Podrat Coin Exchange Inc

One last update: EVERYONE ELSE IS RIGHT. DO NOT COME HERE.
Their telephone hasn’t been working for two weeks, and you’re better off going to Pawn Shops that will sell you silver or gold. This is the most pathetic coin store I’ve ever seen, but it’s on a main road so uninformed people will stop by.
Try American Rare coin in East Providence instead.
Or you could come here and buy a $ 18 silver eagle for $ 23.

I’m not any sort of coin expert, that said; when I brought gold and silver coins that I wanted to sell to Podrat I was happy with both the service and the price that I was offered.

The man shouldn’t be in ANY position of dealing with the public. I wouldn’t give this guy 1 star but it’s the lowest rating and he deserves it.
I arranged my whole day around a late afternoon flight to stop by with a dozen filled coin books and an assortment of coins from mid 1800’s to mid 1900’s that I inherited from a loving relative and it was an ordeal to put them all together and carry them all in for opion and review and to sell them.
About 5 minutes into a seemingly normal conversation, he suddenly stopped and said he woulkdn’t conduct any transaction with me. First reason was because my FL drivers license had a post office address rather than street address but when I asked him if he would issue a 1099 or other receipt for any transaction, he told he he didn’t like my question and was refusing to do business with me, turned his back and walked away.
I was shocked! I’m in the hospitality business and have trained many young and old students in being warm, true and professional with the public. This guy ought to be considered an embarrassment to the other business owners on the «East Side» and to the city. I wish I’d recorded the conversation because no one would believe me… except the other consumers who have commented about him in Unilocal or elsewhere. This individual, in business for over 40 years (he said) has no doubt made a plentiful fortune on his coins. Unfortunately, there’s no law about being rude, offensive and socially ignorant.
I had hoped to sell the large collection but he wouldn’t even look at the coins unless i understood that there was a fee of $ 80 (I think that was his figure) that must be paid to him for his expert opinion.
As the day turned out, I had to repack my luggage and carry-​on this large number of coins so that meant a TSA pat-​down and private screening of me and all the coins being opened up at the aiport for inspection.
It’s YOUR choice if you want to deal with such a repulsive, bleak individual. I’ve NEVER been treated so rudely… NEVER had someone refuse to do any nusiness with me… I was well-​dressed, presented myself properly, I’m educated, polite… I was just caught off guard. Who would EVER expect to be treated in such a way? He simply stopped talking to me, turned his back on me and walked back into the rear of his store… his little corner of his world.
Disgusting!

Talking to this guy is like talking to a brick wall — He’s unbelievably rude & comes across as a complete snob. Prices are on the high end, as well. I seriously don’t understand how he can stay in business, and would not recommend anyone bother with this shop.

Podrat seems OK to me, I am not sure why both reviewers had such a bad experience. I have been in this shop several times and have been treated well…

3 years after his last bad review he is STILL a jerk. I went in for my first and last time about an hour ago. Getting answers was like pulling teeth and he has the «I can’t be bothered with pesky customers» attitude. (was in the store all of 2 – 3 literally) Only in America can a man with no social skills stay in business. Lack of social skills I can deal with but his plain old rudeness I can’t. Trying American Rare Coin Thursday.

Coin nerds beware! Not only was the owner an unfriendly jerk, he told me that he would charge me $ 85 just to look through my collection to see if I had anything of value. «My time is valuable», I was informed haughtily.
Don’t get me wrong. Coin people are usually old white dudes with few social skills. Weirdness is part of the hobby, but Mr. Podrat is just completely rude. I’d skip this place and take your coins over to Steve Inarelli at American Rare Coin in East Providence. At least Steve has a personality and he won’t try to fleece you when you ask him to look at pieces from your collection.