Treasure Hunters Roadshow
We happened to see a press release about an outfit calling itself The Treasure Hunters Roadshow, a.k.a. THR Associates, a.k.a. International Coin Collectors Association.
These guys seem to have more aliases than Carlos the Jackal.
International Coin Collectors Association appears to be a cleverly chosen but misleading name used to fool the public into thinking they would get top prices because they would be selling direct to collectors rather than dealers.
The Treasure Hunters Roadshow seems to be chosen for the same reason, although we do not consider it to be quite as stronly misleading.
It turns out we were right about misleading, but we were not alone in coming to this rapid conclusion.

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.

One Lucky Visitor Was $65,000 Better Off!... Or Was She?
According to the news item, "One lucky visitor to Treasure Hunters Roadshow at the Hampton Inn in Provo is $65,000 richer, thanks to a stash of rare coins. The sale was made within hours of THR's kicking off a five-day stay in Provo on Tuesday morning. Matthew Enright, publicist for Treasure Hunters Roadshow, which visits hundreds of cities a year, said that the unnamed seller had been storing the rare coins in one of several personal collections".
This is nonsense, he already owned the coins, he merely swapped them for a check for $65,000.
This does not necessarily make him any better of, adn to claim so is absolute garbage, and very misleading propaganda.
Obviously, we do not know what the coins werea actually worth, and have no way of finding our. T.H.R. are dealers not philanthropists, so they will have bought them for a discount compared with their actual market value. It is quite possible that they could have been worth double, treble, or ten times the price paid. It is also very possible that many other dealers would have paid more than the $65,000. It sounds as though the seller had not shopped around, but just trusted the T.H.R. paid good prices.
If this was a highlighted deal shown to demonstrate what great prices T.H.R. pay at their buy-in roadshows, we wonder how badly they rip-off other sellers.

