Dealers w/ attitudes....Your experiences, here is mine

Manorcourtman · January 16, 2004 9:33AM

This is a extension of the "Do you buy pity coins" thread. Anyone else sick of dealers with attitudes? I buy from a regional dealer how is the biggest jerk in the world until I pull out the checkbook. I have spent over 5k with him and he still doesn't call me by my first name. Given, he is probably 70-75 and needs to retire, but wouldn't you treat someone who is a better customer with a little respect? Everytime I ask him if I can look at his mint and proof sets he thinks he's doing me favor by showing me one or two years of stuff. And yes I usually buy one or two I look at out of pity. I had the same experience last summer at the Baltimore/ANA show. Why in the heck should a dealer have an attitude?, and yes I realize you see buyers who are only looking to sell bargains on eBay that they bought from you on the cheap. If you don't like the hobby or the people then start collecting stamps!!!

Just a little venting from the frozen tundra up North. Other opinions appreciated. I am not ripping 90% of the dealers I have met but the 10% w/ attitudes leave a bad taste in many buyers mouths.

EVillageProwler · January 16, 2004 10:13AM

At the risk of stirring the pot a bit, but what about the flip side representing the unspecified percentage of collectors whose demeanor leaves a bit to be desired?

My feeling is that it's impossible for any single sizable group of people to all behave in the ideal. Pick any group of people, and I bet we can single out a few and complain about one aspect or another of their behavior.

EVP

[edited to try to get this post to register in the post count for this thread.]

EVillageProwler · January 16, 2004 10:21AM

Odd, but my previous post didn't show up in the post count for this thread...

EVP

Bear · January 16, 2004 10:22AM

Sometimes, a relationship between a dealer and a collector

is as much chemistry as good manners. Just as with a physician, some patients

will praise them to the sky and hold them in high regard, other patients will dislike them.

Find a dealer that you can have a pleasing relationship with and one who will offer you the

coins, price and service you seek.

Cladiator · January 16, 2004 10:22AM

Whether it be at a show or in a shop I always start off by asking the dealer a couple questions non coin related. Weather questions, business questions...just small talk. You can tell right off if he/she is one of "those" dealers. If they are I just walk away and never come back. Simple as that. So...I've really never had a bad experience with a dealer because I don't give the a$$hole dealers a chance to anoy me.

Russ · January 16, 2004 10:47AM

I always weigh the attitude against the upside. For example, if I spot a 1964 proof set in the case with a cameo Accented Hair marked for greysheet, the dealer can be the biggest jerk in the world.

Russ, NCNE

Coinosaurus · January 16, 2004 12:13PM

I have seen both sides of this.....dealers who are complete jerks & collectors likewise......after much rumination and having watched many others tread the same path, I have come to a remarkable conclusion......the collectors who are more personable, knowledgable and just plain fun to do business with will, in the long run, get better coins than another collector who has the same amount of dough to start with and who has an equivalent "eye" for coins. So b-tch all you want about the jerk neighborhood dealer who offers only 3x face for junk silver, etc. (I once had a dealer offer me face value for some modern proofs), but in the end a lot of this comes down to forming positive relationships w/dealers.....you either work on creating them or you don't..........

stman · January 16, 2004 12:18PM

Dealers just remind me of a rose.

BillJones · January 16, 2004 12:49PM

The worst treatment I EVER had from a dealer?

When I was in my 20s I asked a dealer if I could see a coin at a New York City show. He told me I couldn't afford anything he had in his case. When I got to know his pricing policies, I had to agree with him. He's still in the business, but he doesn't see much of me. Since I only buy and sell a few hundred grand a year in coins, my spending patterns are still not sufficient for his establishment.

Russ · January 16, 2004 12:52PM

<< <i>Dealers just remind me of a rose. >>

Thorny?

Russ, NCNE

stman · January 16, 2004 12:59PM

<< <i>

<< <i>Dealers just remind me of a rose. >>

Thorny?

Russ, NCNE >>

I was trying to be nice in my own way, but now you mention it, ummm YES

hookedoncoins · January 16, 2004 1:05PM

<< <i>The worst treatment I EVER had from a dealer?

When I was in my 20s I asked a dealer if I could see a coin at a New York City show. He told me I couldn't afford anything he had in his case. When I got to know his pricing policies, I had to agree with him. He's still in the business, but he doesn't see much of me. Since I only buy and sell a few hundred grand a year in coins, my spending patterns are still not sufficient for his establishment. >>

Same thing happened to me when I was 15 or so... I asked to see a Stone Mountain half in AU or so (raw) and he told me I couldn't afford it. Even if I couldn't of afforded it back then (it was probably priced around $40 and I probably was planning to spend $30 altogether or something similar), he didn't have to be a jerk off about it. Now I spend around $1000 or so (less if i'm unemployed) a year on coins and he sure as hell isn't getting a second look by me.

-Jarrett Roberts

Wondo · January 16, 2004 1:12PM

I have met a couple of dealers with what I would call "old-school" attitudes. These are guys on their way out. As in any service oriented business, customer satisfaction is the key.

I go to coin shows dressed in sweats, baseball hat and jeans. I do this not because I want to fool the dealer into thinking I am not a sugar daddy, I do this because I am a slob! Yet, many dealers prequalify my pocketbook by my outward appearance.

