Accused of swiping a coin

UtahCoin · June 5, 2013 7:23AM

Last Friday I was at the Texas Numismatic Association (TNA) show in Fort Worth, TX. Typically I make a pass down all the aisles saying hello to dealers I know, make a few notes, and then start my pursuit of Capped Bust Half Dimes. So I start in the far back corner and the very first table has 7 raw CBHD. The table was maned by a husband and (I assume) wife, both probably in their late 60's. I had never seen these people before, but that has never stopped me from looking at coins. The coins for the most part were low grade, cleaned and or damaged in some way. But hey, if it's a R-7 or R-8 who cares? One of the coins I could attribute just by seeing the obverse through the case, so I asked to see the other 6. While I'm using my loupe to attribute coins I'm bombarded by a nonstop verbal assault about how rare and hard to find these coins are. After a couple of minutes I see that none of them are anything I'd remotely be interested in, hand them back to the gal with a thank you and head to the next table. About 60 seconds later this gal yells to me that I looked at 7 coins and only gave 6 back and where's the other coin. This was loud enough that several people heard it. I turned around looked her in the eye and told her no, I had looked at 6 coins and handed back 6 coins. This was not satisfying her so I returned to her case and repeated that I only looked at 6 coins. Then I looked at her case and pointed out that there were 6 open spots right where the coins had been. The couple kind of looked at each other with confused looks, that was the point I turned around and walked off.

yosclimber · June 5, 2013 7:52AM

So, you looked at all 7, but only 6 came out of the case.
It was good that there were simply the open spots in the case to make it obvious!
Did she apologize?

MsMorrisine · June 5, 2013 7:54AM

do you have a hit out on you?

WoodenJefferson · June 5, 2013 8:08AM

Egg on their face...but wait til you get into your late 60's and can't remember why you even walked into a room.

Also, they are probably a bit paranoid because it is possible it actually happened to them before. You did good by explaining and defusing the situation, chalk it up as an unpleasant experience and avoid them in the future.

sparky64 · June 5, 2013 8:20AM

Wow, I'll bet your antiperspirant was working overtime while your temp was rising.

Wabbit2313 · June 5, 2013 8:25AM

Next time, look at the 6 coins, and hand them back 6 Mercury dimes. See what happens!

rhedden · June 5, 2013 8:31AM

Very aggravating. Just make a note of them and don't ever go back to that table.

OldEastside · June 5, 2013 9:27AM

Ah try not to take it personal, I know its hard, about a year ago i went into Vons
and bought some beer, (The manager was known to chase down beerunners, and
one time I actually wittnessed this) anyhow I went in and bought my coronas one
hot afternoon, and as I was leaving I had to walk around the Electronic Theft Prevention
towers at the entrance, because two very large gals were shooting the gossip blocking
the entrance/exit, so I got about 10 Feet out the door and I get spun around and my
twelver is ripped from my shoulders and the manager yells at me at the top of his lungs
"Don't ever bring your thievin ass in my store again" I had that Macaully Culkin look on my
face for about a second, then I had to pass the two big lady and a half dozen others that
heard that exchange of words, and I yelled "OH YOUR GONNA APOLLOGISE PAL" and then
the cashier I had said "uh he just bought that boss" and I said Hey I got a reciept, wanna
look at it, LONG STORY SHORT, I never have seen a face as red as his and I walked ou with
my beer, an apology, and a $100 dollar gift card, he got off easy IMO.

Steve

Shamika · June 5, 2013 9:27AM

That would have pissed me off big time!

TwoSides2aCoin · June 5, 2013 9:34AM

That would have been fun to watch unfold. That's the kind of stuff that goes viral on YouTube.

SaorAlba · June 5, 2013 9:39AM

Utah, I have known you for over a decade now and having done five figure deals with you - I would be pissed if I were you.

UtahCoin · June 5, 2013 9:47AM

<< Utah, I have known you for over a decade now and having done five figure deals with you - I would be pissed if I were you. >>

My offer still stands for a full refund on that purchase. No restocking fee either...

