it doesn't bother me.
In other cases where the obvious should be
obvious, even to the novice, I just think to
myself
"How the heck did we ever put a man on the Moon?"
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
Sometimes people are ready to assume that someone is trying to take advantage of them, as they themselves are so willing to take advantage of others.
<< <i>
<< <i>Had a guy call yesterday asking what we paid for maple leafs. I ask him "Gold, silver, platinum or palladium?" He says "gold" like I should have known without asking. I tell him "spot minus x dollars commission," and he says OK. Then he asks what we are using for spot, and I quote him $1144 at the time, from KITCO.
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
I think that this is an honest mistake, and the caller just did not know all of the nuances of buying and selling gold bullion. I think that you guys* have a pretty low threshold for blasting your customers/potential customers. Everyone who walks in or calls is not going to be a walking, talking QDB, Jr., and the attitude of arrogance and disdain exhibited by some* speaks of a lack of professionalism. There is a whole series in FUNTopics where dealers list funny and not-so-funny questions and requests from customers in their shop, and I find it mostly rude and inconsiderate...on the part of the dealers. This has become a pet peeve of mine.
* I placed the asterisk here not to suggest that you (Captain Henway) are necessarily guilty of this, but if this episode described above is cause for one to need to drink, perhaps you are in the right business because in many other businesses and jobs little trifling things like this are no big deal and hardly worth spending the time making mention. Just my opinion, feel free to blast away.
I have been meaning to make this point for some time and chose this opportunity to do so. Sorry for making it your thread.
No problemo! Just give me your work phone number and I will cheerfully refer future such calls to you!!!!!
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Had a guy call yesterday asking what we paid for maple leafs. I ask him "Gold, silver, platinum or palladium?" He says "gold" like I should have known without asking. I tell him "spot minus x dollars commission," and he says OK. Then he asks what we are using for spot, and I quote him $1144 at the time, from KITCO.
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
I think that this is an honest mistake, and the caller just did not know all of the nuances of buying and selling gold bullion. I think that you guys* have a pretty low threshold for blasting your customers/potential customers. Everyone who walks in or calls is not going to be a walking, talking QDB, Jr., and the attitude of arrogance and disdain exhibited by some* speaks of a lack of professionalism. There is a whole series in FUNTopics where dealers list funny and not-so-funny questions and requests from customers in their shop, and I find it mostly rude and inconsiderate...on the part of the dealers. This has become a pet peeve of mine.
* I placed the asterisk here not to suggest that you (Captain Henway) are necessarily guilty of this, but if this episode described above is cause for one to need to drink, perhaps you are in the right business because in many other businesses and jobs little trifling things like this are no big deal and hardly worth spending the time making mention. Just my opinion, feel free to blast away.
I have been meaning to make this point for some time and chose this opportunity to do so. Sorry for making it your thread.
No problemo! Just give me your work phone number and I will cheerfully refer future such calls to you!!!!!
Sure, but only if you will take the ones that I have to deal with.
<< <i>I recently had an eBay buyer ask what the date of the coin was (it didn't have Arabic numerals). That was fine, except that the date was listed:
-In the title
-At the header of the auction
-In the photo of the slab
In fact, the date was even in the subject line of his email to me, because the eBay system puts the auction title in it. >>
So what did you tell him?
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Had a guy call yesterday asking what we paid for maple leafs. I ask him "Gold, silver, platinum or palladium?" He says "gold" like I should have known without asking. I tell him "spot minus x dollars commission," and he says OK. Then he asks what we are using for spot, and I quote him $1144 at the time, from KITCO.
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
I think that this is an honest mistake, and the caller just did not know all of the nuances of buying and selling gold bullion. I think that you guys* have a pretty low threshold for blasting your customers/potential customers. Everyone who walks in or calls is not going to be a walking, talking QDB, Jr., and the attitude of arrogance and disdain exhibited by some* speaks of a lack of professionalism. There is a whole series in FUNTopics where dealers list funny and not-so-funny questions and requests from customers in their shop, and I find it mostly rude and inconsiderate...on the part of the dealers. This has become a pet peeve of mine.
