Michigan Badger
Gold Member
I Went To The "Roadshow"
The treasure hunters "Roadshow" comes to our area about 4 times a year. Mostly they're looking for rare coins and gold (aren't we all?).
I went yesterday and the place was so packed I gave up. I didn't want to stand for 2 hours.
I went early today and there were only about a dozen ahead of me.
I've always wondered what these places pay and how well they check your goods.
Here's what I heard:
1. My large gold crown $6. I was told these are only 6K and basically a dentist ripoff. It costs about $8 to make one, the caster sells it to the doctor for ca. $40, and the doc sells it to you for $400-$600+ (not counting the $1000 for the root canal). I found that easy to believe. Years ago my son was on a trip into Russia and had to have emergency dental work. They did a lot of work and the total bill was under $30 US. The work was great, by the way. They sugggested I just keep it and wait until my other 3 get pulled. So I kept it.
2. They don't mess with any gold jewelry not stamped 10K, 14K, etc. Then they'll bother to do the acid test to make a final offer.
3. They'd give me $1 for my genuine Art Deco sterling silver ring but suggested I sell it on ebay for $20-$40.
I found them to be pretty honest and I believe what they told me. I was rather impressed. They didn't try to take me. They even told me how to check out my old paintings without going through them (for free).
The treasure hunters "Roadshow" comes to our area about 4 times a year. Mostly they're looking for rare coins and gold (aren't we all?).
I went yesterday and the place was so packed I gave up. I didn't want to stand for 2 hours.
I went early today and there were only about a dozen ahead of me.
I've always wondered what these places pay and how well they check your goods.
Here's what I heard:
1. My large gold crown $6. I was told these are only 6K and basically a dentist ripoff. It costs about $8 to make one, the caster sells it to the doctor for ca. $40, and the doc sells it to you for $400-$600+ (not counting the $1000 for the root canal). I found that easy to believe. Years ago my son was on a trip into Russia and had to have emergency dental work. They did a lot of work and the total bill was under $30 US. The work was great, by the way. They sugggested I just keep it and wait until my other 3 get pulled. So I kept it.
2. They don't mess with any gold jewelry not stamped 10K, 14K, etc. Then they'll bother to do the acid test to make a final offer.
3. They'd give me $1 for my genuine Art Deco sterling silver ring but suggested I sell it on ebay for $20-$40.
I found them to be pretty honest and I believe what they told me. I was rather impressed. They didn't try to take me. They even told me how to check out my old paintings without going through them (for free).
