An interesting and somewhat disturbing comment I overheard at the Baltimore show…

Longacre · March 28, 2007 7:40AM

I was at a particular copper dealer’s table at Baltimore and having a nice discussion. Some other person came by the table and the dealer started up a brief conversation with the other person at the same time (it was not a big deal, as the dealer and I were at the point where I was just looking at things anyway). It seems that the dealer knew this other person.

This collector then says something like this to the dealer, “I’ve been out of work since January, but I wanted to come by and see if you had any nice pieces for sale.” Then the collector said something about times getting tough or something like that.

I was pretty taken aback by this statement. Maybe I am getting a little long in the tooth and cantankerous in my old age, but I think that someone who has been out of work since January should be pounding the pavement for a new job, rather than hanging out at a coin show looking for new copper for the collection. I know that appearances are deceiving, but this person did not look like a person of means, or someone who just works to get out of the house. And I understand that coin collecting is a passion, but sometimes I think it needs to be put in perspective. <end rant>

Zoins · March 28, 2007 7:42AM

It's not that disturbing. He probably has unemployment checks he can spend on coins. Maybe getting a coin or two will lift his spirits and make him more effective in his job hunt. I knew of a couple that were both unemployed and they bought a house, paying off the mortgage with their unemployment checks, until they got jobs again.

claychaser · March 28, 2007 7:48AM

Seems like you either have time, or money, but rarely both!

MrEureka · March 28, 2007 7:53AM

I have enough trouble running my own life to worry about how someone else runs his.

yellowjacket · March 28, 2007 7:59AM

Who knows what the whole story is on this. You also don't know the relationship between the two; however, it does make one wonder why your employment status would be a subject of conversation at a coin show.

I'm somwhat retired and was looking to spend money!

Garrow

RedTiger · March 28, 2007 8:19AM

To know is not to know. That person might be looking for coins that he might be able to resell to someone else or on Ebay for a profit. In that case, time at the coin show may be time well spent.

Two months is a short time to be out of work for a person that makes decent money, and like others said, unemployment and severance money can cushion a person for several months.

It is easy to find fault with someone else's money management or time management. Rarely is there is a right or wrong, or ethical question involved, it is usually likes and dislikes, and preferences. Someone else could find fault with my own preferences, so I try not to sit in judgement.

Myqqy · March 28, 2007 8:22AM

I remember that a few years back I was laid off from a county job, and my wife insisted that I still buy an occasional coin between her job and unemployment- she thought it was good for my psyche, and I think she was right. It's too difficult making a judgement on how somebody is handling a difficult situation if you don't know all of the facts....

ziggy29 · March 28, 2007 8:23AM

As long as they don't go pleading for an extension of public unemployment benefits because they couldn't find a job and they spent all the benefits on non-essentials, it's not really my business.

mrearlygold · March 28, 2007 8:25AM

<< I have enough trouble running my own life to worry about how someone else runs his. >>

ipmman · March 28, 2007 8:39AM

I think you may be thinking too hard about this, and are judging him pretty harshly. Maybe he was looking for work all week long, and just made it to the show at that time...you can't spend every minute pounding pavement. Then again, maybe you are not judging him wrongly, but either way, without knowing the whole story, it is hard to judge fairly.

When someone is down and out, they also seek lifes little pleasures. Maybe they smoke more cigarettes, eat more candy, whatever, just to help cope. Collecting coins is a strong passion for many of us. 5 years ago, before I was finally correctly diagnosed with a rare immune disorder, I spent nearly a year bedridden. I nearly died, they actually mistakenly diagnosed me with liver cancer, lymphoma, and a bunch of other diseases.

As soon as I could get up and walk on my own, the first time I went anywhere other than to a doctor was to a coin show. A friend needed to drive me there, and help me get around, but it was at the top of my list.

Being unemployed or broke or sick doesn't stop my passion for collecting, so I understand why he was there.

A postscript: It was the best show I ever went to! I collect exonumia, and a dealer had boxes of it. I spent 2 hours, and bought dozens of items. I was on disability, and spent way more than I could afford. The dealer and I were both thrilled. And, it made me feel great, which is part of getting better.

