Featured Recycled Article No. 1: Coin Show Etiquette

No.

 

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Thanks to whoever resurrected this thread. I probably would have never seen it otherwise. The content was both enlightening and revealing.

To the OP: I'm reminded of the saying, "No good deed goes unpunished."

 

No chewing gum. If you have to chew, make sure you have a note from your doctor, stating that it is preventative chewing in case of lockjaw and please chew with your mouth closed.

No shirt, no shoes, no service. Flip flops are not shoes.

What else can these tips focus on?

 

Judging by the photos I've seen, I think a bottle of wine will result in the best discount, doesn't matter what the guy who brings it looks like.

 

Haggling with politeness can never be offensive. I assume there is always some room for negotiation.

 

All good stuff - with one exception. I don't get the issue about returning a coin. If there are returns offered, then there are returns. If not, then no. I don't see where returns can be offered but have an unwritten rule that they really aren't! ??

 

+1. Sometimes I'll casually ask, "what's the best you can do on this coin?" Sometimes it cuts to the chase a little faster.

 

I go to a lot of coin shows throughout the Midwest and I always act in a Respectful way. However I think there needs to be an etiquette lesson for some dealers as well. Now don't get me wrong most are very nice and easy to talk to but some just act like bitter, socially awkward, jerks. I couldn't tell you how many times I wanted to purchase a coin from someone's case and I had to stand there without even a glance in my direction because the guy behind the counter was obviously on a personal phone call. Or the exaggerated exhales they give when you ask to see a coin.or the time I brought my nephew to a show because he was starting to get into coin collecting and he was asking a dealer to see some Lincoln cents from his case that were in the $5 to $10 range and he acted like we were wasting his time. After 2 bad experiences at coin shows my nephew doesn't want to go to them anymore. These kids are the future of our hobby if they keep meeting these disgruntled dealers they will move on to other hobbies. Now as I stated these dealers are certainly the minority but they do seem to be increasing in number, and I do understand how difficult the public can be as I have worked in the customer service field for many years but you would think they could act a little more cordial epically if they are trying to sell something.

 

Two things.

1. The coin show is not as important as it was in the past. Twenty years ago if you wanted more then your lcs could provide then you were going to have to find it at a coin show. In today's world the gen x'ers who are all grown up are of the digital age.
As said in other threads we can buy using coinfacts, ha and grey sheet data buying pcgs and ngc coins with return policies so if we are not happy we can get a full refund. I'm not saying coin shows are not fun or not enjoyable. I'm simply saying the percentage of sales to collectors at coin shows is decreasing as collectors use other avenues that were not available in the past. Personally out of my whole collection I have only got two coins that were from a show.

2. In no way am I or would I ever consider my self a professional coin dealer but I did have the experience of having a table at a show. I found it was not that hard to provide customer service. It really was not difficult for me to give service that torontokuba thinks is important. I don't have to make a living this way and did not have the pressure that an actual coin dealer has. But in my pretend time it was not hard to acknowledge people if they came up to the table and I was helping someone else. I never was anything but polite to people who obviously were not going to buy.

I acknowledge that I am in no position to judge, but actually my lack of experience did show me that if a vest pocket guy like myself could be respectful and polite, that I really don't understand why someone who really is the professional can't.

 

Why is it that coin dealers have the most obnoxious people of all retail merchants. I never worry about an attitude from other retail merchants. But I can expect an attitude from 15% of coin dealers at a show. Does it happen in other retail settings? Sure maybe 2 or 3 out of a 100 encounters. My dentist, doctor, barista, Big 5 salesperson, waitresses, carwash people, UPS driver, used car salesman,etc., almost never have an attitude. Yet a disproportionate number of coin dealers do.

Charmy you need to make a list of etiquette for dealers to follow. Not one for customers. I think you are rather presumptuous with your list.

 

I went to a smaller coin show with my younger son who was 10 at the time. The dealers there could not have been more encouraging to him. One of the dealers - who by the way we didn't even buy anything from - gave my son a loupe. The dealer said he carried a bag of them with him to every show to give out to the kids that came by. My son was thrilled; he used it for the rest of the show, and continues to use it today as we hunt for coins in bank rolls.

Again, it was a smaller show. There were probably 25-30 dealer tables. I don't know if that makes a difference.

 

My theory is that a lot of these dealers act like they don't need our business because most of them probably don't. As bad as that sounds. they are probably quite wealthy and don't want to spend the time to show people a few $10 coins from the case. They have forgotten where they came from. Some suggestions for the dealers etiquette list in my opinion would be: don't put cheap coins in your case if you don't want to deal with us peons. Greet us or at least make eye contact and give us a nod when we approach your table. And Don't act like we're bothering you. Oh and don't think that I can't afford that 1916d mercury dime because I'm pushing a stroller with 3 kids inside!

 

Thanks so much for resurrecting this thread! Charmy, I was glad to measure my coin show behavior against your guidelines and find that I was doing everything the recommended way. I have been to two winter FUNs, three summer FUNs, and four local shows during the past 3 years, and have not had a bad experience with any dealer. My rule is to treat others like I want to be treated. Keep up your great contributions!

 

I've been to a few mid-west shows though none of the big national type shows. My favorite is the monthly Green Hills Classic in Cincinnati. My take on these smaller dealers are that they are mostly fellow hobbyists who make a few bucks selling coins for not a lot of profit and seem to me to be interested in displaying their coins and sharing their knowledge of the hobby. I buy coins from these guys and in small coin shops around the country and the experience is generally positive.