Anyway, most dealers are polite and will show me very expensive coins if I ask to see them. Others will shrug and say things like, "You know, this is $300 ,$300 or $30000 coin," with a sneer. Pisses me off.

My favorite dealer, Rob Lehmann of Reeded Edge, is a hoot. We get along well, he calls me from the bourse on commons and keys. He sends coins on approval - I return about 40%. I am sure he makes his money, but I end up happy.

Keep the dealers with attitudes, they are dinosaurs.

darktone · January 16, 2004 1:15PM

One well known on-line coin dealer copped an attitude when I used his request a photo option to get a look at one of his coins. The coin was over dipped in my opinion so I politely told him the coin did not have the look I was going after. I thought all was well but ever since then when I ask about a coin he says it is already sold. I thought it was a little strange the coins stayed in his inventory so I emailed him under a different address and he quoted me a price and sent me a picture......I never responded or looked on his site again. mike

spy88 · January 16, 2004 1:19PM

There are quite a few shops here in Vegas but have gone to only one of them for help/advice/purchases. The last time I was there (maybe a year or so ago), I was unfortunate to have the owner @ the counter instead of one of the friendlier other sales people. I showed him maybe 10 PR Jeffs I was hoping to submit. After seeing them and giving me his recommendation, he asked where I got them. Told him eBay out of PR sets.

I swear you could actually see what little smile was on his face turn into a look of disgust and evident disdain for me, as he immediately asked if there was anything else he could help me with. As I said no, he had his back to me walking away before I could say "Thank you for your time".

The distinct impression I got from him was...if you buy coins from any source (or maybe just eBay) other then a dealer, you are not worth his time. He has/had lots of raw Jeffs that looked very nice and reasonable but will not buy from him now.

I now rarely go into this store (one of the most highly regarded in Vegas) because he was always there when I did go back. I am waiting to catch the store when he is gone so I can deal with someone else there.

XpipedreamR · January 16, 2004 1:21PM

The worst I have experienced is just general gruff crustiness, nothing too horrible.

BillJones · January 16, 2004 1:26PM

In contrast to these stories, when I was in my teens and was first starting to buy coins, I went to Ginbels department store in Philadelphia. Gimbels (actually it was another vendor who rented space in Gimbels) was not a great place to buy because their prices were high, but a couple of the employees there took an interest in me. They showed me coins like early $5 gold pieces and other scarcer pieces. They knew that I could not afford to buy those coins and would not be able to buy them for a long time; but they showed an interest, and MY interest grew. At the time they were selling a common date Mint State early $5 gold coins, like an 1806, for $600. That's peanuts today, but back then (the mid to late 1960s) that was strong money.

To make a long story short I have fond memories of dealer Earnest Kraus, who had to be in his 70s at the time, who take an interest in my growth in the hobby. Earnie was long since passed from the scene, but left me with a lot of good memories and fundamental interest in this hobby that has lasted with me to this day.

Wondo · January 16, 2004 1:31PM

BillJones,

Oh sure, a soft spot for dealers!!

Hey, I believe that 80% of dealers bend over backwards to put up with the general collecting public - we are holes at times. A lot of the horror stories occur when the dealer hits a breaking point - they are human after all (well, I don't have first hand knowledge of Laura).

Skipper53 · January 16, 2004 2:09PM

I've dealt with dealers online, in their stores, and at shows.
Attitudes online aren't relevant; websites don't show feelings.
The few stores I've visited have been mixed; 50% friendly,50% cold.
The dealers I've met at the two shows I've attended have been
overwhelmingly cordial.

farthing · January 16, 2004 2:24PM

Manorcourtman - Your situation may actually be nothing more than a generation gap. If the dealer is 70-75 years old he was probably raised to never address another adult by their first name out of respect. He is actually showing his respect to you by not calling you by your first name. Addressing another adult by their first name was reserved for members of the family or very close friends, but never in a business environment. This could also be a cultural thing as it would also be taboo if he was raised in another country or if his parents were immigrants.

Just something to think about.

Dog97 · January 16, 2004 3:07PM

Yeah dealers really suck!
They need to fling themselves down on the tracks in front of the next train that comes through town & let us collectors sell our coins to each other.

oreville · January 16, 2004 3:25PM

On the whole, I get the impression that dealers are nicer to the young collectors today then when I was a young collector.

I believe dealers on the whole. have become a little more sensitive towards the leading collectors of tomorrow.

LAWMAN · January 17, 2004 4:17AM

You are always free to do business with whomever you choose and not to do business with whomever you choose. You also do not have to be any nicer to a person than they are being to you (corollary to Golden Rule). Agree with Russ tho, if the dealer has something you want and it is priced right, it don't matter to me if the dealer is a jerk.

mgoodm3 · January 17, 2004 5:39AM

About the worst I have had was at a shop in San Diego (visiting). I walked in asked to look at something they looked annoyed and went and got a book of coins. Look for a couple minutes. They then retrieved their book and told me they were closing and that I should leave. It was like 4:30 in the afternoon. I realize the need to close, but it wasn't done in a nice way or a in a way that made me want to spend money there.

wallstreetman · January 17, 2004 6:23AM

Then why in the heck do you buy from him!

wallstreetman · January 17, 2004 6:28AM

Hey wondo, your not one of those smelly guys are you!

Dealers w/ attitudes....Your experiences, here is mine

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