I just don't understand the public.
People paying $39.95 plus postage for the above mentioned PNC when they are still available on the AustPost online website at $17.95.
Crazy people about.
They are sold out now.
The eshop has the Smith Family UNC coin available with limit of 3 per account.
I thought they had already sold out?
https://eshop.ramint.gov.au/2022-aluminium-bronze-uncirculated-centenary-smith-family?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Commemorative&utm_content=smith_family
I was under that impression too Jen. Would appear not :dontknow:
Pedro
This sh!ts me.
The US Mint has done the same thing in the last couple of years.
They deliberately hold back coins and stagger release.
The limited supply drives up value on secondary markets, as FOMO kicks in. Say what you want about FOMO, but it is a legitimate human emotion that collectors have in their genetic makeup.
It creates angst.
It creates an environment where predatory sellers thrive.
It angers genuine collectors and forces some to pay above market rates, when the market has had supply/demand forces artificially manipulated.
I don't think ballots are the answer either.
A legends account linked to an active mobile phone verification would be a good start.
Almost like how concert tickets are pre-released to fan clubs and programme members.
Seedy, this is why I have little interest in modern coins anymore.
I do not like being manipulated in what was a hobby, by a vested interest.
The Federal Gov is just trying to blow up a bubble that has already burst.
Coins are just about finished as a means of commerce.
In 5 years use of coinage will be zero.
Just ask yourself this question: Why is the Mint making any more coinage when there is plenty of indestructible coinage in circulation now to satisfy a decreasing use?
Making coins with bits of paint on them or a different picture does not make them any more useable in the prime purpose.
Answer to the question: making coins now fulfils the secondary purpose "collectables".
Thus, you have to manipulate the market otherwise the punters will decide to shove the whole lot and buy Tulips instead, bugger......that has been done before.............. and look what happened there!
I would rather engage in a hobby where I control the field, costs are low, and the government has no part in it.
Fred.
At least the Dutch could eat their tulips when the bubble burst.
I thought tulips were poisonous?
RAM is doing exactly what Australia Post did to collectors. You can often buy modern stamps at 75% of face value these days. And don't talk to me about PM, they have been overpricing for decades.
Quote from: 'fred lever' pid='127674' dateline='1674434380'Coins are just about finished as a means of commerce.
In 5 years use of coinage will be zero.
Covid has really accelerated this.
I work in the city (Sydney), and all of the cheap Asian food places, who used to be strictly "cash only", have all switched to "card only". I don't know what the new scam is, but it feels wrong paying a Banh Mi seller $7 while tapping a card. The poor buggers are having to declare that income?
I went to a restaurant the other night with the family, and I was showing my 17 year old how to act when the bill comes.
"You bring the book in front of you. You don't open it right away. After a while, open it slightly to have a quick glance, then put you credit card in and hand it to the waitress".
Well ... wasn't I surprised when I saw a note stuck on the inside. "10% discount for cash".
Well my cash came out, and I received a bunch of coins. It's the first time I've had a pocket full of change in about 3 years. It was so annoying.
Cash is dead.
The banks are happy to see the decline of cash and are certainly pushing that way.
Banks have shed thousands of ATMs (https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/if-you-re-struggling-to-find-an-atm-you-re-not-alone-20230106-p5cas4.html)
The government and banks are in cahoots to screw the poor Aussie bloke who relies on the odd cash job to relieve the stresses of life.
I'll use cash until I can't and then I'll complain about not being able to use cash. I already won't buy things from shops that don't take cash.
Gee Greidion even in Toongabbie (outer west Sydney) most shops don't want cash.
The pointer to how much cash is used is:
The bank used to be the source of cash.
Since the last bank and wall machines went awol the Supermarket and Post Office are the next source.
Checked with both, almost no cash withdrawals, no wonder the bank gave up.
The days after the Bank shut up shop, you would have expected queues at the post office.
Despite them putting out a sandwich board proclaiming "do your banking here" ect ect result was not much.
Reason?
Most customers use their card or their phone to pay for stuff.
Still only one shop in the main street is cash only, the bread shop.
they wont last much longer unless they change.
It is cheaper to run a POS machine, the machine does all the accounting, and the shops accountant can do the years tax return based on the file's records.
Shops don't have takings to take to the bank like they used to, it's all done via the tablet direct to the accountant, no cash involved.
With no cash in the shops, there is no chance of stick ups.
Stores that do still run a till have bugger all float in them, just some change and notes.
The biggest floats are in the Woollies cash tills, the hoods don't try and knock a woollies over, as the security alarm is something to behold if there is trouble.
There are alarm buttons and one whack on those and the whole joint erupts, been there when it happened, and the security lads were there in seconds.
The staff are told to lock up and stand back.
Angry customers also deter any hoods, just try getting in the way of Mums with a packed trolley doing the weekly shop!
Sorry, cash is dead.
Fred.
Cash is not quite dead but certainly needing the last rites. How long can the mints keep churning out collecter coins, often "legal tender" but never intended to be used for transactions?
It won't be the same collecting card terminal dockets, which fade rather quickly.
Our local bakery said Thanks for paying by cash, the fees on card use are killing us.
I don't use ATMs so no loss to me on them disappearing. No mobile phone so that is out.
I have at least enough cash to cover all bills for 6 months minimum.
I go on holidays and pay cash where I go. Cash that I have saved out of a bank branch.
I have a debit card that is used to show my signature but the bank just checks the one on file on their computer so they hardly ever ask for it. It isn't used to "pay" for things, I use cash for that.
I'd rather pay in gold and silver but that is a bit tricky.
As someone pointed out, there really are enough coins in circulation that they don't need to mint any more.
I wouldn't be surprised to see RAM not mint some denominations like they did in the late 80s and early 90s.
Quote from: 'fred lever' pid='127681' dateline='1674554789'Reason?
Most customers use their card or their phone to pay for stuff.
It's so sad when you go into the beautiful old CBA bank at Martin Place in the city (Sydney).
(//%5Burl=https://i.imgur.com/cx6zLQz.jpg%5Dhttps://i.imgur.com/cx6zLQz.jpg%5B/url%5D)
Nowadays, they've got ATM's inside, and a bunch of laptops on desks for you to do "self service" banking by computer.
As I am a cash kinda guy, It took me way to long to realise I was paying a fee every time I went to a teller and asked for my withdrawal of 10x$5, 10x$10, 5x$20, just so I had a wallet full of small denominations.
One day a teller said "this is costing you money to do. Next time, go take out $250 from the ATM, and we'll split it into small denominations for free".
They really are going to condition us to stop banking in a branch.
Do you have a reasonable amount of money with the Commonwealth bank? Tell them if they keep charging you fees to use a teller you'll close your account and go to a bank that doesn't.
I get $6000 out of the Commonwealth every three months for my mum's aged care fees. They don't charge me anything for doing it. If I was more organised I'd go to Centrelink and get them to put her pension directly into Scumcorp where her fees come out of.
Of course that means dealing with Centrelink and you can't even go there without a appointment.