How not to start a discussion with a Dealer when trying to negotiate...
Broadstruck
Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
Over the years of going to shows some of the things I've seen collectors say to dealers and then walk away not being able to make a deal are the following...
"Wow you really aged hard"
"You put on a lot of weight since I saw you last time"
"What happened to your hair"
Anyone have any others?
To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
9
Comments
I’ve learned that leading with a punch to the face usually isn’t the best strategy.
"Winning through intimidation" is a book on many people's tactics. I usually just ask what their best price is.
Broadstruck Junior just got a boat load of free stuff from a dealer I've known for over 30 years when he asked how old he was and followed up with "You are as old as my grandma, but look so much younger".
How about
Wassup! or
Are you whatshisname? or
Are you the guy? or
You got the good stuff? or
I'll be back.
Peace Roy
BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW
LEAVING with a "punch" may also close the door to the future.
"Wow- is that really the price? Are you smoking crack?".
Go exercise your mustard free "M" finger
"What did you use to clean all those dollars with?"
Dealer replied "A Brillo pad - you should try it on your coins!"
To me, many years ago at a small club meeting where we did buy/sell/trading -
"Were those coins in a fire or something?" regarding some of my late date walkers that had
developed dark gold rim tone from long term album storage....
Years ago, I "heard" a potential buyer lean on the dealers display case.
The breaking glass sounded every bit as bad as a coin hitting the floor.
Needless to say, no deal.
That's an extremely high price. At first I just thought you were a hunchback but now I see it is your butt.
Is that a grey pompon stain on your shirt or am I mistaken... Your table is not in the cheap seats...is it?
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Onions on that dog?
"I'll be back" is instigated by the aggressive dealer who thinks everyone who glances in the case needs to be asked if they're "looking for something."
Of COURSE I'm looking for something.
Grrrrr..... don't MOST show attendees look for what catches their eye?
Where you hiding the good stuff.
Um, do you deal for a living or just for laughs, because your prices are hilarious!
"That's pretty high. Are you still paying back the Russian mob?"
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Thanks for letting me look, I wanted to see one in person before I bought it on Amazon/eBay.
Collector of randomness. Photographer at PCGS. Lover of Harry Potter.
While looking at the Type & Bust material never say, "Wow I see you saved all your change from your paper route" when you were a kid
Steve
Nice coin but it's in the wrong holder
"Mean Mr. Mustard" is a Beatle song. Call him/her that if you get snidely insulted. DON'T throw the first punch.
Pete
What did grandma give him?
I didn't know you remarried !!!
when are you due?
Don't quote me on that.
I always disliked it when a potential buyer would pick a coin out of my case, look at it, ask a price, and then say......."Did you see the (insert descriptive here) (rim tick, scratch, etc).....
Well, yea.....I bought the coin, I must have looked at it.......
Have a Tic Tac.....PLEASE.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
"What's the cheapest thing you have?" People actually used to ask this on occasion. Needless to say, it did not make me want to help them.
Dealing in Canadian and American coins and historical medals.
"Anyone have any others?"
That one always got me.
"Wow, nice stuff" followed by the walkaway (very, very few collectors collect expensive major error coins)
If u want to look like an idiot on the bourse go ahead and go up to a dealer and say something derogatory or smart alec. Do it to me and I will say something right back “the kiddie auction is over there” or “there’s a junk box for u at that table” or my fav “go find one.”
I had a guy come over to my table at a recent show trying rip me on one of my coins saying “l buy below bid to sell to dealers.” Knowing the deal was going nowhere I laughed and told him “well go open a shop.”
In a bull market u won’t even see those people but in this one they come out like possums at night scavenge stuff. Mr Crab a neighbor in my childhood oknew how Deal w those varmits he had traps, rope them in, chop their heads off.
That's a legitimate question these days with so much junk out there.
"I've got a drawer full of those at home, but mine are shinier."
Walk up to table or display case....and ask to see the boxes of "the good stuff" that is not on display.
"You have more silver in your head than you do in your case."
Are those real?
Yeah, that, "Peace Roy" will do it every time.
At shows: I don’t do negotiations with customers - I quote my best price usually about 10 pct off MV, a generous discount and they can take it or leave.
Yes I do occasionally have dummy guys or other garbage come up and they give low ball offers and I simply tell them go open a shop lol.
What do you say to those that tell you that they already have a shop?
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
Your coins are so cleaned and polished. You may want to try using that product to remove the mustard stains from your shirt.
@Paradisefound ..."Are those real?"..... Was that question in regards to coins?
Cheers, RickO
Yes, could you "open the case" and let me see those up close.
A dealer that walks the shows in my area is famous for looking at a coin and saying, with a voice dripping with sarcasm, "how much is this GEM?" Even when it's a really nice coin. From anyone else, we'd be insulted. From him, we all go, "well that's just Jimmy..."
Anyone from the Maryland area will know who I'm talking about...
LRC Numismatics eBay listings:
http://stores.ebay.com/lrcnumismatics
You catch more bees with honey than with vinegar , but flies will always be buzzing around ______.
Open the conversation with: "Hey, you! All dealers are crooks!" Then work down the language to specific insults about his stock, appearance then the likelihood of his children being mistaken for DT's spawn. Insults should always be "tweetable" for better management. After these 'pleasantries' offer half of grey sheet for the best coins in his case.
All of this will produce stimulating conversation, and certainly pave the way to negotiating really good prices for choice coins.
When selling, use "The Young Ones" style of diplomacy.
.
.
"Give me some more money you bast@rd."
Boomshanka and fascist bully boy optional.
.
.
"To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
........is the candy in the bowl older than the coins In the case?....
Looks like prison was rough on you this time.
these were on hulu for awhile , I loved that show back in the day.
Is that why I see you hugging on Steve and some of the other guys, at the local shows, these days? That works better?
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
Whenever you buy someone’s coin
‘Tis best not to try to purloin
Or speak with distain
Of his new mustard stain
And avoid any kick to the groin.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
"Just curious about your exercise routing and diet as I was reading a book on the habits of highly successful people". "Are your grading standards when selling the same when buying from the public?" "I've gotten better casual wear at the local Goodwill, where did you get those Haband poly leisure clothes, Woolworth's or JC Penney"? "I saw a bulge in your back pocket, is that a Derringer or a Glock"? "Where did you get those Bust halves, a flea market?" (I've been asked this). "If this raw coin comes back in a details holder, what are your return privilege terms?"