How would you handle this guy?

Cougar1978

Your set up at a medium sized local show. You have set up at shows for sometime and never encountered this situation. The only similar situation was a coin deal at a show in 1994 where a guy was buying all the gold he could with cash (bundles of $100 bills). He bought 8 $20 Double Eagles from you at a good price after some negotiating. Fortunately you started high with him.

A guy comes up to your table, dealer you see about once a year at the major Greater Houston Show. He is essentially a smart alec jerk so you know coming out the gate slim pickings if any. You also remember looking at some gold coins in his case at a show and recalling how they were priced at full CW Trends retail. He looks at a bunch of mainly modern slabbed gold (First Spouse in 70, some AGE, AGB) with some classic slabbed gold coins (Double Eagles in AU50-MS64) in your glass display case (about 25 coins). Your not a wholesaler nor care to give any of them away at wholesale. You might discount some 10% below CW Trends.

He asked "How much are your gold coins?" At the same time another guy walks up (you have never seen him before) "Where are you on your gold coins?"

Which one would you choose for the first guy:

A. You quote him your best price for all
B. You qoute him a "best price" which leaves you plenty of room for negotiation.
C. "Well (laughing) I imagine they are whatever they will add up to (tally sheet). Which one do you want to see first?"
D. To see if he is for real: "Sure let me get my tally sheet out and we will get going - this is one is $1300, any interest?"
E. You tell him "get outta here"
F. Other - Add your own.

How would you handle the second guy? Isn't it funny he would appear at the same time. It would appear he is looking to buy around sheet. Is he a novice out to look stupid barging into a deal or just acting?

braddick

Don't allow other peoples behavior to dictate your own.

Politely, answer the first inquiry as that is the right thing to do as a dealer and a professional.
Acknowledge the second individual and let him know you will be with him momentarily.

SamByrd

your wasting your time with a jerk . Quote him a price and politely ignore him and talk to the other customer. The dealer is not a buyer at near retail at all the other walk up at least may be.
I would quote a fair price and deal with the other person as a more possible sale that you can close. The jerk will chime in if he is serious about buying.

mrpotatoheadd

Tell Guy #2 "Just a second, I'm talking to Guy #1 about the coins", give Guy #1 my best price and if he declines, make the same offer to Guy #2. I wouldn't waste my time trying to figure out what either is up to.

coindeuce

Since you know that the first individual is a dealer, you can politely tell him that you would like to give your retail base a reasonable opportunity at the show before you offer anything at less than retail. Tell him to see you at the conclusion of the show and then you can discuss particulars. If the second person is a cohort of the first, and he overhears your remarks, you shouldn't have to repeat yourself.

On a different note: You mentioned that the less than desirable dealer had his gold coins priced in his case at a prior show. Is there a particular reason why you might not have your gold coins priced ? Did you have them priced?

CoinZip

<< <i>Don't allow other peoples behavior to dictate your own.

Politely, answer the first inquiry as that is the right thing to do as a dealer and a professional.
Acknowledge the second individual and let him know you will be with him momentarily. >>


I agree

Coinflip

deal with one guy at once, every show Im at gold gets "lost" and it amazes me how easy it seems to walk away in situations like these.

coinsarefun

<< <i>Don't allow other peoples behavior to dictate your own.

Politely, answer the first inquiry as that is the right thing to do as a dealer and a professional.
Acknowledge the second individual and let him know you will be with him momentarily. >>







this is the best answer, even though you may want to reply otherwise.
it will help you though life's long time of future insults.

Cougar1978

I handled it by showing a coin (a MS 69 PCGS 1st Spouse) to the first guy and giving a price (about 10% behind Market Retail) and asked "any interest" like I was going to keep a tally sheet. He whipped out his greysheet and said "thats too high" (nonsense of course) and I told him "thank you for your interest, but I am not a wholesaler." He then moved off quickly moved off and so did the second guy.

The second guy came back awhile later, asked a price on a NGC PF69 UC 2006 AGB (I had some room in it) and I sold it to him for $150 over melt which he was happy with and thanked me. I think he was finding out people were not there to give away their gold coins. A friend who runs a shop had come by and offered me 97% of melt on it earlier in the show. I now had the necessary funds for the months entertainment budget.

droopyd

<< <i>Tell Guy #2 "Just a second, I'm talking to Guy #1 about the coins", give Guy #1 my best price and if he declines, make the same offer to Guy #2. I wouldn't waste my time trying to figure out what either is up to. >>



^^^ this