chicago international coin fair.

Nope, this is an annual event. Won't happen again until next year.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

There appears to be a monthly show in Schaumburg, but the Central States show there this weekend is an annual show as is the Chicago International show in Rosemont next weekend.

 

Do dealers at coin shows take credit cards or is it a cash-only kind of thing?

 

It's usually a cash thing. I have even had them take a personal check before a credit card. They have no way of getting approval on charges. There are no telephone lines or hook-ups on the selling floor.

 

Some of the dealers will bring a credit card machine with them but be prepared to pay and additional 3-7% for the convenience.

 

And these are far and few in between. They just imprint the charge slip and run the sale through later. So they are taking a risk here.

 

Sam,

Pete or Dave from Pete's Coin in Downers Grove will take credit cards at the shows that they attend on Sunday mornings locally. They run the credit card right there through a satellite ethernet connection. They do the Sunday show at Rolling Meadows, and Itasca (if not the Schaumburg one, I forget which) as well as Countryside (ILNA) the first Sunday every month.

They charge an additional 3% but they run the card right then and there.

 

At one of the major shows, I had a dealer from Wisconsin take a credit card at the show. He took the sale and the merchandise back with him, ran the sale through his store and mailed the coins to me. He waved shipping and credit card fees, in fact, the credit card fee was never discussed. I have not had another dealer ever take a charge card for a sale, but then again, I don't ask and they don't offer either.

 

Like Mike alluded to, there are remote ways to accept credit cards electronically nowadays. Not terribly common, so I usually bring cash and maybe my checkbook as a backup.

 

anyone can run a credit card now with a smartphone. just download a free app.

 

They may not want to though. The coin store I shop at got rid of their credit card readers last year and only take cash now, or checks with a hold on the item. I can take cash to the show. I'm less likely to spend as much if I have to have the cash, which is probably for the best.

 

I'm going to be staying at the Holiday Inn that's near the show. It's supposed to be less than 2 miles away. Does anyone know if that distance is walkable? Or is it road with no sidewalks? Rather not have to take a taxi for such a short distance. Thanks!!!

 

I can't believe that in the 21st century people still accept written IOUs (checks)

 

It works both ways. I had a national dealer give me his IOU for a coin at a trade show yesterday. Neither one of us had a problem with that.

 

Just a few more days!!! I still have to finish packing my suitcase but ready to go!!! This will be my first out of state coin show and my first visit to the Chicago area!!! How many of you are still planning to go? Hope to see you there

 

im going friday. i hope to get rid of some pennies and maybe pick up some more franklins.

 

Since this is supposed to be an "international" coin show what is the ratio of foreign coins versus US coins? Is it a pretty good mix or does it lean more American?

 

About 55% Foreign, 40% ancient, 5% or less US.

Still plan on being there, got my hotel reservations, need to pack. As I said I'll be there Friday and Saturday. When I'm not walking the floor I'm usually back at John Burns' corner.

 

not what I meant, salty... I was referring to the fact that some people (and stores) still take checks which are nothing better than IOUs from complete and total strangers. In this day of scams and ponzi schemes it amazes me that people are willing to take that leap of faith.

As far as a dealer, especially a national one, I can name several that I would trust for thousands of dollars in cash or coins. There are others I wouldn't trust with 2¢. It's the anonymous part that amazes me.

 

do you think there will be any token dealers there? i really want to sell or trade my bashlows as well.