So here it is Sunday afternoon, the show is over, I'm sitting at the airport waiting for my flight, having my custom pre-flight beverage(s), watching Baltimore crush Kansas City, so I thought I'd give one last update on the FUN show. Of course, Sunday was slow as expected. However, there were more dealers who stayed than I've seen at other large shows, and there was a decent amount of traffic. However, today seemed the day for people to bring in the change that their grandparents threw in a can to see if they had inherited any treasures. I must have evaluated at least 4-5 handfuls and baggies of later date wheaties only to let their owners know what they had was worth a few cents over face. Most non-coin people also believe their crusty old steel cents are especially priceless. I feel bad having to tell them the truth! Usually what I advise them is to get a Red Book so they can learn a little about grading, mintage, and value of the coins they inherited in order to educate themselves on which coins might be of value. It is gratifying to see that most seem very interested in learning, rather than just unloading their inherited "treasures." Any way, on our last night here in Tampa, a group of us went to Bern's steakhouse - wow, what a wonderful, high quality restaurant. They have a HUGE wine selection and offer a tour of their various rooms. They even have a separate dessert room, though we were too stuffed to partake! Everything was delicious, and I especially enjoyed their lobster bisque (though it didn't seem to like me as much this morning!). I took some photos of the lobby and one of the many dining areas since the entire restaurant was extremely elegant and grand looking with beautiful paintings and murals and a huge gorgeous lobby mirror and winding staircase. And they had these neat throne-looking chairs to sit in while waiting to be seated in the restaurant. I highly recommend Bern's but also highly recommend making reservations well in advance! On a concerning note, one of the dealers (Harry Miller) was followed out of the show last evening to a restaurant about 20 miles away and broke into his car. He didn't leave much valuable numismatics in the care, though they did take some notes as well as his laptop! What a shame! Any way, he passed out a flyer at the show today to remind everyone to be more diligent, and also offered a reward for return of his laptop. I'm sure more information will be posted about this in another thread. Any way, today I had a lot of my new purchases photographed by Todd today, so I will be posting them as soon as I can. I spoke to many dealers who all agreed that this was a really great show, well attended, and most were very pleased with their sales - me included! Though I did enjoy getting to see a little of Tampa, I look forward to being back in Orlando next year! Thanks again to all of you who stopped by to say hi, it's always a pleasure meeting forum members and putting faces with avatars/user names - I really appreciate your support and look forward to seeing some of you again in Long Beach!!
Charmy - I haven't been to a big show since the ANA in Phoenix, that was what '08 I think ? Anyway, I was very surprised that so many tables were empty with more leaving by noon on Saturday. I mean I'm used to seeing that on the last day of a show, but not before. Has that been the norm in past couple of years ? And yes, I truly enjoyed the time I was able to spend with you. I look forward to the next time we may be able to talk coins again
Doug, since many shows are eliminating Sundays or making them optional, unfortunately, some of the larger dealers tend to leave on Saturday now so they can get home and have Sundays off. However, the FUN show people make it clear to all of us dealers that if we leave early, we will lose our table priority - I just hope they enforce it. Breakdown, yes I purchased quite a few new coins and have my work cut out for me when I get home! green, yes, the same Harry Miller.
Excellent Charmy - always nice to read your coin show travelogues. Looking forward to your posts of your coin finds too.
Thanks for the great write up! It was great talking with you again and your ex coin will be loved in it's new home
I wondered about that. I noticed both large and small dealers who were already gone by noon and plenty of others packing up. The Sunday issue of leaving early has been around as long as I can remember. I'd just never seen any leave 2 days early. It seems that no matter what the day is that the show ends on, some are going to leave early. No, I no longer collect coins Thad so I haven't bought one in almost 5 years now. But I still attend what shows I can for the same reason I always did, the knowledge that can be gained.
I can't imagine going to a show and not buying something. Like going to a bar and not having a beer...well something like that.
I looked all over for ya Mike, and Matt too. But I didn't get there until Sat, morning. I found out later that you guys had left town either Fri night or early Sat. Had I known that you guys were going to leave after Fri. I would have come Fri. instead
No need to quote the entire post, dude. Shame to hear a dealer was robbed, that sucks. I'd recommend anybody here who may lose or have their laptop stolen go pick up a Personal Articles Policy from State Farm. My laptop is insured for $1500... policy costs me $30 a year. It's pretty sweet. They used to cover smartphones as well, but no longer do, which is a shame. I had my iPhone insured against damage, loss and theft for $700 at $15 a year, way better than Best Buy's $15 a month or AT&T's complete lack of a policy.
Thanks everyone, I'm kind of vegging today (after going to Seattle's Best for my fav caramel latte, then the post office and bank)! But let me just add a quick addendum to my final FUN show report - yesterday (Sunday) I was either waiting in line at airport security (which took 1/2 hour), waiting in the bar for my flight time (4+ hours - the plane was late), waiting on the tarmac for the "weights and balances" to be worked out (45 min), flying (5 1/2 hours), waiting to deplane (1/2 hour), or waiting for my luggage in baggage claim (another 1/2 hour) - all totaling more than 12 hours!!! My poor hubby kept circling around LAX over and over again until I finally got to the curb. He has a huge amount of patience - much more than I do!