Any Advice...

[SteveAZ]

I am going to my first coin show at the end of Feb. and I was wondering if any of you experienced show goers have some advice for a show newbie?

I have already figured out rule 1. Don't bring more than you can afford to spend, leave the check book at the house (40 miles away) and leave the charge cards with it!!

[smed]

Very good start... that's one of the biggies...

Things to bring: price guides, magnifier/loupe, want lists, backpack

It is permissible to ask a dealer what his best price is. He'll either come down on the marked price or say he can't come down any more.

You're under no obligation to buy anything. However, buying something small from a dealer you think you might do business with in the future will help him remember you next time. A lot of dealers will automatically discount for repeat buyers.

The dealer who seems to be "too busy" to help is probably too much of an arrogant asshole and thinks you're not worth his time. The major reason I dress like I do for coin shows (t-shirt, jeans/shorts, tennies) when I have a couple thousand in my pocket to spend is to help these fine people decide for me if I wish to give them any. (of course, that's how I dress 99% of the time anyway... LOL!!)

HTH

[Mark]

SteveAZ:

Smed's comments are good. I also suggest:
1) Be polite. Don't interupt another transaction. Don't block access to a dealer's coin case. Don't spread stuff out over a case so no one can see what's in the case. Bascially, treat dealers like you want to be treated. Some dealers will be jerks anyway. But don't take it personally--these dealers are apparently jerks through and through!

2) I know that most transactions take place using cash, but I prefer not to haul a bunch of cash around with me. I have always had my checks accepted. But I only offer "large" (greater than $1,000) checks to dealers I know. To dealers I do not know, I often will start with a small purchase so that they get to know me and then buy more an subsequent shows. I'd be interested in other people's strategies about mode of payment.

3) Do NOT plan to go on the last day and see a lot of dealers. Most dealers pack up midway through the second-to-last day.

To what show are you going? The big shows I attend, FUN and once in a while the ANA show, are huge amounts of fun. Lots of walking, lots of looking, and lots of drooling.

Mark

[SteveAZ]

I am going to the 9th annual Arizona Coin Expo in downtown Phoenix on Feb 26-28. It's not as big as other shows and I think that might be a good thing for me at this point. I am sure that drooling will be involved. Acually, I have a few coins I will be looking to see if I can get a deal on. If I cant, then oh well, maybe next time. I am only 10 coins short of my Lincoln set, 1 coin in my Mercurys and 2 coins in my Walkers. I figure about $750 should be able to cover it if I do some good negotiating and stay away from anything over XF.

[coppercoins]

Something else to consider that may not be obvious at first is to walk the entire floor when you get there - get a picture of the whole thing. Look at items of interest so they can play a part in your overall purchasing decision. If you walk in and start buying at the first few tables you see, you might tap out your resources before getting to the end of the room, and that's where you might see the one piece you can't live without.

I also like to go to the back corner of the shows and stat from there - that's where the least amount of visibility is, thus you might see some better deals back there.

[coop]

Steve: Things to watch for. Coins that are damaged,cleaned, spotted, whizzed, or deals that look too good to be true. Like buying on Ebay, check coins closely. A damaged coin is not worth what some sellers may sell it thinking it is a uncirculated coin and want a too much for it. A damaged coin I pass up. What could you do with it it you bought it? Buy from dealers that seem honest on their grading of coins. There are some from the local show that I have never sat at their table because of their attitude. I don't plan on spending anytime of their stuff. I also advoid coins in slabs. I look for a deal in the carded 2X2 stuff and check out the 1/2 price bins to see what is their. But my primary search is for rolls of Cents, BU Cents to check for RPMs, DDs'. You never know what you'll find. Some have nothing that you may want, others you might have to look hard to find the deal of the day. Hope this helps. Maybe others can add someting I may have missed?