If a dealer spends time with you, do you feel obligated to buy something?

DickyBetz · December 5, 2005 2:31AM

Say that you are at a show and you spend 10-15 minutes at a dealers table while he is showing you coins that you are interested in. You look at the coins and then decide you dont like them. Do you feel obligated to make a purchase from the dealer just because he spent the time with you to help you find something?

jayboxx · December 5, 2005 2:32AM

No, it is part of the retail trade

Cladiator · December 5, 2005 2:32AM

nope

MikeInFL · December 5, 2005 2:33AM

Yes, I feel the obligation, but unless he has something that I want, I won't buy. Typically it takes me less than 15 minutes of his time to tell...Mike

Cladiator · December 5, 2005 2:34AM

Many dealers act like they're doing you some big favor by spending their time with you. I find this annoying and feel that the collector's are doing the dealers a big favor by giving them our hard earned money. This industry has a pretty sizable "tail wagging the dog" problem I think.

Longacre · December 5, 2005 2:39AM

Honestly, with all things being equal, I always try to buy from the dealer who actually says "hello" as I approach the table. Sometimes it does not work out, though, because there is nothing that I want. But that dealer gets the nod if he is selling a coin that I want and need.

stman · December 5, 2005 2:43AM

<< Many dealers act like they're doing you some big favor by spending their time with you. I find this annoying and feel that the collector's are doing the dealers a big favor by giving them our hard earned money. This industry has a pretty sizable "tail wagging the dog" problem I think. >>

You a bad man! Heh, I heard it's a good idea to bring them food and water too. Perhaps boxes of candy for the Holidays? After all, you DO want "first shot" after they max out them coins don't ya? OK, have a nice day folks.

topstuf · December 5, 2005 2:46AM

As a collector, I have .......seldom........ found resistance to a dealer's spending some time with me.

As a dealer, I never minded spending some time with someone.

The key is the CONTENT of that time. It is really obvious (or SHOULD be to anyone with any perception) to both dealer and collector exactly WHO will warrant the time.

As a dealer, I would be very suspect of a customer who spent 15 minutes looking at several coins that I had removed from the case only to hear that he didn't "like" any of them. Who asks to see a coin they don't "like" even when viewed THROUGH the case? PRICE may be a factor. Which should be concluded with a "thank you" and prompt return to the case.

As a collector, when seeing a NEW dealer's case, I always first see if ANYTHING is ....priced....for display. That's a clue on what to expect on asking prices. If ...NONE....are priced, I will only ask to see something that is ACTUALLY interesting to me. And then ASK the price. If it is goofy, I just hand it back, say "thank you" (which says VOLUMES to a dealer) and move on.

Now the .....FAMILIAR ...dealer.....now THAT'S fun. IF they know ya. But take a clue from either side of the counter. The dance SHOULD be familiar to both parties. If the guy is "green" it will be evident and warrant exploration.

Cladiator · December 5, 2005 2:49AM

<< Perhaps boxes of candy for the Holidays? >>

Your statement offends me Stman! I don't celebrate the "holidays", I celebrate "CHRISTMAS".

I often envision a coin collecting world with out collectors. It's quite funny actually. I see hundreds and hundreds of dealers running around the bourse of FUN trading coins for money with each other. Back and forth, back and forth. Just a neverending rat race of trading a coin for cash between a finite amount of people and with a finite amount of money and coins. Alas, without the collector no new money would be introduced in the hobby.

topstuf · December 5, 2005 2:51AM

What I ....CAN'T ..... handle is the guy who is trying to say "hello" while I'm not even looking in his direction. There are a few who should have a vacuum cleaner booth.
They seem ....wierd.

"Can I show you something?" while I'm walking past or pausing to scratch my ask just puts me off.

topstuf · December 5, 2005 2:52AM

A good amurrickan shud celeberate ...GIFTSMAS!

Russ · December 5, 2005 2:54AM

It depends. If they'd be otherwise standing around twiddling their thumbs, nope. But, if they're having a busy day and take some extra time with me then, yes, I feel a little obligation. That doesn't mean I'll buy something I don't want, though.

Russ, NCNE

ER · December 5, 2005 3:10AM

You should never feel obligated to buy anything.

stman · December 5, 2005 3:15AM

Here is what I DID do at a show once, and you heard it right here

..... A collector/dealer had a coin I was very interested in.
He had it for quite some time and really just liked the coin, and liked to display it at shows.

I wrote him asking him if he'd sell it and to please bring it to the show. Well, he did indeed bring it with him and I passed on the coin.
I did feel I should do something so yes, I bought, and brought him lunch

.... from the snack bar though Heh. And it wasn't cheap either.
See? I'm really not a bad guy, just ask ME, and I'll tell ya.

mozin · December 5, 2005 3:27AM

If a dealer made me uncomfortable enough to start feeling I owed him something, I would leave his table quickly with a simple "Thank you.".

