When I had my first shop, I had a little refrigerator full of 'OV' splits. I also had stools along the counter.
Guys would come in, grab a stool and a beer. I don't think anyone ever left unhappy.....
@thebeav said:
When I had my first shop, I had a little refrigerator full of 'OV' splits. I also had stools along the counter.
Guys would come in, grab a stool and a beer. I don't think anyone ever left unhappy.....
Was that the one on Main St. in Williamsville?
DPOTD-3 'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
I never knew about the Pennies, Pounds, & Pesos in Media, mentioned by mcarney1173. I'll have to check into them. (UPDATE: Just checked out their website - - not updated since 2017 - - and doesn't look like they cater to my level of collector, unfortunately.....)
I was born & raised near Philly. When I first started collecting as a youngster in the early- to mid-60's, my grandparents would walk several miles downtown with me whenever I would visit to hit "Smelter's Row". There, on a small budget, I'd spend FOREVER searching thru their coffee cans of "junk" silver looking for Mercs, Roosies, & Washies I needed to fill holes in my Whitman blue folders. It either never dawned on the inexperienced me or fit into my budget to look into halves & dollars at the time, which I regret the most.
After that, there were ALWAYS lots of B&M stores to choose from, whether in Ambler, Edelman's in Jenkintown, the "Bazaar" in Clifton Heights, Hen's Coins in North Wales, etc. There I could spend my time leisurely looking thru junk boxes or picking up new or used blue Whitman folders for new countries or denominations, or buying a coin or two I wanted. I never looked into buying any of the expensive stuff, or gold, or slabbed. I was in my comfy "folder zone".
I'd also run across one or 2 tables at the local established flea markets or the large seasonal ones that came to the DelCo Community College or PSU satellite campus once or twice a year, as well as year-round barns with stalls at places like Renningers, New Hope, Limerick, and Rte 309 Flea Markets.
I also had a friend whose Mom worked at a bank & would buy/bring us home rolls of coins to search thru (where I found my worn 1876 IHC back in the 70's).
And, in more recent history, there was a monthly coin show that was held nearby, or ones not to far away in Bensalem, etc in a firehouse.
Not to mention I'd try & check some B&M's out in whatever town I moved to while working retail management (I made a lot of nice silver coin or silver certificate, etc finds while prepping or cashing-out the tills each day while doing so, too!)
Finally, while working downtown in my later job, some fellow employees and I would venture down to the Fed building's teller window for a few rolls each of each new issue of State Quarters, later switching to a nearby bank to get them from our favorite teller once that Fed window closed.
I liked the slow pace at those sources, and never overstayed my welcome. I'm sure with my small budget & non-champagne tastes, I was a dead giveaway to owners that I was one they didn't need to waste time working with or watching over, and I could just roam free off to the side picking thru junk boxes while they generated larger income off other customers. I never really graduated from that level of collecting, nor did I really ever want to. Sure, I'd see and jealously crave a slabbed gold coin, etc, but I had more urgent uses for my money and kept my focus on just filling holes in existing series while expanding to other countries & series over time.
One by one, over time, however, either those B&M's and shows closed up or moved away, or circumstances prevented me from driving freely to get to those stores or shows that remained somewhat nearby. Now there's just 1 or 2 in the general area (not counting in Philly itself), and they (like any shows) now seem to cater primarily to slabs, precious metal, etc & no longer have junk boxes or time/patience for someone like me.
Combine that with my vision/driving issues & Covid restrictions, and I can't remember the last time I walked into a store or went to a show. Even the internet & eBay, which helped revive my hobby as those other sources fell by the wayside, now seems to have fewer & fewer items I need or can afford/justify spending on, or have more & more "questionable/fake" merchandise to sift thru. That's what I find most depressing.
Here's hoping things improve sooner vs later & I can start checking out shows & stores & flea markets again as I find them.
Pretty much every B&M I ever walked in had the aroma of mustard or ben gay. Haven't been in one since the Covid-19 but I guess the mask would certainly help block those unpleasant odors.
