In praise of B&M coin shops....

TommyType

Had the all too rare opportunity to visit my favorite “local” coin shop yesterday, since I happened to be in the neighborhood. And in the hour I was there, I realized how much I wish my “local” coin shop was closer than 20 miles away (in LA traffic).



No, it doesn’t have the selection of even a moderate sized show. And you certainly don’t have the selection available online. But it was FUN to be completely surrounded by “my hobby” for a short while....poke through the cheap coins....ogle the expensive slabs....flip through the books....pick through the supplies. I had fun.



Ended up buying a PCGS MS-65 bicentennial clad Ike, with moderate album toning for the princely sum of $19...A double row slab box, to replace the one falling apart...A new B&L packet magnifier, (because I came unprepared, and decided I needed one to LEAVE in my truck for just such an occasion)....and a beat up copy of a Kevin Flynn book on Indian, 2-cent, and 3-cent doubled dies. The book was more expensive than the coin....but it felt good to get back to my old rule to buy a book every time you buy a coin.



I’m going to make it a point to go once a month, dang it!



And, I’ll give a shout-out to Liberty Coins in Signal Hill. Well run shop, with plenty of helpful staff, and with a little bit of everything.

keets

I’m going to make it a point to go once a month, dang it!



currently making it a point to go every day for about another 11 months!!

grip

Sounds like you had a fun day. Wish there was a coin shop 20 miles from me

oih82w8

I miss those days of visiting an actual coin shop. The closest "coin shop" to me is primarily a gold & silver exchange with a few albums and about a hundred or so, primarily raw coins.

OldEastside

Buy a book every time you by a coin.............hey I like that rule

Steve

roadrunner

I sort of miss visiting my local shops. The closest one is 12 minutes away. Haven't stepped in the door since 2009. I drive by it on many days throughout the year and just don't feel the love. Probably have a half dozen shops within a 35 mile radius yet haven't been to any of them in years.

DollarAfterDollar

I sold $500 worth of coins to my local shop yesterday knowing that the proprietors are going to the ANA and could use new merchandise. I'd rather sell to a B&M than give E-Bay The $50 in fees. I still made plenty so helping them by leaving a bit on the bone is a win/win.

TPRC

Love my local B&M. I visit at least 1x per week.

golden

Back in the 70's I visited the downtown shop every Monday. I really miss those days.

TommyType

Maybe we need to organize a "B&M Day" here.



- On the day chosen, (maybe held quarterly....maybe monthly...maybe just once due to lack of interest), all forum members are required...REQUIRED, I say!!.... to go to a coin shop of their choice.

- They must buy one item, regardless of value or category, (could be a coin, but could also be a book, or holder, or bullion, whatever).

- They will then post a picture of it here, along with a description of their glorious visit.

- Virtual prizes will then be awarded in several, to be determined, categories. (Best item, best deal, cheapest *****, whatever strikes us as appropriate).



Good time had by all.....B&M saved from closing for at least 10 minutes.



Let's Do It!!

(*I run from the room, all alone, in the style of John Belushi in "Animal House"*)

DNADave

Originally posted by: TommyType
Maybe we need to organize a "B&M Day" here.

- On the day chosen, (maybe held quarterly....maybe monthly...maybe just once due to lack of interest), all forum members are required...REQUIRED, I say!!.... to go to a coin shop of their choice.
- They must buy one item, regardless of value or category, (could be a coin, but could also be a book, or holder, or bullion, whatever).
- They will then post a picture of it here, along with a description of their glorious visit.
- Virtual prizes will then be awarded in several, to be determined, categories. (Best item, best deal, cheapest *****, whatever strikes us as appropriate).

Good time had by all.....B&M saved from closing for at least 10 minutes.

Let's Do It!!
(*I run from the room, all alone, in the style of John Belushi in "Animal House"*)d

I'm in, as long as my local pawn shop counts as a B&M.

mannie gray

I'm within about a 30 mile radius of probably a dozen coin shops.

I used to hit many of them on a fairly regular basis, but lately I haven't had the energy.

My loss probably.....

keets

Tommy, that is a rather unique and intriguing idea that I like. I will participate, so keep us posted.

oih82w8

Sounds like fun! "Say when..."

ricko

I do not have a local coin shop....some antique shops with highly overprice Morgans...However, I do have a local gun shop - and I go weekly. Cheers, RickO

TheDukeK

Love the idea.
But for Keets it's kind of cheating

TigersFan2

I agree to everything above. I recently discovered a B&M shop with a large inventory only about 5 miles from my house. I want to visit once a month.