This has happened to me before. The guy asked if I would take $950 because it was only $50 less than I wanted. I asked him if he would pay $1050 since it was only $50 more than I was asking for. He paid the $1000.
In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.
I did once save $25,000 off a coin with this approach: "I'm going to buy this anyway, but can you do anything on the price?" What can I say - it worked! >>
However, the OP's example is an annoying pissant that deserves contempt. >>
This!! >>
That.
Some said it nicer but I liked this response the best. MJ
Walker Proof Digital Album 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......
Negotiation is a fine art, however, what is referenced in the OP is not true negotiation. When it comes to coins, I will ask for best price and then either take it or leave it. If I were negotiating a contract or even buying a car, there are terms and conditions that may be addressed. The owner of the product always has the upper hand. I have often heard the pis*ants haggling over a couple of dollars at shows... ridiculous. They are not worth the business and if I were the seller would likely tell them the price is final and then tend to other customers. Cheers, RickO
My friend Arnie Margolis (who used to publish Error Trends Coin Magazine), would set up next to my table at FUN for many many years.
He'd have someone look in his showcase at an error coin, ask the price (Arnie might say "It's marked $25, but I'll take $20"), and then the customer would say "Is there a better price?"
Arnie would pause for a second or two, smile a bit, and say "Yes - $35 -- you didn't say a 'better price' for who - and that's a better price for me!!"
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
This reminds me of when I go garage sale shopping. I laugh at people who haggle over the price of somthing marked 25 cents or 50 cents trying to get it for 15 or 40 cents. Give me a break. Most times if there is something I want I pay the ask. Coins are not much different. I may ask once and that's it. Then I decide. Chislers are irritating; nobody wants to do business with them.
It is not that life is short, but that you are dead for so very long.
I "had" a customer who on the last two occasions of showing interest in several coins in my inventory, began hedging on the price by making multiple requests for added conditions(multiple images of the coin sent by email/ driving considerable distance to show a coin in hand, etc.) to consummate the transaction, after the price to him was stated. In both cases, I politely obliged and verbally justified my position for the price stated, which he seemed to ignore. He doesn't quite know it yet, but he has been fired as a customer.
My approach when buying from a dealer is to find a coin or coins I am interested in. Generally, most have prices listed somewhere on the holders. I then present the pieces to the dealer and ask, "how much for these?" Whatever price is quoted then is generally a take it or leave it price.
On rare occasions, if I really like the coin and find it priced way beyond what I think it is worth I may engage in a polite discussion about grade and price on the coin. I respect the seller's right to charge whatever they want, but I have found with certain dealers that they may realize that they have overgraded a coin and thus overpriced it, and will give a second quote that is more in line with what I am willing to pay. This does not always work, but it has on several occasions. It works best when you have an established relationship with the dealer. I don't consider this "chiseling" and when it works to the satisfaction of both parties is a reasonable approach.
On a $500 deal, $5 does not amount to anything, especially if I want the item. I agree such haggling is stupid and poisons future negociations.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
Comments
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<< <i>Situations like that are annoying.
I did once save $25,000 off a coin with this approach: "I'm going to buy this anyway, but can you do anything on the price?" What can I say - it worked! >>
However, the OP's example is an annoying pissant that deserves contempt. >>
This!! >>
That.
Some said it nicer but I liked this response the best. 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......
Error Trends Coin Magazine), would set up
next to my table at FUN for many many years.
He'd have someone look in his showcase at
an error coin, ask the price (Arnie might say
"It's marked $25, but I'll take $20"), and then
the customer would say "Is there a better price?"
Arnie would pause for a second or two, smile
a bit, and say "Yes - $35 -- you didn't say a
'better price' for who - and that's a better price
for me!!"
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
On rare occasions, if I really like the coin and find it priced way beyond what I think it is worth I may engage in a polite discussion about grade and price on the coin. I respect the seller's right to charge whatever they want, but I have found with certain dealers that they may realize that they have overgraded a coin and thus overpriced it, and will give a second quote that is more in line with what I am willing to pay. This does not always work, but it has on several occasions. It works best when you have an established relationship with the dealer. I don't consider this "chiseling" and when it works to the satisfaction of both parties is a reasonable approach.