Should We Form a Collector's Union?
Coinosaurus
Posts: 9,652 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was sorely disappointed to hear of the rude treatment inflicted on our fellow forum member RYK at the St. Louis show.
Perhaps if we organized ourselves together, beginning w/this virtual community, the power of the Collective Forum™ could be used to prevent such shocking behavior in the future.
Perhaps if we organized ourselves together, beginning w/this virtual community, the power of the Collective Forum™ could be used to prevent such shocking behavior in the future.
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<< <i>I know...we could refuse to buy coins from anybody but other collectors! >>
I believe we would then be called Dealers!
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
<< <i>We could negotiate better auction rates, TPG grading fees, discounted prices from The Mint, etc. The possibilities are endless. >>
<< <i>You really have become Longacre...
Ya, and we could all wear Che Guevara T-shirts to coin shows with Longarce's mug superimposed..............MJ
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
GMAFB!
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
–John Adams, 1826
<< <i>Should We Form a Collector's Union?
GMAFB! >>
Power to the Hoi Polloi!
<< <i>Should We Form a Collector's Union?
GMAFB! >>
What's GMAFB?
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
<< <i>
<< <i>Should We Form a Collector's Union?
GMAFB! >>
What's GMAFB? >>
Give me a f break
I firmly believe in numismatics as the world's greatest hobby, but recognize that this is a luxury and without collectors, we can all spend/melt our collections/inventories.
eBaystore
Ron
Edited to add: I forgot - Will we get time and a half for Saturdays and double time for Sundays?
Each member would take a ten minute shift marching up and down in front of a dealers table carrying signs and warning the public that the dealer may be grumpy. A shop steward would arrange the schedule to make sure that the picket line was in place for the whole show.
I will keep an eye out at Coinfest to see if this idea catches on. I, for one, would never cross the numismatic picket line. Unless of course I spied a nice 1858 Proof Seated Half... or a 1915 Proof Barber Half with respectable mirrors... Ooh, or maybe be some nice proof civil war-era trimes, or.......
merse
<< <i>Sorry, the word union makes me want to gack >>
OK, call it a co-op!
The BST is sort of a collectors co-op, except for the dealers that use it.
<< <i>I was sorely disappointed to hear of the rude treatment inflicted on our fellow forum member RYK at the St. Louis show.
Unions ain't no cure for being thin skinned, brother. Just get over it and move on.
This place hurts my stomach and jaws. EVERY DAY. But I like the way ya'll think, so I come back for more suffering.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
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)
<< <i>A tear of joy came to Longacre's eye as he read this thread. It is incumbent on the more seasoned veterans to care for the newbie collectors in the hobby. In fact, there should be some financial assistance provided by those at the top of the collecting spectrum to those at the lower rungs. We should share the wealth among collectors, both literally and figuratively. Where do I send my union dues, sisters and brothers? >>
To me, along with RYK's avatar.
<< <i>We could negotiate better auction rates, TPG grading fees, discounted prices from The Mint, etc. The possibilities are endless. >>
I agree. If the dealers have PNG why cant the collectors have something?
We do have organizations that promote professionalism - PNG, ANA - to name a couple. What would this new co-op promote? Stay away from dealer x? Boycott dealer y? Stop buying coins on Wednesdays?
Keep in mind, this forum represents a tiny fraction ofall those who collect, consciously or otherwise. How do we stop the other 99% from offsetting the revolution?
Statements are most forceful when one chooses how to vote (spend) their dollars. Simply do not spend money on your collecting habit with individuals or companies that don't treat you like a customer. Let it be known that so and so will no longer get any of your business because of their disregard for you as a customer. We all have favorite stores we go to. Clothing stores, barbers and beauticians, repair shops, etc. Why do we go there? Because we perceive a value that is delivered with respect and courtesy. Professionally and objectively, share good and bad experiences (wait, isn't that what we do now?). Let market forces come to bear.
The concept is great - execution is virtually impossible.
ok
AL
<< <i>I think these last two replies is a perfect example of why we Americans never come up with great ideas that are taken to fruition. After reading these i can understand why small business of America have never accomplished what they set out to do, ever! Same can be said with large businesses too. So you are telling me that us collectors can't unite, decided, execute on anything huh?
Yet we all as a group have made PCGS , and NGC a success. And we have made every coin organization like the ANA and PNG have the ability to exist.
Obvioulsy I disagree, I believe we here have some of the brightest and innovative members already, I am talking about taking it to the next level, we already ahve a captive audience available and with the fact that it is internet driven logistics can be handled in a leaner way. Talk about helping our own economy and creating some jobs. How many here have lost their job or can use extra money for their efforts. If everyone here contributed time and/or money to the cause we could move this past the idea stage. Think about one thing, your hobby which is obviously very important to you can be protected, and protected by ourselves. I don't know about you but that equals benefits to me, we all can therefore make/get something out of it. Whether it ibe a job or security in our hobby. And to think it can't be done is ridiculous. I call it REALLY PROTECTING ONE"S INVESTMENTS. My G-D the amount of time and money we already spend in this hobby would just be switched to security of our hobby. From talking the talk to walking the walk. So now some hurdles are preventing you from protecting your assets and you want to slink away. >>
You got my vote.
You will need to sign up at least 100 serious collectors who will commit to operate within the structure of the group. That is, they will agree to the terms that are negotiated for the group, by the group. If people deal outside the group, it will weaken the strength of the group. I guess there will need to be an enforcement arm to monitor this and penalize people who do not abide by the conditions.
These are some things that come to mind while I wait to do my next case.
I will send $100 to the fund. I suggest that you get at least 99 more people to send $100. I am willing to spend more, but first I need to see that there is some degree of commitment. When you procure a tax ID number, name, and po box, I will send the check straight away.
Here's an idea that may be beneficial. Form a coin investment club, elect officers, set a monthly investment amount, select those who will represent the group in all buying and selling transactions and use the collective power to deal with only those who treat us with resepct and dignity.
Here's another one. At the next major show we all meet outside, pool our cash and buy as a co-op.
Oh yeah, details. We can work out the details later. Maybe we can use the Stanley Cup model where the cup (in our case, the inventory) is passed from player to player and everyone has a turn to view, touch and share with friends. Shipping costs would be a bit high but I'm sure we can build that into our monthly investment contribution.
Realone, I do understand and admire your position. I only question the practicality. This would be successful if the we could convince the 99% of collectors who do not frequent thses forums to beleive in our cause. Can't see it happening.