The World According to Mr. Mint

[rdwyer]

Better question: Out of that 150 million dollars, how much did he low ball his customers? $149 million?

[ksabet]

Originally Posted by rdwyer

Better question: Out of that 150 million dollars, how much did he low ball his customers? $149 million?

I am not sure why this is a bad thing. No one has to sell to him, if he makes an offer and people sell then it is on them. Obviously he is doing something right.

I don't like the guy in fact I think he is pretty despicable in his practices but every seller attempts to purchase items for as low as possible. Basic economics.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by ksabet

I am not sure why this is a bad thing. No one has to sell to him, if he makes an offer and people sell then it is on them. Obviously he is doing something right.

I don't like the guy in fact I think he is pretty despicable in his practices but every seller attempts to purchase items for as low as possible. Basic economics.

+1...this is what any and every successful dealer does.

[sago]

He used to sell many of his items to Brian Morris and Paul Lewicki. Someone told me that Joe Esposito is the main recipient of his current finds.

As far as him always telling the truth, I beg to differ. Getting his start by getting (stealing)Drakes Cakes sets out the backdoor of the factory, and being backed on the huge Post and Jello card find, I believe by Stephen Juskewycz, are very different than the trust fund story he enjoys telling.

D@v1d davls

[keithsky]

I remember in SCD about 4 years ago he was going to retire but since I see him at the Chicago show 2 times a year since looks like that never happened. I also remmebr him crying about not getting the front spot at the Nationals a few years ago so he boycotted them and hasn't been there since. He probably thought the National would fold cause because he decided to never show up anymore. Boo Hoo

[clydepepper]

A few months ago, when I was agonizing over whether or not to buy Goudey #144, I said 'what the heck' , picked up the phone and called the number listed in his ad.

I could not have been more pleasantly surprised. Not only did Mr. Rosen answer the phone himself, he seemed more than happy to chat with me. When he said that he thought the specific card I was inquiring about was a good deal, it eased my mind enough to go forward with the deal.

I was just someone taking up his time and using his experience to get a valued opinion. He got nothing but the goodwill I am now sharing.

I did not buy the card from him and have never done business with him, but in my small experience, the man is a good guy. I treated him like a gentleman and got the same back from him.

Thanks Al !

[Jantz]

While walking into a National, he asked me once if I wanted his autograph. I replied with "Why would I want your autograph"?

That pretty much ended the conversation.

[tschock]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

+1...this is what any and every successful dealer does.

Yeah, and from some of the OBO stories I've heard here, what some 'collectors' do as well.

(Not directed at Pete, just a general comment)

[Econteachert205]

I've seen him set up at the west valley in in west warwick since I was 7. My impression is this, he is a very good business man who does at times rub people the wrong way but also can be very engaging. For all his wealth and success, I feel bad for him. I've watched him thumb through beautiful cards with very little joy whatsoever. It must take a lot to get him charged. I can still rummage through low grade commons for miscuts and registry errors and be thrilled at a 2 dollar purchase. There is a price to pay for turning a hobby into a career.

[jcmtiger]

I set up at many shows where he was a table holder in Michigan. Very aggressive, but he was successful. Not a favorite of mine but had lots of cash and always carried a gun with him. He did buy and sell a bunch of cards.

Joe

[batsballsbases]

Back in my hay day when I was doing shows Alan was always set up at the Rothstein shows.(until a big blow out but thats a story for another day!) Alan was always a pain in the A$$ but we had alot of respect for each other. We would talk he would come to my table, with 100 dollar bills in tow. I did a few very big deals with Alan and one thing I can say when it came to getting paid for something, he really wanted there was no one faster than Alan. If you had something he wanted he usually paid very fair. I found one of the deals in my archives , I had to block out my personal info but let me tell you that was a big deal we did! 10% down I loved it! Wow almost 20 years ago!!

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by Econteachert205

For all his wealth and success, I feel bad for him. I've watched him thumb through beautiful cards with very little joy whatsoever. It must take a lot to get him charged. I can still rummage through low grade commons for miscuts and registry errors and be thrilled at a 2 dollar purchase. There is a price to pay for turning a hobby into a career.

Well said. I hope I never get to that point. I still get giddy over the small purchases. I'd hate to lose my passion for the hobby in exchange for greed/desire to make money. Trust me, I ain't making anything when I sell stuff.

[JohnP0621]

Well said. I hope I never get to that point. I still get giddy over the small purchases. I'd hate to lose my passion for the hobby in exchange for greed/desire to make money. Trust me, I ain't making anything when I sell stuff.
__________________


There is a Big difference between The Dealers and Collectors. We Collectors get Giddy over the items we collect. The Dealers get Giddy from the Money they get from us Collectors.

JP

[the 'stache]

I get giddy over the small purchase I make, and the small purchases that other members of the forum make. I'm not kidding. If somebody gets their first pre-war card, for example, even if the thing's in pretty rough shape, and isn't worth more than $10, that person is experiencing the same joy that we've all felt, for the first time. In that moment, they've gleaned what makes our hobby so special. When they have other members of the forum showing interest in their purchase, it reinforces for them that not only are they taking the first step of what could be a magnificent lifelong journey, but they are doing so among friends.

Originally Posted by h2oya311

Well said. I hope I never get to that point. I still get giddy over the small purchases. I'd hate to lose my passion for the hobby in exchange for greed/desire to make money. Trust me, I ain't making anything when I sell stuff.