R-E-S-P-E-C-T (at the shows)

I have a simple solution, if the dealer dosen't treat me with respect, then I keep walking.
I wear shorts & a t-shirt, at least in the summer. Winter, jeans.

If they don't like it, screw them.
My money is just as good, regardless of what I am wearing.

 

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:thumb:

i dont care if the dealer ingores me - i also dont care what inventory he might have if he ignores me. If he treats me that way, he doesnt have ANYTHING i would want anyway. Just keep walking!!!

 

Good attitude!!
(Matches mine.)

 

hmmmm.......just hope it doesn't provoke a rollin'


LOL

 

Well, at 22, I've got quite a number of large visible tattoos (such as a 3/4 sleeve on one arm), and though I am not thrilled at having to "dress nice" when I feel like jeans and a t-shirt, I do work in a corporate office, and I'm used to dressing up Mon. through Fri. Although I agree that it shouldn't matter how you dress, and dealers who judge you based on that kind of criteria SHOULD be ignored themselves, at the very least, dressing nicely for a show will hopefully make YOU feel a little more confident about haggling over prices and bidding...it does for me, at any rate.

 

Well said Jhonn! :thumb:

 

One main tip. If you find or suspect you are being ignored, just walk away. If your with a parent or any adult make sure you state LOUNDLY "Don't buy anything from that guy. He ignores kids." I thin you'll find if you went to coin shows around here you would actually get better deals, treated better than most adults, receive free stuff from many dealers, have freindly, educational conversations. For some reason the coin shows around here are all YN friendly.
A further thing about dress codes. I remember way back when as a kid, a freind of mine worked at a gas station. It was a gas station with a gas station on all four corners. I found it odd that he worked at different ones on different days but to young to ask why I guess. One day his boss took him, a few other guys woring there and me too, since I was always hanging around, to a super fancy restaurant in the area. So exclusive there was doormen, valey parking, head matradee, etc. Anyway we were all dressed like from a gas station and probably smelled the part also. We were greeted with respect, shown a great table, waited on hand and foot practically. I later found out the guy that took us there owned all four of those gas stations, a few others in the area and just tons of money. The moral of that story is regardless of what you look like, money talks.

 

Thanks, tcore.

 

I just got back from a show and all of the dealers were VERY nice and helpfull, but there was one....

I was flipping through is inventory if picked out 3 proof Westward nickel and a proof 1964 kennedy. I asked him how much they were becuase it didn't say on the flip. The nickel were $8, a piece a little much, the redbook says $5 so I would expect I little less. I put the nickels back and asked for only the half, he said "No, It's fine, you don't need it" and put in back in the book and closed it. I laughed at him and left, I then spent $70 at the table across from him.

 

Man, that was rude. Wonder if he saw you spend money at the other dealer? People like that I honestly feel shouldn't be in the nusmismatic field, those are the ones normally that only do it for the money. Good show on your part. :thumb:

Phoenix

 

Now I don't even understand that. That's crazy!

 

What a terrible attitude. I'm sure he's a real joy to be around in general. :rolling: Hopefully he didn't sell much of anything at that show!

 

hamman88:
I am sorry for the way that you were treated, my son was very young when he used to come with me to coin shows, and the dealers actually gave him better prices than they gave me.
That is one dealer that shouldn't be in business.

 

Most of the dealers gave me very nice deals.

 

so, don't let one idiot bother you.
I have met a lot of idiots at shows, and I just move on.
And they know that I spend money.

 

So what did you end up getting at the show Hamman?

 

Check out my thread on the US coins forum.

 

Grading what you're looking for

Some interesting experiences and comments here folks.

The idiot that has no respect for a younger buyer is just that AN IDIOT. They are the next generation of collectors.

As for dress I'm pretty darn casual I'd say. I've gone to shows after working a few hours before. As a painter I tend to look like one. Just make sure that my hands are clean.

If I'm not working I at least wear clothes without paint all over them. Real painters don't use rags we wear them.

I attend mainly smaller shows - say 15 to 50 tables. I find the dealers are all usually quite friendly and it is much easier to take a quick spin around the room before buying anything.
Dealers that I have dealt with are always more than happy to put a few pieces aside and work on a price while I peruse other offerings. Key is that you should be SERIOUS about buying from them and I usually do. Make it worth their while and they'll do the same.
BIG shows while impressive don't thrill me. Too much money invested to be there as a dealer so good deals seem to be much scarcer until the waning moments of the last day.

When I go to a show I usually have a pretty good idea of what I'm looking for and what I'm willing to pay. Being into type coins I ALWAYS brush up on my grading from the ANA book the night before.
When I get to the show I carry a back pack with Greysheet, a current Coin Prices and the good old ANA grading guide.
I don't expect Greysheet bid on most coins. Hey, these guys have to make a living too. Coin Prices gives me a good idea of current retail so I can find a midpoint if neccesary. I rarely pay retail unless I really want it.

To me knowing something about grading is the KEY. If you can POLITELY tell a dealer why you think a coin may be slightly over graded and then proceed to tell him exactly WHY you feel this way the price will generally drop. If you can do that without consulting the ANA book right in front of them it's even more effective.

Dealers don't know everything about every coin and an honest one will admit it. I've had several occasions when a dealer has basically told me that I know that particular coin better than him and dropped price accordingly. These folks also tend to get repeat business from me.
If it's over graded and they won't even consider your points then move along. Seems I rarely do this though as long as you are POLITE and INFORMED.

I have on a few occasions brought my Unc set of 2 Cent Pieces to shows. If a dealer has a nice coin and you're interested sharing your set let's them know that you are serious. Hey, they all like to see nice coins as well.

Finally, I usually have some "trade bait" with me. With me it's tougher dates dupes. A small motto and 1872 2 Cent Piece, a few F-VF Flying Eagles. at least one G-VG 1927-S Standing Liberty and a decent 1914-S Barber quarter.
Honestly I have yet to trade one but it let's them know that you have a pretty good grasp on coins as a whole. Believe me, they'll drop the price when they see a few keys and semi-keys.

I know it was long but these things have worked for me.

 

Funny speedy. and twigs. did that priest work as a sideshow barker during seminary school? Just 2 weeks ago, i went to a coin show in jeans a button shirt and Pumas. The five tables I went to for seroius buying were all friendly and polite.. The supply table was the one who had a cruddy attitude. I'm no Don D -Jue -Wan, but I'm no hobo either. And there were some real trolls there. But I noticed that even they were'nt disregarded. I guess it all depends on the seller.