Fiasco6
315440
7012
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I work at a Coinshop in the historic city of Annapolis.
Daily... Constantly people bring in their families valuables that have been passed on for ages. Only to have me or one of my coworkers tell them that it holds little to no value.
The internet has really made this horrible for us. People google whatever they have, but the search engines always bring up advertisements for the same coin, but in such a high grade (condition) that it IS worth a lot of money. So people come in expecting a huge sum of cash for some basic junk. They cannot believe that ol' dear grandpa would leave them junk.
People get upset on a regular basis and cannot believe we would "lie" to them and rip them off. So they go to "sell" them on the internet and it never sells because they have no idea what they are doing.
Some people do sell and trust us experts, but most of the time they are knowledgeable collectors, druggies or too dumb to use the internet.
This also includes gold and silver jewelry and diamonds. The general public cannot believe that a jewelry store would sell them something for $5k and its only worth a few hundred if you cannot resell it.
It gets pretty crazy at times, but have only had to forcefully remove one guy in the seven years I've been here. Most pissed off people just yell and leave or go on yelp. I tend to get their yelp reviews removed because they tend to include vulgarities.
Even today, this guy had a extremely circulated cent that is worthless. I showed him one that was the same date but a much higher grade that was worth $150. I explained the whole system to him and he still did not understand... I generally don't do this because it's not worth my time, but he was a friend of a friend.
TLDR: People think their shits worth $$ and it is not. Thx internet.
Front page edit: Wow... my first time on the front page... send your favorite gifs? Also, I have received a huge number of messages and requests, so if I don't get to you, please forgive!
Here is the reverse story, per request!
http://imgur.com/gallery/weMce
Showmeyourotters
And that's pretty much why I feel you should collect things because you like them, not because "they could be worth a fortune someday"
Crambodian
Ah the Internet, the best place for both information and misinformation.
YoureTheBIGmarriageExpertOhIMsorryiForgotYourWifeIsDead
I think it's a deeper systemic problem that subconsciously people think their item is worth more because they own it.
TheElGordo
Annapolis! Go Navy!
andyonetime
Go Ravens
Dadof4
I found a 1936 Buffalo Nickel in my change last week.
Fiasco6
This is the #1 coin we have issues with we had a proof listed for 1.6k and everyone called everyday, ended up taking it off to end the calls
tantallous
i have one too but the date is so worn i can barely read it. looks like 1928. the other side is in better shape.
eveninthefuturenothingworks
If you want something for nothing don't get mad when you get nothing
NurseFeelgood
My dad collected "valuable" coins. When he died, we had a literal ton of them. Ended up putting them in a coinstar.
EternalSunshineOfTheSpotlessMind
A literal ton? So approximately 302,395 coins?
NurseFeelgood
Add in the "display" cases, the china cabinets devoted to nothing but coins, and dozens of hardbound coin books, probably close to a ton.
JustARandomKoreanDude
So.... how much are you taking for my Pokemon trade cards? It has great sentimental value.
Byzil
The number of people who have susan b's or 40s-50s wheat cents and think they should have hundreds of dollars value makes me sad at heart
0urLady0fPerpetualExemption
What's the most awesome or valuable coin you've seen?
UmmonPrime
we need stories... especially the one where the man had to be forcefully removed.
Fiasco6
Okay, I'll write one when I get into the shop tomorrow
Anboto
In Spanish there is a old saying: "El ojo del dueño engorda la vaca" that means: the eye of the owner makes the cow bigger
troy11998822
@OP Could you validate or debunk one of my "ancient" Greek Chersonese coins? Had it forever, never had it checked out. Annapolis MO?
Fiasco6
MD, maryland. Add photos here and I'll do my best. My specialty is US coins, jewelry and diamonds. Ill show my world guy tho
Fiasco6
MD, maryland. Send me photos and I'll do my best. My specialty is US coins, jewelry and diamonds. Ill show my world guy tho
troy11998822
Why would some dickhead downvote my question to you? Some imgurians are just pieces of shit
Fiasco6
I upvoted your question so your now even, or up? Lol
troy11998822
A good man, you are sir
zoidburgerandfries
It *may* be because you are asking for a free appraisal? Dunno though, wasn't me ... I downvote nothing
troy11998822
Coin shops operate on free appraisals. They make money by buying and reselling. NGR certs are what cost money
zoidburgerandfries
I don't know why people downvote. I've been slaughtered for not siding with the police, or defending women. Ok, so perhaps I do know
timeloveandyarn
Everything is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I can say all day that something is worth $1000 but unless someone's 1/
timeloveandyarn
willing to pay that $1000 it's worth nothing. End/
Dontfuckwithtinyhippo
this is what i tell people when they tell me theyre going to sell their riced up subaru for 15k
timeloveandyarn
I learned this from my mom. It's what she'd tell me when I was a kid and was sure I'd be a beanie baby millionaire.
