I ran out of 2012 Silver Proof Sets in the shop

TwoSides2aCoin · July 18, 2012 1:02AM

It was embarassing that I pre-sold 2 sets to a customer, misplaced the order, and already sold one of his when he showed up with his receipt. He didn't have a happy look on his face. Would you give a dealer a second chance or toss him to the wolves ?

I'll tell you what I did. I got on the U.S. Mint site and ordered some more and wondered if I should increase the subscription from 4 to 5, or round off to the nearest 10.

lcoopie · July 18, 2012 1:09AM

as it's your error, I'm sure you can easily make it right to your customer so they will be happy.

SmallTownCoins · July 18, 2012 1:51AM

because you made the error and the customer has to make another trip to pick up his stuff, offer him a $10 refund and all should be good :-)

Kaline6 · July 18, 2012 1:52AM

I'm curious--why would a customer not order directly from the mint? Do they want to see them first? Or perhaps it's a courtesy you provide for a good client--doesn't seem like any reasonable markup you could take would be worth the time.

RB1026 · July 18, 2012 1:56AM

Life happens. If I were the customer, I'd understand. If the shop owner offered me a small refund or store credit of some sort, the gesture would cement my trust and all would be forgotten. Loyalty goes a long way with me.

TwoSides2aCoin · July 18, 2012 1:59AM

<< because you made the error and the customer has to make another trip to pick up his stuff, offer him a $10 refund and all should be good :-) >>

You're right. I considered the carbon footprint, as did he when he said, "Did you lose my address ? You said you would mail them by this week

" So, I'm paying shipping costs and charging issue price.

A lot of people seriously believe dealers get a discount at the mint. Do they ?

robertpr · July 18, 2012 2:02AM

<< I'm curious--why would a customer not order directly from the mint? Do they want to see them first? Or perhaps it's a courtesy you provide for a good client--doesn't seem like any reasonable markup you could take would be worth the time. >>

That is a very good question. I also am curious.

LindeDad · July 18, 2012 2:06AM

How do you pay the rent if a current mint item is a big deal for the day?

SmallTownCoins · July 18, 2012 2:08AM

<< 

<< I'm curious--why would a customer not order directly from the mint? Do they want to see them first? Or perhaps it's a courtesy you provide for a good client--doesn't seem like any reasonable markup you could take would be worth the time. >>

That is a very good question. I also am curious. >>

Speaking for myself, I have a couple dozen customers that do not have internet access, They have been customers for upwards of 30 years and it is a annual ritual to come to the shop and buy a proof set and a mint set...

Buzzybest · July 18, 2012 2:16AM

<< How do you pay the rent if a current mint item is a big deal for the day?

>>

I thought most people here were working out of their parents' basement!

TwoSides2aCoin · July 18, 2012 2:29AM

I cannot answer the question why people prefer a dealer to the U.S. Mint.
I buy every year for those few. It's not exactly a great return, but it's still a service oriented world with a market.
Sometimes newer issues I have to go to the BST for. Sometimes eBay. It depends on the customer's wants. Just the other day, a collector called me from about fifty miles away and asked for an NGC Proof 69 2012 Native American Dollar, I gulped.

He said, "well then I'm just going to MCM". I said, "Okay".

Kaline6 · July 18, 2012 4:40AM

<< 

<< 

<< I'm curious--why would a customer not order directly from the mint? Do they want to see them first? Or perhaps it's a courtesy you provide for a good client--doesn't seem like any reasonable markup you could take would be worth the time. >>

That is a very good question. I also am curious. >>

Speaking for myself, I have a couple dozen customers that do not have internet access, They have been customers for upwards of 30 years and it is a annual ritual to come to the shop and buy a proof set and a mint set... >>

I like this answer.

coindeuce · July 18, 2012 5:50AM

The majority of my customers for modern Mint packaged sets/singles are impulse buyers. The don't know what the U.S. Mint is. They just want a gift for occasional events or milestone events, to give to a collector. Most of them get wide eyed and inquisitive when shown an item that they didn't know existed.

CoinCrazyPA · July 18, 2012 7:25AM

My dad always went to the local BM to get his for some reason, I could never figure out. Maybe people don't trust the Postal system?

jdimmick · July 18, 2012 10:18AM

Darn,

I have only sold 1 silver set, and only 2 clad sets so far

And I only marked em up 4 bucks

tahoe98 · July 20, 2012 2:39AM

<< My dad always went to the local BM to get his for some reason, I could never figure out. Maybe people don't trust the Postal system? >>

...perhaps the customer thought it was worth being able to look at the sets before purchasing them blindly from the mint and risk lousy quality. then of course the customer spends shipping costs sending them back and again hoping for a mark free product. jmo

lasvegasteddy · July 20, 2012 2:44AM

"Would you give a dealer a second chance or toss him to the wolves ? "
lol
they get a 1st chance...since when
always best to wear dark shades and have a seeing eye-wolf so they know not to chance anything...even once...

I ran out of 2012 Silver Proof Sets in the shop

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