In my experience also not good to bring in anything to sell. Lowball offers will turn a pleasant visit into an unpleasant one in no time. It's nice looking at inventory in person but you can't find the deals (buying and selling) that you can online. Thanks!
The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.
BOOMIN!™
Wooooha! Did someone just say it's officially "TACO™" Tuesday????
It's funny I started this thread awhile back. Nearly over 7 months ago. Now today, I can use this thread connected to a recent thread I started yesterday. About being "thankful" as to something coin related. I posted what I'm most thankful for in this hobby and that's where this thread comes in. Thankful for my favorite B+M shop. The owner really makes my visit/s a sweet pleasure. By allowing me to search freely through her inventory for varieties/errors. Even asking me afterwards if I found anything. Hope you all have at least half of the carefree shopping for that certain coin/s that I get to experience.
"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.
Hey guys, I'm bumping this thread instead of starting another one. Because of my recent visit to my favorite B+M shop. Yesterday, I asked the owner if I can grab 400 wheats? Here's what she told me. Lol.
She said, "not now, maybe later so I can give you something "good" in the 400!" What? Lol. The reason I wanted the wheaties is because her inventory is filled with many varieties/error coins. As my inventory proves that. The majority of my PCGS coins I submitted, were from her stock. Anyway, what dealer would say and do this? What a gal. Her and her husband are the GREATEST. I do give them gifts occasionally and do favors for them in their store, no charge. Wondering just what coin/s is she going to drop in there? Maybe a 1910s? Maybe a 1909 VDB? Who knows and who cares,right? I'll keep you guys in on the mystery. Lol
"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.
All you can reasonably expect in your encounters with business owners, of whatever type of business, is a range of personalities similar to what you'd find in a random sample of adults. Some really accomodating, some really vile, and the whole spectrum between.
The attitude of the collector generally sets the demeanor of the shop owner. That is usually how it works for me. If I have a pleasant disposition and don't ask rude questions, dealers with brick and mortar and dealers at shows are respectful and nice.
I will be in a shop and observe a customer come across as curt and rudely direct. They're the ones that are usually dismissed and soon after shown the door.
@braddick said:
The attitude of the collector generally sets the demeanor of the shop owner. That is usually how it works for me. If I have a pleasant disposition and don't ask rude questions, dealers with brick and mortar and dealers at shows are respectful and nice.
I will be in a shop and observe a customer come across as curt and rudely direct. They're the ones that are usually dismissed and soon after shown the door.
That has been my experience as well. The way it seems to go is that if you're determined to have a difficult encounter, the shop owner/dealer will quite often oblige. Witnessed at the local shop a while back: Customer enters, approaches the counter and says "I know you're going to cheat me, but what will you pay for this?" It all went downhill from there.
Some are, some are not. I visited a B&M a couple weeks ago after not being there for years. After a few minutes of browsing, I remembered why it's been so long. I was the only customer and I felt like more of a nuisance than welcomed. I continued my browsing and tried to be social with the person behind the counter, but I did not feel like I was wanted there.
There is another B&M that I have not been to for a couple of years where I felt appreciated, I will have to visit them again.
oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's
Yes, unfortunately this is part of the business transaction the coin dealer has to face periodically. Like you, I witness this myself while in the shop. One word, ignorance. Whether the customer is unaware of their own actions or do and/or act in despite. Feel sorry for the owner when this happens. The owner where I mainly go, has plenty of patience and tolerance. She keeps her cool.
"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.
One guy seems never to be open but I see him at shows. Inventory never seems to change and is overpriced. Nice fella.
A couple of Flea market setups. Heard one brag to a friend about ripping a widow over some nice Morgans. The other is a decent fella with good material at fair prices.
The one from my youth closed a decade ago.
Always had junk in 2x2's and the good stuff locked away.
Did sell him an Olympic Gold set about a decade ago.
BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out
USAF (Ret) 1974 - 1994 - The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Remembering RickO, a brother in arms.