Lostondaweb
@OP Let's face it. If they came to you they are only interested in money, not value. Their lives were ruined long before they came to you.
kprice1234
I demand a work stories post!
Fiasco6
I have a million of them... I thought about doing one of those day in the life things
kprice1234
Sounds good. Remember to update your post with the link so we can find it
Fiasco6
Will do, does it update you all when I do that? I'm typically a lurker
ThePrimrose
No but people will favorite and check back
kprice1234
Same haha. Probably not but if I remember I'll check this post again in a few days
keyserv
I love how people use Ebay like it's some sort of price-checking site.
Casswigirl11
You can check at what prices items have recently sold. There's a filter for it. It's so easy to do that of course it's a price checking site
Locolarue
Well, it is. If your stuff is in the same condition.
thrymn
You're not wrong. The price on the site will usually be what people are willing to pay for it, i.e. it's price.
normalizebeingalone
Annoyingly some things are just rare enough though that Ebay becomes a last ditch effort as a point of reference for some things.
burgerandy
No joke! Check out Disney's "rare" Black Diamond collection. It's absolutely beautiful.
theonetheycallmonk
It can be very helpful for figuring out an items value... If you know what the hell you're doing.
ScottMalkinsonHasDiabetes
But but but...It's graded by Joe Bobs grading service...
Fiasco6
Its the worst when its a fake grading company...
DeathtotheKardashians
Was totally expecting Pawn Stars
jdog34
They're all in usersub already
gibsonguy77
I thought of Hardcore Pawn. lol. That's where all the "crazy shit" happens, even though it's fake.
Fiasco6
We got interviewed for a show but they said we were too boring
Duder87
You just need someone to act somewhat stoned and dumb all the time.
ShamanOfHigh
I like the honesty in the realism of the situation here.
tamweh
Hello fellow Naptownian. Junior at St John's College here!
justneedfortofavoritecannotthinkofclevername
I knew if I looked far enough down the comments I'd find a Johnnie (after the Navy, sigh)! SJCA 2010!
tamweh
2018 here! Just began Middlemarch
justneedfortofavoritecannotthinkofclevername
Excellent! I wrote my junior paper on that.
tamweh
Oh nice! It's good so far. It's nice to be back to regular seminars after Preceptorials.
stuffandthing
I love this post. It sums up my daily life
manimatr0n
Welcome to selling comics. The 90s have a lot to answer for.
221BFakerStreet
The Death of Superman has also been the death of many a dream.
JohnnieIII
Yep I've found coins before, most valuable coin I've ever found turned out to be worth 12$ still I took a huge jar or separated ones
JohnnieIII
That I thought may be valuable ended up with 250$ so no complaints
vonKaiser
Locolarue
Your friends with BUBBAS?! I must cringe at your stories...tell me..
vonKaiser
Best one? 1903a4 Sniper. No import, his grandfathers gun. Chopped the rear site+front site, smoothed the bolt handle to a paddle. 1/2
vonKaiser
2/2 shortened the barrel with a hacksaw, crooked and came to me wondering why it was inaccurate when it was "A Tack driver before"
Locolarue
What do you mean chopped the sights?
vonKaiser
Cut'em off. No rear band, no leaf site in the rear. Removed the front site and installed a new one that you drill/tap into the barrel
IronicUsername
Kenmore777
Worthless??? Had to be worth at least 1 cent!
WillmarMachine
Right, so worthless.
uhhhnowwhat
But you never know what's gonna walk through that door!
Fiasco6
Acrually it was worth 3 cents lol
Pris0nMike
Three fitty
steelersxl786
Why? Because you gave him the penny back and your two cents?
MoooCow
3x. That's pretty great.
Koshunae
Ive been collecting coins, most arent worth anything but I think theyre cool. Like pre 1969 quarters and the other day I got a 1939 penny
Koshunae
I know theyre worthless, but I like thinking of the history of the coins.
Diddyu
Best I can do is $0.002.
mynewestusername
I used to collect coins as a kid. I didn't have much of value, but the ones that were were sealed and graded. I should check them again.
Fiasco6
If its graded by pcgs or ngc, go register it on their site for insurance purposes
mynewestusername
They are currently at my parents house on the other side of the country. I doubt I had anything that nice though.
