Don Imus rips Littleton Coin Co. of NH

anablep · October 5, 2005 2:27AM

I was listening to Don Imus this morning and he mentioned that his son (7 years old) received a package of coins from Littleton. His son does not collect coins, nor does the I-man. After sending the coins back (instead of throwing them away, as he threatened to do) Littleton sent a refund check for no reason and will be sending his son an order. He tried to reach them on the air but they refused to talk to him live. Interesting mail situation Littleton uses to get customers, huh? I guess they sent sample coins to the wrong person...

Longacre · October 5, 2005 2:31AM

Perhaps it was just sent to the wrong address, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

I remember being terrified when I was around 7 years old becuase I didn't know what "getting coins on approval" meant. I just thought that you could order "3 Buffalo Nickels for 15 cents" like the ad said. When the approval coins started coming, I was really scared because I didn't know what to do with them and whether I would get charged, get in trouble, (or sued!) because of it. It was terrible.

Russ · October 5, 2005 2:35AM

With me, it was stamps:

Was I a cute kid, or what?

Russ, NCNE

Longacre · October 5, 2005 2:39AM

Russ--

Nice PJ's. That pic HAD to be taken in the 1960's.

gyocomgd · October 5, 2005 2:41AM

The walls have a yellowish tinge. Did your folks really buy those L&Ms by the box?

BigE · October 5, 2005 2:43AM

I did the stamp thing too. Had bunches of envelopes of world stuff, used to like the old US stamps better though

-----------------------BigE

Russ · October 5, 2005 2:46AM

<< That pic HAD to be taken in the 1960's. >>

Yep, mid '60's. See that rotary dial phone? It was a party line. Loads of fun for a kid.

Russ, NCNE

gyocomgd · October 5, 2005 2:48AM

Littleton totally blew it by not taking the call. After taking some playful guff from Imus for sending his kid the coins, they'd get the type of publcity you can't pay for. His show only reaches 50 million people.

topstuf · October 5, 2005 2:54AM

Imus sent me two bucks for jokes when he was runnin a "Buck a yuck" contest back when he was an unknown at K-JOY in Stockton, California.

xbob · October 5, 2005 3:12AM

On one hand, Littleton does bring new collectors to the hobby. But as soon as the new collector buys a Redbook, or any coin price guide, they realize they were smacked by that hand. They charge 2x, 3x, or more over retail on most items. Why? Because they can, I suppose. The uninformed keep on buying. That's my opinion.

When I took the bait once, the customer service was actually quite pleasant when I asked not to be sent anything else. They should have taken Imus's call.

Boom · October 5, 2005 3:38AM

I recall my experience with Littleton quite well actually. After buying a substantial amount of their overpriced common junk before I knew better, they suggested I join the ANA. First thing I did was order a Blue Book, a Red Book, a 5X and a jeweler's tray.

I blew a gasket when I discovered just how grossly overpriced their stuff was, reported them to the ANA and demanded a full printout of every stinking coin I had bought along with what I was charged and promptly sent it to the ANA.

A few days later LCC sent me a huge box into which every last coin was placed and returned for a complete refund including all shipping charges and THAT was THAT.

I liked to have vomited when shorly after this they were presented an Award by the ANA for promoting the hobby.

All about $$$$

Boom · October 5, 2005 3:39AM

You were a cute little boy Russ. What happened?

anablep · October 5, 2005 4:30AM

I didn't like getting coins in the mail from Littleton as a kid. I always hoped they wouldn't get lost going back to NH.

IrishMike · October 5, 2005 6:25AM

<< Perhaps it was just sent to the wrong address, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

I remember being terrified when I was around 7 years old becuase I didn't know what "getting coins on approval" meant. I just thought that you could order "3 Buffalo Nickels for 15 cents" like the ad said. When the approval coins started coming, I was really scared because I didn't know what to do with them and whether I would get charged, get in trouble, (or sued!) because of it. It was terrible. >>

No there was no benefit of the doubt. I watched the show this am and Imus was hilarious. The coins were addressed to his son Wyatt. Don sent the coins back in an envelope provided by Littleton. Wyatt then got a refund check of about 9 bucks with a note that the rest of his order was being shipped. Imus called them crooks and dared them to sue him as he would introduce them to David Boys. They do this all the time hoping that folks are stoopid enuf to fall for this trick.

oreville · October 5, 2005 7:13AM

You were a cute little boy Russ. What happened?

He said so himself=====he turned into a coin Ferengi!

Boom · October 5, 2005 7:15AM

I'm too lazy to go get the Dictionary (Not Really) but can someone please explain what a Ferengi is?

