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Misleading Adverts

International Coin Collectors Association
We happened to see a press release about an outfit calling itself The International Coin Collectors Association, which didn't quite ring true.
The news item stated that the ICCA was in town buying rare gold coins...
It struck us as rather odd that an association of collectors would get together to do a buy-in event.
Our next thought was that it was a cleverly chosen but misleading name used by some dealer or company to fool the public into thinking they would get top prices because they would be selling direct to collectors rather than dealers.
It turns out we were right, but we were not alone in coming to this rapid conclusion.
One of their many other aliases is The Treasure Hunters Roadshow.

Detective Work
The ICCA's press release seemed to suggest that they were an association of coin collectors, together with a few associates who might be interested in other similar collectables. It took us some time to see through all the deceptive crap and find out who they really were. After a short time sleuthing around using Google, we started to find lots of stuff about them.

Spamalot E-Mails
We also tried to look back to see which e-mail had aroused our suspicions and curiosity. Astoundingly, we found 35 containing our search term "International Coin Collectors Association". As this company is known to use at least 10 aliases, there are probably hundreds of their press release e-mails in our inbox.
When we looked up THR & Associates, we also found results of press investigations by the Texas Examiner newspaper with help from a very well respected coin dealer Mike Fuljenz of Universal Coin & Bullion in Beaumont Texas. It looks like Mike has been doing some campaigning similar to ours, trying to educate the general public about being careful who they deal with when selling gold and other coins, and that big-advertising roadshow buyers are not always the best payers, in fact hardly ever the best payers, except according to their own hype.

Earn $500 or Give Away $164?
According to the news item, one woman named as Shelley Boardman of Blacksburg earned $500 for cashing in five rolls of silver Kennedy half dollars.
This is nonsense, she already owned the coins, which were worth over $664 in silver content. She gave away at least $164 to ICCA by selling them.
We will do the "math" for you. Each silver Kennedy half dollar contains 0.3620 troy ounces of fine silver. On Wednesday 18th August 2010, silver was worth $18.36 per troy ounce (source LBMA website: London silver fixing), so each coin contained silver worth .362 x 18.36 = $6.65. There are 20 coins per roll, therefore she owned 100 coins, worth $664.63 intrinsic silver content. If ICCA only paid her $500 for her coins, they only paid her 75% of the value of their silver content.
We are UK based coin dealers, and are not expert at current buy and sell prices in the USA, but mint rolls of coins are usually in uncirculated condition, and therefore usually trade at a premium. We reckon most American coin dealers would snatch your hand off to buy them at spot silver value. Even if a dealer did not particularly want them, we would expect them to offer 80% or 90% of the silver content.
Our main point here though is that Shelley did not earn $500, she already owned goods worth $665, and simply swapped them for a check for less money.
If this was a highlighted deal shown to demonstrate what great prices ICCA pay at their buy-in roadshows, we wonder how badly they rip-off other sellers. After all, anybody should be able to get a local dealer buying price for mint rolls of Kennedy halves, more unusual or rarer coins are harder to value and compare prices, so our guess is that ICCA actually pay some pretty low prices when they think they can get away with it.

Misleading Press Releases
We give below a partial list of some of the press release titles we have seen relating to THR Associates:

