If you point someone to a coin priced below their minimum offer, do they owe a finder's fee?

Options
airplanenut
airplanenut Posts: 22,764 ✭✭✭✭✭

This is a hypothetical I've been thinking about (and not based on any dealings I've had). Every so often there is a BST post where someone is looking for one or more of something and offering to pay at least a specified minimum for the coin. If you own one, it's straight forward: the sell price is at least the minimum. What if you simply point them to one you don't own?

Let's say the minimum price is $500. If you find one for sale for $450 do they owe you $50 for pointing it out? If it's only $200 do they owe you $300? Or if you point them to the coin do they just owe you a thank you or maybe a nominal fee unrelated to their minimum price?

JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research

Comments

  • moursund
    moursund Posts: 3,207 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Maybe a better question, should they offer a finders fee?

    100th pint of blood donated 7/19/2022 B) . Transactions with WilliamF, Relaxn, LukeMarshal, jclovescoins, braddick, JWP, Weather11am, Fairlaneman, Dscoins, lordmarcovan, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, JimW. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who so believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
  • csdot
    csdot Posts: 737 ✭✭✭✭
    Options

    In the off chance this is a serious post and not an attempt at humor, the answer is treat people the way you would like to be treated. In other words, just do it to be nice, not to make money.

  • Crypto
    Crypto Posts: 4,098 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    If you are a dealer you buy it and then sell it, if you are a friend you just make the connection

  • Jzyskowski1
    Jzyskowski1 Posts: 6,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 5, 2021 4:14PM
    Options

    I think airplanenut is fun-in us.
    “Golden Rule.” Pretty simple (even has “gold”right in it. )😉

    🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    No but someone might do you the favor one day, just saying

  • Lakesammman
    Lakesammman Posts: 17,696 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Only if you've worked out such an agreement ahead of time.

    Gone but not forgotten: IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal, CoinsAreFun.
  • 291fifth
    291fifth Posts: 25,218 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    No.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • philographer
    philographer Posts: 1,383 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Good karma

    He who knows he has enough is rich.

  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,859 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 6, 2021 9:01AM
    Options

    You have to do a lot of pro bono work in this hobby and have to shake off expectations sometimes. . No big deal.

  • WildWestHalfDollars
    WildWestHalfDollars Posts: 7,106 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    No....it is always good to help fellow collectors.

    Liberty Seated Half Dollars

  • HATTRICK
    HATTRICK Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    definitely a no. remember the motto "All for one" and "All for one " oops "One for all"
    Please excuse my lexdyxia.

    " If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. " The 1st Law of Opposition from The Firesign Theater
  • U1chicago
    U1chicago Posts: 6,993 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @johnny9434 said:
    No but someone might do you the favor one day, just saying

    Very true. I've connected people with items they were looking for simply to help a fellow collector. A few very kind individuals returned the favor (it was very appreciated but obviously not necessary).

  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,042 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 5, 2021 8:14PM
    Options

    If you point someone to savings, do they owe you a finder’s fee?

    Do you expect or can expect a finder’s fee?

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • Desert Moon
    Desert Moon Posts: 6,480 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    NO You should be happy to help a fellow numismatist..............

    My online coin store - https://desertmoonnm.com/
  • jesbroken
    jesbroken Posts: 11,252 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Were a dealer to be contacted by a customer and was asked to find a certain coin/condition for $X then if you found them said coin, a bargain would have been struck and the answer to the question is yes. If you just saw where someone wanted/needed said coin at $X price and you told them about it, I would hope it would be as a forum member assistance and be gratis. I recently did just that, found a coin someone needed and they were appreciative and offered a gift, I said no. I have looked many times for various items forum members mentioned they wanted/needed and have always passed it on via pm's and never considered a fee for this.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • Type2
    Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    A simple thank you is good enough for me.



    Hoard the keys.
  • SonnyD
    SonnyD Posts: 217 ✭✭✭
    Options

    I don't assume the gratuity... courtesy costs nothing. Although "bird dog" fees are not uncommon in my circle. We appreciate a good lead and throw a little something their way, might be cash might just be a deal on a coin you liked. Scratch my back I'll scratch yours.

    BST📋✅️: mainejoe

  • Zoins
    Zoins Posts: 34,489 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 6, 2021 2:22AM
    Options

    Where’s that book again?

    How Not to Win Friends and Influence People ;)

    Answer is no, no finder fee due, unless agreed upon beforehand.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,048 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I think the problem is the word "owe". There's no obligation that's different over whether someone might offer.

    If you help a little old lady with her groceries, she doesn't owe you anything. But it would be a nice gesture if she offered you a cup of coffee or something

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • MarkKelley
    MarkKelley Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    We're all supposed to be friends here. Finders' fees (in my opinion) are neither expected nor necessary.

  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I just do such things as a friendly gesture to fellow collectors. And it has been done for me as well. Cheers, RickO

  • PerryHall
    PerryHall Posts: 47,752 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @Jzyskowski1 said:
    I think airplanenut is fun-in us.
    “

    After re-reading his opening post, I think he was being serious.

    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

  • Jzyskowski1
    Jzyskowski1 Posts: 6,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @PerryHall said:

    @Jzyskowski1 said:
    I think airplanenut is fun-in us.
    “

    After re-reading his opening post, I think he was being serious.

    🙀

    🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶

  • rec78
    rec78 Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I don't know if I would "Owe" it. But I certainly would pay it.

    image
  • WaterSport
    WaterSport Posts: 7,064 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    No - I would hope they would do the same for me someday down the road.

    WS

    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
  • pcgscacgold
    pcgscacgold Posts: 3,831 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I spend a little too much time online. I come across things. I PM those that collect what I find. Have always received a "Thank You" and am happy with that. I would never consider charging someone and would not accept payment.

  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,392 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I wouldn’t expect it.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • WAYNEAS
    WAYNEAS Posts: 7,271 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    No.
    When I do something like this, I do expect something in return.
    A simple Thanks works every time.
    Wayne

    Kennedys are my quest...

  • HATTRICK
    HATTRICK Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    One of the many benefits of this forum is the exchange of information that helps other members with many parts of their collecting whether it is general info, pricing or where to find the best or safest deal. Most of us enjoy providing what info we can free of charge. I have learned much from this forum and would happily provide any help I could for another member free of charge but if I am selling it will cost you. :)

    " If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. " The 1st Law of Opposition from The Firesign Theater
  • YQQ
    YQQ Posts: 3,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    NO, the benefactor should consider paying it FWD!!!!
    Perhaps a small bottle of favorite scotch, a chocolate bar etc.. in the mail around x-mas? would be a much better reward than $$$
    just saying

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • airplanenut
    airplanenut Posts: 22,764 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @PerryHall said:

    @Jzyskowski1 said:
    I think airplanenut is fun-in us.
    “

    After re-reading his opening post, I think he was being serious.

    I think up all sorts of random stuff. Sometimes I know my answer but can also come up with a rationale for the other side, even if it’s not what I would do. So yes I was serious in wondering how others think, but I try to not show my hand when I ask a question like this; my asking shouldn’t imply that I think anything is owed, though I was genuinely curious if anyone would defend that side. I’ve been the beneficiary of kind actions in the numismatic community (the board and beyond) and certainly hope I can help someone else, as well. Rereading what I wrote, perhaps the word “owe” wasn’t quite the right word for what was going on in my mind, but seeing as no one defended that side, I don’t think there’s any need to deal with the semantics.

    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file