JaxenChaz
I'm a pawnbroker, I know this routine well. Folks, don't buy jewellery at big name stores.
ilooveboobs
Just for the future: Never planned to buy jewellery, but gold. Is there any guid to buing gold (wedding-rings) and how much max. to spend ?
JaxenChaz
Just try to spend the smallest possible percentage over spot value. Make an offer, worst they can do is say nope.
chibimermaid6
I learned this also. I bought a ring for $300, amethyst and small diamonds. I thought it was white gold (it was a warranty replacement 1/2
chibimermaid6
For a diff ring) but it was actually sterling silver. Pawn shop would only be able to give me $5-$10 for it.
JaxenChaz
O yeah, silver is brutal. It's always worth *something*, but it's so much less per weight than gold.
PxC4
Yeah, go buy it from a pawn shop where it's likely stolen. Get rid of them goods before the law can keep a profit from being made!
[deleted]
[deleted]
PxC4
Hey pal, I'm not your friend!
Elerich
so where should we buy jewelry?
Aysling
Etsy? You can find unique stuff for reasonable prices. Local art shows too. Source: I make jewelry. Rings aren't my cup of tea, though.
JaneCalamityJane
The markup at Etsy goes to the artist. Yes, it's good to pay an independent artist for great work but it is a shit investment.
Aysling
I don't think any jewelry is going to be an investment - you aren't likely to make money off of it.
Aylasita
Don't buy it, it's stupid, overpriced and old fashioned... oooo something shiny.. pft.
JaxenChaz
Pawnshop! Since we're buying precious metals/stones on a wholesale basis, our markup for resale is a lot less. Or an antique shop.
Casswigirl11
How do you know if it's real though? Piece of mind is also valuable.
AntaNce
Pawnshops are ok for buying. Make sure of written right of return, have it appraised by YOUR peeps, look out for WEAR. esp chains, prongs.
JaxenChaz
We're actually governed by the same sets of rules that control bankers and jewellers. Fraud will put us out of business and in prison.
ThisNumberHasAName
I was going to guess Comcast customer service when I saw the thumbnail, but right on, dude.
NigelTufnel
You did guess my instagram name though.
daboomer1000
I work for Comcast and that's spot on
TangoIndiaTangoSierra
2) We're on a mountain, so, we all had 1mb for like, 20 years.
puppyfart
dvs2nite
7 years i worked as an installer and specialty technician. I bent over backwards for you fuckers everyday
DanielAraiza
burn
TangoIndiaTangoSierra
3) Cable is awesome, too! We all get free upgrades software/hardware. We have a separate phone service, though
Woodcup
Cogeco just released 1Gb/s service for my area. Excessive? Yes. Awesome? Also yes.
TangoIndiaTangoSierra
Maybe it'll become too fast for its' own good, haha
iHveNoCleverName
Cogeco?
Woodcup
Internet and TV provider company around me.
olivejuiceyou2
Fuck Comcast
twozerooz
I did Comcast tech support in high school. We gave zero shits. Nobody gave any shits there
digitalutopia
That's the problem with any Cable provider, and why monopolies are a bad thing.
TangoIndiaTangoSierra
Surprisingly, my area is new for Comcast (did the whole 'all neighborhood petition' thing when they offered) We used to get 1 mb/s, now 10mb
unknowncreatures
You're gonna learn to hate life soon.
Kougeru
10mb? How do you survive with that low. 40 minimum
TangoIndiaTangoSierra
Pretty awesomely? Games and movies don't even take 30 minutes really. 10mb minimum, not max
YourMumKnowsMe
In my country 10mb costs equivalent to 75 USD, and 1gb/s doesn't exist.
MrXtacle
How much do you pay for 40/40? I'm getting 300/300 in Norway for $50/month but they pay $30 in France for 1gb/1gb with TV. Feel ripped off
YourMumKnowsMe
What is comcast and why does everyone hate it?
PlatypusShankie
It is an internet etc provider monopoly, and as such is generally the only choice, and they are the WORST. Many (myself included) 1/2
PlatypusShankie
would use anyone else if given the option, even if they sucked, just to get away from Comcast. 2/2
YourMumKnowsMe
In my country we have something similar, it's called Telstra. It's because of them my country's 1gb/s fiber internet was cancelled.
Letdafunbegin6
If you did, label it like. "so you something Comcast is bad?" people prolly would eat that up.
Letdafunbegin6
As an American, I think it could go far making a post about Telstra and comparing it somewhat to Comcast. I found a good post on reddit.
