Are coin albums overpriced?

Trebor

Case in point: Dansco America the Beautiful date set album retails for $30 plus tax at the local shop.

Ridiculous.

Online it's about $25 ($18-$19 plus $7 s&h).

Only slightly less ridiculous.

Does anyone else think coin albums are grossly overpriced?

astrorat

Grossly overpriced?

What is a fair price in your mind?

CoinZip

I give used albums away to kids at coin shows.......

Trebor

<< <i>Grossly overpriced?

What is a fair price in your mind? >>



$20 retail.

The idea that the album costs 2x more than the modern coins it holds seems ludicrous.

Patches

Your local shop has some rent to pay. Ask yourself if the extra few dollars is worth it for convenience and a long term relationship on seeing fresh material. Otherwise, but online and save the few bucks.

BillJones

I have used Eagle Holders for the raw coins and tokens that I have. Yes, they are pricey, and the pages that hold the individual 2X2 holders are fragile, although they have been improved.

Still I've never had a coin change color in an Eagle Holder which says to me that they are inert. All you need is for one valuable item to "go bad" in a holder, and all the money you might have saved on a cheeper holder will go down the drain and then some, often "a lot of some." So I view good preservation devices as "a good investment."

Nap

Coin supplies and accessories are not nearly as overpriced as most of the coins they hold.

I don't see $20-30 for an album as grossly overpriced. These albums are not really mass produced the way most goods are, I can't imagine there are tons of consumers for them. I believe they are made in the United States. I have some old ones and they have held up fairly well.

astrorat

<< <i>

<< <i>Grossly overpriced?

What is a fair price in your mind? >>



$20 retail.

The idea that the album costs 2x more than the modern coins it holds seems ludicrous. >>

Fair enough. Looks like you have a few choices.

1. Pay the $25 online and consider the $5 above your retail target price a convenience fee for not having to drive to the shop, pay for gas, put wear on your car, use your time, and pay the sales tax.
2. Offer $20 to the local shop owner for his overpriced album. Perhaps he will agree and drop the price.
3. Start your own company and price them "right," since it appears obvious that the albums can be manufactured and distributed for significantly less than at present.

Justacommeman

Sue them

Mark

Trebor

Another option is bin the idea of re-entering the hobby and drop the State Park Quarters I've pull from change into a CoinStar along with the rest of the stuff that's accumulated. It was a half-baked idea at best and I wanted others opinions on what I think are excessive prices for what essentially would be a chump change collection. Thanks to all for your input!

rec78

Buy used ones. They are what they are. Like anything in life, if it is worth it to you, you will pay the price. If not, then you will find a different solution. The value of the collection makes no difference, it costs the same amount to make a bust half album as it does a America the beautiful date set album. If you do will not get $30 value from it then do not purchase it. JMHO

I am also collecting the new ATB quarters from change. I use a Harris folder. Costs about $3.00

Bob

WaterSport

Usually its the coins you put in the album that are over priced

WS

scubafuel

Digital albums are free. Just grab a camera and start loading 'em up.

Supplies for any hobby are often expensive, but if it brings you enough enjoyment it's worth it.

LindeDad

Most times retail space is rented at about $35 to $50 / square foot / month. Now what is overpriced?

Oh and that tax was used to fix that pot hole you didn't hit since the local tax base takes care of those type of things.

CaptHenway

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Grossly overpriced?

What is a fair price in your mind? >>



$20 retail.

The idea that the album costs 2x more than the modern coins it holds seems ludicrous. >>

Fair enough. Looks like you have a few choices.

1. Pay the $25 online and consider the $5 above your retail target price a convenience fee for not having to drive to the shop, pay for gas, put wear on your car, use your time, and pay the sales tax.
2. Offer $20 to the local shop owner for his overpriced album. Perhaps he will agree and drop the price.
3. Start your own company and price them "right," since it appears obvious that the albums can be manufactured and distributed for significantly less than at present. >>



Yes, start your own business and undercut the market. Make a fortune.

Back when the 1995 doubled die cent raised popular interest in the cent coinage, my employer at the time, Harlan J. Berk, worked with the Professional Numismatists Guild to make "penny boards" with some collecting interest on the back to give away to school kids and Scouting groups. You would be amazed at what the die cost just to punch the holes in the cardboard.

TD

Baley

When folks think that manufactured goods are "too expensive" and "should" be priced lower, it is suggested that they buy themself a factory building and machinery, hire employees, establish supply lines and buy raw materials, work out the engineering of the production process, train all the employees and pay for their salaries and benefits, produce a supply of the finished product, get all the packaging and advertising worked out, develop a warehousing system and distribution network, and go ahead and undercut the other guy on prices. It's very easy, just go ahead and do it yourself for less.

LindeDad

Then the Chinese will do it cheaper and put you out of business, of course they won't use archive safe materials, have decent employee salary's, or pay any taxes.

CaptHenway

<< <i>Then the Chinese will do it cheaper and put you out of business, of course they won't use archive safe materials, have decent employee salary's, or pay any taxes.


>>



Yes, they will use rancid chicken fat instead of the chemically safe glue you specified and pocket the difference.

Unknown

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Davideo

<< <i>When folks think that manufactured goods are "too expensive" and "should" be priced lower, it is suggested that they buy themself a factory building and machinery, hire employees, establish supply lines and buy raw materials, work out the engineering of the production process, train all the employees and pay for their salaries and benefits, produce a supply of the finished product, get all the packaging and advertising worked out, develop a warehousing system and distribution network, and go ahead and undercut the other guy on prices. It's very easy, just go ahead and do it yourself for less. >>



I think that is part of the point. There is a lot that is involved and it is difficult to accurately say what something should or should not be priced at.

As to the OP my recommendation would be to use a folder or buy used.

Trebor

Well, CoinStar won. Thanks for all the input from everybody! It helped me decide I don't want to do the coin thing any more.

PS - If any of you are Fathers... Happy Fathers Day on Sunday!

Thanks again!

Unknown

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WildIdea

My buddy once complained that the jewelry supply shop wanted 12 bucks for a 6 dollar gold pan. I just stared at him....he's loaded....

Like crying about how much bait is while your going to go fishing all day.

Or whining that it cost 14 bucks to fill up your Harley

That the campground wants 30 bucks to park your 35ft RV.....must I go on..

jdimmick

give the guy a break, when I had the shop, I was actually the fairest price in town on supplies, but still had complaints. I carried them more as a convienence too customers than for profit.

coinkat

Many dealers offer used albums and the going rate is usually a buck a page- You can consider this option which is sort of a cool option considering albums that are available

coinkat

BTW, world coins can be old inexpensive and rich with history. Many dealers have boxes to go through- no album required

ShadyDave

Economics is at play: Supply<Demand right now, especially with the Dansco 7070 album. You'll drop 75+ for a new one...