@Wahoo554 said:
The ethical discussions on this thread are interesting and important. The gray areas especially. Ignoring the present situation above involving unknowing minors, here’s a couple scenarios that I would like some opinions on. Say you go to a flea market and an antiques dealer is selling an 1854-S half eagle for $500. He obviously isn’t knowledgeable about coins, but at least has a sense of the potential value of a generic half eagle. Is it unethical to purchase at $500 and be on your way without mentioning your understanding of its rarity? What if you see the same coin at a garage sale mounted to a necklace being sold for $30 because the (adult) seller does not know it is gold? What is the acceptable move? Do you inform the seller that it is gold and offer melt value? Does that make up for omitting the information that it is a hugely valuable rarity?
Cherry picking is fun, but there really seems to be a gray area as to when it is ethical to cherrypick. My post is not intended to comment on the $25 garage sale scenario discussed in this thread which is a separate issue altogether. Let me know your thoughts on the 1854-s scenarios above.
Setting aside my instant suspicion of counterfeit in both these scenarios I would inform the seller of the rarity. This coin is not just any "rare" coin. I'd be much more direct with the garage sale scenario, telling the seller not to sell it and pointing them to a trusted appraiser. If they refused to listen, I'd buy it at the offered price, have it conserved and graded, and then split the proceeds with them on sale.
The antique dealer should know better, so a single comment on rarity should be enough. I would absolutely haggle with him on the price and would feel no need to inform him on the specific value.
@Maserati27 said:
... I care more about money gained rather than person(s) I’ll never see again or don’t know. I’m just being honest though. ...
Wow really? I hope you don't mean that. People are more important than money. With an attitude like yours you could find yourself in prison one day. If that does happen you better hope the prosecutor does not find this thread and show the judge at your sentencing hearing.
@Maserati27 said:
It’s not an issue of being praised or bragging. I paid $25 to secure me an astronomical profit and build more profit with my funds on coins that I don’t have any attachment to. While picking up the coins I will be attached to and want to keep in my collection. I didn’t commit any crime, so. As far as being ethical goes. Well call me a pos, but. I care more about money gained rather than person(s) I’ll never see again or don’t know. I’m just being honest though. I know there is negative criticism. But I don’t have anything bad to say about anyone or their responses.
Actually, if the kid who sold it to you is 17, you might very well have committed a crime.
Would the same apply if he bought 8 coffee cups for $2?
Not condoning the behavior of the $25 gold buyer, but I was under the impression we go to garage sales in hopes of finding outrageous deals that are way under priced. If it had been a worthless piece of art with a Rembrandt hidden behind it, would it have been any different? Would those here quick to point a finger return it to the seller or would they be on that "What's it Worth" TV show bragging about their "find?"
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
Yesterday morning I was right in the middle of posting on the original thread about this when it was closed. Very interesting screen graphics I might add. Anyway, the point that I was going to make is that perhaps we should just let it go. Something here is not on the level. If we don't feed them they eventually go away. Why play into their game. I'm typing very fast........because this thread most likely is about to be closed at any moment. As it should be.
The criminality of the seller and the unethical and probably illegal activity by the business owner are off the charts on this case. A murderer trying to fence his stolen swag has a story that is preposterous as if a tag sale seller has room temperature IQ to sell gold, a well known high value item for face value is the height of absurdity. I would never do business with a suspected criminal and I know many dealers also who back away at a whiff of dirty money or stolen items. It may be high profit but to be an accessory to a crime usually caries hefty penalties as well as it should.
This part of our hobby is the down side part. This story reminds me of what happened to me about 15 years ago. Speaking of,"where exactly do you draw the line?" As many times earlier, we all seem to do it one time or another. The many stories here on the Coin Star subjects are a good example to my point. Like I said, as many times before, whenever I pass any Coin Star mach, or in this case, a bank coin exchange machine. I always take a gander in the coin return bin. Well, one time, at my bank, I came upon a different find in the return bin. Not only a little change was sitting in the bin but a WHOLE LOTTA change! The bin was full to the capacity! I couldn't believe my eyes. Man, I was ecstatic beyond belief. I start stuffing my pockets, both of them. When I finished, my pants wanted to fall down. Lol. While I was grabbing all this change, I was thinking to myself, wow,I can't wait to check all this money when I got home. So curious on not just the amount but Like any coin collector would think, if there were any Silver and variety/error coins in the treasure? Isn't it crazy how the human mind reacts on petty things like this? This is what we call "Human Nature". Yeah right! I'll get back to this subject.
Anyway, getting back to the cash. So I got home and first counted it, it came to a little over $25. $25, in that small return bin, wow. After thoroughly going through all the coins. Believe it or not, not one silver coin and no real variety coins! Just $25.
So I remember going on the Forum soon after I was done. Here comes my point, sorry. I posted it with you guy's to "BRAG" about my so called find. Wouldn't you know it? Most of you guy's gave me a tongue lashing about it! I couldn't believe it? I thought I would make you guy's say, " good going or well done". Grant it, some did say those things, but the majority of the posts were the opposite. Ya see, I should've realized this myself, way before I posted it on the Forum! Esp. being the Christian that I am. It was just plain WRONG to take all that money. This wasn't mine at all. Who knows, maybe an unfortunate soul like someone slow or handicapped cashed these in and didn't realize about the return bin? Or just any customer from the bank, who knows? Whatever, It was still wrong and because of most of the members on the Forum stirred me in the right direction and made me come to my senses, I took all the money back to the bank, thank you guy's!