Staircoins · June 5, 2013 9:52AM

Meh ... simple confusion on their part.

No harm, no foul. I try not to sweat the small stuff.

cmerlo1 · June 5, 2013 9:53AM

That sounds like the table I bought this from... I saw a lot of dealers there I had never seen before.

PerryHall · June 5, 2013 9:54AM

<< Meh ... simple confusion on their part.

No harm, no foul. I try not to sweat the small stuff. >>

Being called a thief in front of others is not exactly "no harm".

Moldnut · June 5, 2013 10:47AM

I only look at one at a time. I thought that was kind of common knowledge.

COALPORTER · June 5, 2013 11:04AM

<< I only look at one at a time. I thought that was kind of common knowledge. >>

I know one dealer that hands you a whole stack of slabs at once. And another dealer that
just about holds onto them like cards in a poker hand.

Unknown · June 5, 2013 11:08AM

This content has been removed.

Lakesammman · June 5, 2013 11:57AM

I'm so used to dealing with old confused people, it wouldn't have fazed me a bit.

Barry · June 5, 2013 11:57AM

You're lucky you didn't get shot, being in Texas.

AnkurJ · June 5, 2013 12:48PM

Considering you are one of the most honest shop owners I know, I would be insulted as well.

bestclser1 · June 5, 2013 2:34PM

No offense,as i would be insulted too.But they say dont mess with Texas!

pennyannie · June 5, 2013 2:42PM

<< Considering you are one of the most honest shop owners I know, I would be insulted as well. >>

Probably so but they did not know it apparently. I was there from 10 to 2 on saturday and only a few people would have heard the same comment.

northcoin · June 5, 2013 3:21PM

<< 

<< Ah try not to take it personal, I know its hard, about a year ago i went into Vons
and bought some beer, (The manager was known to chase down beerunners, and
one time I actually wittnessed this) anyhow I went in and bought my coronas one
hot afternoon, and as I was leaving I had to walk around the Electronic Theft Prevention
towers at the entrance, because two very large gals were shooting the gossip blocking
the entrance/exit, so I got about 10 Feet out the door and I get spun around and my
twelver is ripped from my shoulders and the manager yells at me at the top of his lungs
"Don't ever bring your thievin ass in my store again" I had that Macaully Culkin look on my
face for about a second, then I had to pass the two big lady and a half dozen others that
heard that exchange of words, and I yelled "OH YOUR GONNA APOLLOGISE PAL" and then
the cashier I had said "uh he just bought that boss" and I said Hey I got a reciept, wanna
look at it, LONG STORY SHORT, I never have seen a face as red as his and I walked ou with
my beer, an apology, and a $100 dollar gift card, he got off easy IMO.

Steve >>

$100 gift card? Talk about letting them off easy. My old employer back in college, Best Buy, wrongly accused someone of theft. They settled out of court for a heck of a lot more than $100. >>

The problem here though is that the buyer did circumnavigate the security exit even though for a justifiable reason (people in the way), but from the security person's vantage point that did constitute "reasonable cause." (Analogous to "probable cause in a criminal matter.) IMHO the gift card was more than generous and if taken to court would be a pretty good fact to help the store in their defense, assuming it were allowed into evidence.

Raufus · June 5, 2013 3:32PM

<< Ah try not to take it personal, I know its hard, about a year ago i went into Vons
and bought some beer, (The manager was known to chase down beerunners, and
one time I actually wittnessed this) anyhow I went in and bought my coronas one
hot afternoon, and as I was leaving I had to walk around the Electronic Theft Prevention
towers at the entrance, because two very large gals were shooting the gossip blocking
the entrance/exit, so I got about 10 Feet out the door and I get spun around and my
twelver is ripped from my shoulders and the manager yells at me at the top of his lungs
"Don't ever bring your thievin ass in my store again" I had that Macaully Culkin look on my
face for about a second, then I had to pass the two big lady and a half dozen others that
heard that exchange of words, and I yelled "OH YOUR GONNA APOLLOGISE PAL" and then
the cashier I had said "uh he just bought that boss" and I said Hey I got a reciept, wanna
look at it, LONG STORY SHORT, I never have seen a face as red as his and I walked ou with
my beer, an apology, and a $100 dollar gift card, he got off easy IMO.

