Just kind of curious about my first coin show visit....I keep a pretty ratty copy of a U.S. coin guide as my checklist, highlighting stuff I have as I go. My question is would it be uncouth of me to whip this out at a dealer's table to see what I need? I have no intention of comparing prices (I really don't care what my stuff is worth, I'm just in it for fun), but would this possibly offend a dealer? Sorry if this is a dumb question, I just hate to make myself look like a jerk my first time out, lol. :whistle:
I dont think that's a problem at all. I have forgotten my own pricing lists and asked to borrow their grey sheets and I think that's a bit pushy but I know the guys I do that with. But what you do is no problem I'd say.
feel free to take any kind of checklist, pricelist, whatever you have right up to a table. Do not expect the prices to be accurate, but the dealer really won't mind at all. All that really interests them is making a sale and a happy customer, you or most any other buyer is welcome to "come as they are."
You kiddin? A dealer will probably see $$ in his eyes when they see a customer pull out a checklist...it shows that the customer has an interest in acquiring MULTIPLE coins. -LTB
I agree, sometimes you get jerks that you can tell want you to move on but alot of time dealers at shows are really friendly accomadating people! Have fun, -Russ
I have had them say that..."good to see a guy who knows what he wants, sit down and lets see what I got"
I always have a checklist and price guide with me at coin shows along with other research materials. Most dealers will ask, "Can I help you find something on your list?" It has never happened to me but if a dealer ever scorned at this, I would just move onto the next one. TC
I always bring a list of coins that I want. I used to hate coming home and finding out that i already had the coin in my collection. My want list is about a half sheet of paper and I have the prices of the coin in the grade that I am collecting them in. I used to use excel but changing over to a Mac I did not want to fork out the dough for Microsoft office then I found a program Neo office it works great and it's FREE and does what office can do. Try it out!
manic_mechanic . . . Good question! (The dumb ones are the ones you never ask) One of the very first items I got into for "collectibles" was Football cards. I always carried a "want list" with me whenever I went to any shows. I would use them in the big shows with hundreds of dealers and the local shows in the firehouse and/or veterans hall with only a few dealers. The 99% response from a willing seller was always: "Let's check your list and see if I have what you need" or something very close to that! If I got any response of a negative or condescending nature - I just walked on by! His/Her loss - My gain! If you have a 'puter, download OpenOffice.Org - It is totally FREE! and works just like Bill Gates product - actually better since it follows the KISS rule...(It will even interface with Excel!)http://www.openoffice.org/ Good luck and enjoy going to the shows! :thumb:
Not dumb at all!! Most people feel a little weird about whipping Out there price guide when sitting at a dealers table, But not Me, It shows the dealer you know whats going on!!
namvet4 Thanks for the info openoffice this is somthing I am going to try. I had my want list on a pc at work and downloaded NEO OFFICE at home for a MAC and it converted the excel file from a PC to a MAC with no problem.
I welcome customers who come to my table with price guides or checklists. It usually means that they are buyers who know what they want, and I can help them fill their want lists quickly!
