Saturday I setup for selling at my first coin show...

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by gubni, Jul 31, 2013.

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  1. gubni

    gubni Active Member

    I am going to try to sell at my first coin show this weekend. They only hold the event once a month and it's a two hour drive each way for me. I was wondering if I might get any advise from veteran sellers of coin shows. I really have no idea what to expect. There will be about 25 vendors at this show. I have an 8 foot table and two chairs, lol.
     
    gubni, Jul 31, 2013
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  3. bkozak33

    bkozak33 Collector

    Say hello to people when they come to your table.
     
    bkozak33, Jul 31, 2013
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  4. coingeek12

    coingeek12 Well-Known Member

    where's the coin show?
    I might go....
     
    coingeek12, Jul 31, 2013
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  5. TypicalCreepahx

    TypicalCreepahx Hello There! ( ͡⚆ ͜ʖ ͡⚆)

    Cool! Have fun :)
     
    TypicalCreepahx, Jul 31, 2013
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  6. gubni

    gubni Active Member

    Its in Knoxville TN. I appreciate any advise I can get especially from others mistakes.
     
    gubni, Jul 31, 2013
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  7. jgreenhood

    jgreenhood Senior Member

    Be friendly but be cautious. Don't ever leave your table unattended.
     
    jgreenhood, Jul 31, 2013
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  8. chip

    chip Novice collector

    It might be a good idea to bring a trusted friend with you.

    Also, I have heard from some dealers that they make more money buying at shows then selling.
     
    chip, Jul 31, 2013
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  9. vlaha

    vlaha Respect. The. Hat.

    Give free stuff to YNs(especially if their parents have lots of cash, lol)!
     
    vlaha, Aug 1, 2013
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  10. dwhiz

    dwhiz Collector Supporter

    Take a shower before you go, no mustard stains on shirts and they will know you are a new dealer
     
    dwhiz, Aug 2, 2013
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    gubni likes this.
  11. gubni

    gubni Active Member

    Are ketchup stains or moms spaghetti ok? Lol
     
    gubni, Aug 2, 2013
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  12. dwhiz

    dwhiz Collector Supporter

    only if they are fresh
     
    dwhiz, Aug 2, 2013
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  13. quartertapper

    quartertapper Numismatist

    One suggestion: stay off the cell phone. Nothing annoys me more than a vendor whom I'd like to buy from, but annoys me by ignoring me.
     
    quartertapper, Aug 2, 2013
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    BRandM likes this.
  14. gubni

    gubni Active Member

    Here's some notes from a friend for others that might see this thread.

    Make sure to bring at least 2 table lamps and display cases also. Also bring money to make change $1-5-10's. Pin and paper to make notes. Coin Price Guides.
     
    gubni, Aug 2, 2013
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  15. ToughCOINS

    ToughCOINS Dealer Member Moderator

    Make a checklist, and don't leave for the show without checking it off . . .

    Top off fuel / check oil / tire pressure before loading vehicle to head for the show
    Money (small bills)
    Writing paper
    Pen / pencil
    Price guide(s)
    Coins
    Magnifier
    Showcase(s) & key(s)
    Lamp(s)
    Food / drinks, if needed

    I'm sorry if the following alarms you, or makes you insecure, but you need to consider that there are dishonest people out there . . .

    Load valuables into your vehicle last and unload valuables first.

    When you take coins out to let customers examine, handle just one customer at a time. If customer wants to look at more than one coin at a time, provide only what you are comfortable with keeping an eye on. Check correctness of coins going back into your case when customers are done looking at them.

    Lock your case if you leave your table.

    When leaving the show, keep your radar up. Look for odd behavior or circumstances. Don't assume anything is coincidental.

    Keep track of all vehicles around you on your way home.

    Know where police stations are between you and the show, and pull in if you believe you have been followed.

    Never leave your coins unattended in your vehicle, ever.

    Drive a circuitous route somewhere on the way home to easily determine if you are being followed.

    Best of luck at the show, make some money, buy more nice coins, have fun, and get to know more dealers.

    - Mike
     
    ToughCOINS, Aug 2, 2013
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    x115, silentnviolent and gubni like this.
  16. john1942sept

    john1942sept Member

    It would be interesting to hear your results.
     
    john1942sept, Aug 2, 2013
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  17. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    If you aren't interested in buying a customer's coin, remember, "It's nice, but not for me" is my preferred mode of rejection.
     
    C-B-D, Aug 2, 2013
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  18. gubni

    gubni Active Member

    I sold most of the really cheap junk like set of 82 pennies and set of 3 war nickels. I did not sell any high price items.
     
    gubni, Aug 3, 2013
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  19. ToughCOINS

    ToughCOINS Dealer Member Moderator

    Breaking into the business is much harder than most think.

    The main reason is that we all start with coins which we purchased on the retail side of the counter / table. That makes it difficult to price coins at a level that makes you a profit while enticing a buyer.

    When I started out, I decided in advance that I would have to sell at a loss in order to be accepted by the dealer community before I'd be able to buy at wholesale. I took about $5k in lumps my first year to gain that acceptance, and it has paid dividends many times over since then.

    I'm not saying that you should do the same, but generally speaking, I believe that's the difference between those that become long standing dealers, and those that do not.

    Going through that exercise not only gained me the acceptance I sought, but it also taught me that, while I must retain my collector instincts, I must also shed at least some of my emotional collector attachment to the coins I put in inventory.
     
    ToughCOINS, Aug 3, 2013
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  20. silverfool

    silverfool Active Member

    I've done well at antique shows that have a few coin people set up. sold morgans, walkers and mercs for a good price. the extra lamps help a lot, they make things look better. I sold mostly to retail that way and you don't have a lot of completion but enough coin people to attract buyers.
     
    silverfool, Aug 3, 2013
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  21. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Did you make your expenses? Did you make your table fees? Were you able to do any buying across the table? Are you beginning to realize that being on the dealer side of the table is not as easy as a lot of people think it is?
     
    Conder101, Aug 5, 2013
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