Edited for spelling corrections

ROBBItheOKIE · October 5, 2005 7:41AM

Hey isnt that one of those guys from Deep Space Nine that are money hungry and have the Big Ears????

shylock · October 5, 2005 7:52AM

Imus at his best. His 7 year old son gets these coins in the mail from Littleton stating he will be billed for them if he doesn't send them back. Obviously their database of rich potential clients has made a big mistake, but you gotta love it. The best part was the letter his 7 year old sent to Littleton disclosing the team of lawyers he had at his disposal. oops.

wjd283 · October 5, 2005 8:02AM

<< I'm too lazy to go get the Dictionaty (Not Really) but can someone please explain what a Ferengi is?

>>

TorinoCobra71 · October 5, 2005 8:13AM

Thats how they justify their prices "We offer the convienence(sp) of shopping at home" ..... Yeah right, Give me Ebay any time over that............

TorinoCobra71

TorinoCobra71 · October 5, 2005 8:14AM

He Russ is that Pic from the 50s or 60s??

TorinoCobra71

"Russ is an OLD FART"

ChangeInHistory · October 5, 2005 8:24AM

<< He Russ is that Pic from the 50s or 60s??

TorinoCobra71

"Russ is an OLD FART"

>>

Not really, I think Ferengi's have a 100+ life expectancy.

By the way Russ when is the Numismatic Rules Of Aquisition book coming out?

dorancoins · October 5, 2005 8:28AM

Hooray for the I-Man. I have to applaud him for giving Littleton his "two cents" worth. I remember the story of Don Imus and Bill Clinton. It was in the late 1990's and it was at a fund-raising function where Imus and Clinton was there. Evedently, Imus spoke and made a pretty unflattering comment about Clinton right in his presence and, of course, Clinton was pretty red-faced (suprise-surprise). I found the story quite funny. Now, as far as Littleton is concerned, I get stuff from them from time to time (mostly buy sheets) and I have to laugh at them, as I wonder if whoever does their lists is on crack!. I am not a fan of this so-called numismatic business, and it is them (certain greedy numismatic businesses) that makes it harder for local dealers to obtain material at a fair, honest price. And as far as I'm concerned, they might as well be in the same league as Wal-Mart and Home Depot - an evil empire!!!!!

ChangeInHistory · October 5, 2005 8:41AM

Hey Dorancoins, don't forget the Yankees!

dorancoins · October 5, 2005 8:45AM

<< Hey Dorancoins, don't forget the Yankees!

>>

dorancoins · October 5, 2005 8:46AM

<< 

<< He Russ is that Pic from the 50s or 60s??

TorinoCobra71 "Russ is an OLD FART"

>>

Not really, I think Ferengi's have a 100+ life expectancy. By the way Russ when is the Numismatic Rules Of Aquisition book coming out?

>>

Yeah, Russ - when is the Numismatic Rules Of Aquisition book coming out - I want an autographed copy!

DrPete · October 5, 2005 9:04AM

I, too, got sucked into the Littleton "on approval" mess as a kid. I got snared by a comic book or newspaper circular that sent me 10 foreign coins for 50 cents or so. I ended up buying some of their junk over a year or two and finally wisened up.

I'll be I spend about $100-150 or more of my parent's money on junk that was worth no more than $5 total.

Too bad so many people get sucked in for this sort of thing.

tlhoy · October 5, 2005 9:08AM

I was listening to Don Imus this morning

Why

cosmicdebris · October 5, 2005 9:18AM

Or what

Coinosaurus · October 5, 2005 10:20AM

Is it wrong to sell lemonade in the desert at high prices?

Halfsense · October 6, 2005 1:51PM

Imus calmed down and virtually apologized on the air a day later (today, Thursday, Oct. 6) after learning that either his son, or someone using his son's name, actually ordered the coins from Littleton and that all the material was NOT unsolicited. He also acknowledged that Littleton issued a refund within 24 hours of receiving the returned coins, and that the company did not know the order came from a child (or someone purporting to be his son).

-donn-

zkcoins · October 6, 2005 1:59PM

<< I'm too lazy to go get the Dictionaty (Not Really) but can someone please explain what a Ferengi is?

>>

I can't tell if you are serious or not! If you really need to know, here is a link!

If you are joking, then nevermind.....

eagle7 · October 6, 2005 2:03PM

This lawyer stuff is a two way street as is the old phrase, " two sides to every story". Seems like Imus is the one with egg on his face now. BTW, I have never bought any coins from Littleton, nor have I recieved any unsolicited coins from Littleton. Ever.

NoviceKris · October 6, 2005 2:22PM

If you were watching or maybe listening today, Thursday, Imus made some fun of coin collectors in general.. calling them
'bedwetters'.

EJB · October 6, 2005 2:35PM

Littleton has been overpriced and pushy for a long time, finally someone speaks out...I luv it...

Don Imus rips Littleton Coin Co. of NH

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