Think fast!

RYK · January 24, 2012 8:14AM

Yesterday, I received an RSS feed message that an extremely desirable and attractive early half eagle was offered for sale on the website of one of my favorite dealers. There was a description and a photo and an OGH and a sticker, and the coin was rather expensive (would have been one of the most expensive coins I have ever purchased) but reasonably priced for what it was. I was considering whether to do it and how to swing it and a couple hours later I looked at the dealer's website. The inventory had been updated again, and the coin was sold and moved off the site. It was as if it was all a dream, and I could not prove that it even existed except for the RSS message that is still in my mailbox.

I guess the lesson is, and I should know this by now, that if you want the real top-notch stuff, you have to think fast and act fast.

kaz · January 24, 2012 8:16AM

Sheesh. Now it's, "you sneeze, you lose."

Better luck next time!

coinsarefun · January 24, 2012 8:19AM

Welcome to the lightning speed of internet sales.
I can relate

But..........I keep telling myself there is always a reason

coindeuce · January 24, 2012 8:21AM

Expect to find it shortly in another dealer's inventory at a moderate percentage higher than the previous offering.

Broadstruck · January 24, 2012 8:27AM

Been there and have lost items within mere minutes while just opening new tabs to research pricing

AnkurJ · January 24, 2012 8:28AM

Shoot first, ask questions and figure out how to pay later.

Unknown · January 24, 2012 8:28AM

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BaseballAbs · January 24, 2012 8:33AM

I'm not surprised one bit. You snooze you loose. Been there seen that, happen to me more than once.

renomedphys · January 24, 2012 8:50AM

A similar thing happened to me. Well, not exactly. I went on vacation for a couple of weeks last summer (2010) and upon my return, found myself with a sizable chunk of change to spend on an "investment" type coin. I won't say which one, but you've all seen it

Anyway, I call my dealer and we are chewing the fat, and he says, that this coin was up for sale while I was gone, and I was like, OMG! And he says that he was having trouble moving it for $x and I was like ME! ME! and he was like, "oh, well (insert prominent collector's name) bought it and he thinks it's really fab, and his price is $x +$10K, and that's if he wants to sell it, which he hasn't decided yet". He also tells me that if I hadn't been out of town, I would have at least gotten a call, and probably not had to pay more than the original price. Well, for what it's worth, I bought the coin. And whenever I think about that trip to Alaska, the one that cost me over $9000, well, now I just add another $10K.

Moral of the story: Always share your intentions with your dealer, and always let him know where you're going, and for how long.

astrorat · January 24, 2012 9:29AM

Bummer ... I have been there as well!

coindeuce · January 24, 2012 9:32AM

<< Shoot first, ask questions and figure out how to pay later.

>>

Been there, done that!

curly · January 24, 2012 9:36AM

RYK, I was agnoizin' over the same coin you were. I looked at it 4 or 5 times....a few hours later...gone, as if it were never there. No "sold" or "on hold" or anything else to indicate what happened.

tradedollarnut · January 24, 2012 9:37AM

Not always though. I took 6 months to make up my mind to purchase the Norweb 1797 half for all the money. I just couldnt fathom the asking price until i realized that if it was still on my mind after that long that it must be ok.

MidLifeCrisis · January 24, 2012 9:59AM

"Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything." - Wyatt Earp

I think that quote really applies to situations like this. Usually, if you act too fast, you end up regretting it. Better to take your time and make sure it's what you want...especially if you're considering one of the most expensive coins you've ever purchased.

If you miss something in the process, oh well.

Lakesammman · January 24, 2012 11:53AM

Don't even know what RSS is!

Lakesammman · January 24, 2012 11:55AM

And after now Googling it, I think amphetadesk is for me.

AnkurJ · January 24, 2012 11:55AM

<< Don't even know what RSS is!

>>

I was thinking the same thing but didnt want to be the first to say it!

GeorgeKellogg · January 24, 2012 12:02PM

I'm sorry that you missed it, RYK, assuming that you would have ultimately decided to pull the trigger. My Dad's expression for this situation: "You've got to strike when the iron's hot."

BAJJERFAN · January 24, 2012 12:15PM

<< Yesterday, I received an RSS feed message that an extremely desirable and attractive early half eagle was offered for sale on the website of one of my favorite dealers. There was a description and a photo and an OGH and a sticker, and the coin was rather expensive (would have been one of the most expensive coins I have ever purchased) but reasonably priced for what it was. I was considering whether to do it and how to swing it and a couple hours later I looked at the dealer's website. The inventory had been updated again, and the coin was sold and moved off the site. It was as if it was all a dream, and I could not prove that it even existed except for the RSS message that is still in my mailbox.