I've been in several. One that was fantastic was in Colmar, France. I speak the language well enough, but quickly learned my numismatic French was pretty limited. The owner was great. We chatted for probably an hour and I walked out of there with quite a few coins.
Harlan Berk's shop in Chicago could not have been been nicer. I would love to be able to visit more often. I'd love to visit Witter's shop in San Fran. Someday I probably will.
But, as for the usual B&M's, I have concluded that a good number of them have no interest in getting my money. Many of the people who own them are borderline psychopaths, or at the very least socially backwards. Some act like I'm a nuisance. Some look at me as a potential thief, others are clearly out there only to make ridiculous offers. Some warm up after a few visits, but some I don't even bother with anymore. Human behavior is so odd sometimes, and to be quite honest, the hobby attracts, ahem, a socially skewed population.
As for guys on the show circuit, most of them are great and easy to get along with.
I help out at a shop in Massachusetts. Sales at the counter and over the phone, cataloging the inventory, photography, and maintaining/updating the website. I thoroughly enjoy working with customers and helping them make the most of their experience collecting. I just wish there was more time in the day for all of it.
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you. https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.
@The_Dinosaur_Man said:
I help out at a shop in Massachusetts. Sales at the counter and over the phone, cataloging the inventory, photography, and maintaining/updating the website. I thoroughly enjoy working with customers and helping them make the most of their experience collecting. I just wish there was more time in the day for all of it.
There's a coin shop in Massachusetts with a storefront and online inventory? Where?
I have 3 shops within easy driving distance, but I only work with one of them and they are very nice and treat me well. I always get a good coin story and some inside stuff about the hobby as he travels all over to big shows and has a fine inventory. I had a great relationship with another that retired and have become person friends with he and his wife. Many fun times visiting that store and probably 2/3's of my collection passed through that shop.
"Ain't None of Them play like him (Bix Beiderbecke) Yet." Louis Armstrong
@The_Dinosaur_Man said:
I help out at a shop in Massachusetts. Sales at the counter and over the phone, cataloging the inventory, photography, and maintaining/updating the website. I thoroughly enjoy working with customers and helping them make the most of their experience collecting. I just wish there was more time in the day for all of it.
There's a coin shop in Massachusetts with a storefront and online inventory? Where?
Falmouth!
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you. https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.
@HashTag said:
I only have two coin shops in my town and they’re the only two within a 100 mile radius (small town TX). The same person owns both. He’s too friendly and trusting as I’ve told him many times. A few years ago I was buying a high end proof from a guy that needed cash by 5 pm. I went to the bank and found out there’s a limit on how much cash one can withdraw. That’s not related to the IRS reporting requirement. I was still $600 short. I took some scrap silver to my dealer and he refused to buy knowing how much I valued silver. When I told him what I was buying and the “rules” at the bank he quickly pulled out $1000 handed it to me and said “you’re good for it, pay me when you can”. I payed him the next day after hitting the bank again. Only thing he’s ever asked is that I bring in a few of my higher end coins to see. Last time I was there I took in an ungraded 1879-cc $20; he was so excited to actually hold a raw one as all he ever had were graded ones. He may not have a lot of coins I’m interested in but calls me every time he has any GSA’s or rarely a nice 1879 to upgrade my set. I do buy the majority of my coins from online Auction houses.
Why is he too friendly and trusting? You've built a relationship with him, and he values that more than the very tiny chance you're going to rip him off. There is a major dealer who will ship me coins before I could possibly have sent a check. It's OK to trust trustworthy people.
There are numerous shops here in Indiana I visit frequently. Four of which are all within an hour's drive. Every shop is a different experience but every visit is a pleasant one 😊
Edit to add: one of the newer shop's I have been going to I had found a few variety coins undervalued and un noticed I wasn't interested in so I pointed them out and in return I got offered a job for rainy days when I can't hang steel😊 it felt pretty cool being offered that..
