Options
What I don't like about Joe O'Connor
RYK
Posts: 35,801 ✭✭✭✭✭
Joe has volunteered to be the piñata du jour. 
I will first disclose that I have purchased two coins from Joe O. (both in the last 18 months or so), and both have been excellent transactions from my perspective.
If I were asked to critique Joe's website, I would offer these:
1. He does not carry enough of the better date gold coins in collector grade condition that I like to buy. That's obviously his choice, but it means that he and I will likely do little business.
2. There have been several revampings of the site over the last year or so, and it is hard for me to figure out which "gallery" to view. I think a simple listing (like Pinnacle or Mark Feld, for example) or all the coins spread out on one page (like CRO) is the easiest to navigate. Otherwise, all of the coins in some order over multiple pages (like DW and Legend) would be my second choice.
3. Update the inventory after the show. After one of the recent shows, on the home page, there was a mini blurb about some of the great coins purchased and that they would be listed soon, but they never migrated to inventory, IIRC. Perhaps not intended, but it seemed like a tease. Also, IIRC, there was mention at that time of $3 gold that I may have had interest in, but I never saw it in the inventory. My memory is sketchy, but this is what I remember.
On the positive side, I think that the photography is very good, and the "coin on coin background" is very attractive, IMO.
I will first disclose that I have purchased two coins from Joe O. (both in the last 18 months or so), and both have been excellent transactions from my perspective.
If I were asked to critique Joe's website, I would offer these:
1. He does not carry enough of the better date gold coins in collector grade condition that I like to buy. That's obviously his choice, but it means that he and I will likely do little business.
2. There have been several revampings of the site over the last year or so, and it is hard for me to figure out which "gallery" to view. I think a simple listing (like Pinnacle or Mark Feld, for example) or all the coins spread out on one page (like CRO) is the easiest to navigate. Otherwise, all of the coins in some order over multiple pages (like DW and Legend) would be my second choice.
3. Update the inventory after the show. After one of the recent shows, on the home page, there was a mini blurb about some of the great coins purchased and that they would be listed soon, but they never migrated to inventory, IIRC. Perhaps not intended, but it seemed like a tease. Also, IIRC, there was mention at that time of $3 gold that I may have had interest in, but I never saw it in the inventory. My memory is sketchy, but this is what I remember.
On the positive side, I think that the photography is very good, and the "coin on coin background" is very attractive, IMO.
0
Comments
<< <i>Maybe an email to him would have been better here... >>
In another thread, he said that he welcomed such a thread.
Edit to add link to reference so that I do not look like a jerk for starting this thread.
Additionally, I might change the text for the for sale section from "Gallery" to "Inventory" or something else that clearly indicates that this is the stuff that is for sale.
Update all of the pages with "xxx". The site is great, but this sort of "under construction" thing is just not professional. I understand that writing copy like this is time consuming and boring, but bite the bullet and do it. Or remove the pages until such a time when it can be done.
Overall this is a really nice site, though!
<< <i>Edit to add link to reference so that I do not look like a jerk for starting this thread.
If I ran a coin website, I *would* welcome this sort of thread. I'd probably also appreciate hearing from more than one person (ie. it would be better as a thread than as a PM) because it would let me hear a lot of opinions and look for common things that lots of people don't like. It's always better when you get many different opinions because you can concentrate on fixing the things that are bothering the most people. In the case of the DLRC site the fundemental problem does seem to be the entire business model on the website (and to some extent the items being sold and the photography). I really think it should be good feedback for them.
Edited to add: I like surfing dealer sites that list some great 4,5,6 figure items but can also appreciate offering really wonderful 2-3 figure items.
EagleEye is another dealer that at times has some great non IHC coins and exonumia listed at just above beer budget.
I like Joe, he's quirky and it's always a thrill to solve how to find
the coins on his site.
But, once you find them,,,WOW!
R.I.P. Bear
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
Intro 1 2 3 4 [ Gallery One ] [ US Coins ] [ Wholesale ]
There are a few other things that can be improved but they are minor. As mingot mentioned, resizing the server images would improve the user experience. Changing 'gallery' to 'inventory' would help initial users; however, if a person is on the site, he or she likely knows there are coins to be bought.
Overall, the site looks very classy.
<< <i>joconnor, Please bring back Galley 3 which had the $25-1000 coin and exonumia items
Edited to add: I like surfing dealer sites that list some great 4,5,6 figure items but can also appreciate offering really wonderful 2-3 figure items.
EagleEye is another dealer that at times has some great non IHC coins and exonumia listed at just above beer budget. >>
I miss all the exceptional CWTs Eagle Eye used to have. Fortunately, I bought a few before they all went away. Should have bought more. But I see he has soime again. I hope thats a good sign!
While talking with Joe at the ANA, it's clear alot of the newps are pre-sold and never make it to the site. Those that do are a real treat to see.
Agree with the navigation - last time I visited it was new unfamiliar territory - and was unsure at the end of the visit if I had seen all the inventory.
Well, I was, but I was invited to be rude, and it would be equally rude not to accept the invitation.
Perhaps it would be better to have a general "what collectors do not like about dealer websites" thread, so that we do not seem rude and give them the feedback they seek. I know a lot of dealers do follow these threads.
A dealer w/your talent should not be doing websites. Although I admire you for trying!
If I managed your biz I would make you do 100% buy/sell and leave the website to the IT guys.
Successful BSTs with: Grote15, MadMarty, Segoja,cucamongacoin,metalsman.
Governments can print currency. Only the people can print faith in it — and they’re running low on ink.
<< <i>But you like Joe O'Connor the person, right? >>
Of course!