Steve >>

Easy is right given that he was physical with u.

robertpr · June 5, 2013 3:35PM

<< 

<< 

<< Ah try not to take it personal, I know its hard, about a year ago i went into Vons
and bought some beer, (The manager was known to chase down beerunners, and
one time I actually wittnessed this) anyhow I went in and bought my coronas one
hot afternoon, and as I was leaving I had to walk around the Electronic Theft Prevention
towers at the entrance, because two very large gals were shooting the gossip blocking
the entrance/exit, so I got about 10 Feet out the door and I get spun around and my
twelver is ripped from my shoulders and the manager yells at me at the top of his lungs
"Don't ever bring your thievin ass in my store again" I had that Macaully Culkin look on my
face for about a second, then I had to pass the two big lady and a half dozen others that
heard that exchange of words, and I yelled "OH YOUR GONNA APOLLOGISE PAL" and then
the cashier I had said "uh he just bought that boss" and I said Hey I got a reciept, wanna
look at it, LONG STORY SHORT, I never have seen a face as red as his and I walked ou with
my beer, an apology, and a $100 dollar gift card, he got off easy IMO.

Steve >>

$100 gift card? Talk about letting them off easy. My old employer back in college, Best Buy, wrongly accused someone of theft. They settled out of court for a heck of a lot more than $100. >>

The problem here though is that the buyer did circumnavigate the security exit even though for a justifiable reason (people in the way), but from the security person's vantage point that did constitute "reasonable cause." (Analogous to "probable cause in a criminal matter.) IMHO the gift card was more than generous and if taken to court would be a pretty good fact to help the store in their defense, assuming it were allowed into evidence. >>

Actually, if taken to court it would be an admission of guilt.

Elcontador · June 5, 2013 3:49PM

I find it odd that they were talking to you about the coins when you were looking at them.

I only look at three coins at a time, max. When done, I slowly hand them back to the dealer. Once in his / her hands, I thank him / her, and wish that he / she has a good show, then leave.

I wouldn't take what happened to you personally, though. There are some very bizarre people in this business, and I've met a number of them. I've been ignored when waiting to look at five figure coins, and been told by a dealer more than once he was "giving me a special deal," when offering me a coin for nearly double what it was worth.

My favorite was when I told a dealer that I liked his coin, and that if he'd come down 9%, I'd write him a check for it on the spot, and he went at me as if I had propositioned his grandmother.

I'm sure dealers have similar stories to the above about potential customers.

It happens. Just move on (and I'd make a mental note not to do business with the clown in the future).

northcoin · June 5, 2013 6:13PM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< Ah try not to take it personal, I know its hard, about a year ago i went into Vons
and bought some beer, (The manager was known to chase down beerunners, and
one time I actually wittnessed this) anyhow I went in and bought my coronas one
hot afternoon, and as I was leaving I had to walk around the Electronic Theft Prevention
towers at the entrance, because two very large gals were shooting the gossip blocking
the entrance/exit, so I got about 10 Feet out the door and I get spun around and my
twelver is ripped from my shoulders and the manager yells at me at the top of his lungs
"Don't ever bring your thievin ass in my store again" I had that Macaully Culkin look on my
face for about a second, then I had to pass the two big lady and a half dozen others that
heard that exchange of words, and I yelled "OH YOUR GONNA APOLLOGISE PAL" and then
the cashier I had said "uh he just bought that boss" and I said Hey I got a reciept, wanna
look at it, LONG STORY SHORT, I never have seen a face as red as his and I walked ou with
my beer, an apology, and a $100 dollar gift card, he got off easy IMO.

