How big is too big for one man show dealers?
fastfreddie
Posts: 2,893 ✭✭✭✭✭
Many have commented on either slow or no response or stale pricing from a dealer.
I know each dealers ability to handle this is based on their own merits but how does everyone feel about the responsiveness or attentiveness they receive from a FULL-TIME dealer. These dealers would travel to most major shows nationally and with whom you have done some business with in the recent past (say last year)and have a large (or growing) inventory size or customer base. Your relationship with them is assumed to be a normal one and not 'insider', 'close/friend', or 'strained' type?
At what point (# of coins, # of customers, or some other measure) does this become an issue? Surely all want to grow their business but at some point you have to invest in your business to keep up.
Freddie
I know each dealers ability to handle this is based on their own merits but how does everyone feel about the responsiveness or attentiveness they receive from a FULL-TIME dealer. These dealers would travel to most major shows nationally and with whom you have done some business with in the recent past (say last year)and have a large (or growing) inventory size or customer base. Your relationship with them is assumed to be a normal one and not 'insider', 'close/friend', or 'strained' type?
At what point (# of coins, # of customers, or some other measure) does this become an issue? Surely all want to grow their business but at some point you have to invest in your business to keep up.
Freddie
It is not that life is short, but that you are dead for so very long.
0
Comments
X axis is number of (coins, customers, etc.)
Y is the amount of time each needs.
For example, I have customers who contact once every year or 2, normally by email, and I send them an invoice through paypal and ship. Not overly time sensitive, does not roll in like a tsunami.
Therefore, I can handle literally thousands of those customers.
Compare and contrast to a recent example, a simple garage sale I went to last week. 1 person running it, 5 people "shopping" nothing marked, everyone trying to get her attention to ask a price, some people had more than 1 item, she had to look at each item and think about it.
She was overwhelmed with maybe 70 items and 5 people.
I know it is an anathema to coin dealers, but I put a price on all my stuff. That reduces questions by 83.7%. If an item was worth X to me when I went to a show, it is worth X for the show, and if I want to reprice, I can do that when no one else is around.
There's no answer. Some people are operating at full capacity when they're trying to remember which corner of the envelope gets the stamp.
I'm sorry, but I just LOL'ed on that one, big time.
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
That said, I'm a "full-time one-man show dealer", and there are many self-imposed limitations on my business. Fewer customers, fewer shows, no advertising, less inventory, etc.
For the purpose of growing my business, I've considered taking on employees, taking on a partner, bringing in investors, opening a store, building a website, and more. And after a few wrong turns over the years, I've decided that my best option is to just keep doing what I'm doing.
But the question was, I presume, asking us to quantify some of this. FWIW, I do a couple dozen road trips every year, globally. And I have a desk, a cell phone, and two dogs. It keeps me busy enough.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Too big to cry.
There's no answer.
Agreed. It also may depend on how much a customer is spending and how big of a ticket item(s) it is.
I posed the question because I've experienced quite different levels of communication with dealers and have observed that some just seem to be spread too thin while others either seem to take it in stride or have some kind of support net to help them; like a show assistant. Some, have been very personable even though I have bought little, others don't give any time/effort even though I may have spent thousands with them. I have a select few I like to go to but even then it can be hit and miss; even if I know their show schedule in advance and do try and contact them only when most convenient during normal business hours.
How about consignments? Would you expect more timely communication on price changes? What's a fair time here?