It is a good time to write the "Unwritten" rules of Numismatics.
Coinstartled
Posts: 10,135 ✭✭✭✭✭
I'll begin.
- at a busy coin show, a collector with two loupes and a pair of reading glasses strung from his neck is as welcome as an ex wife at a bachelor party.
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Comments
Collectors are all sane and logical until they shell out an extra $2000 for a $500 coin in a GSA holder.
When you get run out of the OFR, its not a good idea to come to this forum and bloviate.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
That is 3!
Four: When buying a pricey raw coin from a B&M dealer. There is likely a reason that it is raw.
Getting voted off that Island ain't no easy feat. You practically have to murder someone's kin to get tossed there or be a registered democrat.
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
I heard a guy, at the last show that I was at, say that he'd have gladly paid a certain dealer a lot more money (his asking price), if he would've been nicer and less sarcastic to him. But since he wasn't;; he decided to whittle him down as far as he could.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Six: Sunday is a bad night to end your auctions on Ebay as there is substantial competition and the chances of an Ebay Bucks promo is almost nil.
Ketchup stains are unacceptable. Only mustard stains will do.
Never ship a coin inside a condom box. ( I have to say it).
Do not kick the cat, if you want to make a deal.
Never trust a dealer who claimed the coins were inherited from his grandpa or deceased uncle.
It's not a sausage party~
If a dealer in a glossy Sunday magazine lists the "vault number" in an ad......run for the hills.
Trolls are by nature very clever creatures. They hang around for free nourishment. They get it. They seem interested. They're not. They seem intelligent. They are. If they are not fed they go away. Don't feed the trolls.
That ties nicely into lunches served at coin shows. It is difficult to negotiate a deal at about noon when it is announced that the pizza is ready.
Always ask to see a grey sheet.
Then make off with it.
Saying, "I'll be back" at a show will get the dealer to remember to lower the price the next time around the room.
Complaining about the $8 for parking is valid and is best repeated at each table as dealers like to hear it more than once.
Telling a dealer that you can buy 'that' coin on the internet for 30% less with free shipping will probably not result in a price reduction. Cheers, RickO
At a busy table, look at a 1979-S Morgan and in detail tell the seller that your grandma Hazel had an old sock full of the same coin. He will be glad to have another story in his repertoire.
Don't ask for opinions on a coin (or anything) and get "bent-out-of-shape" (offended) when someone says something other than positive. Sometimes you gotta call the ugly baby..."ugly".
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Ha ha ~ Lol
Lithium is the collector's friend.
All lots are searched until proven otherwise
IG: DeCourcyCoinsEbay: neilrobertson
"Numismatic categorizations, if left unconstrained, will increase spontaneously over time." -me
Never to buy from a dealer wearing a suit and tie.
In general, never expect to sell a coin back to a dealer for the price you paid. It always degenerates a grade or two while in your possession.
Cheers, RickO
"Original unsearched rolls" rarely are.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Stay behind your table on Saturday buying and selling with the public and shop the bourse on Sunday.
Why? It is a business after all.
If you notice the rim bump, dark spot or tiny little scratch but buy it anyway it will haunt you forever until you finally cannot stand it any longer.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
On a more serious note, here are some rules:
1. Your reputation is the most valuable thing you have.
2. Relationships, relationships, relationships
3. In G-d we trust, all others pay cash. If #1 and #2 don't apply, bring cash.
4. A polite offer is usually considered even if it is a stretch
5. A not so polite offer, even if it is fair is often disregarded
6. Don't lie because you never what the person you are negotiating with knows.
It'll haunt you even more if you don't see the problem until after you get home.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
That is the beauty of half dimes....they are forgiving.
Forgiveness is easier to get from smaller things.
You collecting trimes again, Rollo?
Never buy from a dealer who is only wearing a tie and tube socks.
If you tell me I can't cherrypick you, you already lost!
The rules are the same in every business and hobby and are governed by the laws that have developed over many years; to believe that there is something special here in "rules" is not logical.
If you cherrypick something good, don't be a dick and try to beat the price down as well.
That's is really funny I have one rule on dating and men. If you take longer to get ready to go then You Gotta Roll > @Justacommeman said:
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
And if you pay $30 for a $2000 coin on Ebay.....don't request the seller to insure the shipment for that much....
Don't tell a dealer new to you: "You should give me a good price on this because I am going to do a lot of business with you in the future."
This is automatic proof that you are a wanker!
Never ask a dealer if you can get him something to eat......you will soon be lugging a tray of cheese fries, chili chimichangas and red onion and anchovy pizza.
b/c their quotes are usually the highest on the floor vs other dealers with the same coins. They need higher profits to pay for their suit and tie...
First impressions are almost fool proof. If you don't love it first look, forget it and move on. Treat dealers as a friend and some will become so
No thought has ever entered the OP's head and remained unwritten for more than 5 minutes
There are many high end professional businesses where wearing a suit is a dead give away that you are a newbie.
Was Grandma Hazel Chinese ?
Or respectful of tradition
Sometimes the best deal is the one you pass on.
I don't believe in that judgment with "first impressions". People who filter their perceptions with reason require some time to evaluate things of value. It's like a photo that develops, it takes time, especially with dealers who are looking to buy and resale.