Jump to content
CoinPeople.com

An angry appraisal


MisterMcDoo

Recommended Posts

It seems that people who have a coin or banknote and are trying to sell it REALLY think they have "something". When told they don't, they get so nasty!!!

 

"I have a 1963 1000 Gulden note that is in mint condition. Are you interested?"

 

...maybe. How much do you want for it?

 

"As to cost, I have no idea of it's worth.

 

I responded to an ad from *insert name here* who was selling 'limited' quantities of this note in 1988 and subsequently purchased one (1) for $395.00.

 

Your fair offer, based on today's market value, will be acceptable."

 

With a price that high in 1988 I automatically assumed it was Dutch, even though no 1000 Gulden note was issued in 1963 being a Dutch note I was interested.

 

I said, "If the note is indeed in CU condition I may buy it.

 

Please send me scans or pictures so I can confirm. Another question: no 1,000 Gulden was issued in 1963. Do you have the correct date? Please view the 1938 issue:

 

http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/banknotes/nethe...onatedfvt_f.jpg

 

And the 1972 issue:

 

http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/banknotes/nethe...donatedas_f.jpg

 

I will pay $XXX for the older issue, and $XXX for the newer one.

 

Thank you sir."

 

I later received, "It is dated 1963 bit it is a Suriname Gulden"

 

:ninja:

 

Very, VERY angry when he was told that I won't pay more than $6.00 for his Surinam note. Shouldn't he check other sources before assuming the note is worth hundreds of dollars?

 

These 1000 Gulden Surinames are very common as they were never used, basically given out in packs of 100 to the general numismatic community directly from the bank. His friend probably paid $395 for a pack of 100.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very, VERY angry when he was told that I won't pay more than $6.00 for his Surinam note. Shouldn't he check other sources before assuming the note is worth hundreds of dollars?

 

These 1000 Gulden Surinames are very common as they were never used, basically given out in packs of 100 to the general numismatic community directly from the bank. His friend probably paid $395 for a pack of 100.

 

 

 

As one dealer once said;

 

"The general uneducated public are very stupid, they believe what they want to believe whether it is true or not".

 

You get them, way of the World.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

heheh...everybody likes to imagine having found "treasure". i feel real bad for the people inheriting their grandparent's collection thinking they're worth thousands, if not millions. i feel even worse for the dealers who have to listen to them after offering a couple bucks each for their german inflation notes/japanese invasion money.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think sometimes they see the amount that their parents/grand parents paid for the coins/bills not knowing that they were ripped off. When you tell them that the notes aren't worth much, what they hear is that their parents/grand parents were stupid to pay so much when all that you are really saying is that the were ignorant about what they were buying. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

heheh...everybody likes to imagine having found "treasure". i feel real bad for the people inheriting their grandparent's collection thinking they're worth thousands, if not millions. i feel even worse for the dealers who have to listen to them after offering a couple bucks each for their german inflation notes/japanese invasion money.

 

Yep.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seems that people who have a coin or banknote and are trying to sell it REALLY think they have "something". When told they don't, they get so nasty!!!

In a local coinshop I frequent the owner has a special sign just above the display area for these type of customers, it reads: "It is not worth as much as you think."

 

It has never been incorrect.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 years later...

I brought back some coins from Indonesia which looked like Spanish Dollars and I got a guy to value them

and he valued them at $50 each - this was back in 1980. So I paid him ten per cent of the valuation.

But when I went to sell them to another dealer I was told they were forgeries! Worth nothing. And I was almost

going to go back to Indonesia and buy a heap more. I was very annoyed with the first dealer, went back and

he offered a feeble defense - but he knew sweet nothing about his trade - might as well have been a vacuum

cleaner salesman.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I brought back some coins from Indonesia which looked like Spanish Dollars and I got a guy to value them

and he valued them at $50 each - this was back in 1980. So I paid him ten per cent of the valuation.

But when I went to sell them to another dealer I was told they were forgeries! Worth nothing. And I was almost

going to go back to Indonesia and buy a heap more. I was very annoyed with the first dealer, went back and

he offered a feeble defense - but he knew sweet nothing about his trade - might as well have been a vacuum

cleaner salesman.

 

Sorry to hear of your story.

 

Generally speaking, it's advisable not to buy any antiques or old collectibles when abroad unless you're very experienced in the field yourself (of whatever you intend to buy). Often, one or two of three scenarios will happen:

 

1. You're getting a fake

2. You pay too much for them

3. Item is genuine, but exporting it is illegal

 

Also keep in mind that most coin dealers in the US are specialists in US coinage only, and have limited experience and expertise in world coins. I've seen fake silver-dollar sized coins at brick and mortar stores and antique malls - so it goes to say that you've got to know who you're dealing with, and what you know about what they know.

 

Note: I do not wish to imply that all dealers are like this - there are many great stand-up characters around as well who know their stuff and offer fair opinions and prices both ways. A good dealer will tell you when something's beyond their expertise. Look at what they sell, and ask around for a second or third opinion.

 

Anyone who's willing to provide an appraisal and confirm the authenticity for an item should have no problem standing behind their opinion by buying the item in question.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On the other hand, an educated consumer is not always your best customer. Of course this also comes out of the problem of a two tiered price system, one for dealers and one for collectors. Collectors expect equal sale, dealers expect the lower price.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On the other hand, an educated consumer is not always your best customer. Of course this also comes out of the problem of a two tiered price system, one for dealers and one for collectors. Collectors expect equal sale, dealers expect the lower price.

 

Indeed, this can be a very contentious issue.

 

Had a funny email exchange not long ago where a guy was interested in starting a Canadian silver dollar collection, using junk silver. He actually asked if I had any 1948's in my junk pile because they are so expensive everywhere else, lol. For those not familiar with Canadian silver dollars, 1948 is THE key date, mintage of under 19,000. It could be slicked to a barely readable date, holed, as well as harshly cleaned and still be a $400 coin.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Things are best when you have understanding collectors - those who understand and appreciate the role of the dealer, and their need to make a living. Those who are understanding, and educated can often be a dealer's best friends.

 

KoRnholio - it is kind of funny to hear stories like that. I heard similar types of stories where a "collector" would regularly visit a dealer to look at the junk, just to leave empty handed each time because they didn't find any keys.

 

I think for some, the thrill of the hunt overwhelms all rationality.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think for some, the thrill of the hunt overwhelms all rationality.

 

This, and also everyone just wants to get a good deal. Or at least believe that they are getting a good deal. Sometimes makes me wonder if my no non-sense "these are my prices" attitude (I regularly run kijiji/craigslist ads) with people costs me business. On the plus side, it does make dealing much more efficient. Quickly weeds out those people who are looking to buy silver after it has a great week... at the previous week's price.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used to own a fairly extensive collection of Dutch paper money dated 1916-1955 and had a very nice 1000G note with an interesting serial #.....

 

p48-2x.jpg

 

Sadly I sold it all to concentrate on other interests. :(

 

Happily most of the notes went back to the Netherlands where they rightfully belong.

 

If you are interested most of the notes can be seen here:

 

http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php?/topic/18480-netherlands-banknotes-1916-1955/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Just had another angry appraisal lol.

 

Guy wanted more than double melt for common NGC graded world gold coins. Offered him a fair price, midway between what he could get on a good day at Ebay after fees, and what I'd have to pay for them on Ebay. He wrote back angrily that I can take my fakes and ebay and shove it, lol.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...