<< <i>Does honesty really matter? Some dealers on this list are regularly touted as "honest" yet don't have the skill set to match. You may believe in them because they speak with conviction, as these "honest" dealers believe in what they tell you, as collector customers. But I've seen the coins that some of these collector customers end up with, and this supposed "honesty" isn't serving them very well. >>
Agree. Thanks for the reality check.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Lots of great names mentioned here. If collectors stuck to the names mentioned, I don't think we would have nearly as many complaints about the industry as we do.
Always took candy from strangers Didn't wanna get me no trade Never want to be like papa Working for the boss every night and day --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Harry Laibstain Julian Leidman Tom Reynolds Dave Wnuck
After 50+ posts re this thread, I find the omissions rather interesting in that a number of prominent dealers have yet to be mentioned (and may not be).
Charles Browne of Certified Coin Assetts, formerly of RCNH and a former PCGS grader. Locally it is Eric Carlson of Lexington Coin, very, very honest. A great reputation locally
I agree with most of the dealers mentioned here and have done business with quite a few. Of the six dealers on my short list, two, Laura Sperber (Legend) and John Kraljevich, have not yet been mentioned on this thread. Both deserve kudos for their honesty--sometimes brutal honesty, in both cases.
I do agree with Joe O's point. I can certainly think of some dealers who are honest but not very sharp and some relatively dishonest folks who can deliver the goods. We all have to decide where are comfort zone is when dealing with others, but keep in mind that it is just as easy to get hosed by an honest dealers as by a dishonest one. Honesty and competency do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.
<< <i>I agree with most of the dealers mentioned here and have done business with quite a few. Of the six dealers on my short list, two, Laura Sperber (Legend) and John Kraljevich, have not yet been mentioned on this thread. Both deserve kudos for their honesty--sometimes brutal honesty, in both cases.
I do agree with Joe O's point. I can certainly think of some dealers who are honest but not very sharp and some relatively dishonest folks who can deliver the goods. We all have to decide where are comfort zone is when dealing with others, but keep in mind that it is just as easy to get hosed by an honest dealers as by a dishonest one. Honesty and competency do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. >>
I absolutely agree with RYK here, just to give an example: I had a coin that I showed to two dealers, both mentioned on this thread as "most trusted". Both are Dealers who I respect as well. One offered me $90 for the coin and the other offered me $350. Naturally, I sold the coin to Wayne Herndon who made me the second offer at $350. I believe he was looking to sell it for $400 (A very fair profit in my mind). But I also know the first dealer would have placed it in his case and probably sold it for between $125-$140.
As RYK said, some dealers know certain markets better than others.
<< <i>Andy's right, as usual. Does honesty really matter? should be "Is honesty all that matters?".
Furthermore, what is "honesty"? One of my favorite books, one that I refer to often, is "Essentials of Business Ethics", a collection of articles edited by Peter Madsen and Jay Shafritz (1990). One of the articles, by Albert Z. Carr, entitled "Is Business Bluffing Ethical?", was originally published in the Harvard Business Review (1968). Carr discusses the argument of "poker ethics" vs "private ethics" in a business environment. I reread the article this morning (just for you guys). In short, bluffing in business is ethical if we adhere to poker ethics. So, honesty, an adherence to a moral or ethical standard, is a moving target depending upon the participants involved and their personal definitions.
As Andy, I've bought some of my best coins from other dealers who I do not consider to be 100% honest by MY definition. Although I'm sure that from their perspective, they were being totally honest with me, according to THEIR rules of the game. >>
Hmmm- food for thought. Thanks.
"College men from LSU- went in dumb, come out dumb too..." -Randy Newman
Comments
<< <i>Does honesty really matter? Some dealers on this list are regularly touted as "honest" yet don't have the skill set to match. You may believe in them because they speak with conviction, as these "honest" dealers believe in what they tell you, as collector customers. But I've seen the coins that some of these collector customers end up with, and this supposed "honesty" isn't serving them very well. >>
Agree. Thanks for the reality check.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
If you're relying on the dealer's opinion, of course it matters. But I agree that honesty is not enough.
On a side note, I'll say that some of my best deals have come from pathological liars. I guess they were in the coins "right".
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Julian Leidman
Tom Reynolds
Dave Wnuck
After 50+ posts re this thread, I find the omissions rather interesting in that a number of prominent dealers have yet to be mentioned (and may not be).
Locally it is Eric Carlson of Lexington Coin, very, very honest. A great reputation locally
Rainbow Stars
<< <i>Does honesty really matter?
If you're relying on the dealer's opinion, of course it matters. But I agree that honesty is not enough.
On a side note, I'll say that some of my best deals have come from pathological liars. I guess they were in the coins "right". >>
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
<< <i>Who is your "most honest dealer"? >>
Ummm, I'll get back to ya.
Wei at WTCG has been great source as well
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
I do agree with Joe O's point. I can certainly think of some dealers who are honest but not very sharp and some relatively dishonest folks who can deliver the goods. We all have to decide where are comfort zone is when dealing with others, but keep in mind that it is just as easy to get hosed by an honest dealers as by a dishonest one. Honesty and competency do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.
<< <i>I agree with most of the dealers mentioned here and have done business with quite a few. Of the six dealers on my short list, two, Laura Sperber (Legend) and John Kraljevich, have not yet been mentioned on this thread. Both deserve kudos for their honesty--sometimes brutal honesty, in both cases.
I do agree with Joe O's point. I can certainly think of some dealers who are honest but not very sharp and some relatively dishonest folks who can deliver the goods. We all have to decide where are comfort zone is when dealing with others, but keep in mind that it is just as easy to get hosed by an honest dealers as by a dishonest one. Honesty and competency do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. >>
I absolutely agree with RYK here, just to give an example: I had a coin that I showed to two dealers, both mentioned on this thread as "most trusted". Both are Dealers who I respect as well. One offered me $90 for the coin and the other offered me $350. Naturally, I sold the coin to Wayne Herndon who made me the second offer at $350. I believe he was looking to sell it for $400 (A very fair profit in my mind). But I also know the first dealer would have placed it in his case and probably sold it for between $125-$140.
As RYK said, some dealers know certain markets better than others.
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
<< <i>Andy's right, as usual. Does honesty really matter? should be "Is honesty all that matters?".
Furthermore, what is "honesty"? One of my favorite books, one that I refer to often, is "Essentials of Business Ethics", a collection of articles edited by Peter Madsen and Jay Shafritz (1990). One of the articles, by Albert Z. Carr, entitled "Is Business Bluffing Ethical?", was originally published in the Harvard Business Review (1968). Carr discusses the argument of "poker ethics" vs "private ethics" in a business environment. I reread the article this morning (just for you guys). In short, bluffing in business is ethical if we adhere to poker ethics. So, honesty, an adherence to a moral or ethical standard, is a moving target depending upon the participants involved and their personal definitions.
As Andy, I've bought some of my best coins from other dealers who I do not consider to be 100% honest by MY definition. Although I'm sure that from their perspective, they were being totally honest with me, according to THEIR rules of the game. >>
Hmmm- food for thought. Thanks.
-Randy Newman