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Opinion, am I wrong to be upset?

OK, soI wanted to get my nephews a coin minted 100 years before they were born - 1882 & 1887. I knew there was a coin booth at the local indoor swapmeet so I decided I would give some business to a local small owner. When I get to his booth he as both Morgans I seek, raw common date non CC for the 81 he has $40.00 for the 87 he has $35.00. I simply ask "what's the best you can do if I buy both coins" - his reply was "What's your problem, is there something wrong with the prices marked?". I told him I thought they were a tad high based on current spot on silver and he said these are not bullion coins. I said I understand they are not bullion, but they are common date Morgans and asked if he was not willing to give a small discount if I purchased the two (honestly I was only looking for a $5.00 discount and pay $70.00 for both). He said pay the price I marked or don't buy, to which I said I won't buy. As I was walking away he said "no one is even selling these" - I said there are plenty of coin stores selling common date Morgans, he said good luck and I said thanks! At the end of the day I went to a B&M place and purchased each for $30.00 each. The guy at the swap meet was rude. Was I wrong to ask what his best price was? He seemed insulted that I thought he would be willing to do a package deal. At the end of the day I simply wanted to do a small deal for a Christmas present and give business to someone I thought would appreciate it. Now I will never consider going to his booth (and I went out of my way to go to the swap meet with the full intention of giving him my business). I will however go to the B&M and not only did I buy the two Morgans, I bought a proof set of each of their birth years and bought 20 ASE's for myself. Mr. Swap Meet would have had my business for a simply $5.00 discount! Am I the A-hole or is he?

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    LanLordLanLord Posts: 11,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Swapmeet, what part of that did the guy not understand.

    You should just pat yourself on the back that you saved yourself some $$ and didn't do business with the jerk.
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    lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,895 ✭✭✭✭✭
    He is.

    But I can understand not having the margins to do a deal for two coins. He would have handled it better by simply saying "I'm sorry. I wish I could but I can't". He blew it by being insulting and I don't blame you for never doing business there again.
    Lance.
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    SoCalBigMarkSoCalBigMark Posts: 2,848 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Paragraphs don't cost nuttin.
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    tightbudgettightbudget Posts: 7,299 ✭✭✭
    There's nothing wrong about him passing on your offer. The problem was that the guy acted unprofessional and rude. I say you did the right thing by leaving and by choosing not to do business with him again.
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    AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 25,038 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'll bet he's kicking himself tonight as he still has the coins and no cash.

    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
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    SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 10,125 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, you were wrong. Horribly, horribly wrong for starting an entire thread on this subject. How did you survive to adulthood with such a thin skin?


    Feel better now? image
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    A rude coin dealer? I'm shocked I tell you, shocked!
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    << <i>Yes, you were wrong. Horribly, horribly wrong for starting an entire thread on this subject. How did you survive to adulthood with such a thin skin?


    Feel better now? image >>

    Thanks! You just saved me a trip to the psychologist! I do feel better. image
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    DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You never ever pay what is marked on holder. The guy was rude and has no contact with reality. Your offer was actually generous.

    You did great. Maybe he will get the message, but probably not.
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    WestySteveWestySteve Posts: 567 ✭✭✭
    You are wrong to be upset. You were right to take your sale elsewhere, but don't let it ruin your day.

    For some reason, I've noticed that collectibles sellers who originate from a "antiques dealer" background are far more rigid than the sellers who start out as a collectibles seller. That doesn't mean that a dealer in coins is wrong to stay firm in their price, but they are more understanding that us collectors will ask for a better price. Some antiques dealers will get downright insulted. Don't know why that is.

    Steve
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    I would go back and bring them and tell him, "Hey bro I found the other dealer in the world who is selling them and imagine, he is here in the same town too, who would have thunk!" "I really took him too, $30 bucks each!"

    But that is just me and I am not dimeman so that is how it would probably go down.-TN
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    michiganboymichiganboy Posts: 1,247 ✭✭✭
    you were in the right, let him keep his coins. I've always had the same kinda sellers at flea market type of scenarios. Guys asking $50 for cleaned low grade common date Morgans when spot was $18. I don't even ask people like that for a better price because they are not living on the same planet as far as i'm concerned. I really on buy at my local B&M and Ebay, sometimes craigslist. One day I might see something on the BST the sparks my interest but not as of yet.
    Positive BST transactions:michaeldixon,nibanny,
    type2,CCHunter.
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    WaterSportWaterSport Posts: 7,053 ✭✭✭✭✭
    OK, Let me buck the trend here. The guy is IMHO an antique/junk dealer, not a coin dealer and therefore was not aware of the same business practice you were. At least thats my experience with swap meet, flea market and antique mall coin sellers (note - I said coin sellers)

    WS
    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
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    DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
    He was still rude and would never see me again.
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    I agree, walk away. Man sounds difficult to deal with. Always another coin! I wouldn't waste my energy. Not the best way to build a relationship with a potential client.
    Winner of the "You Suck!" award March 17, 2010 by LanLord, doh, 123cents and Bear.
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    The swap-meet guy sounds like a popsicle.
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    "...am I wrong to be upset?"

    Is it helping? If not, let it go image He was right anyway, from his POV and with his attitude/position - no, they aren't going to sell, not like that.

    Eric
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    derrybderryb Posts: 38,588 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Be upset with his attitude, not with the fact that he held firm on his price.

    Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else. - Bastiat

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    I think it's perhaps a mistake to assume stallholders at local fleamarkets/fairs are local people as mentioned in the OP (helping locals).In many cases these people travel from market to market , lets say town A has it's market on a friday , another Town B has it on saturday , another might be sunday. The stallholders travel to these markets , often putting several hundred miles on their vans.
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    MarkInDavisMarkInDavis Posts: 1,747 ✭✭✭✭
    He was wrong to treat a potential customer so poorly. However, it is not worth being upset about. Just walk away. Don't let the actions of insignificant others have a negative bearing on your happiness.
    image Respectfully, Mark
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    "What's your best price?" is the classic opener for a price negotiation. Most dealers, I would imagine, have heard it a thousand times. He must be new.
    Let's try not to get upset.
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    and my wife laughes at me when at a yardsale/swapmeet, an item marked $.10, I offer a nickle for.image


    image




    Herb
    Remember it's not how you pick your nose that matters, it's where you put the boogers.
    imageimageimage
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    coinkatcoinkat Posts: 24,494 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This is a hobby-make it fun and recognize that somethings that transpire are not worth a second thought.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

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    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,606 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The guy at the swap meet sounds like a real jerk and you did nothing wrong. Unfortunately, your story isn't that unusual. Just find a good dealer and continue to give him your business. And finally, don't be so sensitive---the world is full of jerks like this guy.

    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

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    JohnMabenJohnMaben Posts: 957 ✭✭✭
    Nothing wrong with you asking and based on your account the guy acted like an idiot. A good response would have been to simply say, "The prices marked are the best I can do". Then you make a decision.

    John

    John Maben
    Pegasus Coin and Jewelry (Brick and Mortar)
    ANA LM, PNG, APMD, FUN, Etc
    800-381-2646

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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You were correct... he was an idiot for acting as he did. I would have returned and showed him the coins and the receipt... and said, "This dealer will get all my business in the future - you lose." Cheers, RickO
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    hchcoinhchcoin Posts: 4,843 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This thread reminds me of a Coin World advertiser that I have heard horror stories about. If you ask him what his best price is, the conversation just goes downhill from there. These types of sellers are not worth the hassle when there are many others out there that will act professionally.

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