Did a dealer political views ever stop you to do business with him?

MAT1 · February 14, 2011 10:49PM

I am asking because it happen to me recently.

llafoe · February 14, 2011 10:52PM

We all have differing opinions... if I allowed someone else's opinion to interfere with my hobbies or life, I would be a loner.

Moldnut · February 14, 2011 10:56PM

God no. Life is to short for that kind of stuff.

lkeigwin · February 14, 2011 10:58PM

I can't imagine that preventing me from conducting a brief transaction to buy or sell. But I can imagine being annoyed by him or her sharing persistent, extreme views.
Lance.

PerryHall · February 14, 2011 11:04PM

No. Buying a coin from someone isn't like making him your best friend. As an example, I've actually bought several coins from individuals who are very liberal/socialist.

CoinRaritiesOnline · February 14, 2011 11:05PM

Most dealers I know keep their political opinions to themselves.

However, I find it interesting that the vocal few who make their views known are split roughly 50/50 between the extreme left and the extreme right.

Clearly, having a love of coins does not predispose you to one political phlosophy or another.

notwilight · February 14, 2011 11:23PM

<< I am asking because it happen to me recently. >>

Then I don't want to do business with you either. JK.

I try to keep my political views to myself but my views on some everyday issues may give those with good perception a good idea which way I lean. Politics are very emotional and often disjointed from one's intellectual self. There are many posters here on the forum who I respect and value their opinions on coins and many other subjects, but I disagree with politically. It doesn't bother me in the least what they think about politics.

--jerry

Jesh · February 14, 2011 11:25PM

Not me, but I live by the motto never discuss politics and/or religion with people you do business with

vibr0nic · February 14, 2011 11:27PM

Don't ask. Don't tell. Don't care. Good deal? I'll take it.

ricko · February 14, 2011 11:34PM

In answer to the OP, no. However, their repulsive personality and objectionable business ethics have definitely eliminated a few. Cheers, RickO

BillJones · February 14, 2011 11:34PM

Usually my answer would be no. The exception would be if the guy is really in your face with his views.

When I lived in Massachusetts I knew dealer who was a red hot liberal Democrat and an NRA member. I guess he wasn’t suffering from schizophrenia after all since the NRA endorsed the re-election of Harry Reid last year, but still ... This guy was so pure in his politics that he voted for a Republican in a Massachusetts governor's to keep a conservative Democrat from gaining a foothold in the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

RWB · February 14, 2011 11:38PM

To me, any businessman who makes a point of informing customers of his political or religious views, should be treated with caution and circumspection – it is likely their personal agenda is more important that honest dealing with their customer. I would possibly avoid them on this basis.

jdillane · February 14, 2011 11:39PM

No, not yet anyway.

RedTiger · February 15, 2011 12:02AM

It has come close. The only way I know of the politics is when they disclose it on this forum or their blogs. In public, I always shy away from the controversial topics of religion and politics.

Now on a separate point, at shows I have also experienced what feels like subtle or not so subtle racism. For me, that is over the line. I ain't doing business with people like that.

Coin dealers do seem to lean politically towards one side of the aisle. Then again, with mostly married white males age 50 to 70, there is going to be a skew. Just as for a group of randomly selected young single females 20 to 30, there is almost certain to be a skew for those that have a clear view.

ziggy29 · February 15, 2011 12:19AM

I suppose it's possible for someone's views to be so repugnant that I wouldn't do business with them. But merely because they rooted for the wrong team? Life's too short to be *that* obsessed with politics.

And I'd agree what was said above -- I just don't think it IS good business to wear your politics on your sleeve. There are always going to be obsessed people who want to take you down because you believe the wrong things.

TwoSides2aCoin · February 15, 2011 12:23AM

Avoid talking to coin dealers and find better coins with the loupe , not the ears.

CaptHenway · February 15, 2011 12:29AM

Only one. A certain vest-pocket dealer well-known for his anti-government sentiments was in the store the day of the Oklahoma City bombing. We had a TV in a side room, and when I went in there to get something the news story was on. Horrified, I went back into the sales are and told everybody "Somebody just blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City!"

The guy pumps his fist in the air and yells "ALL RIGHT!"

I picked up the coins he had already agreed to take and THREW his axx out the door.