@dagingerbeasttt said:
There are numerous shops here in Indiana I visit frequently. Four of which are all within an hour's drive. Every shop is a different experience but every visit is a pleasant one 😊
Edit to add: one of the newer shop's I have been going to I had found a few variety coins undervalued and un noticed I wasn't interested in so I pointed them out and in return I got offered a job for rainy days when I can't hang steel😊 it felt pretty cool being offered that..
That's awesome sometimes sometimes things just work that way. A Shop use 2 be about 30 minutes from me years ago until the whole outlet building was sold or transferred it was a bummer.
B&M shops have a different Opex structure vs shows or online. With them maximum time efficiency is money considering their fixed overhead cost operating hole. Influx of blue chip spending customers key. Lookey looks and tire kickers waste of time - will drag you down. If you own the building and live in an upstairs apartment / penthouse (super synergy) then you have it made in the shade.
A plus is if material is walking in there considerably below bid allowing the owner make money at shows wholesaling. Sort of like a dual skilled QB structured offense - lean mean green scoring machine.
@abcde12345 said:
Coin shops should be considered essential businesses. My mental health would be on point of the ones in my area were allowed to be open.
In NC they are. Under financial institutions. We never had to close.
I am fortunate to patronize an excellent shop in Warren NJ. Doelgers Gallery of coins, Great selection, weekly Thursday nite newsletter with specials, very nice guy. It's near my VA treatment campus and he's a nam vet to boot. Peace Roy
My local shop is run by a real gentleman. I know that he wants to sell out and retire, but he's not been able to get any takers. I have not been there since the pandemic.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
I don't go to B&M in the area where live now. When I lived in the Phoenix metro area (north Scottsdale) I could have driven to the Mexican Coin Company (now World Numismatics) but it was far away. I bought two coins for my collection from them over the years.
On any random day though, no dealer in the entire country is likely to have anything for my primary series I want to buy and most will have nothing at all.
I have to say that I have been to a few shops where the owner feels put out if you interrupt his BSing with one of his buddies. I have also been in shops where I am a regular and have witnessed first hand the annoying behavior of some of the people who walk through the door. Many sellers act as though they're doing the shop owner a big favor by selling him their bags of pocket change and other junk.
T
USAF (Ret) 1974 - 1994 - The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Remembering RickO, a brother in arms.
Many sellers act as though they're doing the shop owner a big favor by selling him their bags of pocket change and other junk.
Yes, this is the case for 99% of the unfortunate incidences at coin shops. I witness this myself. Sure the old policy, "the customer is always right", should take place, but that's certainly not giving the customer the right to act like an idiot. Lol.
Boy, when you see what it's like behind the counter instead of being on the other side. One should think twice on becoming a coin dealer at a B+ M store.
"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.
Comments
When I had my first shop, I had a little refrigerator full of 'OV' splits. I also had stools along the counter.
Guys would come in, grab a stool and a beer. I don't think anyone ever left unhappy.....
Was that the one on Main St. in Williamsville?
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
I once drove to my closest at 100 miles, will not go back.
I never knew about the Pennies, Pounds, & Pesos in Media, mentioned by mcarney1173. I'll have to check into them. (UPDATE: Just checked out their website - - not updated since 2017 - - and doesn't look like they cater to my level of collector, unfortunately.....)
I was born & raised near Philly. When I first started collecting as a youngster in the early- to mid-60's, my grandparents would walk several miles downtown with me whenever I would visit to hit "Smelter's Row". There, on a small budget, I'd spend FOREVER searching thru their coffee cans of "junk" silver looking for Mercs, Roosies, & Washies I needed to fill holes in my Whitman blue folders. It either never dawned on the inexperienced me or fit into my budget to look into halves & dollars at the time, which I regret the most.
After that, there were ALWAYS lots of B&M stores to choose from, whether in Ambler, Edelman's in Jenkintown, the "Bazaar" in Clifton Heights, Hen's Coins in North Wales, etc. There I could spend my time leisurely looking thru junk boxes or picking up new or used blue Whitman folders for new countries or denominations, or buying a coin or two I wanted. I never looked into buying any of the expensive stuff, or gold, or slabbed. I was in my comfy "folder zone".