  • Coin Collectors Association looking for rare treasures in Destin
    The International Coin Collectors Association will be in Destin from 9 am to 6 pm Jan. 5-6 and from 9 am to 4 pm Jan. 7 and 8 at Comfort Inn, 19001 Emerald ...
  • Coin collectors, appraisers in Richmond through Thursday
    The International Coin Collectors Association is seeking unique coins and currency during an appraisal and purchase event through Thursday at the Quality ...
  • Coin collectors to hold event in Las Cruces
    LAS CRUCES - The International Coin Collectors Association will be in Las Cruces from Dec. 19-23 to evaluate and make offers to purchase rare coins and ...
  • Coin Collectors Association Visits Lansing
    Representatives from the International Coin Collectors Association are in town, and they're ready to pay top dollar for your old coins...
  • The International Coin Collectors Association is coming to Moline!
    The International Coin Collectors Association will be in Moline on December the 14th-18th. We are the worlds largest coin collectors show and we are looking ...
  • Turning coins into dollars
    Ever wonder how much your old coins are worth? Now's your chance to find out. The International Coin Collectors Association's world tour is in Central PA. ...
  • Coin buying group to hold event near Newark
    An organization known as the International Coin Collectors Associaton (sic) will buy coins and other items at an event from June, 7-11 at the Ramada at 260 Chapman Road, south of Newark, Del. Hours are 9 am To 6 pm, Tuesday through Friday and 9 am to 4 pm on ...
  • International Coin Collectors Association
    Ever wonder what those coins are worth that your grandparents gave you? Maybe some old silver coins you've had put away in a shoebox? Now is your chance to find out! The International Coin Collectors Association is making a stop in Lucedale, MS. ...
  • A pricey proposition
    Rare gold coins purchased by the Treasure Hunters Roadshow at an International Coin Collectors Association event in Columbus, Ohio. Knoxville residents hear how much their items have been purchased for, from an International Coin Collectors Association ...
  • Rare gold coins being purchased in Wilson this week
    Members International Coin Collectors Association (ICCA) are currently at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Wilson and will continue to be there until Saturday, June 11, purchasing rare coins from area residents. The event is free to everyone, ...
  • Takes money to make money: Group wants to buy your old or rare coins
    The International Coin Collectors Association is in Roanoke to buy old and rare coins such as silver dimes, buffalo nickels and 3-cent pieces, ...
  • Business Beat: International Coin Collectors Association in Craig
    By Scott Schlaufman For those who keep coins around, there's an opportunity coming up to learn whether that old penny is worth a dime. From Tuesday through Saturday, the International Coin Collectors Association will be at the Hampton Inn, ...
  • Collectors pony up coins, goods
    The International Coin Collectors Association set up shop in Hinesville this week and is inviting collection enthusiasts of all types to drop by with coins, comic books, costume jewelry, toys and other items they suspect might be of value. ...
  • Coin show in C'ville Tuesday
    Calling all coin and currency collectors: The International Coin Collectors Association (ICCA) is coming to town. The ICCA will be at the Hampton Inn and Suites Tuesday through Saturday. This is the first time the ICCA has visited Crawfordsville. ...
  • International Coin Collectors Association show at Quality Inn
    By Denton Cushing The International Coin Collectors Association is in Grand Island this week at the Quality Inn near the Highway 281 and Interstate 80 interchange. “In towns that we go to, people have things lying around in the closet or the attic and ...
  • Coin collectors search for rare finds in Salt Lake and Provo
    Salt Lake City (ABC 4 News) If you have a few old coins that have been siting in jar or dresser for a while - now may be the time to bring them out. The International Coin Collectors Association is in Salt Lake City and Provo this week and experts are ...
  • Old coins, jewelry bring cash at show
    The small cup of coins was only a small part of what Perini, of Edwardsville, would have liked to bring with him. "I have a lot of stuff, but I hated to bring it all," he said. Alton is the latest stop on the International Coin Collectors Association's ...
  • Rare coin, gold collectors, buyers in town for event
    Have you ever wondered what those old silver coins in your coffee can were worth? When was the last time you even pulled them from your closet or attic? Well now is the time to begin your hunt because the International Coin Collectors Association is in ...
  • International Coin Collectors Association show Feb. 1-5
    Ever wondered what those old silver coins in your coffee can are worth? Now you can find out because the International Coin Collectors Association (ICCA) is ...
  • Calling all coin collectors, sellers
    RIB MOUNTAIN--We've got a great excuse to sift through your old coins and maybe discover their value. The International Coin Collectors Association has ...
  • Event offers cash for coins
    Joyce and Bob Ernst of Creve Coeur show their coin collection to Bill Dennis with the International Coin Collectors Association at the Holiday Inn Express ...
  • Coin and gold search events planned
    By Staff Report SAN ANGELO, Texas — The International Coin Collectors Association will be in San Angelo Jan. 25-29. The events will be held at Days Inn, ...
  • Coins and antiques wanted in Merrillville
    Tim Hunt | The Times Items sit on display Tuesday at the International Coin Collectors Association show at the Hilton Garden Inn in Merrillville. ...
  • Do you have a million dollar coin?
    MYRTLE BEACH -- If you have an old or rare coin collecting dust in your house, why not bring it to the International Coin Collectors Association show in Myrtle Beach this week where it may collect some cash? The ICCA recently uncovered an 1894S Barber ...
  • Coin Collectors Association offering to buy collectibles from Moffat County ...
    Craig residents Jerrie Simpson, left, and Judy Kendall, middle, talk Thursday with a buyer from the International Coin Collectors Association at the Hampton Inn about old coins Simpson owns. The organization purchases rare coins and other collectibles. ...
  • International Coin Collectors Association visits Sherman
    The International Coin Collectors Association was examining coins and various other items today. The event is open to anyone who wants to bring their stuff in to find out what it's worth. People brought coin collections...old paper money...jewelry and ...
  • At Tarpon Springs show, ICCA appraises and buys old coins, jewelry
    By Theodora Aggeles, Times Correspondent TARPON SPRINGS — People who don't even collect coins are still driving to the International Coin Collectors Association show at the Hampton Inn & Suites on US 19. Why? Because ICCA's in town to buy paper ...
  • Coin collectors looking for gold
    Buyer Jamie Briggs, left, talks with Leroy Preszler about selling some of his coins on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, during a gold, silver and coin buying event put on by the International Coin Collectors Association at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in ...
  • Coin collectors show coming to Niles
    Ever wondered what those old silver coins are worth? Well, now is the time to begin the hunt, because the International Coin Collectors Association is coming to Niles April 12-16 in search of the most rare coins in world. ...
  • Coin collectors arrive in Alamosa
    ALAMOSA — Ever wondered what those old silver coins in the coffee can were worth? When was the last time they came out of the closet or attic? Well now is the time to get them out because the International Coin Collectors Association is in town in ...
  • Treasure Hunters prospecting in Opelousas
    Pictured are several coins purchased by the Treasure Hunters Roadshow. Coins can be worth anything from face value to $200000 depending on quality, rarity and value. / Submitted photo Where: Holiday Inn Express, 5696 Interstate 49 N. Service Road, ...
  • Coin collectors in town
    ALBERT LEA, Minn -- An association of collectors are on the lookout for your rare coins and bills. The International Coin Collectors Association made a stop at the Americas Best Value Inn in Albert Lea. The collectors are looking to buy rare coins and ... See all stories on this topic...
  • Got coins?
    You never know what will turn up in the collections of coins people keep. Perhaps that's why numismatists — the word for coin collectors — go to great lengths for rare finds. That's International Coin Collectors Association set up shop this week at ...
  • Coins can add up
    Jeff Joyce, show manager for the International Coin Collectors Association, looks at boxes containing more than $200000 in coins collected from his group's last show in Myrtle Beach. Joyce feels this week's show in Roanoke Rapids could do better. ...
  • Coin Collectors show comes to Albany
    Buyers with the International Coin Collectors Association are in town this week, examining items of silver and gold to test their worth and merit. If items are found to have value, visitors are given a check on site. According to show manager Brice ...
  • Area residents can get cash for treasures at Community Center
    Other purchases from people included a silver clarinet, some wooden boxes, lots of coins, silver and gold. Broken gold jewelry is being accepted, too. Rather than having a garage sale, people are seeking other avenues where they may be able to get more ...
  • Your spare change could be worth much more than face value
    The International Coin Collectors Association is in town through Saturday. They buy old coins and spare change, which can be worth hundreds of times their original value. “I thought, maybe it is the time to sell it, I didn't know,” said Vincent Chiodi, ...