TD

MrEureka · February 15, 2011 12:31AM

To me, any businessman who makes a point of informing customers of his political or religious views, should be treated with caution and circumspection.. it is likely their personal agenda is more important that honest dealing with their customer. I would possibly avoid them on this basis.

I can't say that I "make a point of informing customers of my political or religious views", but I'll do it when I think something can be accomplished. As for my "personal agenda" and "honest dealing", I don't see what one has to do with the other.

scotty1419 · February 15, 2011 12:32AM

This reminds me of trying to keep your politics to yourself at a gunshow. They seem to be one of those places where everyone decides they will announce their political beliefs to the world.

I think the coin world is VERY subdued in comparison.

WillieBoyd2 · February 15, 2011 12:32AM

Several years ago an Ebay seller sent me four pages of right-wing propaganda with the item I bought.

Several sellers have sent me religious recruiting literature, also.

SmallTownCoins · February 15, 2011 12:38AM

The only scenario I can think of would be, that If I were at a Coin show
and a table was manned by 3 guys wearing White Sheets and Point hats
I might shy away....

Why, What happened MAT! ?

IrishMikey · February 15, 2011 12:44AM

Yes, twice. The first was a coin dealer that was overtly racist, and very vocal about
his idiot beliefs.

The second was someone that felt it was his duty to attempt to convert everyone he
spoke to, and was fairly obnoxious about it.

I suppose that it could be said that neither of these individuals were communicating
political views, but my definition of political views covers a lot of territory.

ziggy29 · February 15, 2011 12:46AM

<< As for my "personal agenda" and "honest dealing", I don't see what one has to do with the other. >>

Simple. Some people are so obsessed with full contact partisan politics as a team sport that they start believing that all the righteous people are on their "team" and that the other "team" is nothing but scoundrels. There's professional help available for that kind of political obsession, I think.

blu62vette · February 15, 2011 12:47AM

While the views would not make me avoid the person the way they handle them may.

BigMoose · February 15, 2011 12:49AM

No. I am a fiscal conservative and a social liberal--I guess that makes me a Libertarian. But some of my best friends are far left Liberals-- I figure its not their fault that they were dropped on their heads as infants! TomT.

dsessom · February 15, 2011 1:07AM

Nah. I'd buy a coin from Sarah Palin if it was a good deal. My political views are no where close to hers, but I wouldn't pass up a good deal just because of that.

Staircoins · February 15, 2011 1:16AM

No, I would have no problem buying coins from, or selling coins to, Frank.

rld14 · February 15, 2011 1:37AM

It would take an awful lot for that to happen, he or she would have to be extremely left wing/socialist and start a wholly uninvited conversation on the topic and be very "in my face" about it.

I will say this though, I am Jewish and I flat-out refuse to do business with dealers who display Nazi memorabilia in their cases.

derryb · February 15, 2011 1:38AM

Yes, I refuse to buy from Frank. Just kidding.

ChrisRx · February 15, 2011 1:43AM

I would never avoid a deal just because they have different views than I do.

I would even make a deal with GoldBully.

CaptHenway · February 15, 2011 1:48AM

<< It would take an awful lot for that to happen, he or she would have to be extremely left wing/socialist and start a wholly uninvited conversation on the topic and be very "in my face" about it.

I will say this though, I am Jewish and I flat-out refuse to do business with dealers who display Nazi memorabilia in their cases. >>

That is certainly your right!
However, my former employer is Jewish, and we once brokered a collection of Nazi memorabilia to another dealer who did specialize in it. Somebody asked my boss if it bothered him handling the memorabilia, and he said "No! I hope old Schickelgruber is spinning in his grave knowing a Jew is making money off of him!"

airplanenut · February 15, 2011 1:49AM

Not unless they were offensive. I disagree with tons of people on political issues, including my best friends. Regardless of one's views, I respect them as people if they are polite and don't mind having differences. If a dealer really pushed politics down my throat, it could have an effect on business, but more likely because I don't want any viewpoint pushed on me like that, politics or otherwise, especially at a time when I'd rather be doing business.

droopyd · February 15, 2011 2:01AM

<< "No! I hope old Schickelgruber is spinning in his grave knowing a Jew is making money off of him!" >>

ziggy29 · February 15, 2011 2:02AM

<< However, my former employer is Jewish, and we once brokered a collection of Nazi memorabilia to another dealer who did specialize in it. Somebody asked my boss if it bothered him handling the memorabilia, and he said "No! I hope old Schickelgruber is spinning in his grave knowing a Jew is making money off of him!" >>

That's certainly a "glass half full" point of view...

golden · February 15, 2011 2:32AM

Probably not unless he was a real loudmouth. Then it would be a yes.

sumnom · February 15, 2011 2:44AM

So far, no but I usually don't talk politics with dealers.

