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!
Sounds like my experience in Long Beach in Feb of this year. It was one of my first coin shows ever attended and just like you, I had some dealers who were friendly and helpful and some who had attitudes. Same with the regular attendees. One isle was full of people and my leg happened to brush a guys bag he was carrying and I said sorry and he gave me a go to **** look like & said "F*** You". Old far too. I almost said it back but didnt need to get into a fight. I prefer buying coins online. Most the time its cheaper and it saves from being blasted by attitudes.
I enjoyed going, but I also will probably spend more $ buying online or from shops I know. The pushy-ness and rudeness of some of the dealers and even customers made me walk away more than a few times, and that's pretty sad. I would have figured it to be a more positive, kind atmosphere.
I'm a gun dealer and it's probably the same with any sort of "retail or sales" show - including coins. I was never pushy, tried to be helpful with all customers (even the clueless & time killing yip-yappers, "tire-kickers"). Unfortunately, the "highly successful dealers" tended to be rude, aggressive, overly high-priced, etc. Not my style since I am more of a "hobby business dealer" anyway... I was happy knowing that a lot of the customers came over from the dark to me. They were even happier when they found I could save them money if they were patient with certain purchases. Impulse buying gets a lot of folks in trouble and the "aggressive dealers" who had the slick salesmen could "smell the blood" in those customers. Sometimes, of course, one has to buy if an item is rare. I was also a "strange" dealer because I accepted gold, silver, coins and bullion as "exchange" for trade. I still have all gold and silver too. Not really a collection, just HEAVY METAL insurance for the weird times this country is headed for...
Unfortunately, I have not attended a coin show. However, what you have said reminds me of my experiences at computer shows. Too many of the vendors only want your quick money. Even if there are no other customers, they do not want to help those of us who are trying to learn. That is why I stopped going to the shows.
Yeh, like I said - it wasn't my style and I since I was only a "hobby jobber" only - I totally quit the shows, too. I quit WORKING them or even going to them. The funny part is my good, die-hard, gun-guy customers still come to me for their "fixes". Perhaps I should become a "COIN DEALER" as well, eh? Like I said, I still have all the coins - gold, silver, a few platinum, etc. Mostly bullion but a few oldie "collectibles"... I dunno - maybe that's why I'm not a "successful" gun dealer - I REALLY like my inventory (I call them "toys"). AK-47's, SKS's, M-14's, K-98's, 91/30's, Galil's, UZI's, shotguns, Mini-14/30's, all the pistols, some revolvers, ugh! Ditto the coins. Call me an addict! As are some of my customers!
I'm not so jaded I won't go to another show...yet. It was interesting to be there and talk with the dealers like you, gunrunnr. Those guys and gals will get my business and the pushy ones won't. It helps too when the dealer likes what they are selling and not just selling it for business or to say they have/had/sold/made $x on, etc. something. It's easy to tell genuine interest in something from interest in a buck!