Letdafunbegin6
I just Googled Telstra. It sounds more horrible than Comcast...
ezlivn89
As a person that tried to sell a engagement ring that Cost me 6k and I only got 1000 in return, I get this, Plus the coin thing too.
howdy9157
I don't get this coin thing at all. A coin is only worth face value to me.
popejubal
Some coins are super rare. I have a quarter that was stamped upside down *ON BOTH SIDES.*
Diddyu
Dude! I got like 7 dollars in my pocket, all like that!
JNeil
I sold my $5k + wedding ring and only got a few hundred. I totally get it.
ShakeItDontBreakIt
My $8000 wedding set after divorce. Appraised higher. Got $1000. Some only wanted the platinum, not the diamonds. Sentimental value only.
ezlivn89
That blows man. Feel the pain
Eneficus
He/she/other rejected your engagement, or are you widowed or did you reject it. It makes you feel different levels of sympathy depending.
ezlivn89
I caught her cheating 3 weeks before the wedding.
ThePrimrose
Oh damn, care to post the story?
[deleted]
[deleted]
ThePrimrose
Oh awesome. Thanks for sharing the link. I'll give it a read after I've done with shower
bamboolemur
I actually remember reading that post a while back. Amazing how little I miss on here.
DogSnob
.
myglassesarebiggerthanyours
@ezlivn89 Ouch.
ezlivn89
eh lol not all that bad, You can check one of my post and see the story
Eneficus
Sorry. Really, we as a species should get past these selfish things and actually pay attention to others.
Eneficus
Not directed towards you but rather towards the cheater
ezlivn89
Your good! haha
ezlivn89
You know what though, I am doing just fine.
Eneficus
Great, I've known people ruined by this. I had to stop my friend from committing suicide because his partner cheated on him with a coworker.
z3lfmoord
Next time buy from a reputable jeweler who will allow trade in
ezlivn89
Mine did, but I dont plan on getting married anytime soon so I figured might as well get rid of it
z3lfmoord
And lose 5k? That make no sense at all.
ezlivn89
well, after losing 25k in the split and the dog, it wasnt a big deal. Took the 1k and invested, got my money back.
z3lfmoord
Holy hell! How did you make that much back from 1k!?
Fiasco6
Your lucky you got 1k. A 6k ring back back is normally $600 to $857
tikimiki
how much would you resell it for
SgtMichaelCross
That's a very specific upper limit.
Fiasco6
Its a guestamate % I can typically look at a piece and reverse the math and guess how much someone bought it for. Works great!
ezlivn89
I think it was because the owner was this country chick that just loved the design and bought it for herself
kittykat
Why is that?
SexyStarfish
Not necessarily true. Sold a ring on a website for that kind of thing for about 50% of my original purchase price.
ThePrimrose
Why don't gold diamond rings resell for much?
ThePrimrose
Dear Imgur, just like everyone else I'm well aware of DeBeers. Also aware that it doesn't matter because its still working very regardlessly
edgareplekjekk
If you are aware of the DeBeers scheme, then why are you wondering about why they wont buy back diamonds?
weshallseeeee
This is the frustration I was talking about in my other comments, @theprimrose. It's like we're all playing "whose on first" with you.
AceOfShovels
Because the rings themselves wouldn't be worth nearly so much if demand wasn't artificially created by the diamond industry.
killerqueen
I don't think diamonds are worth much. There are alot. DeBeers has a monopoly on them, they can sell for $$, but reselling doesn't work.
ThePrimrose
Like most people today I'm aware of that, and people still assign a high monetary value to them regardless
killerqueen
I'm not an expert though.
aphallatosis
People pretty much answered this, but diamonds are not rare at all and used very minimally in the creation of non fashion related goods. 1/?
aphallatosis
The diamond industry, however, is so monopolized that the prices are made up not on the cost of production but on an equation that 2/?
aphallatosis
quite literally ignores that. It's something like price×volume sold= profit and whatever price equals the most profit is the end cost. 3/?
causality
Because diamonds are fucking worthless and nobody buys used engagement rings.
ThePrimrose
Tons of prior still do still buy them
Drakenborn
Changes in style, superstition, plus "real vs fake" which often stores will happily charge you out the ass for lab created but frankly
Drakenborn
Might as well be costume jewelery if you want to resell it.
ThePrimrose
Monetary value to them even with the knowledge of DeBeer's business practices.