ArizonaJack · February 15, 2011 2:44AM

<< I would never avoid a deal just because they have different views than I do.

I would even make a deal with GoldBully.

>>

LOL, and yes, I would love to jam with ChrisRX

Connecticoin · February 15, 2011 2:49AM

Heck no -- especially if they can be easily cherrypicked!

MrEureka · February 15, 2011 2:57AM

I will say this though, I am Jewish and I flat-out refuse to do business with dealers who display Nazi memorabilia in their cases.

Displaying the material in a showcase is hardly tantamount to an endorsement of the Nazis. Heck, I wouldn't hesitate to display a Cheerios Dollar in my showcase, and I don't even like the cereal, much less the government that struck the coin.

timcoin · February 15, 2011 3:06AM

Yes! and not just coin dealers, and only when I know they contribute money to people and "causes" that I am morally against. I figure if I allow them to profit off of me that I am indirectly donating money myself. The reverse is true as well.

BillJones · February 15, 2011 3:18AM

<< It would take an awful lot for that to happen, he or she would have to be extremely left wing/socialist and start a wholly uninvited conversation on the topic and be very "in my face" about it.

I will say this though, I am Jewish and I flat-out refuse to do business with dealers who display Nazi memorabilia in their cases. >>

I have an Olympic pin from the 1936 games. It has a reproduction of the Brandenburg gate on it. I bought it because of Jesse Owens and then way Jesse got Hitler PO’d because he won all of those track and field events. The look on Hitler’s ugly mug was priceless. There Hitler was pushing all of his Arian BS, and here was an African-American beating his racially pure athletes.

Would an item like this run you away from my table? To me it’s just a part of history.

ziggy29 · February 15, 2011 3:26AM

<< Would an item like this run you away from my table? To me it’s just a part of history. >>

True. Mementos of historical events are reminders of them, not necessarily "endorsement" of them. One of the best ways to repeat the mistakes of the past is to bury the past so as to make it more difficult to learn from the mistakes of the past. It's the famous Santayana quote at work, more or less -- those who don't remember the past are condemned to repeat it. I'm pretty sure the rise of the Third Reich is something we don't want to repeat.

johnny9434 · February 15, 2011 3:46AM

no, not as far as politics are concerned but it did on the way on what the person did sell and how they sold it did.

Goldbully · February 15, 2011 4:00AM

<< I would never avoid a deal just because they have different views than I do.

I would even make a deal with GoldBully.

>>

ColonelJessup · February 15, 2011 9:40AM

No, but I did have to learn to keep more of my opinions to myself

LindeDad · February 15, 2011 9:55AM

I might sell my political opinion for a big enough discount on the right coin.

MidLifeCrisis · February 15, 2011 9:59AM

No.

As another already said - Don't ask. Don't tell. Don't care.

Elcontador · February 15, 2011 10:06AM

The only kinds of individual with whom I would not do business are people who are rude to me, and / or those whom I feel are fundamentally dishonest. If he / she thinks Obama is a space alien or Haley Barbour is the anti-Christ, I don't care.

Lakesammman · February 15, 2011 10:11AM

Mr.Eureka tries to get me to eat more veggies and I still buy coins from him.

CoinMaster1229 · February 15, 2011 10:46AM

When ever I deal with a democrat, I make them put there hand over there hart and swear they are a regan democrat. Or I send them to a pawn shop.

MaineJim · February 15, 2011 10:59AM

There is a dealer in my area who I used to frequent but after the last visit and having to listen to a five minute bigoted and racist rant I haven't been back. Not what I'd call a good business practice. I wasn't really that impressed with his coins either. If I had the stomach to listen to the idiot I guess I would go back to cherry-pick him but even that thought hasn't inspired me. I will tolerate most political views and as long as they don't start proselytizing at me I am fine.

Maine_Jim

Did a dealer political views ever stop you to do business with him?

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