When this article was originally published, Coin Week had recently reported that Merit Gold & Silver, one of the nation’s largest online coin dealers, had closed. The article said this was the second national online coin dealer to cease operations within a matter of months. It also stated that, at that point, no consumer-fraud reports had emerged, unlike the situation involving Tulving. Even so, it described the closure as concerning because a company operating for 28 years had ended operations without advance notice.
The original article presented this event as one reason to value an established relationship with a local coin dealer. It stated that few, if any, local dealers closed their operations without some form of notice. It also explained that an in-person local transaction could allow a buyer to take possession of coins at the transaction, or a seller to receive payment immediately for coins being sold. In that sense, the article said conducting business face to face greatly reduced risk.
At the time of publication, Atlanta Gold & Coin stated that it would keep readers informed about major changes in the coin industry. The original article also invited readers at publication to contact the business if assistance was needed.