I guess the lesson is, and I should know this by now, that if you want the real top-notch stuff, you have to think fast and act fast. >>

Did you check with the dealer to see if it really sold or was simply listed in error?

ranshdow · January 24, 2012 12:32PM

I will probably never be one of these high-dollar collectors for this very reason. I simply cannot fathom how an expectation of a split-second decision (or nearly so) on a tens or hundreds of thousands of dollar purchase, on a discretionary collectible, is rational. Especially based on photos on a web page.

RYK · January 24, 2012 12:38PM

<< I will probably never be one of these high-dollar collectors for this very reason. I simply cannot fathom how an expectation of a split-second decision (or nearly so) on a tens or hundreds of thousands of dollar purchase, on a discretionary collectible, is rational. Especially based on photos on a web page. >>

Remember, it is not a binding decision, but you do have to act fast, at times.

Don't even know what RSS is!

Then, no soup for you!

tradedollarnut · January 24, 2012 12:44PM

The time to decide is when you have 70% of the information. Who said that?

oreville · January 24, 2012 12:47PM

Well. what IS RSS?????

Broadstruck · January 24, 2012 12:47PM

<< 

<< Don't even know what RSS is!

>>

I was thinking the same thing but didnt want to be the first to say it!

>>

I had no clue either but just figured it as some sort of RYK / Longacre cans and string thingy

pennyannie · January 24, 2012 12:48PM

Tommorow or next week another item will come along that you will need just as bad.

I have found the best to get what you really wanted is to spend your money on other items you like and when your play fund gets to zero or neg numbers that item will appear the following day.

Then pull the trigger and find a creative way to pay for it.

RYK · January 24, 2012 12:54PM

Well. what IS RSS?????

Wow, I did not realize I had a competitive technology advantage over you folks.

AnkurJ · January 24, 2012 1:11PM

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. Who the dealer is is the bigger question.

RYK · January 24, 2012 1:21PM

<< RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. Who the dealer is is the bigger question. >>

That should be very easy with all of the clues in this thread--DWN

BAJJERFAN · January 24, 2012 1:40PM

<< 

<< RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. Who the dealer is is the bigger question. >>

That should be very easy with all of the clues in this thread--DWN >>

DWN............. Don't Waffle Nextime!!

RYK · January 24, 2012 1:44PM

<< 

<< 

<< RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. Who the dealer is is the bigger question. >>

That should be very easy with all of the clues in this thread--DWN >>

DWN............. Don't Waffle Nextime!!

>>

Good one! Realistically, I was probably not going to buy it fast enough. It sounds like that there were at least 3 other people who were equally or more interested. We were all surprised by how quickly it disappeared.

For those who say there will be another one, maybe yes, maybe no. There always seems to be something good just around the corner.

mkman123 · January 24, 2012 1:45PM

I'm the one that bought the coin. Gonna crack it out and use it as a pocket piece and make it really crusty.

silverpop · January 24, 2012 2:23PM

there is a old saying if you see something you like buy the item cause it will not be around for long

BAJJERFAN · January 24, 2012 2:31PM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. Who the dealer is is the bigger question. >>

That should be very easy with all of the clues in this thread--DWN >>

DWN............. Don't Waffle Nextime!!

>>

Good one! Realistically, I was probably not going to buy it fast enough. It sounds like that there were at least 3 other people who were equally or more interested. We were all surprised by how quickly it disappeared.

For those who say there will be another one, maybe yes, maybe no. There always seems to be something good just around the corner. >>

Yep and like most, I have more corners than extra cash.

morganbarber · January 24, 2012 9:09PM

I've always said that the coins with which I am happiest are the ones where I decided to pay more than priceguides would indicate. Moving fast is the same idea- you need to trust your numismatic judgement to beat the market.

yellowkid · January 24, 2012 9:57PM

A lesson I learned years ago in the antique business, sometimes you just have to go with your gut or lose out.

lcoopie · January 24, 2012 11:01PM

"Next time don't think"
Your dealer

Bankerbob56 · January 25, 2012 3:06AM

<< I will probably never be one of these high-dollar collectors for this very reason. I simply cannot fathom how an expectation of a split-second decision (or nearly so) on a tens or hundreds of thousands of dollar purchase, on a discretionary collectible, is rational. Especially based on photos on a web page. >>

THIS!

BAJJERFAN · January 25, 2012 3:28AM

In this case had he bought and then changed his mind, it seems like the OP could have flipped it for a profit almost instantly.

airplanenut · January 25, 2012 3:51AM

At a show in 2004 or 2005, TomB's tablemate bought a gorgeous merc fully toned in blue on both sides. I was at the table shooting the breeze, and Tom was away from the table for a few minutes. I snagged the coin before Tom ever had a chance

johnny9434 · January 25, 2012 6:13AM

<< Welcome to the lightning speed of internet sales.
I can relate

But..........I keep telling myself there is always a reason

>>

i agree, welcome to the world of the internet. ( sounds like my luck ) and yes there is a reason on why maybe you didnt get it. next time

Think fast!

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