Barry · December 5, 2005 3:53AM

<< No, it is part of the retail trade >>

I agree. If a realtor shows you a few houses, do you feel obligated to buy from him/her?

coincollector1989 · December 5, 2005 4:20AM

no

19Lyds · December 5, 2005 4:28AM

Nope. Not me but then it really depends upon the type of time spent. If he/she spent the time trying to sell me a coin then definitely no, if he/she spent the time sharing information then maybe!

michael · December 5, 2005 4:44AM

Say that you are at a show and you spend 10-15 minutes at a dealers table while he is showing you coins that you are interested in. You look at the coins and then decide you dont like them. Do you feel obligated to make a purchase from the dealer just because he spent the time with you to help you find something?

no

Murphy · December 5, 2005 5:41AM

No, not obligated. He's doing his job and if you happen to dislike what he's shown you then you should not buy out of obligation. If you did buy out of a feeling of obligation then you might as well stop at every yard sale, mall, liquor store, etc that you see posted along your way and buy from them because they took the time to set up some kinda display or store for you to shop at...and I'm sure if you asked for assistance, they would devote just as much time to you as the coin dealer did. You would soon run out of time and money, but you would have a mediochre coin collection, ugly home furnishings, second hand clothing, damaged whatnots, midnight special clothing, etc to be proud of because you think you helped someone out. And I seriously doubt that they'd appreciate the jesture near as much as you. If the dealer is a friend of yours, then that's different - tell him he's got crap, but buy something.

markglicker · December 5, 2005 6:03AM

One should not, but I usually do, and buy something, even if it is quite inexpensive.

DennisH · December 5, 2005 6:14AM

"If a dealer spends time with you, do you feel obligated to buy something?"

No more so than feeling obligated to bend over if I'm introduced to a proctologist.

Freak1c · December 5, 2005 6:22AM

IMO, if you are taking a few minutes to discuss the price of a coin or shooting the breeze over the dealers collection, then no. However, if you are taking the time to pick his/her brain, wheel and deal over a coin or a few coins, talk to them about opinions, etc... Then I think it shows good taste to at least purchase from the dealer in hopes that you feel comfortable with them, trust them, and would like to create a long term relationship with them. I'm sure they can use the business and you can always return to them and possibly sell, trade, or buy again. Who knows he/she may give you a great deal next time on that buy,sell, or trade.

Tom

stman · December 5, 2005 6:24AM

<< "If a dealer spends time with you, do you feel obligated to buy something?"

No more so than feeling obligated to bend over if I'm introduced to a proctologist. >>

TorinoCobra71 · December 5, 2005 7:19AM

Nope......

TorinoCobra71

09sVDB · December 5, 2005 7:39AM

Nope, but at a recent show I did just that(spent about ten minutes) and the dealer mumbled as I was walking away "well that was a waste of time."

FatMan · December 5, 2005 7:48AM

Scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

Do I feel obligated? No. Do I make a point to check out their inventories regularly to see if they have a coin I am interested in? You betcha. Will I even pay stronger money for that coin than for one I may find elsewhere? You betcha.

questor54 · December 6, 2005 8:09AM

<< What I ....CAN'T ..... handle is the guy who is trying to say "hello" while I'm not even looking in his direction. There are a few who should have a vacuum cleaner booth.
They seem ....wierd.

"Can I show you something?" while I'm walking past or pausing to scratch my ask just puts me off. >>

You pause to scratch? I thought one should scratch on the fly!

questor54 · December 6, 2005 8:11AM

<< Here is what I DID do at a show once, and you heard it right here

..... A collector/dealer had a coin I was very interested in.
He had it for quite some time and really just liked the coin, and liked to display it at shows.

I wrote him asking him if he'd sell it and to please bring it to the show. Well, he did indeed bring it with him and I passed on the coin.
I did feel I should do something so yes, I bought, and brought him lunch

.... from the snack bar though Heh. And it wasn't cheap either.
See? I'm really not a bad guy, just ask ME, and I'll tell ya. >>

Very classy move! The most I have ever done is buy them coffee.

questor54 · December 6, 2005 8:12AM

<< "If a dealer spends time with you, do you feel obligated to buy something?"

No more so than feeling obligated to bend over if I'm introduced to a proctologist. >>

Now here's a guy who enjoys the hobby!

Coxe · December 6, 2005 9:08AM

As a VAMer, I have learned to sense how big a dealer's welcome mat is and keep cognizant of his/her patience. Most don't mind me perusing stacks of Morgan and Peace dollars from their cases as long as it doesn't interfere with business with other customers. A distinct minority are put off these days as if I am ripping them off by cherrypicking coins they didn't take the time to examine closely. Not too many of those kinds anymore but there are a few on every big bourse. One part-time guy who sets up in California always likes me to share what I found that he missed. MOst tables with enough coins will have something for me even sometimes if top VAMers have already gone over their inventories. But if I find nothing I want or don't like the price, I just am polite and thank them. No one ever gives me a kick for that. It's all about respect.

If a dealer spends time with you, do you feel obligated to buy something?

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