Ever been barred by a dealer for being too picky?
jacktheknife
Posts: 1,547 ✭
My area of interest is Lincoln cents. It can be very challenging to get copper with the "right" look. I hate spots and fingerprints. So, a few coins have been sent back.
A dealer or two are now reluctant to send me coins. Should I "lighten up" or hold my ground?
Jack
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Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
annoyed by guys that are too picky on coins that are only 5 or 10 bucks.
most receive that in good nature
mind you only a few have taken me up on my sincere offer
it at least sheds a positive light on such transactions
Edited to add: hold your ground. How can a set be built that pleases the collector if the collector buys only to satisfy the seller?
Whit
<< <i>My area of interest is Lincoln cents. It can be very challenging to get copper with the "right" look. I hate spots and fingerprints. So, a few coins have been sent back.
A dealer or two are now reluctant to send me coins. Should I "lighten up" or hold my ground?
Jack >>
Hold your ground. Find other dealers. If you cannot find other dealers, then you may actually be too picky.
Tom
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Thanks, to all. Great comments. The coins that I look at are in the 4 and 5 figure range. So, I can't fault anyone for being less than pleased when I tie up their coin for a few days.
Lately, I have just stuck with auctions, as the imaging gives me a pretty good idea if the coin is a fit for my collection.
Jack
<< <i>If they're not sending you coins you like, why would you want to keep trying to do business with them? >>
There are only so many places you can find high-end Lincoln cents, and for the most part, even those dealers' inventories are constantly picked over and ravaged by deep-pocketed buyers.
I have often commented to myself that it takes three shows to buy a single coin anymore.
And no, I haven't been barred, but many dealers sarchastically scoff at me when I come see them.
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
<< <i>There are only so many places you can find high-end Lincoln cents, and for the most part, even those dealers' inventories are constantly picked over and ravaged by deep-pocketed buyers. >>
I'm sure this suggestion will not be well received by some, but if what you're looking for is hard to find, maybe you need to find a way to tell the dealers who tend to have this type of material that you'll pay well for the right coins. I would be willing to bet that in many cases, dealers' best coins never make it to their website.
<< <i>Thanks, to all. Great comments. The coins that I look at are in the 4 and 5 figure range. So, I can't fault anyone for being less than pleased when I tie up their coin for a few days.
Lately, I have just stuck with auctions, as the imaging gives me a pretty good idea if the coin is a fit for my collection.
Jack >>
At that level, I personally would pay the extra money to have a personal representative look over the coins for you as well. there are several folks on this board and elsewhere that should fit the bill. I'm not a Lincoln cent guy, but I would not buy that value coin based upon a picture only. For color alone, I would not purchase without seeing in hand or having someone trustworthy, and someone in the know, view it as well. If you don't know that someone, get to know him or her.
Tom
If you collect Lincoln cents, finding a dealer who sells quality pieces should not be too difficult. A specialist dealer will understand your being picky and would likely work closely with you when nice material is available.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
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
Seems they needed to make a living, or something to that effect.
And as a dealer, I don't mind when customers call me on the phone so I can describe the coin to them while I have it in hand, and they can ask more pointed questions. I'd much rather take a few minutes to do this because it saves both of us a lot of time, money, and aggravation.
And if a dealer was willing to take the time to give me such personal service, and if the coin met all my criteria and seemed to be just what I was looking for, I would pay whatever price the dealer was asking and not try to negotiate a better deal.
The Penny Lady®
If your spending that kinda money you should not be satisfied with something less than your expectations.
<< <i>Stand your ground but if you buying coins in the four and five figure range why not buy / bid at a show where you can examine the coin sight seen?
If your spending that kinda money you should not be satisfied with something less than your expectations. >>
You're assuming his expectations are realistic. Some collectors want to buy a coin at one grade that has the look of a coin one or more grades higher.
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
If you are looking for a 65 coin that has no marks, not a single toning spec, and a lovely red color, well what you really want is a 67. Tell the dealers you are looking for that quality and they will probably find it for you, but it likely won't be at a 65 price. And while I haven't been banned I know a collector that has been told by a couple of dealers they probably can't offer them coins they want.
World Collection
British Collection
German States Collection
<< <i>I know more than a few fellow collectors that want to buy 67 or 68 quality coins at BU prices. >>
I had to finally block an eBay bidder who kept returning coins I described as BU (meaning MS60-61ish) at BU prices because he said they never get into MS65 holders.
Appreciate all the great comments and perspective. I can see that I might choose to do business a little differently, but otherwise should hold my ground on what I am after.
Just looking for a little reality check.
Thanks
Jack
This is one that I like- what do you have like this?
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
My suggestion is to hit some shows, larger regional or national prefered, but, even if small and local, it will give you an injection of reality in the marketplace and current mojo.
I do not mean you need to adjust your collecting standards at all, but it will bring you up to date as to what you might expect to pay for YOUR STANDARDS.
Small local shows with stale inventory wont really help, but to get out and walk a show is always great, I realy do need to take my own advise.
Oh yeah, and like Charmy said, a phone call is pretty mandatory if you ask me.
<< <i>I have never been barred by a dealer and have not barred a client, either. However, if you find yourself in this situation with multiple dealers then it may be time to step back and analyze the threshhold that you use for ordering a coin. It may turn out that your standards need not change in the bit, but your requests for coins to be shipped to you should undergo further review. >>
I agree. If its a spot free finger print free coin you want and you cant get it in your local shops you might need new dealers. If you find them and still not happy and like stated above then you need to rethink things.
I do an area very specialized and I can get picky BUT I do some token buying to keep the peace and even if they say no i dont have them I know deep down they dont look for what I look for so I know if i look a little I will find something. Keep your feel planted if you honestly feel its something obtainable. Look into a new dealer if something that simple isnt able to obtained.