* I placed the asterisk here not to suggest that you (Captain Henway) are necessarily guilty of this, but if this episode described above is cause for one to need to drink, perhaps you are in the right business because in many other businesses and jobs little trifling things like this are no big deal and hardly worth spending the time making mention. Just my opinion, feel free to blast away.
I have been meaning to make this point for some time and chose this opportunity to do so. Sorry for making it your thread.
No problemo! Just give me your work phone number and I will cheerfully refer future such calls to you!!!!!
Sure, but only if you will take the ones that I have to deal with.
OK, what do you do for a living? Nuculear physicist? Brain sturgeon? Hockey referee?
I agree (and also not singling out the respectful CaptHenway in any way [except to say, "about 3 pounds
As someone who works in an industry, such comments ring either naive or intentionally obtuse.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Maybe not enough to make one 'need' to drink...but perhaps enough to cause one to 'want' to drink.
I also agree that in most every other job there are little niggling things that are no big deal and hardly worth mentioning.
But it's Friday, and any little thing will do for an excuse to pop a barley!
In fact, I'm headed out now for some pre-weekend wings and frosty Yueng Ling! Woo Hoo! Thank you Pottsville, PA from Melbourne, FL
Greg Hansen, Melbourne, FL Click here for any current EBAY auctions Multiple "Circle of Trust" transactions over 14 years on forum
When I get questions (from adults, mind you) like "How much can I spend this penny for if I take it to the store?", "What are these gold eagles made out of?" and "If I hold this for 100 years how much will it be worth?" (plus LOTS more, trust me), I feel I have every right to call the common sense, if not the intelligence level of the asker into question. That doesn't mean we hate our customers or hold them in contempt...it simply means there are entirely too many people out there who need a HUGE dose of common sense and/or grey matter. (And it's certainly not unique to this business either.) And that's just one reason why we drink...
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
.
this day is starting off "great" first call "do you buy jupiter
dimes?"then nice lady comes in and wants some virginia island
quarters! complains about the .50 per price and then after looking
around asks if $20. is our best price for the 1904 $20. lib in the
case? this really happens. i need a break goin deer hunting for the
weekend.
.
"We watch the Home Shopping coin show, so we know what this stuff is really worth, don't try to screw us."
<< <i>Brain sturgeon? >>
How about sturgeon brain?
60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!
If you operate a shop you have to quickly cull out the ones who are not serious buyers and sellers and practice diplomacy in sending them on their way. There is actually an art to it.
<< <i>One of the best lines I ever heard from a customer in a coin shop, as he was trying to sell a dealer colorized state quarters.
"We watch the Home Shopping coin show, so we know what this stuff is really worth, don't try to screw us." >>
I've heard this (or a varation of it) line MANY times at coins shows.
"We watch the Home Shopping coin show, so we know what this stuff is really worth, don't try to screw us." >>
That's on par with " I watch dirty movies, so I know what love is all about.".
<< <i>After walking in on Laura and Stewart playing naked twister, not only should I get a total pass, y'all should be buying my drinks!
We'll chip in for your seeing eye dog as well
60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!
<< <i>If you operate a shop you have to quickly cull out the ones who are not serious buyers and sellers and practice diplomacy in sending them on their way. There is actually an art to it. >>
I know, which is why I vent here, instead of telling the yahoos about their total gormlessness!!!
Not the coins!
Customers.
She called me a thief and assured me she would not be showing up, then she hung up. Little does she know that I have caller I.D. and a Sharpie™.
Imagine what could be put on the bathroom walls if I wanted to be as mean as she was to me. I haven't taken to drinkin' just yet.
<< <i>The underlying theme is that people expect coin dealers to buy and sell at the same price. --Jerry >>
...and behind that underlying theme... is the misconception that the human race, as a whole, is a superior species. The only species that thinks this is the case, is the human species. I'm fairly certain that the rest of the species here on earth could get along quite well without us. Even dogs and cats... if you think they really like us, just stop feeding them and see how long that relationship lasts
At the end of the day... IMHO... many, if not most, folks are about as intelligent as a tin can... and not nearly of as much use... and in our society, common sense is rarer than an 1804 Dollar...
