I usually go to about 2 to 4 coin shows a month around here. Usually most are OK, great, fantastic and occationally a not to good one. But last Sunday, March 16th, 2008 I went to one that is normally a small one of about 30 to 50 dealers. I found out there was a much larger show the same day in another part of the state so most dealers went there and same with many buyers. At this show I was at I was lucky to find 15 to 20 dealers at most. It was free parking and free entrance so can't complain about wasting money there. Unfortunately I have to drive there and although only 10 miles, that is still a lot of money for gas. What got me really irritated was that of the dealers there about 3 tables were all currency. A few more tables of watches. One table even had Indian Arrow heads. Then naturally there were items for sale such as pens, camcorders, jewlery and other non coin STUFF. Of course there was a few tables of foreign coins. I am not a slab person and this show had about 75% of everyone's coins in slabs. My usual favorite dealer of books and collecting items such as 2x2's was sold out of most sizes of 2x2's. Lots and lots of coin books though. Bumped into a freind there who said the same thing I was feeling. What a lousy coin show. Why not throw in a table of auto tires? Then the only thing I purchased was a proof Dime and when I handed the bills to the dealer he said look, there is a red star of something after the serial number you gave me. I can sell this bill which made me feel really lousey. With that I left. Oh well, there is always another coin show. Guess I'm just to spoiled with some of the much better coin shows in the area.
Eh, you'll have that, from time to time. I could think of hundreds of ways you could have had a worse time
I once drove 40-50 miles to a show with about a dozen dealers. They appeared to be mostly catering to the low-end crowd (not that there was a crowd. Me and ???) Saw one nice raw coin, but because of it's value I passed. I can grade, but have trouble with detecting dipped coins.
I'd still rather go to a bad coin show than to no coin show at all. Kinda like the old "a bad day fishing..." mantra. Guy~
Man, sorry to hear about your experience. Atleast it will most likely get better the next time! Phoenix
You know Carl other than knocking the currency tables I'd agree with you. There are many of us that cross over from coins to currency and vice versa. It's MONEY collecting. Now as for camcorders, pens etc. Those people should just be asked never to come back again. Go to a flea market with that stuff.
just be lucky you have a show to go to . where i live they may have a show a year. the last three years it has been cancled.
About the same thing here. We have three local shows each year, two that I attend. It would be great to have 3 or 4 each month. Its no wonder that I'm losing interest....again.
I'm lucky. I live between Wash, DC, and Baltimore, so I get 2-3 monster shows a year (500-1000 dealers.) Also get 5-6 medium shows a year too (40-60 dealers.)
As I mentioned in another thread, I've never attended a coin show. I guess I would feel like a sheep attending the wolf convention.
I too am lucky, living in the Philadelphia area. There are 3 shows a month in the general area here. The only problem is that the dealers are pretty much the same dealers at all 3 shows. On one hand its good because you can build a solid relationship with some of them. On the otherhand, a lot of times its the same stuff you saw the week before. But a show is a show. Good or bad, I always enjoy myself.
I flew from Detroit Mi to Va a while back after seeing and hearing all the hype about a show in VA. I got there, I think there were 6 tables setup. I talked to the promoter about it and he told me that he generally gets 50-60 dealers and they are quality, he just didn't understand the turnout YADA YADA.. Needless to say I won't be a return customer to that show. I believe it was in Lancaster VA. Feel lucky you traveled 10 miles. I left without a purchase, the cost of motels and airfare. I did get to enjoy some warmer albeit rainy weather.
WOW! Sort of like saying I never was in a department store. I thought everyone went to those places at least once in a while. clembo your probably right about currency is part of most coin shows. I'm not a currency collector but as you just mentioned that I remembered they advertised these shows as coin and currency. No mention of arrow heads though. I guess I'm just to spoiled with all the other shows around here. And most within 15 miles. And now in April, I think, there is the occational super show at a place called the Rosemont Convention Center. Now that one only a few miles from me so although expensive I'll still go there.
