I am on the east coast, a lot of outdoor flea markets are starting their 2014 seasons this month. I purchased a scale, to be on the safe side. Small 300 g portable one. I weighed out some of my bars and rounds to get a feel for it. BTW, I never realized those plastic sleeves could had 2 - 3 grams to the weight. Since I have not purchased silver this way for over 30 years, I am wondering how things might be different than back then (other than price)? Any general advice will be appreciated. That being asked and said: My objective: a fair deal would be I pay up to $1 over spot for rounds or bars I feel safe with. For junk coins I know the local dealers (DC Metro area) pay a little below melt, so I can pay melt and save their 9% or higher premium. I will head up to West Virginia, I feel the pricing there will be better for me than anything close to DC. I will try and stick to 1oz rounds and bars, or as mentioned US silver coinage. I will go with my gut with anyone knowingly selling Morgans at below melt prices. I fear those the most, with all the Chinese counterfeits out there. I would only buy them from a reputable dealer for example.
Get there early. Some of them have early bird fees. Florida and other southern states have flea markets all year. First week of spring is the rule here.
I think you will be surprised regarding premiums. Its nice that you think you are going to go in and tell them what youre willing to pay, but, you will either have to swallow their price or walk out with no silver.
You state you'll be careful in regards to fake Morgans, but you might want to be more careful of fake 1oz rounds and bars as there is a ton of those out there as well.
I understand that. If I can not save something from what my LCS asks or my online resources then I move on. At least there will be lots of other things to look at.
Some good ones in the NY/CT area: http://forums.collectors.com/messag...id=897420&highlight_key=y&keyword1=Stormville I would never buy bullion from the flea market people though. Occasionally you will find underpriced stuff, not too often.
The first silver billion I ever purchased was as a young teen while walking around a flea market. A dealer had a bunch of scratched and badly toned rounds and bars in a wooden box. $6 each was a lot of money to me back then. I sold them a few years back when silver peeked near $50. I think the $6 meant more to me at 13 years old
I rarely find deals at flea markets Seems like here in Hawaii, the flea market sellers want more than ebay, the local coin store, and even the redbook lol
