Hey all, i was wondering if i can get some advice on going to my first coin show. I've read other threads discussing this but i wanted for you guys to adress some of my concerns. First off i have no idea how much cash to bring, do dealers take checks? Or should i bring cash. Im looking for mostly certified coins and do dealers have alot of certified coins? because my local dealer has 95% raws... Also, are prices up for negotiation? (i know i spelled it wrong probably)...But what are some lines you guys say to get the ball rollin'? Some things im looking for are: Bargain Ms60-Ms62 Indian Cents 1878 8tf morgan dollar Wheat pennies Or anything that catches my eye. There will be 100 tables more or less, and 125 dealers more or less. The show is roughly 7 hours, 5 days long and its at a large hotel. Now i know this is a dumb question, but i know dealers are concerned about people stealing their stuff: Do some dealers let you inspect or hold the coin you're looking at Thanks for any advice you guys have to offer.
Yeah, I've never had a dealer not let me hold a coin when I asked if I could take closer look. I always bring cash. Its easier that way. Prices usually are negotiable, but not always. And if there are 100+ dealers there should be plenty of certified coins.
Adam covered what I would've said. No dealer should have a problem with you holding their coins, and there should be plenty of slabbed coins. Bring cash, set aside a reasonable amount to bring as well don't bring more than you need, bring whatever fits your budget.
Take a listen to episode 3 of the Coin Show we have Matt (LostDutchman, a dealer) discussing coin show etiquette. http://coinshow.libsyn.com/
i had a similar thread recently. first i would recommend to make a list of coins you are interested in. being your first show, you may be overwhelmed. even if not, its good to have a list of what you want. research some prices and ad them. yes dealers will let you hold and inspect the coin. i know stealing is a big problem but i see no reason you should not be allowed to closely inspect what you want to purchase. i would bring cash. i seen a few tables that took credit cards but not any that took checks. some of the people might, but i still would just bring cash and maybe a credit card if you see something you want thats a big ticket item. i seen people negotiating price a little bit. i got a deal on a walker because of a nick the dealer did not notice, but i said something. don't be rude, just ask if they could take so&so price(not a crazy low price though). i know people who say to bring a set amount of money. but what i did and plan on doing next show is... i plan to bring enough money to purchase what is on my list. each coin that is on the list, i research on ebay, other online places and dealers. i average that out to the most i would spend on each coin and then bring whatever i need. i will add a little bit of money in case something catches my eye. the good thing about the show you are going to is, its a few days. so if you see something you didn't have on your list, then you could go back. you will probably see a ton of graded coins. the show i went to is a monthly show so there was only around 30 tables. this show had a lot of graded coins, so i would assume you will be able to find what you are looking for at a show with 100+ tables. also i kept my hands above the tables at all times and out of my pockets. i know it may seem dumb, but i didn't want the dealers to think i was stealing. i think that is about it... have fun and report back with your new purchases!
Would you drive a car without a test drive? While I understand a dealer not letting you handle coins unattended, if they won't let you handle them at all I'd move on. That's what ebay is for lol. And I'd get out of the mindset of using checks. With the diect debit cards available to 99% of people with checking accounts, and atms so readly available there's no need for the dealer to risk losing money on checks. That goes for any type of business.
Get there on the first day early because IMO you have better chances on getting good deals on that first day. Bring cash but do not bring too much cash because a person might tend to spend more if they bring more cash than necessary. What I usually do is bring a set amount of cash on the first day of the coin show to spend (for example $200) but your situation is slightly different because you know exactly what you are looking for. I do not know anything about the items that you are looking for nor the cost of the items that you are looking for but if you have a very good idea of how much those items you mentioned should cost, then I would bring just enough cash to pay for those listed items. I would also bring some extra cash for anything that "catches your eye". Maybe bring an extra $50-$100 for anything that "catches your eye". This is just a wild guess because it depends on what "catches your eye" and how much it costs. You know your budget better than anybody else here. If you are traveling to this coin show, then I would bring enough cash for gas expense and use that only for putting gas on your car. Most dealers that I have seen when I go to coin shows have glass display cases that are locked to prevent anybody from taking anything from them and there will more than likely be someone watching over the case. Most dealers will let you inspect or hold a coin but some may not let you do that. If the dealers do not let you inspect or hold a coin, then do not do business with them. Every coin show that I have been to have certified coins. They are usually PCGS and NGC certified coins but there are other third party graded coins there as well. This is just my opinion but I would stick with PCGS or NGC certified coins because those are the top graders. Good Luck at your first coin show.
Hunt, The Clearwater Show is advertised in Coin World as July 1-4, Thur-Sun. July 1 may be a set-up day for the dealers, so you might want to call to check before you consider making the trek on Thursday, 727-733-3577. It's also a good idea to get there as soon as they open the doors to the public. You are better off going the earliest day possible since many dealers begin packing up either Saturday afternoon or early Sunday. You also have to remember that Summer FUN is in Orlando beginning July 8, so some dealers may just leave early in preparation for that show. The Clearwater Show is always pretty good, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding what you want. Chris
Well, the banner said thursday is open to public but dealers set up at 9 and it doesnt start till 10:30
there is a ton of good info here thanks guys it wasnt my thread but i will be going to my first show soon and all the info will definately help me out
Be sure and give us a report of your observations. It will be good experience for you to reflect on that which is taking place around you. Chris
Hunt, Here is some information I originally posted in another thread - http://www.cointalk.com/t106759/ : If a dealer is already involved with another customer, please don’t interrupt, either wait or come back later. Don’t place food or beverages on top of the dealer’s case, put them on your lap or on the floor. Unless you’re interested in possibly purchasing a coin, please don’t ask the dealer to get coins out of their case just to do a price comparison to a coin you already have or just purchased. Don’t spread your want lists, price lists, reference books, or briefcase on a dealer’s case while examining a coin, thereby blocking other potential buyers’ view of the dealer’s coins. Always keep the coin(s) the dealer hands you on top of the case and not down below eye level. When you hand a coin back, make sure the dealer knows you have given it back – don’t just leave it on top of the case and walk away. If you don’t like a coin, please don’t criticize it, just hand it back and say thank you. When a customer wants to see several coins in a particular date, I make sure to count how many coins I hand them, whether raw or slabbed – of course it’s for my protection, but also for the customer’s as well. I also prefer that a customer sits down to look at my coins, which is usually easier for the customer but also makes me feel more comfortable, especially if I hand them more than one coin.
