Going to my first coin show Sunday - would it be considered bad form for me to take my Red Book with me? Do dealers feel like you think they'll rip you off if you bring it? I'm still new to the hobby and I am not able to assign a value to a coin by just looking at it. And I would think that asking each and every dealer to see his/her greysheet would get old quick. Thoughts?
Have fun at your first show! But be prepared to be overwhelmed, I know I was. I can't answer the RedBook question but will offer this advice...Be sure to take plenty of cash and your checkbook. Most dealers aren't set up to take plastic. If you're like me I don't normally have much cash on me & rely more on credit cards for larger purchases, so this was a good tip for me me when I went to my first show a couple of weeks ago. Hit that ATM machine & max it out and have fun! Be sure & post when you get back to let us know how it went. Robin
I take my red book with me just as a take a reference book with me when I go to antique auctions / shows. I myself cannot keep up with all the prices that there are for all coins of different grades. You may also want to take a copy of photograde with you if you need help in grading.
You might be better off stopping by a bookstore and picking up a magazine with some more current pricing to take with you. And as always, if you have a question about a coin's price, ask the dealer about the Greysheet ask price. If it is out of the ballpark from what you expected, I would walk personally.... Hope this helps!
As a dealer and show promoter I can tell you that dealer will not be offended if you bring a copy of the Red Book or any other material that will assist you in the learning and purchasing process. If a dealer does seem upset that you would take the time to research a potential purchase, walk away and find another dealer ;-)
I have never been to a coin show, but the dealers I know, their eyes light up with joy when someone brings in a Redbook. When someone bring in a greysheet, then they get a little diappointed. I have seen dealers get a little ticked off when people ask them for their greysheet, but I find it hard to believe that they would get upset with someone bringing any type of reference material.
Let me say that it is alright to take your red-book but don't think you are going to get some coins for Red book price...I have seen coins jump in price--double-- from one month to another. Speedy
That's OK, I just want to make sure I'm in the ballpark. Ultimately I'll pay what I think a coin is worth for me to own; I would like to have the book as a guide however.
hhearst, I often share the Greysheet with customers who come to my table. As long as the customer understands they are not going to pay the prices listed in the Greysheet, there is no problem. I believe that it is when customers "demand" coins for Greysheet prices that some dealers can get a little annoyed.
I would suggest that you take a grading book with you. Then ask politely for the current bid/ask price. I don't know any dealer who would be offended if properly asked. Shows an educated buyer. We (dealers) always love educated buyers. They spend the real money.
