Haggling coin prices?

[Mongo 1]

Is the haggling of coin prices acceptable practice? I have been thinking about this for a while, and being a newb did not want to offend any dealers or embarrass myself. I suppose this question comes from the fact that there is often haggling of "antiques", so an old coin could also be in the antique bracket?

Not for tiny value coins, but for say a £100 plus purchase, what are your thoughts and/or experience on this?

[VickySilver 830]

Depends of course, but I have at shows offered occasionally 10% off. If it is a coin that is rare or in demand, forget it...

[SEnumis 0]

What's the harm in setting a quizzical eye ann politely asking if that price is the best they can do? The answer might come back as yes, in which case you've lost nothing, or they might say 'I can give you a couple of quid off' or 'I can give you x free if you like.' Don't try too hard though as the dealer might have something you would like at any price but might be less willing to sell if you only ever buy at a discount. Good customers get discounts but they also get recomendations...

We all need to get a reasonable price, dealer and customer.

[Rob 3,152]

It also depends on the price at which the dealer can buy, and in the climate of the past 2 or 3 years, anything at auction is going for more than you can sell on at. Bargains for the dealer are very thin on the ground, so don't get too hopeful.

[Peter 615]

Depends on what the coin is.Discounts for cash or cheque maybe offered (paypal/credit cards incur fees).On Ebay buy it now or best offer is an invitation.

I watched a £300 coin for a couple of weeks.Put an offer in of £155 delivered which was accepted.This was a one off though.

At fairs you can often get a sweetner.But if a £100 coin was being offered at £130 just set your limit.The dealer needs to make a living too.

[scott 144]

done it once on a commonwealth halfgroat (bit battered still a bugger to buy at around £25+) got a few quid off, but most of my buys are cheap i usualy get a bit off for ease of maths to save change etc.

[coin watch 1]

I find if the dealer has had a coin for a while then generally speaking a 10% discount could be aimed for, but again it really depends on a lot of factors. Always worth a go though!

[TomGoodheart 400]

If you know a coin has been on a dealer's books for six months or more than I'd say there's a good chance you could haggle for a bit of a discount.

For regular coins I was always told the higher the price, the more liklihood of a 'best price' if asked. After all, profit on a £50 coin is probably £25 at most. A £500 coin it could be hundreds, so dropping the price by £10 or £20 to get a sale is a bit more palatable. Of course if it's a known rarity and an eventual sale can be guaranteed then it's probably not worth asking!

[Mongo 1]

Thanks for all your replies. Helpful as always!

I am not planning on trying to haggle every coin I buy. If I see a nice coin, but think the price is a bit higher than what I would happily pay, I may try and get a little discount, just to make myself feel better about the purchase.

I have received kind discounts and freebies from several forum members already, with no need to ask! which is very nice.

It is more the face to face encounter I wanted to ask about. I have found a couple of shops that deal in coins, not too far from where I live, so just wanted to check the etiquette before I jumped in and asked for a best price.

[Peckris 579]

It never hurts to ask. And if you buy a load of coins from a dealer's trays (and some can be individual coins as high as £15 - £20) you would often get a discount.

[Accumulator 52]

I've certainly obtained discounts from dealers of 10-20%, particularly when multiple coin purchases are involved or when the alternative is to place a coin in auction and accept the auction house fees. There's never any harm in asking and the worst they can say is 'no'.

Edited July 16, 2012 by Accumulator

[Red Riley 2]

Is the haggling of coin prices acceptable practice? I have been thinking about this for a while, and being a newb did not want to offend any dealers or embarrass myself. I suppose this question comes from the fact that there is often haggling of "antiques", so an old coin could also be in the antique bracket?

Not for tiny value coins, but for say a £100 plus purchase, what are your thoughts and/or experience on this?

The short answer is 'yes'.

Standard approach is to pick up a coin, disregard the price and say. 'what's your best on this?' Doesn't offend, uses standard terminology and the dealer can always say, 'I'm tight on that one, really can't come down at all'. Or he might knock a fiver off.

I shouldn't really be telling you this...

[Peter 615]

It is common commercial nous.I quite like it when there are no prices and let the bartering commence.One thing sticks in my mind when I agreed a deal for a farthing.I asked the dealer how did he know his base price.He said I don't but I know what I should of bought it for.