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

• 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 ...
• Coin collectors searching for rare treasures in Spencer
  International Coin Collectors Association is coming to Spencer in search of the rarest coins in the world. Spencer is the next stop for the ICCA's world tour. The experts will be at the Clay County Regional Events Center, from 9 am to 6 pm Monday ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow offers chance to find collectibles' worth
  A dozen other people waited in the hotel lobby with boxes of coins, an antique gun and other collectibles. Each was given a number once they arrived at the ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow in Town This Week
  "We're looking for items such as Gibson and Fender guitars, war items, paper currency, advertising memorabilia, vintage toys, any coins from 1964 and before .
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow in Mexico March 30-April 3
  Some of the show's most recent finds include: a 1960s vintage guitar purchased for $100000; four gold coins, purchased from a local resident, for more than ...
• Deal of the day: Sell your collectibles
  This week the Treasure Hunters Roadshow will be at Gratwick Lounge in Tonawanda purchasing gold, silver, coins, antiques and collectibles. ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow coming to Woodland
  Items of specific interest to the Roadshow's collectors include coins and paper currency issued prior to 1965, toys, dolls, trains, vintage jewelry, ...
• Get your antiques ready; 'Treasure Hunters Roadshow' rolls into town next week
  Four gold coins were purchased from a resident for more than $72000. During the event at the Heritage Inn, hunters are hoping to see items such as coins, ...
• 'Treasure Hunters Roadshow' in Porterville May 25-29
  During this event at the Holiday Inn Express,the treasure hunters are hoping to see items such as coins and paper currency issued prior to 1965, toys, ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow Comes To Texoma
  Four gold coins were purchased from a local resident for over $72000, Confederate money hidden in the walls of a residence that was uncovered during a ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow comes to Newton
  Nearly all coins, vintage jewelry, musical instruments and toys made prior to 1965 are highly sought after by collectors. The Treasure Hunters Roadshow is a .
• Area residents doing brisk business ... at Treasure Hunters Roadshow
  The Treasure Hunters Roadshow is a company that travels from town to town to purchase gold, jewelry, old coins, watches toys, and other collectables. ..
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow returns to Ogden, UT by popular demand!
  Treasure Hunters Roadshow buys rare coins, scrap gold, rare antiques, old guitars, collectible dolls and toys and much more! Treasure Hunters Roadshow can ...
• Rare coins sold for $65000 at collectibles show in Provo
  One lucky visitor to Treasure Hunters Roadshow at the Hampton Inn in Provo is $65000 richer, thanks to a stash of rare coins. The sale was made within hours ...
• 'Treasure Hunters Roadshow' to stop in Clare
  Four gold coins were also recently purchased for $72000. Other finds include Confederate money hidden in the walls of a home that was later discovered ...
• On the Road: Treasure Hunters Roadshow comes to Lubbock
  One such visitor, Loy Perez, went to the road show Wednesday with hopes of selling some of the items collecting dust around her house, including coins, ...
• Business slow but hopeful at Treasure Hunters Roadshow
  Treasure Hunter Roadshow buyer Claire Neyla, top, assesses some coins a Grand Junction family brought in at the Clarion Inn on Horizon Drive Wednesday. ...
• A price on your treasures
  Marianne Clark of Albany puts her coins and collectibles on the table for Donald Knechtel, a representative of Treasure Hunters Roadshow, ...
• Locals hope to cash in on personal 'treasures'
  Joe and Kitty Lore (right) brought old gold jewelery and silver coins to The Treasure Hunters Roadshow to be apraised by Laura Lee on Wednesday afternoon. ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow draws coins and collectibles
  (Doug Walker, RN-T) Charles Duke of Summerville brought in knives and collectible coins Friday for possible sale at the Treasure Hunters Roadshow in Rome. ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow attracts area collectors
  Buzz Schultz gets his coins appraised by Treasure Hunters Roadshow buyer Kadey Samuelson on Wednesday afternoon at the The Plaza Hotel and Suites in Winona. ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow coming to community
  Do you have old coins, vintage jewelry or musical instruments or toys made prior to 1965 lying around the house? You may be able to get some holiday ...
• Trade old coins, antiques for cash at Treasure Hunters Roadshow
  Residents are invited to bring their old coins and paper currency prior to 1965, toys, dolls, trains, vintage jewelry, old and modern musical instruments, ...
• Residents flock to Treasure Hunters Roadshow to sell gold, antiques
  Vaassen said that on Monday, a widow brought in a collection of about 150 foreign gold coins and left with a check for $102000. ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow in Ridgecrest
  Davison and his crew are at the Best Western conference room in Ridgecrest buying coins, antique toys, vintage Gibson and Fender guitars, paper currency, ...
• People trade treasures for cash at Treasure Hunters Roadshow
  Ferguson and others are purchasing gold and silver jewelry as well as coins from people who bring them in to the event. Ferguson paid $892 for the items he ...
• The search for treasure: Resident sells guitar at Roadshow for $8000
  The Treasure Hunters Roadshow buys items like coins, precious metals and antiques and sells them to collectors. Katie Ryan-Anderson The Sun The musical ...
• Dreams of gold at Treasure Hunters Roadshow
  Even seemingly rare coins can be more common that people expect. Endeavor resident Lawrence McTier walked away with $16.37 for a collection of "Barber ..
• Treasure Hunters making Palm Coast stop
  Owners of unwanted or broken jewelry, coins and old teeth containing dental gold might be able to find a buyer next week. The Treasure Hunters Roadshow, ...
• Event could mean coin for collectors
  People can bring coins made before 1965 to have them examined and possibly purchased on the spot. Thomas Altevogt, a manager with Treasure Hunters Roadshow ...
• Roadshow seeks treasures among the junk
  They came to the Treasure Hunters Roadshow bearing everything from baseball cards to Gibson guitars, from musty old newspapers to antique coins, ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow in Crestview
  AP During the event treasure hunters will be looking for items such as coins and paper currency issued prior to 1965, toys, dolls, trains, vintage jewelry, ..
• Every treasure has a story
  Field Manager Paul Walsh sorts coins during the Treasures Road Show on Monday at the Best Western Prairie Inn in Galesburg. The road show is looking at gold, silver, vintage guitars and many other items. By Whitney Helm The Treasure Hunters Roadshow ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow holding event in Wilson
  Recent finds include a 1960's vintage guitar purchased for $100000, and also four gold coins were purchased from a local resident for more than $72000. During this week's event at the Hampton Inn and Suites Treasure Hunters are hoping to see items such ...
• Traveling treasure hunters seek rare finds at Kilgore Roadshow
  For the second year, the Treasure Hunters Roadshow invited people to bring everything from old toys and comic books to gold coins and war memorabilia in ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow stops in Mankato
  The team of experts, most of them from Minnesota, appraise thousands of items during their 5-day stay, everything from coins and jewelry to dolls, ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow rolls into Port Hope
  Karen Scott of Port Hope brought in a coins and old watches to THR& Associates Road show at the Comfort Inn located on Cty Rd 28 Tuesday, May 24. Sales associate Abed Wahoush talks By TED AMSDEN, NORTHUMBERLAND TODAY PORT HOPE -A crew of five working ...
• Buyers eye Napa treasures
  TUESDAY MAY 17, 2011 NAPA, CA - Monica Ingiane, a buyer at the Treasure Hunters Roadshow in Napa, examines the coins, jewelry and other collectibles of a customer Tuesday afternoon. Jorgen Gulliksen/Register The treasure hunters are in town, ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow in town this week
  Bill Tomey, of Canal Lewisville, sorts through his collection of coins Tuesday during the Treasure Hunters Roadshow, conducted at the Coshocton Village Inn & Suites. Treasure Hunters Roadshow will be open from 9 am to 6 pm today through Friday and 9 am ...
• Treasure Hunters Roadshow stops in Bristol
  EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER - Ethel Howard sorts through the coins she has collected for years while waiting to see the buyers at the Treasure Hunter Roadshow in Bristol on Wednesday. EARL NEIKIRK/BRISTOL HERALD COURIER - Ethel Howard sorts ...

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

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:

• Cash for Gold - London Prices Paid
  A spurious advert from a minor local competitor, A & B Holloway and J & L Carr, but rather misleading with errors, inaccuracies, and untruths in it, not to mention bullshit.

• £100 Per Ounce Paid for Scrap 9 Carat Gold
  This was a long time ago, but still worth reading about.

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