Coin Shop Experience

[Scott99]

I haven't been on here in a while and decided to check the forum. Decided to check out a coin shop I drove by one day in Branson, Mo called Branson Coin Shop. I talked to the owner for a few minutes and told him that I was into varieties and he let this older woman take over. So I took her around the shop looking through all the owners stuff and find a 1970s proof set for $10 that had a small date in it. I told her I would purchase it and asked if they took debit card. She said only for $20 or more so I proceeded to look for something else to buy. While looking for something to make up the difference the owner examined what I was going to purchase, placed another sticker on it and wrote $66 on the sticker. Then said "why does this have 2 stickers?" To his wife. He would not sell me the proof set for $10 saying that the 2nd sticker he placed on the inside of the box was the price and not the big yellow sticker that said $10 that was on all the proof sets. This is pretty much a vent/review post for anyone that may be interested in checking out that shop. He lost all potential business with me by doing what he did.

[Maineman750]

Hi Matthew...good to see you again but sorry about your luck with the SD.

[Scott99]

Hah its ok and good to see you too. Its not really the fact that I didnt get the coin and more the fact of what he did.

[Maineman750]

Yeah...as a business owner I would have taken it as a lesson and kicked myself in the butt later.

[onecent1909]

go back... say hi... buy a cheep coin like a 1992 P cent
then walk out saying "WOW a 1992 P CLose AM cent.... I saw one of these sell for $20,000.00, Thanks!"
Then never go back

[jfines69]

Nothing like the old bait and switch form of doing business!!!

[eaxtellcoin]

This will sound kinda sarcastic because I also sell coins, but Matt you kinda did that to yourself. I always carry cash when buying coins, never ever use a debit card. The other problem is that you let him know - a stranger - you were looking for varieties. When I go to shows, I move through the inventory F.A.S.T. so I do not piss the dealer off taking up his table space, then purchase what I find at there price, unless it's a 10-12-S then grey sheet. Whoops I got off of track... He should not have changed the price - I agree but I think you gave him the chance to do just that...

I had a new dealer here locally that I told I was an RPM dealer to. I found two coins not marked for price - a 53-D RPM#28 and a 40-D RPM#2. Asked him for a price and since I told him I was an RPM dealer he wanted $12.00 for the coins, I told him they were not worth that and walked out the door. Two weeks later walked back in the shop - found the two coins and paid $3.25... New dealers are tough to deal with. - Don't place all your cards on the table...

[GrumpyEd]

I always carry cash when buying coins, never ever use a debit card. The other problem is that you let him know - a stranger - you were looking for varieties. When I go to shows, I move through the inventory F.A.S.T. so I do not piss the dealer off taking up his table space, then purchase what I find at there price

Agree! It's nice if you can be open but it's best to be careful unless you know the person well.
It's not being sneaky, you're shopping and they're selling. You don't need to explain what exactly you are looking for, all buyers are picking based on some criteria of price or grade or look or toning or whatever and we include variety to the list.

Some other advice is act a little bit stupid like detective Columbo, never smile or gawk too long when you see a variety, buy a few decoys if you need to keep the focus off a really good variety, never carry a book on varieties. Don't hand them one thing before you're done shopping for them to check it out - just decide which coins you want then when done pull them out all in a group hand the group to them and get out your cash to pay. Look at some other stuff to make your focus harder for them to figure out. Never brag about varieties you've found.
If they press you asking "what are you looking for?" tell them you've been looking for a 1975 quarter and a 1909-D cent but they're tough to find LOL

[Scott99]

Haha yeah, perhaps I do reveal too much when buying coins but I try to converse while looking. I sell coins every now and then and I would have sold the set as the marked price without thinking about it and commend them for finding something that had slipped by me. I do miss stuff but id say it would be a tough find because I pull everything. Lol perhaps I expect too much or am too naive. Then again that was the first coin shop that I ever visited so guess thats a learning experience for me. :-)

[jcuve]

Good to see you again Matt. I agree, probably best not to tell dealers you're a variety or error person. That said, I also agree it was unethical to change the price. He would have been better off selling it at $10 and asking if you would tell him what he missed on one of the coins.