Steve >>

$100 gift card? Talk about letting them off easy. My old employer back in college, Best Buy, wrongly accused someone of theft. They settled out of court for a heck of a lot more than $100. >>

The problem here though is that the buyer did circumnavigate the security exit even though for a justifiable reason (people in the way), but from the security person's vantage point that did constitute "reasonable cause." (Analogous to "probable cause in a criminal matter.) IMHO the gift card was more than generous and if taken to court would be a pretty good fact to help the store in their defense, assuming it were allowed into evidence. >>

Actually, if taken to court it would be an admission of guilt. >>

If it were a criminal matter that would certainly be argued. The problem though is that "guilt" is not a legal standard in a civil case. It all hinges on whether the conduct was reasonable. Once there was reasonable cause to suspect shoplifting, which there was here, the jury would have to decide if the response was reasonable. That could go both ways but the fact that a gift card was offered might well support the store's efforts to convince a jury that they acted reasonably once they could confirm that the booze was not being pilfered. Now as to whether the gift card wold ever make it into evidence is a whole different matter. The general rule is that subsequent "negotiations" including "offers of settlement" are not admissible but it really depends for what purpose it is being offered. If offered to show the reasonableness of conduct at the time of the incident I could see a judge letting it in IF it was the defendant store that was seeking its admission.

SaorAlba · June 5, 2013 9:08PM

<< 

<< Utah, I have known you for over a decade now and having done five figure deals with you - I would be pissed if I were you. >>

My offer still stands for a full refund on that purchase. No restocking fee either...

>>

Yeah, right.

MICHAELDIXON · June 5, 2013 10:15PM

Whenever I was transferred to Maryland (Army) I found a coin shop and would frequent it on the weekends. I budgeted $100 a week to spend there. The shop wasn't great and the owner wasn't very intelligent whenever it came to coins or business, so I thought I'd help him out and buy junk and put it on Ebay. One day I asked to see a tray of modern raw Jefferson nickels. There were 3 or 4 holes in the tray. I looked at the coins and handed the tray back to the shop owner. She accused me of stealing a $2.00 proof Jefferson! I never went into the shop again and learned from others he had accused them of stealing. In the end, he went out of business after being sued by several dealers who had consigned coins to him that he never paid for. To this day, it irritates the begeezers out of me that I was accused of stealing; much less a $2.00 coin! I had more quality and quantity in my safe at home. So...I know how you feel.

Unknown · June 5, 2013 10:39PM

This content has been removed.

Mission16 · June 5, 2013 11:22PM

<< You're lucky you didn't get shot, being in Texas. >>

I'm not from Texas but I am offended by this statement.

jokingjoker · June 5, 2013 11:45PM

<< 

<< You're lucky you didn't get shot, being in Texas. >>

I'm not from Texas but I am offended by this statement. >>

I'm sitting in Houston as we speak and it doesn't offend me one bit. After living here my whole life you learn to take comments like it in stride. Of course we all have gun holsters on while driving our 1970 Cadillacs with long horns as hood ornaments and the bottom of our pants are stained from all the oil flowing freely from the ground.

johnny9434 · June 6, 2013 5:42AM

what a bummer to get accused of that. i hope they arent there when ya go back next year.

SoCalBigMark · June 6, 2013 6:04AM

Just think, he has to live with her.

pennyannie · June 6, 2013 6:12AM

<< 

<< You're lucky you didn't get shot, being in Texas. >>

I'm not from Texas but I am offended by this statement. >>

A rookie fort worth police officer just shot and killed a 72 year old man in his garage holding a gun last week. The cops were at the wrong house and he had walked into his garage after hearing noises. They blew him away. While it will do him no good, i bet they pay dearly for that mistake.

I have no idea if you are honest or not if i have never meet you. IMO you brought it on yourself to some degree. Looking at 1 coin at a time would have prevented being accused of stealing. You noted that you did not know them and vice versa.

As far as being honest, a lot of collectors have no issue dumping overpriced coins on the less informed. You hear it called tution all the time around here. Even the so called honest can be guilty of this.

IMO saturday at the show was so dead only a few would have even heard the comment and the other few present were old and hard of hearing.

crazyhounddog · June 6, 2013 7:24AM

<< That would have pissed me off big time! >>

Accused of swiping a coin

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