Coin show etiquette: Is it cool to... (follow-up question added)

RYK · October 18, 2003 5:43AM

ask a dealer selling raw coins or PCI/SEGS coins to show the coin to ANACS/PCGS/NGC or another dealer to get their opinion on grade and slabworthiness?

At the Silver Dollar Show, there were several higher dollar coins that interested me, but only with some independent confirmation of grade and lack of problems.

jdimmick · October 18, 2003 5:55AM

Back at the ANA Baltimore show, I asked two dealers whom I did not know at the time if I could take and item over to show someone and ask for an opinion. I took a 56 FE over to Rick Snow for his opinion and a 21-s Walker to another dealer I knew.

The only thing, since both of the dealers did not know me at the time, I had to leave collateral.

jim

Barry · October 18, 2003 6:01AM

A few years ago, in Balto, I was looking at a raw, key date Seated Dime at Jim O'Donnell's table. I asked him if I could get an opinion from ANACS. He said sure and didn't even ask me for any ID or collateral. I offered and he still didn't want it!

darktone · October 18, 2003 6:01AM

I see nothing wrong with doing that at all. In my business I would compare it to having a used car checked over by a mechanic and any dealer that refuses to let you have a car or coin checked out is not worth dealing with. Sorry to the people that don't like car comparrisons. mike

wingedliberty · October 18, 2003 6:02AM

It happens all the time as a normal part of the hobby. I do it all the time and so do hundreds of forum members.

nwcs · October 18, 2003 6:03AM

Nope. However, with the proper collateral or whatever, they should have no issue with you doing it yourself.

poptopsRus · October 18, 2003 6:05AM

People ask me that all the time at shows and I never have a problem with it.

gemtone65 · October 18, 2003 6:17AM

If it's a $100 coin we're talking about I'd say that's uncool; if it's a $1000, then it's okay to do so occasionally with a particular dealer.

What I find definitely uncool is when you go to sell to a dealer, and they ask you if they can obtain a second opinion. Sometimes they just go ahead and do so without even asking. Either way, this kind of behavior is particularly annoying.

MrEureka · October 18, 2003 9:20AM

As far as I'm concerned, potential buyers - collectors and dealers - are almost always welcome to ask a second opinion about one of my coins.

gemtone65 - Often, dealers that ask if they can get a second opinion are hoping to sell your coin before they buy it. Without permission, that would not be cool.

airplanenut · October 18, 2003 9:23AM

If I were to do that, I'd buy the coin on the terms that, after showing ________, I can return the coin in full if a certain, stated criterium was not met.

Jeremy

gemtone65 · October 18, 2003 9:40AM

Andy: Now that I think about it, you're absolutely right. Excellent point.

roadrunner · October 18, 2003 10:51AM

I've had one dealer who I used to be friendly with who on several occasions would take the coin(s) I offered him to another wholesale
dealer so he could know where he stood. After seeing this done twice I no longer offer coins to him. IF you cannot consistently figure out what to buy on your own, find another line of work. Sometimes good business has to come before being friendly. In most cases on slabbed coins, the potential buyer, if a dealer, is taking the coin to shop it for a quick flip. I don't play that game anymore. Keep the coins in you rown hands unless you are desperate or have a great relationship with someone.

roadrunner

vam44 · October 18, 2003 11:51AM

<< <i>I've had one dealer who I used to be friendly with who on several occasions would take the coin(s) I offered him to another wholesale
dealer so he could know where he stood. After seeing this done twice I no longer offer coins to him. IF you cannot consistently figure out what to buy on your own, find another line of work. Sometimes good business has to come before being friendly. In most cases on slabbed coins, the potential buyer, if a dealer, is taking the coin to shop it for a quick flip. I don't play that game anymore. Keep the coins in you rown hands unless you are desperate or have a great relationship with someone.

roadrunner >>

Just watch who he shows the coin to,and next time,just eliminate the middleman.

RYK · October 19, 2003 7:59AM

Follow-up question:

How do I get the coin from the dealer to my expert now that the show is over? I would not be making a big deal of it, but there was this one nice XF/AU 1850-D $5...

MrEureka · October 19, 2003 8:02AM

How do I get the coin from the dealer to my expert now that the show is over?

Ask the dealer to ship the coin to your expert. Offer to pay the postage.

Coin show etiquette: Is it cool to... (follow-up question added)

Comments

Leave a Comment