BBB

BBB Accreditation
THR & Associates is not BBB Accredited.
Advertising Review
On Feb 10 2011 representatives from THR met with the BBB to review advertising claims previously challenged by the BBB. The company has agreed to work with the BBB to ensure all future advertisements meet the BBB Voluntary Code of Advertising standards.
Additional Information
BBB file opened: 11/01/1999
Business started: 01/01/1998
Licensing
This company is in an industry that may require licensing, bonding or registration in order to lawfully do business. BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.
Contact Information
Primary Contact: Mr. Jeff Parsons (CEO)
Complaint Contact: Mr. Jason Delong (VP - THR)
Mr. Mike Delong (VP - OV)
Mr. Jacob Parsons (VP - Inventory)
Mr. Jordan Parsons (VP - Marketing)
Mr. Carl Buck (Attorney)
Number of Employees 700
Business Category
Antiques - Dealers, Gold, Silver & Platinum Dealers, Jewelry Buyers
Products & Services
This company, operating under several different names travels the country holding purchasing events for items including gold, silver, platinum, antiques, vintage guitars, toys, guns, tools and collectibles. This company makes on-site offers to purchase merchandise and does not offer appraisals. The company has a storefront location in Huntsville Alabama.
Alternate Business Names
Cash for Tools, FINE ART COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION, Fuller Roadshow, International Coin Collectors, International Vintage Guitar Collectors Association, National Gun Collectors Association, Ohio Valley Gold & Silver Refinery, The Traveling Roadshow, Treasure Hunters Roadshow
Industry Tips
BBB TIPS ON SELLING GOLD
Investor Alert! Beware of Companies Offering Quick Riches Selling Precious Metals and Other Commodities

About International Coin Collectors Association
According to International Coin Collectors Association:

About International Coin Collectors Association ICCA is an association of collectors, buyers and sellers of old silver and gold coins made before 1965. At our coin buying events, you are able to bring in your coins and speak with a collector, one on one, and have your coins evaluated with and (sic) expert set of eyes. With the help of these ICCA coin dealers, offers will be made to those owning coins made before 1965. Offers will be made based on silver or gold content and the rarity of the coins. All coins made before 1965 will be examined and purchased including gold coins, silver coins, silver dollars, all types of nickels and pennies. If you decide to sell your coins, you will be compensated on-the-spot with a check for your coins.

