Howdy

[lordmarcovan]

Hi, I'm Rob. Dan knows me, and I know you from over on CU, Jim.

If I still lived in Black Mountain, I might've been employed at BMC. Too bad it wasn't around when I lived there- working in a coin shop would've been dreamy for me back then. I did help out at Wright's shop now and then.

I have my own mini-shop here in Brunswick, GA (really just a booth in an antique mall), but that works out well 'cause I don't have to be there- they collect the money for me, and I restock the cases once in a while. It's a great part-time way to be a coin dealer.

I get up to Black Mountain once a year or so- still have aunts and uncles in the area, and we usually have a family reunion in WNC in November.

[J.Cordeiro]

Hi Rob,
It?s a pleasure to have such a knowledgeable numismatist as yourself log in. This forum can only benefit from your involvement.
Bye the way, I enjoy reading your ?Digs O' The Day?? very much.
Yes, I recall reading one of your posts that mentioned living in the Black Mountains at one time. I have never been there myself; I?m more of a Northern New Englander. It?s funny; I?ve traveled over a good part of the world but have never been off the East coast of my own country.
I like the idea of a mini-shop. Do you have to deal with customers directly?
I like selling online but waiting for the auction to end grates on my nerves.
Jim

[lordmarcovan]

No, the beauty of the antique mall gig I have is that I don't have to be there, which means I can work full time in the "real world" to bring home the bacon, and devote time to coins whenever I can fit it in. I go in and stock the cases a couple times a year (ideally, it would be once a month but I don't do that as much as I should). They collect the money, process credit cards and sales tax, etc, and give me a check every month, minus a small booth rent and a 10% commission. I used to have a sweetheart no-commission deal with them where I just paid the booth rent, but they had to change that. They did lower my rent, though. It's low overhead and basically a small residual income I use for buying more coins. The only downside is that I don't get too many folks walking in to sell me coins over the counter- they have to call me and set up an appointment for that. And I don't get to see most of my customers face-to-face. But it works, for now.

[danglen]

Hi Rob, thanks for stopping by the Forum. Jim is doing a great job moderating things in here, and I hope that at some point we really get some good discussions going. Look forward to seeing you next time you're in Black Mountain, although I have been doing so many shows lately that I feel I spend half of my life on the road. But I do enjoy it! Was down in Morehead City for a show last weekend. Didn't sell much, but it was a good buying show, and the food and ( - - blocked - - ) with other dealers was great. Dan

[J.Cordeiro]

Not have to be there and still get paid? Sweet, sounds like a government job. (Kidding?somewhat.) The pros and cons definitely sound like they tip in your favor.
It?s a shame when the real world gets in the way of our passions and pursuits.
Jim.