Some of the dealers use codes.Quite easy to crack.

[coin watch 1]

It is common commercial nous.I quite like it when there are no prices and let the bartering commence.One thing sticks in my mind when I agreed a deal for a farthing.I asked the dealer how did he know his base price.He said I don't but I know what I should of bought it for.

Some of the dealers use codes.Quite easy to crack.

I have often thought about these codes but never really come up with any sort of solution, it's probably staring me in the face

[VickySilver 830]

I like Red Riley's answer and the tactic I use the most often. I think sometimes insensitive offers on the part of the buyer can do some harm as they can be borderline insulting. Tread lightly and carefully, and above all know your coins as best you can...

[Red Riley 2]

I like Red Riley's answer and the tactic I use the most often. I think sometimes insensitive offers on the part of the buyer can do some harm as they can be borderline insulting. Tread lightly and carefully, and above all know your coins as best you can...

Moving on from that, the people I won't give a discount to, are those who wander up to my stall, don't say a word and then spend the next 10 minutes fingerng through every coin I've got, put some of them back in the wrong place, keep genuine customers from my wares and without making eye contact pick up a £2 halfpenny and say 'how much is this?'. I'm afraid under those circumstances my response will be, 'the price is on the ticket'.

Communication is everything in life.

[scott 144]

just got 10% off a Julia Domna denarius

dont usualy buy roman but it was just a lovely piece

[Peter 615]

I like Red Riley's answer and the tactic I use the most often. I think sometimes insensitive offers on the part of the buyer can do some harm as they can be borderline insulting. Tread lightly and carefully, and above all know your coins as best you can...

Moving on from that, the people I won't give a discount to, are those who wander up to my stall, don't say a word and then spend the next 10 minutes fingerng through every coin I've got, put some of them back in the wrong place, keep genuine customers from my wares and without making eye contact pick up a £2 halfpenny and say 'how much is this?'. I'm afraid under those circumstances my response will be, 'the price is on the ticket'.

Communication is everything in life.

At fairs I will spend a lot of time chatting.Stops me spending too much.I can honestly say a chat and being remembered is part of the fun and enjoyment.If there were coffee machines on tables. At the Midland I head for one dealer first he welcomes me as an old friend.It works both ways .What I do hate is other dealers almost snatching nice stuff from trays I am looking at.

[Peter 615]

I like Red Riley's answer and the tactic I use the most often. I think sometimes insensitive offers on the part of the buyer can do some harm as they can be borderline insulting. Tread lightly and carefully, and above all know your coins as best you can...

Moving on from that, the people I won't give a discount to, are those who wander up to my stall, don't say a word and then spend the next 10 minutes fingerng through every coin I've got, put some of them back in the wrong place, keep genuine customers from my wares and without making eye contact pick up a £2 halfpenny and say 'how much is this?'. I'm afraid under those circumstances my response will be, 'the price is on the ticket'.

Communication is everything in life.

There is one dealer at the Midland who wouldn't give me discount on a £2 1/2d

[Rob 3,152]

I like Red Riley's answer and the tactic I use the most often. I think sometimes insensitive offers on the part of the buyer can do some harm as they can be borderline insulting. Tread lightly and carefully, and above all know your coins as best you can...

Moving on from that, the people I won't give a discount to, are those who wander up to my stall, don't say a word and then spend the next 10 minutes fingerng through every coin I've got, put some of them back in the wrong place, keep genuine customers from my wares and without making eye contact pick up a £2 halfpenny and say 'how much is this?'. I'm afraid under those circumstances my response will be, 'the price is on the ticket'.

Communication is everything in life.

There is one dealer at the Midland who wouldn't give me discount on a £2 1/2d

What a surprise.

Another thing that p's me off is when you have items that really should be melted, but you offer them at melt anyway as a goodwill gesture, but people still want a discount on that and refuse to buy without it. Or the person who has a list of only half a dozen items, one of which you have in the right grade and price. He asks you to keep it back for him and then buggers off never to be seen again even when you know it is most unlikely there is a second example in the room. I stopped holding things back for strangers long ago.