ThePrimrose
Your the only piston that actually tried to answer my question, everybody else replied as if I was some hapless fool they were bestowing
ThePrimrose
Some rare, earth shattering knowledge. Never stopping to realize that it doesn't matter because it works and people continue to assign high
jpb103
I think probably most people don't want a used diamond ring, especially if it's for an engagement.
weshallseeeee
No, it is because the DeBeers diamond cartel fabricates the demand/rarity of diamonds; no jewelry store will ever give you shit for one
ThePrimrose
Like most people today I'm aware of that, and people still assign a high monetary value to them regardless
ThePrimrose
Even so, gold and diamonds are still valuable
erik4556
Hi, I'm Adam conover. And this, is Adam ruins everything.
Rasui
Sort of... diamonds in particular are a scam.
onlyhalfghost
Diamonds aren't worth shit unless it's your money going to DeBeers.
BreadyStinellis
Diamonds are not in fact valuable. They are a very common stone, hence why they are mass marketed. They convinced us a man doesn't love us
SgtMichaelCross
Diamonds are only valuable because DeBeers convinced people that they are.
kzooglad
Do you have any reverse situations? When you get to tell someone they have something really valuable?
Grannyc
ANSWER THE QUESTION OP
Diddyu
42
AnhuranLurking
Maybe that's the 7th day!
JacaByte
I have an Indian head from 1861 that's worth about $400. Sometimes you can get a surprise when coin collecting
Casswigirl11
I bet if you brought it in to him he'd day it was worth $40...
Fiasco6
Yeah actually! I'll post up this story about a box of kruugerrands tomorrow (at xmas party now)
liyafae
Do you think you could help me give a rough estimate for a ring? It's sterling silver and pink spinel.
121E1V
kruugerrand? south African moneyronies?
ITSMRTORGUEYELLINGSTUFF
.
ShinoXi
.
MrBeanBoi
.
asdgfaoih
.
Zakn3fein
My grandpa passed and left 30 1968 south african kruugerrands, all still packaged. Im getting a few, are they worth more than weight in gold
FrozenPotato609
Can someone tag me? I repay with high quality Persian Dinars. (Trust me, I'm an expert)
Thonanon
Honestly I would take low quality Persian dinars if they were free and shipped to my house. Christmas struggle yo
BednaR
C'mon and type it up already :-)
Elias9888
.
PugnaciousPugs
.
lurkingupvotetroll
If you want high resell value, get into sneakers like adidas and Nike. Pay retail price and you can sell for triple price.
mashintero
.
DivesFromWipeClub
My grandma had a box full of gold and rare coins. She collected coins. My aunt sold it without ever letting me or my dad look at it.. (1/)
DivesFromWipeClub
But we know there was at least $1000 of gold in there alone. She sold it for ~400. It pains my dad to this day whenever I bring it up (2/2)
DivesFromWipeClub
I wish the guy working there was looking out for my aunt, but he took advantage of her. Also why did she do that?.. World may never know.
JuliaKreature
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losa219
.
wallyballls
.
nabacular
.
MadMacka
.
Gaidenninjacat
Would you buy italian gold bars?
OrC23
Ooh ooh! I get that. Fantastic flick.
becausebugeye
They have a Balinese dancer stamped on them?
Gaidenninjacat
Whaaaat nooo. Your crazy.
Pirkale
.
WhoScalesTheScale
.
flashyflash85
My family owns a small coin shop, lady brought in a box of "junk" coins and I found a Chinese coin made of some random metal worth 400$
FsImgur
Random metal. Uranium?
flashyflash85
Palladium I believe
Dsharppe
I'll be waiting ..
OrC23
Deserves more votes.
MrMagnanimous
mackenca
A krugerrand!??
KingTopher
A gold coin.
Kuroinoakuma
Watch Lethal Weapon 2. ;3
banmebitchidontcare
I HAVE DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY!
Kuroinoakuma
*bang* It's just been revoked!
CosmicSombrero
.
RKoi
orcavsgreatwhite
Yup
PrinceMaggot
Hey thanks for the reminder friendo
TheScarfyDoctor
We have- WE HAVE A FOLLOW BUTTON NOW?! Praise imgur dev team, this is amazing
banmebitchidontcare
Where is this feature you are speaking of?
mormacil
App only.
PorkyJefferson
On the profile of the person you want to follow there will be a little plus, click on it to follow their account
Fleecemaster
Hmm, I can't see a plus, is it available on browsers too? I don't have notifications anymore either, so I won't even see your reply... damit
WaterblightGanon
the what?
nelixery
Tap that plus button, friend!
browniesftw
app only it looks like
beeboooo
Hit the plus next to the name
bamblebimble
Do I have to update for that? I still have the old green heart and upvote and fav at same time one
browniesftw
looks like it's app only
peridotstar
.