I'd also run across one or 2 tables at the local established flea markets or the large seasonal ones that came to the DelCo Community College or PSU satellite campus once or twice a year, as well as year-round barns with stalls at places like Renningers, New Hope, Limerick, and Rte 309 Flea Markets.
I also had a friend whose Mom worked at a bank & would buy/bring us home rolls of coins to search thru (where I found my worn 1876 IHC back in the 70's).
And, in more recent history, there was a monthly coin show that was held nearby, or ones not to far away in Bensalem, etc in a firehouse.
Not to mention I'd try & check some B&M's out in whatever town I moved to while working retail management (I made a lot of nice silver coin or silver certificate, etc finds while prepping or cashing-out the tills each day while doing so, too!)
Finally, while working downtown in my later job, some fellow employees and I would venture down to the Fed building's teller window for a few rolls each of each new issue of State Quarters, later switching to a nearby bank to get them from our favorite teller once that Fed window closed.
I liked the slow pace at those sources, and never overstayed my welcome. I'm sure with my small budget & non-champagne tastes, I was a dead giveaway to owners that I was one they didn't need to waste time working with or watching over, and I could just roam free off to the side picking thru junk boxes while they generated larger income off other customers. I never really graduated from that level of collecting, nor did I really ever want to. Sure, I'd see and jealously crave a slabbed gold coin, etc, but I had more urgent uses for my money and kept my focus on just filling holes in existing series while expanding to other countries & series over time.
One by one, over time, however, either those B&M's and shows closed up or moved away, or circumstances prevented me from driving freely to get to those stores or shows that remained somewhat nearby. Now there's just 1 or 2 in the general area (not counting in Philly itself), and they (like any shows) now seem to cater primarily to slabs, precious metal, etc & no longer have junk boxes or time/patience for someone like me.
Combine that with my vision/driving issues & Covid restrictions, and I can't remember the last time I walked into a store or went to a show. Even the internet & eBay, which helped revive my hobby as those other sources fell by the wayside, now seems to have fewer & fewer items I need or can afford/justify spending on, or have more & more "questionable/fake" merchandise to sift thru. That's what I find most depressing.
Here's hoping things improve sooner vs later & I can start checking out shows & stores & flea markets again as I find them.
No, that one was on Genesee St., between Harlem Rd. and the Thruway. I was there from '79 to '86.
Then I went to Williamsville.
Pretty much every B&M I ever walked in had the aroma of mustard or ben gay. Haven't been in one since the Covid-19 but I guess the mask would certainly help block those unpleasant odors.
In my experience also not good to bring in anything to sell. Lowball offers will turn a pleasant visit into an unpleasant one in no time. It's nice looking at inventory in person but you can't find the deals (buying and selling) that you can online. Thanks!
The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.
BOOMIN!™
Wooooha! Did someone just say it's officially "TACO™" Tuesday????
It's funny I started this thread awhile back. Nearly over 7 months ago. Now today, I can use this thread connected to a recent thread I started yesterday. About being "thankful" as to something coin related. I posted what I'm most thankful for in this hobby and that's where this thread comes in. Thankful for my favorite B+M shop. The owner really makes my visit/s a sweet pleasure. By allowing me to search freely through her inventory for varieties/errors. Even asking me afterwards if I found anything. Hope you all have at least half of the carefree shopping for that certain coin/s that I get to experience.
"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.Hey guys, I'm bumping this thread instead of starting another one. Because of my recent visit to my favorite B+M shop. Yesterday, I asked the owner if I can grab 400 wheats? Here's what she told me. Lol.
She said, "not now, maybe later so I can give you something "good" in the 400!" What? Lol. The reason I wanted the wheaties is because her inventory is filled with many varieties/error coins. As my inventory proves that. The majority of my PCGS coins I submitted, were from her stock. Anyway, what dealer would say and do this? What a gal. Her and her husband are the GREATEST. I do give them gifts occasionally and do favors for them in their store, no charge. Wondering just what coin/s is she going to drop in there? Maybe a 1910s? Maybe a 1909 VDB? Who knows and who cares,right? I'll keep you guys in on the mystery. Lol
"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.Mine does. Free coffee and the use of their microscope. And if you're not in the way, you can hang around long as you want.
