The Rude Stamp Dealer

lithograving: yes but in a small mall

In the Boston area, we had Jordan Marsh in the Burlington Mall and HE Harris in Boston.

Jack Kelley

About 25 years ago, I was stationed in Boston in the Coast Guard and they frequently had shows in the area. It seemed that every show there were those two or three dealers who just looked like they could think of about a thousand places they'd rather be. I don't know, they didn't look like they enjoyed what they were doing so I tended to shy away from them.

I now have three young girls who are fledgling collectors (the twins are 7 and their little sister 5). We go to the odd show and by and large they are treated well by most dealers. There's always one or two you can tell just don't want kids at their table, and I can't say I blame them, but most dealers have been very accommodating.

Last time I sold a collection (Europa) the dealer got mad because I didn't have all the key values. He state "You are not a serious collector". Another one I know is straight forward too. Makes me think of Bobby the forum father. Daniel

I wish I had a story to tell, but unfortunately there are no stamp dealers where I live, nor any shows. I don't think I've ever purchased a stamp "over the counter", with the exception of the first few packets I bought from a hobby store when I was a wee lad of 7 or 8. I've only ever ordered by online or by mail, so I have no idea as the the personality of the dealers I'm buying from.

I have never met a stamp dealer or collector I didn't like. Coin dealers on the other hand...

there was a really stocked dealer cool place that used to be in my area they had a barrell full of postal stamps
customers choice kind of a misc pick, that dealer closed due to overhead, now there are only stamp
exhibits in my area someone would be lucky to find even a dealer with a store. another dealer told me over 20 years
ago my collection was not worth looking at becouse it was not an organized set 0f maybe 20 stamps for him to
look at some might think that rude, I didn't care 20 or so years later my collection is still organized enough for me

I'm a collector, I want the dealer stock.

The less pleasant they are, the harder I negotiate.

As my daughter has grown up, she occasionally does things I don't want her to do.

I say, "You will never know what that behaviour just cost you".

I cut dealers a fair amount of slack, anyone can have a bad day and others are simply 'burned out'.

My wife and I owned a retail business for many years and we had our share of 'difficult' customers. Although the majority of people were friendly and kind, a handful could really ruin your day. Then I stumbled upon a possible solution... I took a full length mirror and mounted it horizontally behind the front counter. So basically the customers could see themselves; it worked great. The troublesome customers, seeing how they looked while they ranted or raged, suddenly started acting a lot nicer!
Don

Hi! May I throw a bit of a twist to this thread.............

I buy and sell on ebay and have a 100 percent positive feedback with 1500 auctions (feedbacks - not all provide it). Last Sunday I found 3 auctions that I was interested in (albums - $200, $200, $300) but their descriptions begged questions. So I wrote a short to the point question to each of them. One replied with a curt, partial answer. I replied back asking for the name on the albums. I have yet to get a reply. The other two have not replied at all.

I have to say this is very unusual, but having three difficult ones at the same time is almost unbelieveable. One of the auctions just ended, and because I didn't hear back, I did not bid. The other two are still in play.

I do tell myself.......... its their loss in the end.