OK to Take Redbook to a show or shop??

Calling Miss Manners..... Is it considered "bad form" to Take a Redbook to a coinshow or shop to see what the coin "books for" during negotiations with the dealer??

Thanks, Bill

 

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I would say no, not at all. Bring the book. Remember some slabbed key dates will sell at PCGS prices.

 

Negotiating using the Redbook is not a good idea, but seeing if the price is in the right area would be ok.

It's fine to take it with you, I've been using mine as a marker for coins I have and need.

 

I never go anywhere without some sort of guide.

Lesser dealers will tell you that you brought the wrong guide, BTW.

 

I take my Redbook to every show I attend, not as my primary price reference, but more of a guide to fall back on in case I run into something really cool that I know little about. The Redbook will give me some basic info as well as some rough pricing info. I'm not shy about using my Redbook or other notes I have at a show

 

See, I always take it to shows, dealers etc. But I never would take it to a local flea market or yard sale. If someone has a "hidden treasure" that they are selling for a thousand times less than its worth, having a price guide would only further show my coin expertise and make an unsuspecting seller more suspicious as to what their coin is really worth.

 

A number of years ago I had some price quides for guns. The prices in those books were usually seriously overinflated. Especially for new guns, because they just listed the MSRP which is always rediculous.

I have seen a Blue Book for coins that is supposed to wholesale prices. Does the Blue Book give you a much more realistic price?

 

Not always true but most dealers think of someone with a Red Book as a true amateur and someone to take advantage of. It's OK to take one with but I'd for sure not let them see you with one. One nice thing about that book is the prices are so highly overly done that if you see a coin selling for that price or more, you well know something is out of order. At a recent coin show I saw a 1944S Walking LIberty Half for over $400 in MS-63. I borrowed a Red Book and was shocked that that coin was only a fraction of that even in the Red Book.

 

no reason tnot to bring it.

I bring my Overton with me, and check to see if I need the variety.

Also, a looseleaf check list.

plus a greysheet.

 

Take it or Leave it/or Why Can't you take it with you?

This is a great thread. Having never been to a "show" but someday hoping to go, I indeed would intend to take some info/tools with me.

I hope the SELLER would look at the RB, knowing:

"YEP! That's what ya can buy one fer. Now read down the columns. See the left side & the right side column figures? Well, This item here is Special!"......etc.....

This is like asking if it is rude to take a loupe. If the deal spooks because of facts who wants to be involved in such a deal?

NEW QUESTION~What if you take a NetBook? Then, if there is a hotspot, you have to contend with~

"What's it gonna take for that to become mine?"

...followed by a few key stroke...eyebrows shifting...lips pursing...

screen shading moments followed by some chin scratching....and followed by......

You mean RIGHT NOW? :goofer:

 

Another newbie question: Where does one get a grey sheet?

I have not been to a coin show either, but what I can gather, there a few things most beginners would want to take with them. Does this sound about right?

check list/ want list
pricing guide
loupe/ magnifier

are there any other essentials??

 

$$

 

hum....I'm surprised by your usual sage advice, GD.

Guess it never occurred to go to my 1st show, which is unto itself an expenditure, without the possibility of some exchange.

Of Course, there is the Kentucky tradition of "Court Days".

Everyone agrees to gather to swap some stuff and compare current wants & needs.

"I got this, you got that. How many of these do you want for how many of those?" This includes hound dogs, back hoes, tomatoes & potatoes and sometimes relatives.dd:And canned goods.

I don't expect to go to the show just to watch someone else be in it!

 

Never thought about it but leaving your money at home for your first show sounds like the best advice I have ever heard.

 

My local shop prefers I buy the book when I'm there.