Other than selling numismatic items, what are some reasons to attend a coin show? 10) Learn about coins that I will never be able to afford 9) Study coins by seeing & handling them 8) Meet people who have similar interests 7) Buy supplies 6) Develop relationships with dealers, etc. 5) Get cool SWAG 4) All the cool guys & gals go to Coin Shows . . 1) BUY STUFF! Am I missing anything?
I enjoy seeing all the coins and currency at the coin shows, the massive amount of coins in one room, and particular coins I'm especially looking for, I get to see them in hand versus an eBay purchase. I've long ago given up on buying coins from coin shops. At least the coin shops I know are ridiculously overpriced for what the coins really grade, not the higher grade written on the 2x2, and they have very little graded stock. At the coin shows, there are plenty of graded coins, and the sellers are usually open to negotiation, and sometimes you can get a decent deal. One or two dealers at the shows usually have a nice assortment of coin books, and I usually buy one or two coin books to read and enjoy, and further discover how much I still don't know about this great hobby of ours.
Here's a few you missed: To sell coins. I bring valuable rare and/or obscure material that I feel won't necessarily do well on eBay to the larger shows in order to sell them to dealers that specialize in that material. To trade coins. Sometimes you can't agree on a cash price, but if you trade a couple things for a couple other things, both parties can make that work and come out happy. To submit coins to TPGs in person. This lets you save on shipping/insurance fees, get forms (and free submission materials) and ask questions in person, and sometimes take advantage of show rates.
My reason, Never posted here before: Between 2009 and June of 2011, I spent over 9K buying coins off EBAY. There were a couple minor rip offs, but the good out weighed the bad. I was buying off numerous sellers, but had a few faves. Upon buying, I immediately paid EBAY with my credit card, usually within 5 minutes. I then paid my credit card, just as quick as not to pay any interest on purchases. I find a lot of sellers will not give immediate feedback. I buy, I pay, give immediate feedback, that's customer service. Some sellers hold the feedback hostage until they get your feedback. Vey uncool. Or giving feedback is not important to the seller, showing no appreciation for your purchase. June 2011, I get a call from Pay Pal. They tell me I have spent so much money in a certain time frame, that I must open a Pay Pal account. Now I know most people don't have a problem with that, but I do. If I pay immediately, EBAY gets their money, Pay Pal is not getting my banking information. Because they insisted on having it, I no longer purchase from EBAY. So you EBAY sellers, are out that 9K, I spent in less than 22 Months. I would have spent much more over the years, I was having fun. Now, I just save my coin money and go to bigger Coin Shows. I no longer pay shipping, I get to see what I am buying, bring the coins home, file them away.