If you are like a lot of people, you might have a few old coins or even a coffee can full lying around. If you have ever wondered what they are worth, now is your chance to find out and even sell coins if you choose. They could be worth a lot according to the International Coin Collectors Association, also known as ICCA. Collectors will pay a fortune for some coins and currency for their coin collections. If they are rare enough, one coin could be worth over $100,000 according to Eric Helms, a coin collector and ICCA member. One ultra rare dime, an 1894S Barber, sold for a record $1.9 million to a collector in July of 2007. While that is an extreme example, many rare and valuable coins are stashed away in dresser drawers or lock boxes around the country.

The ICCA and its collector members have organized a traveling event in search of all types of coins and currency. Even common coins can be worth a significant amount due to the high price of silver and gold according to Helms. Even Washington quarters and Roosevelt dimes are worth many times their face value. Recent silver markets have driven the price up on even common coins made of silver. Helms explains that all half dollars, quarters and dimes made before 1965 contain 90% silver and are sought after any time silver prices rise. Right now, it's a sellers (sic) market.

So whether you have one coin you think might be valuable or a large collection you recently inherited, you can talk to ICCA coin collectors for free. And if you are lucky, you may a have a rarity worth thousands. Either way there is nothing to lose, and it sounds like fun.

Propaganda
Our opinion is different!:

  • Their very name is misleading. These people are dealers, not collectors.
  • At their events, you get to speak to a dealer, not a collector.
  • We heard that the "experts" get a months training!
  • They apparently advertise to pay top dollar, but don't.
  • They appear to submit press releases misleadingly written as though by staff writers from the newspapers they submit them to.
  • They misleadingly used advertisements intended to look like news articles as though by staff writers from the newspapers they appear in.
  • Strange that they appear not to by coins dated after 1964.
  • They cite $1.9 million for a Barber dime. We guess this had nothing to do with ICCA.
  • From the press investigations we have seen, they actually pay very poor prices for most items, possibly only paying semi-respectable prices on bullion items where they market value is easy to check.
  • They also appear to use images suggesting they are linked to a TV programme called Antiques Roadshow.

Earlier Examples
We give just a few examples of roadshow gold buyers we had previously noticed:

We Will Buy Your Gold and Silver For Cash!
A full page advert used to create the impression, amongst the gullible, that the advertiser is big, or is paying high prices, but totally lacking in any information about the actual or relative prices paid being paid.

Pot of Gold Found - Gold is at a Record High
Another ignorant or dishonest jeweller.

See Also:

Our Conclusions and Advice
Over more than 40 years in this business, we have seen a stream of similar cash buyers, advertisers, and leafleteers, most of whom pay low prices. We would recommend that any potential seller shops round a little. If you are not satisfied by the price you can get locally, you could always post it or bring it to us, and will almost certainly get a better price than from your local jewellers and dealers.

Worldwide Phenomenon?
There may be a few countries around the world where there are no gold buying roadshows, but it's certainly not just restricted to the U.S.A. or the British Isles either. We noticed one American coin dealer seems to have been campaigning for years about them.

Scrap Gold Selling Advice
Our simple advice about selling scrap gold jewellery in the UK and elsewhere. Avoid get ripped off.

Any Quantity
We are happy to buy any quantity of scrap, from a single piece upwards, without limit.
If you have a large quantity of gold scrap to sell, we will accept your instructions on price, or offer you helpful advice on selling. We are one of the longest established and largest gold buyers in Britain.

Fair and Competitive Prices
Our buying prices for gold coins, bars and scrap are fair and competitive, but depend and change based on underlying gold prices, and other market conditions such as supply and demand.

Sending Gold Scrap by Post
You are welcome to visit our showroom to sell scrap, but it's also very easy to sell to us using the post. We have a page of advice about sending gold coins and scrap by post.
We suggest you bring ID if visiting our showroom.

Gold Selling Form
You may wish to print out our form to help make it easy for you to list goods you are posting to us for sale or offer.

We Buy Gold Coins

We Buy Krugerrands

We Buy Gold Sovereigns

We Buy Gold Bars

The International Coin Collectors Association is in Roanoke
The International Coin Collectors Association is in Roanoke

 


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