Pete
All you can reasonably expect in your encounters with business owners, of whatever type of business, is a range of personalities similar to what you'd find in a random sample of adults. Some really accomodating, some really vile, and the whole spectrum between.
Coinlearner, Ahrensdad, Nolawyer, RG, coinlieutenant, Yorkshireman, lordmarcovan, Soldi, masscrew, JimTyler, Relaxn, jclovescoins, justindan, doubleeagle07
Now listen boy, I'm tryin' to teach you sumthin' . . . . that ain't no optical illusion, it only looks like an optical illusion.
My mind reader refuses to charge me. . . . . . .
The attitude of the collector generally sets the demeanor of the shop owner. That is usually how it works for me. If I have a pleasant disposition and don't ask rude questions, dealers with brick and mortar and dealers at shows are respectful and nice.
I will be in a shop and observe a customer come across as curt and rudely direct. They're the ones that are usually dismissed and soon after shown the door.
peacockcoins
That has been my experience as well. The way it seems to go is that if you're determined to have a difficult encounter, the shop owner/dealer will quite often oblige. Witnessed at the local shop a while back: Customer enters, approaches the counter and says "I know you're going to cheat me, but what will you pay for this?" It all went downhill from there.
Some are, some are not. I visited a B&M a couple weeks ago after not being there for years. After a few minutes of browsing, I remembered why it's been so long. I was the only customer and I felt like more of a nuisance than welcomed. I continued my browsing and tried to be social with the person behind the counter, but I did not feel like I was wanted there.
There is another B&M that I have not been to for a couple of years where I felt appreciated, I will have to visit them again.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
Yes, unfortunately this is part of the business transaction the coin dealer has to face periodically. Like you, I witness this myself while in the shop. One word, ignorance. Whether the customer is unaware of their own actions or do and/or act in despite. Feel sorry for the owner when this happens. The owner where I mainly go, has plenty of patience and tolerance. She keeps her cool.
"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.NLI
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/date-sets/hashtags-prefect-coin-grading-service-1879/album/7621
I wish that there was a shop around here to visit.
HashTag said,
Good Story
Good for you. That's what you call a good relationship.
"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.One guy seems never to be open but I see him at shows. Inventory never seems to change and is overpriced. Nice fella.
A couple of Flea market setups. Heard one brag to a friend about ripping a widow over some nice Morgans. The other is a decent fella with good material at fair prices.
The one from my youth closed a decade ago.
Always had junk in 2x2's and the good stuff locked away.
Did sell him an Olympic Gold set about a decade ago.
BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out
That depends, are you a noodge?
USAF (Ret) 1974 - 1994 - The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Remembering RickO, a brother in arms.
I've been in several. One that was fantastic was in Colmar, France. I speak the language well enough, but quickly learned my numismatic French was pretty limited. The owner was great. We chatted for probably an hour and I walked out of there with quite a few coins.
Harlan Berk's shop in Chicago could not have been been nicer. I would love to be able to visit more often. I'd love to visit Witter's shop in San Fran. Someday I probably will.
But, as for the usual B&M's, I have concluded that a good number of them have no interest in getting my money. Many of the people who own them are borderline psychopaths, or at the very least socially backwards. Some act like I'm a nuisance. Some look at me as a potential thief, others are clearly out there only to make ridiculous offers. Some warm up after a few visits, but some I don't even bother with anymore. Human behavior is so odd sometimes, and to be quite honest, the hobby attracts, ahem, a socially skewed population.
As for guys on the show circuit, most of them are great and easy to get along with.
I help out at a shop in Massachusetts. Sales at the counter and over the phone, cataloging the inventory, photography, and maintaining/updating the website. I thoroughly enjoy working with customers and helping them make the most of their experience collecting. I just wish there was more time in the day for all of it.