CalGold · March 28, 2007 8:40AM

Some people spend their money on drugs and alcohol. Others spend their money on coins. At least with coins if times really get tough you can always use them to buy drugs and alcohol.

CG

rgl1345 · March 28, 2007 8:40AM

<< I have enough trouble running my own life to worry about how someone else runs his. >>

MrSpud · March 28, 2007 10:09AM

Maybe the story was just part of his setting up for a low-ball offer on a coin?

OneCent · March 28, 2007 10:11AM

Maybe the guy was a hardcore coin junkie...spending too much money on pieces, reading CU all day on the job, etc., etc., etc.

WTCG · March 28, 2007 10:15AM

Collecting, buying or selling coins is a kind of "release" or escape from the stresses of life for many people. If immersing themselves in numismatics is beneficial to their mental state then there is nothing wrong with attending a coin show in lieu of spending a day interviewing for jobs.

oreville · March 28, 2007 10:16AM

<< Maybe the story was just part of his setting up for a low-ball offer on a coin? >>

Would that sound better or would the following sound better?

"I have been working too hard this tax season and making too much money and need to spend some of it today."

Who will get the better deal?

TomB · March 28, 2007 10:23AM

Sometimes you are far too judgmental, Longacre.

tahoe98 · March 29, 2007 1:57AM

watch out when you go to the facilities!

combatmailman · March 29, 2007 2:05AM

I agree with Zoins on the unemployment checks and he may also have a large savings account from when he was working.

Sandhawk · March 29, 2007 2:20AM

Come on guys, it is one of the oldest ploys in the book.....................

"I'm out of work, and I want that coin - what is the best deal you can give me?"

ColonialCoinUnion · March 29, 2007 2:23AM

If this is the most disturbing comment you heard in Baltimore, I'd say you had a pretty good show.

DesertRat · March 29, 2007 2:25AM

<< Come on guys, it is one of the oldest ploys in the book.....................

"I'm out of work, and I want that coin - what is the best deal you can give me?" >>

Sorry man, times are tough for everyone that's the best I can do

notwilight · March 29, 2007 2:32AM

<< this person did not look like a person of means,... <END rant> >>

Many affluet people try hard not to look affluent. Many people living paycheck to paycheck try hard to appear affluent.

LALASD4 · March 29, 2007 2:35AM

Many affluet people try hard not to look affluent. Many people living paycheck to paycheck try hard to appear affluent.

That is specially true in large cities.

lathmach · March 29, 2007 5:04AM

I like Longacre's threads better when he stays up all night thinking up oddball questions to ask, insteada finding fault with someone.

Ray

Cameonut · March 29, 2007 5:07AM

Maybe the guy was a professional baseball player. Out of work but has bazillions in the bank.

ScarsdaleCoin · March 29, 2007 5:12AM

however judge not how much money or lack of by the threads he wears.... I can name at least a dozen of my best customers who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on coins and walk the shows in sneakers and jeans

mcheath · March 29, 2007 5:35AM

>>>>>>>>>Maybe the story was just part of his setting up for a low-ball offer on a coin?>>>>>>>>>>>

My thoughts exactly.

gamr0n · March 29, 2007 7:11AM

Sometimes it is especially hard for people to find work again. If you work in a specific sector with a college degree, and the demand for workers in the sector goes down a lot you may be out of luck. Then that person may not wish to move on with a minimum wage or near minimum wage job just to work. I would find this especially true if the individual had a working wife, and a family. It may be easier just to stay unemployed rather than to ask your family to uproot in order to seek a job elsewhere.

Bear · March 29, 2007 7:41AM

I have been trying to run my own life

for years now.....but Mrs Bear wont let me.

She says she can run my life better then I can.

Writersblock · March 30, 2007 12:01AM

Something I learned a long time ago. Never try to judge the "means" of a copper collector by the way they dress.

An interesting and somewhat disturbing comment I overheard at the Baltimore show…

Comments

Leave a Comment