Curioius...would you feel more comfortable if Dealers clearly marked a price on every slab?

ambro51 · October 8, 2010 10:19PM

This always makes me feel uneasy.

DNADave · October 8, 2010 10:23PM

I know a dealer that did this a few years ago.

Now he has a big sign in front that says " If there's a price on the slab...it's wrong"

Makes for a big pain.

ambro51 · October 8, 2010 10:27PM

hockeyfan9 · October 8, 2010 10:28PM

It doesn't matter because I am going to haggle anyway. The price on the slab is just a starting point.

pocketpiececommems · October 8, 2010 10:33PM

And for those of you that do a lot of flipping you have to take the sticker off.

66RB · October 8, 2010 10:59PM

at the Philly show, I saw a coin in a dealers case marked $50.

The dealer looked at it, handed it to me and told me, "If you like it, it's yours for $130."

I said I like the price on the slab better, since it's 80 dollars less.

Dealer got upset with me and said the coin was marked at $150.

I had to laugh to myself as he would be lucky to get $50 for the coin.

I wished him luck and left his table.

Barndog · October 8, 2010 11:02PM

marking every slab is unrealistic

RichieURich · October 8, 2010 11:23PM

I am a dealer and since 2006, I have a clearly visible written price on just about every coin (raw or slabbed) in my case. Neither I nor my table assistants have the time to quote prices on every coin that someone might be interested in. Marking a price helps the potential customer decide which coins are of interest and the price is "in the ballpark". I have to determine what the price is for every coin; why not put it on the coin so the potential customer can see it?

SeaEagleCoins · October 9, 2010 12:10AM

When I first started, I marked every coin at Coin Values pricing... I soon realized that was NOT a good idea, as they seem to get their pricing on another planet in a distant galaxy

Then I started marking them at THE price I wanted... that did not work out too well either LOL... as most collectors (and dealers) WANT to haggle... no matter what the marked or quoted price is...

Now I mark MOST coins at 20-30% over Grey Sheet bid... except for those coins that have little or no relationship to Grey Sheet (think 1909-O Barber Quarter or many Barber Halves and so many others)... (contrary to some folks belief systems, while some coins may trade at razor-thin margins, most do not... anyone who thinks otherwise is not being realistic, to put it mildly and simply) ...

I also tried NOT marking coins for a short time... that was a complete flop... my business came to an almost complete halt... I know that tactic, when I am on the other side of the table, gives me the "I am being sized up" feeling...

The only items I do not price are bullion ... I just quote bullion based on spot + a small premium...

All marked and quoted prices are starting points... some are also final points in the negotiation

...

After all is said and done... I have learned one thing about collectors (and dealers) ... there will always be those who will find SOMETHING to complain about, no matter what you do...

Over time, I have developed good relationships with many collectors (and dealers) who have learned that I am fair and straight-forward... I DO NOT milk a coin... I simply find new homes for them at reasonable prices... prices that don't gouge the buyer yet give me enough profit to keep on keeping on...

RYK · October 9, 2010 12:13AM

After all is said and done... I have learned one thing about collectors (and dealers) ... there will always be those who will find SOMETHING to complain about, no matter what you do...

Amen, bro.

As a collector, it is not so important to me that the dealer marks the price on a slab. If I am just curious about a price, I will usually not ask. If I am serious about buying the coin, I will ask.

PawPaul · October 9, 2010 12:25AM

it would make me more comfy too ; but dealers by nature are predatory and will size up the buyer in an effort to maximize profit -

a price on the slab would mean little

kurtdog · October 9, 2010 12:52AM

<< This always makes me feel uneasy. >>

Do you want to feel better? Look at it as just an asking price, that's all it is...

kryptonitecomics · October 9, 2010 1:13AM

I prefer prices on the holder even if they are marked up a bit just so I can see what I am working with. In the case of toners...prices are all over the place so seeing how much a dealer values the coins and understading a good deal of what the values should be...it allows me to save time at shows. If I see a coin I know is clearly worth $100 with toning and the dealer has it marked $250 I automatically know to not even waste his time or mine trying to haggle since we are very far apart on what I would pay vs what the dealer wants.

Frankcoins · October 9, 2010 1:16AM

I mark everything just so I don't screw up. Quality stuff with eye appeal sells easily at 25% over greysheet.

RedTiger · October 9, 2010 1:28AM

I prefer show dealers that have theirs prices marked. I know it is a lot of work, but I appreciate it. As others have said, many dealers like to size people up, and for me that usually means I get a high quote. Sometimes it comes with a song and dance, "for you a special price," especially high. That is life, and one reason I often prefer the anonymity of the Internet over dealer games at the shows.

MidLifeCrisis · October 9, 2010 1:31AM

<< As a collector, it is not so important to me that the dealer marks the price on a slab. If I am just curious about a price, I will usually not ask. If I am serious about buying the coin, I will ask. >>

I'm with RYK...it doesn't matter to me if the price is marked on the slab.

Besides, if the price is not marked, it forces the collector to be a bit more knowledgeable about coins he or she wants to collect - and that's a good thing.

ThePennyLady · October 9, 2010 2:12AM

<< I am a dealer and since 2006, I have a clearly visible written price on just about every coin (raw or slabbed) in my case. Neither I nor my table assistants have the time to quote prices on every coin that someone might be interested in. Marking a price helps the potential customer decide which coins are of interest and the price is "in the ballpark". I have to determine what the price is for every coin; why not put it on the coin so the potential customer can see it? >>

I agree, and this is how I do it too.

CoinCrazyPA · October 9, 2010 2:27AM

<< I am a dealer and since 2006, I have a clearly visible written price on just about every coin (raw or slabbed) in my case. Neither I nor my table assistants have the time to quote prices on every coin that someone might be interested in. Marking a price helps the potential customer decide which coins are of interest and the price is "in the ballpark". I have to determine what the price is for every coin; why not put it on the coin so the potential customer can see it? >>

I am not a dealer ,I do agree with this. I go to shows and when I see a dealers case full of coins I'm interested in I feel like I'm wasting the dealers time asking him or her to quote me prices on 20-30 coins. Especially if I leave not buying one, so most times I just pass the tables with no prices and stop only at the ones with prices.

AmericanSilverEagle · October 9, 2010 2:41AM

I love it when they price um', have the time i find something that was priced 2-3 years ago and is wroth x2 x3 times more today

Swampboy · October 9, 2010 3:15AM

<< 

<< I am a dealer and since 2006, I have a clearly visible written price on just about every coin (raw or slabbed) in my case. Neither I nor my table assistants have the time to quote prices on every coin that someone might be interested in. Marking a price helps the potential customer decide which coins are of interest and the price is "in the ballpark". I have to determine what the price is for every coin; why not put it on the coin so the potential customer can see it? >>

I agree, and this is how I do it too. >>

Well there we go.
One dealer whose table I've enjoyed visiting and one dealer I'll make a point to check out soon.

pakasmom · October 9, 2010 3:50AM

+3 for what Rich Uhrich said...

I don't want to waste anyone's time. So I appreciate knowing (quickly) if something is in my buying range.

Curioius...would you feel more comfortable if Dealers clearly marked a price on every slab?

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