now GOOD dealer stories.

hamiltonjh · November 22, 2003 10:51AM

When I first got into serious collecting, it was in north west Florida, near Eglin AFB (Destin, Ft. Walton Beach). There was 1 dealer in the area at the time that had a nice quaint store. Comfortable and nonassuming. No pressure feelings at all as opposed to another shop nearby with the fancy lights, thick carpet, classical music playing...blah blah blah.

I was going after Morgans (still am), and I went in his shop since it was the only one I felt comfortable in. After the nicities (spelling??) I told him I knew nothing and since the shop was empty (not in those words) could he help me out. We spent the next 4 hours chatting about coins and drinkin coffee. He also turned out to be retired Air Force and had also spent time in Japan, so we had some common ground on which to build a kind of personal friendship on top of a business relationship.

Customers came and went as we chatted, and I listened to them talk about things which helped me to learn. I even saw what was obviously a repeat long time customer tell him that he thought he undergraded a coin in a 2x2. They discussed it, broke out the graysheet or something (cant remember what exact periodical they used) and the customer eventually ended up buying it for a higher price. He could have realized the seller was selling low and got a good deal. Obviously he didnt want to do the guy wrong and that impressed me. I thought that if someone is willing to tell a seller they'll pay more for an offered coin, then, the seller must be a good person.

We continued a friendship/business relationship up to the day I left florida to come back overseas. He doesnt do email (at least as of when I left Florida in 2000) so we dont keep in touch now. But, when I get back to that area either to live there or be stationed there again, his shop is one of the first places I go. I bought some and traded some, and he never took advantage of me. Each time, we broke out the "sheet" as I call it and he showed me the weekly market price. So, I know it was an up and up deal. I trusted him anyway.

So...I wish more dealers were apparently like this. It's my only experience with one, but it sounds like there are lots and lots more that arent so good. I know the good ones are out there....lets hear about them.

XpipedreamR · November 22, 2003 10:57AM

Cool, its good to have someone like that. I do, and I'm very grateful for it, especially when you hear peoples horror stories.

hamiltonjh · November 22, 2003 11:05AM

being overseas (for the last 3 years and 10 out of 13 years) makes it hard to learn. I've learned more on this board in a few weeks than I could have hoped to if I had to "teach myself". I look forward to being able to find a good dealer to visit again in the states. :-)

mojorizn · November 22, 2003 11:38AM

I've got a great local dealer. His shop isn't very big and it tends toward the pawn shop end of the spectrum, but he's an honest guy who looks out for his regulars.

I pop in every couple of weeks and he always brings out coins he knows I'll be interested in. Early in our relationship he asked what I liked and what I wanted to spend. He's never pulled out the usual crap or tried to dump something on me he can't move, though I'm sure he gets his share of cleaned up garbage.

Several times I've traded up with him and always got a sweet deal. He's not afraid to tell you what his margin has to be to keep the lights on but at the same time he'll sell you a nice uncleaned Barber Quarter for greysheet bid if he got a good deal.

So when you get back to Florida look me up John. I know a nice little shop in Englewood you'd feel at home in.

Mojo

Dollars · November 22, 2003 11:44AM

My Local shop is like you said, small, no pressure. Just fun to go there. I never try to waste his time but end up BSin for awhile. I also noticed that the other customers who come to buy or sell have no problem showin you whats up and why the do what they do.

Along with these boards, I have learned so very much in a short time.... Also that I have much to learn

Dave
In Laurel
MD

Coinosaurus · November 22, 2003 11:46AM

Well the thing is.....your local dealer may be a totally upstanding honest guy.....but that does not make him a good numismatist. Now combine the personable, forthright and honorable dealer with strong technical knowledge - THAT"S the person you want to do business with......

lordmarcovan · November 22, 2003 11:53AM

A world coin dealer in Hendersonville, NC, knew I was collecting English coins at the time (this was about twelve years ago, when I was poorer than dirt), and when I showed up in the shop, he said, "Here, I saved something unusual for you." He passed me a Fine 1828 or 1829 shilling across the counter. I say "1828 or 1829" because the last digit in the date was partially off the flan. The coin was struck 35-40% off-center! Easily a $100+ coin, and a US coin of that era would be worth thousands! I asked him how much, and he shrugged and told me to keep it. That's possibly the nicest freebie I have ever gotten from somebody outside my own family/friend circle.

Another time I got an incredible box lot of Darkside proof and mint sets (dozens of 'em!), FREE, from a fellow forum member, who I hardly knew, and with whom I had never even exchanged a PM before! There were several hundred dollars catalog value in that box. I distributed some in giveaways, traded some (one got me the cool Draped Bust half on my Holey Coin Vest), and I sold the rest. I think I have one set left out of all that box full, which cost this guy maybe thirty bucks, just to ship! And we were practically strangers! I haven't seen him around much lately, but if you're still here, you know who you are, and God bless you. That was extremely generous!

hamiltonjh · November 22, 2003 12:05PM

Will do mojorizn. Like I said, I'm lookin forward to gettin back and learning from a good person in flesh and blood. These boards are great and I'll be here forever, but nothin beats a face-to-face when it comes to learning.

Coinosaurus-the more we talked and the more I learned, I could tell he knows what he's talkin about. I still consider myself new to collecting and will for a long time since I'm overseas and am limited to my numismatic experiences until I get back to the states, but I could tell he knows what he's doing and what he's talking about. Plus, when others came in, they talked in acronyms about coins that at the time sounded as crazy to me as it would if I started talking military acronyms on this board. He "toned down" his language for me, taught me terminology etc. I just didnt want to bore everyone TOO much with ALL the deatils of our meetings. Just wanted to get the point across he's a good guy. :-) Not saying he's the MOST knowledgeable...but he's no slouch.

lordmarcovan-you got people sending you stuff like that?? wow...how? I want a piece of that action.

hamiltonjh · November 22, 2003 12:07PM

Yes "dollars"...those "little" shops are the best. When people communicate with strangers showing off their things...the BS'ing....all that. Like a club and not a "store". Makes it more fun than "shopping" like at K-Mart or somewhere.

JoeHolt · November 22, 2003 12:17PM

I have a really great dealer story it was back in about 1980 I was in like 6th grade and my mom and I had went to a coin show in Chatanoga TN well she was looking at a dealers table and I wondered off to look at other itmes and had a dealer sorta of wave me his way and he handed me a coin out of his case and gave it to me. I still have that coin in the same I recerived it in it has changed color some and Im getting ready to send it to PCGS at the time it was marked a 1909 ms65+ red gem full strike lincoln cent it has turned a redish brown now I would like to say Thankyou to the Dealer if they are on the boards they were from Atlanta GA the company was called the A.A.A. Coin Syndication & Investments I will always remember this gift and the kindnest

Thankyou
Joe Holt

Coinosaurus · November 22, 2003 12:19PM

Hamilton-

Didn't mean to imply that your guy wasn't knowledgable. It's just that the first coin dealer I ever met who was really friendly was not the smartest leaf on the tree.......fun to chat with tho.......

hamiltonjh · November 22, 2003 12:22PM

JoeHolt-WOW....wish I had that kind of luck. :-) sounds like a great guy.

Coinosaurus-No offense taken...sorry if I came off wrong.

I was just expanding a bit on my previously long entry. Like I said, I wanted to keep it short as I think the shorter some entries are, the more likely to be read. :-)
Sorry if I came across wrong. :-)

now GOOD dealer stories.

Comments

Leave a Comment