Northern Illinois Coin & Stamp, Inc.

Collector notes

Visiting a coin shop

A few notes before you walk into Northern Illinois Coin & Stamp, Inc. in Elgin, IL. These rotate daily. They are general collector etiquette from CDXList — not this shop’s house rules. When something is unclear, ask the person at the counter.

1. 01

   If you feel rushed, you can pause

   You are allowed to say you need a minute. You are allowed to pack up and think. You are not required to decide while someone is waiting behind you — step aside and let them go. A good shop would rather you be sure than sorry.

2. 02

   “Best I can do” is a sentence, not an insult

   They have to sell it, hold it, and stay in business. You can say no. You can ask if they can do better on part of the lot. You should not treat a firm number as a personal slight. A calm “I need to think about that” is enough.

3. 03

   Give the counter some room

   Lean on the glass, hover over an open box, or park six relatives at the rail and nobody can work. Leave space for the dealer to move trays, use a loop, and talk privately. Extra people can wait in the shop or the car unless they are needed to decide.

4. 04

   Lunch and after-work can stack the counter

   Local shops get a rush when people are off the clock. If you have a box, those windows are the wrong time to expect a leisurely offer. Call and ask when they can sit with it. Most dealers would rather schedule you than rush you.

5. 05

   This is a working shop, not a museum desk

   They will talk coins. They will not give a free seminar on forty pieces while a line forms. Pick your best questions. Buy a book if you want to learn the series. A dealer who teaches a little is being generous with the clock.