I just returned from the the Florida United Numismatic (FUN) Show in Orlando. This show is huge with 12 aisles of vendors, 450 plus tables, and an attendance of over 15,000 people. Heritage Auction Galleries alone was looking to better the $62 million they wrote during the 2006 show, so if you want to attend the biggest and the best, this is the show to attend. Since this show can overwhelm you, here are some tips I put together as I "work" a show: ******************************************************************** 1.) Have a plan, that is a "want/buy" list of coin(s) you really want to acquire. Research the minimum/maximum price of what you wish to spend. Never go emply handed. Have your loops, magnifiers, inventory sheets, price lists all within arm's reach. If you have some coins and/or duplicates, know exactly what you have and what you would like to sell/trade them for. 2.) Walk, or as I say, "zig-zag" the entire show and make notations of the dealers you may wish to return too. What I am trying to say is NEVER buy the first coin you see. At a large show like this, there is just too many other possible dealers that may have something similar, if not better. 3.) Use your manners. Never interrupt a dealler if he is talking with somebody else. As one dealer's sign stated, "Prices subject to change and will depend on your attitude and manners". 4.) Cash is king and puts you in a better bargaining position. With that said, keep your wallet/cash secured. NEVER put down your briefcase unless you have it between your legs or on your lap. With millions and millions of dollars all about, it is just too tempting for bad guys to walk off with your hard earned money/coins. Also, as you return to your car, be aware of those around you and those cars that may follow you. Every year, you always hear about some collector/dealer that was followed to an offsite location and robbed. 5.) After you walk the ENTIRE floor first, return to those dealer's tables and ask politlely to see the coin(s) you are interested in. The dealer may even ask you what are you interested in as many dealers do not have the room to display everything they have. When in doubt, ASK! Let's say a dealer doesn't have the date, coin, etc., you are looking for, again ask him who he would recommend? This actually SAVED me this weekend and helped me fill the slots I was looking for! 6.) In my opinion, instead of buying 50 coins (commons), buy 5 instead. Those commons will always be around, but the those keys will not and if they can be found, they will always cost way more than the common dates did the year before. If given a choice, buy a "Key" date coin over spending your money on a bunch of commons. 7.) If buying a "raw" coin, ask the dealer if you can take the given coin(s) to any of the TPG's like PCGS, NGC, ICG, etc., so they can verify the coin for you (FREE). Of course, the dealer may ask you to "buy" the coin with the condition that you can return it, but take advantage of this FREE on-site TPG service. One year, Randy Campbell from Anacs saved my butt. I was ready to buy some pre-1930 Lincolns and 2 out of the 3 were "masterfully" retoned/dipped. I can't tell you how much money from that alone saved me. 8.) Take advantage of the FREE seminars that these organizations offer. Knowledge is king. 9.) If you are looking to sell/trade some of your coins, do it with a dealer that you are in the process of cutting a deal. Of course, if the dealer doesn't really sell a particular coin, then you may be out of luck. But let's say the dealer has a bunch of Lincolns and you just happen to have some duplicates in your collection that you wish to trade...this is what I do: I determine the coin(s) I want from the dealer and ASK him first what he is willing to take for the coin, with CASH. Remember, just because he has a price tag of say $100 doesn't mean that you have to pay $100 for it. I always ask..."what are you willing to take for this?" Let's say he comes back and says, "I'll take $90", then I may say..."I have some beautiful coins similar to what you sell that I would like to apply them to the cost." He will say, "Let's see what you got" and I will promise you...you are more than likely to trade your coins for another coin instead of selling them outright. Of course, the more dollars you may be spending with a dealer will intice the dealer to trade with you so he doesn't lose the sale. Again, I always state, "...whatever you give to me for my coins will be apllied to these coins (pointing to them) that I wish to purchase from you." Again, yiou will always get more for your coins in a trade than if you were selling outright. 10.) Have FUN! This is a day for you. Very rarely will your spouse or family/friends "work" the show as you would, so leave them at home. There is nothing worse than hearing, "Are your ready to go yet?" After all, it is only once per freakin' year, right?
Midas: Very excellent posting and recap of a show. Did you see Ed Duran ( a New York dealer) there? He is very nice and knowledgeable.
To be perfectly honest...other than some of the dealers I know...they ALL "looked alike" after the first two hours. Slabs here, slabs there. You will never find so many Morgans on one floor at one time. The same for gold. There were millions and millions of gold coins, mostly in slabs from the top TPG's. Also...you will never see so many 1909-S VDB Lincolns in grades all the way up to MS66RD in one room too! Bottom line...if you couldn't find it there. chances are you can't find it at all.
