sunshineium
First Coin Show in a Loooonnnnggggg Time!
by , 07-01-2011 at 09:51 PM (455 Views)
Today I attended the first coin show I have been to since I was about eight. There were probably about 50+ dealers and I admit, I did not go with the intention of buying X, Y, and Z, I was interested more in the experience than anything else. That being said, here are my likes, dislikes, and observations!
Likes:
Some dealers were content to say hi, let me browse, and make small talk here and there.
One of the world coin dealers had a ton of stuff and priced coins while I looked through boxes. It was very low-key and friendly and I will definitely look for him at the next show.
I picked up some very cool things in terms of historical significance. I found a lot of paper German currency in the dollar boxes. I love German history and culture and, regardless of current value, I am super excited to have picked up what I did.
I also picked up some of the Indian Heads I was looking for at reasonable prices!
Dislikes:
A few dealers were very aggressive.
One told me they should have spellchecked my name at the hospital.
Another made a very snotty comment when I was looking at my IPod. I have the coins I am missing from a few sets programmed in, along with red book values, for my reference. I walked away. That IPod takes up a lot less space on the table than other people's bags and books.
One dealer immediately asked what I was looking for and kept pressing after I said I was just looking.
Some of the customers were very rude and pushy. I do not want to be touched by strangers. An "Excuse me" goes a long way.
Another flat out made up a story to go along with one of the coins. I told him my version (the correct story) and he was a little irritated when I told him how I knew. I would much rather have someone say "I don't know" or nothing at all about the history of something than make something up. I certainly do not expect any dealer to know everything about every coin in the world.
One stopped eating his chili cheese dog to show me a grading book, which he put on top of the case, over the coins I was looking at. 1. Wipe the chili off your chin. 2. We can talk about grading after I have decided I like something you have. I cannot see what you have when there is chili and books all over the coins.
One dealer said he could not guarantee that any of his coins were genuine. Uhh...this is a coin show, right?
Observations:
Where are all the females? I was the only female under thirty and one of only four of five women there.
Many of the dealers assumed my husband was the one shopping.
Some dealers were very organized. Others were not. As a customer, I did not care. To me, the attitude and disposition of the dealer determined whether or not I stuck around to do any real shopping.
Many were surprised to see I had parts of my collection programmed into my IPod. Technology is a wonderful thing. I was one of the few people there not lugging around a book, bag, or briefcase.
Overall, it was a neat experience. There were a few dealers I liked, either because of their disposition or what they had and I look forward to seeing them again at a show in the future. There were other dealers that, regardless of what they had, they were abrasive and did not and will not get one penny of my business. I did enjoy it and look forward to going to other shows in the future!
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