Any online shops with "sales" worth it?

Why so hesitant to name specific places and talk in codes like "big box?"

 

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Go to www.coinzip.com and type in your zip code and how far you are willing to travel for a show (50 miles, 100 miles, 200 miles, etc), and then 'wahla' you have most of the nearby shows. It should give you a calendar out for awhile so you can plan accordingly.

But note that some shows themselves dont know about this site, or their hosts/attendees dont know to contact @coinzip to be put on the list, so sometimes they may inadvertently miss a show, but overall the site is VERY useful and highly recommended.

 

What should be expected at a coin show? Is it just like a big multidealer coin shop? Or more social? Friendly to newcomers of all ages, or cold and somewhat elitist? Or, all of the above depending on the show?

 

I don't think there's any way to generalize about coin shows, at least those of 50 tables or less. You don't know who's coming, you don't know what new dealers are coming, you don't know the weather until the last minute, but you DO know the competition will be fierce, and that's why shows are my favorite place to buy new material.

I'm not as keen on whopping BIG shows, like ANA, etc. They ARE rather elitist, in my opinion, only because that's often the only time in an entire year that a dealer is likely to meet his big spenders face-to-face, and they don't have time to fiddle with $30 deals, and let you know that fact early-on. That's not a blanket condemnation of all dealers, but the pressure's on, and the time's limited.

 

This is very good feedback. I don't want to wander into a show where it's all about the big deals. Or if you don't have a $2000 budget you aren't welcome. That $30 deal is where I am right now. I'm just starting and that's the budget I have and am willing to work with. I will look for some of the smaller events. Nice to know they can respect all levels. Seems people here on the forum do, too. After all, the learning, reading, and socializing aspects are all free.

 

One more thing you can do (at any show) is stick a 3x5 card in your shirt pocket, with "Barber Dimes" (or whatever) printed at the top. Not only does this get the dealers cranked up, you might attract a seller who's brought an album or a valuable single to sell. Do not* write "I buy Barber Dimes," just two words, whatever's of most interest that day or that show, then show operators have nothing to complain about.

Used to do the same at the flea markets, a card with Stamps / Coins / Postcards, readable from 10 feet away. It pays to advertise. Carry nice business cards, first name only, no address, no phone, just a gmail address you use only for collectibles opportunities.

*If a coin show authority or security guard asks you if you are ADVERTISING to "buy" Barber Dimes, you just say, "Umm, no, not at all, I just like to talk about Barber Dimes, just like we're doing now..." That usually causes them to shuffle off, mumbling to themselves, LOL.

 

Not your first rodeo, eh? Hehe

 

Thanks! See what I just added to that post...

 

Makes sense. Something like this might work just as well, and it's a little more fun.

 

If you get the 4X and 5X Ebay buck offers you can get gold and silver below spot from major trusted sellers. (once you factor in the 8-10% ebay buck rebate)

 

Not familiar with ebay bucks. :\

 

What happened to me was... a bulk purchase of 4 (B.U.) 1904 Indian cents, 3 (B.U.) 1883 Liberty Nickels and a (B.U.) 1928 S.L Quarter. All of them had been cleaned. This was early on in dealing with these full page spread ads and I got snookered for sure. The price was as they say, too good to be true. It's that "Premium Quality" that turned me off from them forever.

 

Make a t-shirt of it.

 

A couple things about local and regional coin shows:

1. Cash is king.
2. You can always attempt to negotiate.
3. Cash prices typically include sales tax. Check and credit, if they're even accepted, typically do not.

My favorite coin show so far has been the Santa Clara show. I think there were around 80 tables when I was there, and a good selection of all US coins and the more common world coins. There were a handful of ancients dealers and a couple tables of exonumia. Basically, if you're looking for mainstream stuff, you'll find it at a show like that.

 

But you'll need 50 t-shirts. Keep it simple, 4 (coin) series on a 3 x 5, top and bottom one side, top and bottom other side, you need the flexibility.

=================

Show Manager to Security Guard: "Wow, look at that guy! Must be a weight-lifter! Look at those arms! And chest! Boy, I wouldn't mess with him!!

Guard: "Nah, he's wearing 50 t-shirts. Got a different coin sign on each one! Saw him changing in the bathroom..."

Show Manager: "OMG! Let's call Homeland Security!"

 

You have to sign up but its very easy. I'd just google Ebay bucks and there should be tons of info.

 

It's another screwball idea, although it will eventually save you money, if you do it right. You accumulate (for instance) Bucks in April, May, and June to "use" after July 1. If eBay was really sincere about the program, you could use Bucks the minute you earned them. I have about $24 worth, and that will reduce the cost of a purchase of my choice by $24, directly off an invoice, after July 1. My first batch this year got "lost" somehow, and I never did get them, and that REALLY irritated me. Ebay's marketing twits are morons, and I hope that Dono-who's reading this, bye-bye, good riddance in a few weeks.

 

Lost? Never heard of that happening before...Did you earn over $5? That is the minimum amount to receive a certificate.

 

Don't know, and now, don't care. Repeat after me -- "if something's good for eBay, it's bad for the eBay user..."

 

Yeah I didn't buy older type coins, modern issues only and that were graded. With how they claim "Premium Quality" and "Full Luster", can't say they would be the first choice for me.