The bank teller couldn't believe I done this. She kept thanking me. In the end, boy did I feel better! Even in this sometime dog eat dog hobby, we have to draw that line, don't we? Thanks for hearing me out and I hope we ALL (Wink, Wink) can learn a serious lesson here?
One More Thing... Money isn't everything!
,"
"Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!
--- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.
We've all done things we regretted and wished undone. Here is an example of one that can be undone. Buyer should do the ethical thing and return the coin with a heartfelt apology.
Lance.
Comments
Interesting thread.
I see a mushroom cloud coming soon.
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Setting aside my instant suspicion of counterfeit in both these scenarios I would inform the seller of the rarity. This coin is not just any "rare" coin. I'd be much more direct with the garage sale scenario, telling the seller not to sell it and pointing them to a trusted appraiser. If they refused to listen, I'd buy it at the offered price, have it conserved and graded, and then split the proceeds with them on sale.
The antique dealer should know better, so a single comment on rarity should be enough. I would absolutely haggle with him on the price and would feel no need to inform him on the specific value.
Wow really? I hope you don't mean that. People are more important than money. With an attitude like yours you could find yourself in prison one day. If that does happen you better hope the prosecutor does not find this thread and show the judge at your sentencing hearing.
Join the fight against Minnesota's unjust coin dealer tax law.
Would the same apply if he bought 8 coffee cups for $2?
Not condoning the behavior of the $25 gold buyer, but I was under the impression we go to garage sales in hopes of finding outrageous deals that are way under priced. If it had been a worthless piece of art with a Rembrandt hidden behind it, would it have been any different? Would those here quick to point a finger return it to the seller or would they be on that "What's it Worth" TV show bragging about their "find?"
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
Yesterday morning I was right in the middle of posting on the original thread about this when it was closed. Very interesting screen graphics I might add. Anyway, the point that I was going to make is that perhaps we should just let it go. Something here is not on the level. If we don't feed them they eventually go away. Why play into their game. I'm typing very fast........because this thread most likely is about to be closed at any moment. As it should be.
The criminality of the seller and the unethical and probably illegal activity by the business owner are off the charts on this case. A murderer trying to fence his stolen swag has a story that is preposterous as if a tag sale seller has room temperature IQ to sell gold, a well known high value item for face value is the height of absurdity. I would never do business with a suspected criminal and I know many dealers also who back away at a whiff of dirty money or stolen items. It may be high profit but to be an accessory to a crime usually caries hefty penalties as well as it should.
This part of our hobby is the down side part. This story reminds me of what happened to me about 15 years ago. Speaking of,"where exactly do you draw the line?" As many times earlier, we all seem to do it one time or another. The many stories here on the Coin Star subjects are a good example to my point. Like I said, as many times before, whenever I pass any Coin Star mach, or in this case, a bank coin exchange machine. I always take a gander in the coin return bin. Well, one time, at my bank, I came upon a different find in the return bin. Not only a little change was sitting in the bin but a WHOLE LOTTA change! The bin was full to the capacity! I couldn't believe my eyes. Man, I was ecstatic beyond belief. I start stuffing my pockets, both of them. When I finished, my pants wanted to fall down. Lol. While I was grabbing all this change, I was thinking to myself, wow,I can't wait to check all this money when I got home. So curious on not just the amount but Like any coin collector would think, if there were any Silver and variety/error coins in the treasure? Isn't it crazy how the human mind reacts on petty things like this? This is what we call "Human Nature". Yeah right! I'll get back to this subject.
Anyway, getting back to the cash. So I got home and first counted it, it came to a little over $25. $25, in that small return bin, wow. After thoroughly going through all the coins. Believe it or not, not one silver coin and no real variety coins! Just $25.
So I remember going on the Forum soon after I was done. Here comes my point, sorry. I posted it with you guy's to "BRAG" about my so called find. Wouldn't you know it? Most of you guy's gave me a tongue lashing about it! I couldn't believe it? I thought I would make you guy's say, " good going or well done". Grant it, some did say those things, but the majority of the posts were the opposite. Ya see, I should've realized this myself, way before I posted it on the Forum! Esp. being the Christian that I am. It was just plain WRONG to take all that money. This wasn't mine at all. Who knows, maybe an unfortunate soul like someone slow or handicapped cashed these in and didn't realize about the return bin? Or just any customer from the bank, who knows? Whatever, It was still wrong and because of most of the members on the Forum stirred me in the right direction and made me come to my senses, I took all the money back to the bank, thank you guy's!
The bank teller couldn't believe I done this. She kept thanking me. In the end, boy did I feel better! Even in this sometime dog eat dog hobby, we have to draw that line, don't we? Thanks for hearing me out and I hope we ALL (Wink, Wink) can learn a serious lesson here?
One More Thing... Money isn't everything!
,"
"Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!
--- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.I believe it occurred. And I find it disgraceful.
We've all done things we regretted and wished undone. Here is an example of one that can be undone. Buyer should do the ethical thing and return the coin with a heartfelt apology.
Lance.
Paraphrasing Vince Lombardi. For many, money is the only thing.
I've seen just about enough of this guy.
So, the question remains: At what point does a tongue lashing suddenly become a "well done, you suck?"
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left