...and when it comes to money, all logic is thrown out the window...
I have little to no expectations when meeting someone for the first time... yet am pleasantly surprised when I find a person who can actually be engaged in more than superficial banter...
This is one of the primary reasons why I enjoy our hobby... it has a tendancy to attract people of depth and intellect... note... I refer to the hobby... not the business... that is a wholly different animal...
okey dokey...time for another cup o joe
littlebear999
<< <i>
<< <i>The underlying theme is that people expect coin dealers to buy and sell at the same price. --Jerry >>
...and behind that underlying theme... is the misconception that the human race, as a whole, is a superior species. The only species that thinks this is the case, is the human species. I'm fairly certain that the rest of the species here on earth could get along quite well without us. Even dogs and cats... if you think they really like us, just stop feeding them and see how long that relationship lasts
At the end of the day... IMHO... many, if not most, folks are about as intelligent as a tin can... and not nearly of as much use... and in our society, common sense is rarer than an 1804 Dollar...
...and when it comes to money, all logic is thrown out the window...
I have little to no expectations when meeting someone for the first time... yet am pleasantly surprised when I find a person who can actually be engaged in more than superficial banter...
This is one of the primary reasons why I enjoy our hobby... it has a tendancy to attract people of depth and intellect... note... I refer to the hobby... not the business... that is a wholly different animal...
okey dokey...time for another cup o joe
I try not to even post before my second cup of coffee or the same damn thing happens.
<< <i>Had a guy call yesterday asking what we paid for maple leafs. I ask him "Gold, silver, platinum or palladium?" He says "gold" like I should have known without asking. I tell him "spot minus x dollars commission," and he says OK. Then he asks what we are using for spot, and I quote him $1144 at the time, from KITCO.
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
You taught the guy some Retailing 101. From his quoted response, he evidently understood. Dealers are retailers. If he wants the $1188, retail it on eBay. If he wants the quick cash, let you apply your margin.
I'll agree, though, any cause is a cause to drink, what the hell?
if more people would think first, coin dealers could quit drinking.
<< <i>Had a guy call yesterday asking what we paid for maple leafs. I ask him "Gold, silver, platinum or palladium?" He says "gold" like I should have known without asking. I tell him "spot minus x dollars commission," and he says OK. Then he asks what we are using for spot, and I quote him $1144 at the time, from KITCO.
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
The question is not why they drink, it is why don't they share?
Fred, Las Vegas, NV
<< <i>
<< <i>Had a guy call yesterday asking what we paid for maple leafs. I ask him "Gold, silver, platinum or palladium?" He says "gold" like I should have known without asking. I tell him "spot minus x dollars commission," and he says OK. Then he asks what we are using for spot, and I quote him $1144 at the time, from KITCO.
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
The question is not why they drink, it is why don't they share?
Oh, quite a few that I've met DO!!
<< <i>
<< <i>Had a guy call yesterday asking what we paid for maple leafs. I ask him "Gold, silver, platinum or palladium?" He says "gold" like I should have known without asking. I tell him "spot minus x dollars commission," and he says OK. Then he asks what we are using for spot, and I quote him $1144 at the time, from KITCO.
He explodes and says "Spot is $1188! It says right here on MONEX!" I go to Monex and see the scroll going by with gold at $1144.70 or so, and ask him doesn't he see the scroll? He says "I'm not talking about that spot! If you look down at the bottom of the page it says that the Maple Leaf Spot is $1188!" I explain to him that that number is their retail sales price. He says "Oh."
You taught the guy some Retailing 101. From his quoted response, he evidently understood. Dealers are retailers. If he wants the $1188, retail it on eBay. If he wants the quick cash, let you apply your margin.
I'll agree, though, any cause is a cause to drink, what the hell?
Maybe what bothered me the most was the fact that he had no concept as to what "spot" was, since he thought that there was a different "spot" for each and every product, but he thought he could lecture me on the subject.
Sigh.
because of the fuzzy bear.
Camelot