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.
There's a coin shop in Massachusetts with a storefront and online inventory? Where?
LIBERTY SEATED DIMES WITH MAJOR VARIETIES CIRCULATION STRIKES (1837-1891) digital album
I have 3 shops within easy driving distance, but I only work with one of them and they are very nice and treat me well. I always get a good coin story and some inside stuff about the hobby as he travels all over to big shows and has a fine inventory. I had a great relationship with another that retired and have become person friends with he and his wife. Many fun times visiting that store and probably 2/3's of my collection passed through that shop.
Louis Armstrong
Falmouth!
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.
Why is he too friendly and trusting? You've built a relationship with him, and he values that more than the very tiny chance you're going to rip him off. There is a major dealer who will ship me coins before I could possibly have sent a check. It's OK to trust trustworthy people.
NLI
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/date-sets/hashtags-prefect-coin-grading-service-1879/album/7621
There are numerous shops here in Indiana I visit frequently. Four of which are all within an hour's drive. Every shop is a different experience but every visit is a pleasant one 😊
Edit to add: one of the newer shop's I have been going to I had found a few variety coins undervalued and un noticed I wasn't interested in so I pointed them out and in return I got offered a job for rainy days when I can't hang steel😊 it felt pretty cool being offered that..
That's awesome sometimes sometimes things just work that way. A Shop use 2 be about 30 minutes from me years ago until the whole outlet building was sold or transferred it was a bummer.
B&M shops have a different Opex structure vs shows or online. With them maximum time efficiency is money considering their fixed overhead cost operating hole. Influx of blue chip spending customers key. Lookey looks and tire kickers waste of time - will drag you down. If you own the building and live in an upstairs apartment / penthouse (super synergy) then you have it made in the shade.
A plus is if material is walking in there considerably below bid allowing the owner make money at shows wholesaling. Sort of like a dual skilled QB structured offense - lean mean green scoring machine.
Whatever it takes to work your angle.
In NC they are. Under financial institutions. We never had to close.
My YouTube Channel
I won’t go to my local one. Very rude owner unfortunately.
I visited a coin shop in Asheville, NC a couple years ago. A very pleasant experience. Even my wife thought it was tolerable..
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
I am fortunate to patronize an excellent shop in Warren NJ. Doelgers Gallery of coins, Great selection, weekly Thursday nite newsletter with specials, very nice guy. It's near my VA treatment campus and he's a nam vet to boot. Peace Roy
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My local shop is run by a real gentleman. I know that he wants to sell out and retire, but he's not been able to get any takers. I have not been there since the pandemic.
I don't go to B&M in the area where live now. When I lived in the Phoenix metro area (north Scottsdale) I could have driven to the Mexican Coin Company (now World Numismatics) but it was far away. I bought two coins for my collection from them over the years.
On any random day though, no dealer in the entire country is likely to have anything for my primary series I want to buy and most will have nothing at all.
I have to say that I have been to a few shops where the owner feels put out if you interrupt his BSing with one of his buddies. I have also been in shops where I am a regular and have witnessed first hand the annoying behavior of some of the people who walk through the door. Many sellers act as though they're doing the shop owner a big favor by selling him their bags of pocket change and other junk.
T
USAF (Ret) 1974 - 1994 - The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Remembering RickO, a brother in arms.
Many sellers act as though they're doing the shop owner a big favor by selling him their bags of pocket change and other junk.
Yes, this is the case for 99% of the unfortunate incidences at coin shops. I witness this myself. Sure the old policy, "the customer is always right", should take place, but that's certainly not giving the customer the right to act like an idiot. Lol.
Boy, when you see what it's like behind the counter instead of being on the other side. One should think twice on becoming a coin dealer at a B+ M store.
"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.Just found out my local gold buyer has an ebay presence.
Picked a coin this AM and had a nice time.
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Ok, let's see what she gave me. 200
I already see a beautiful reverse and two steelies. $9
"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.