Best Deals--Auction--Dealers--Shows?

CalGold

Where do you think you get the best price on a coin?

Live Auctions? On the one hand, that is a source of inventory for dealer, and may be the only source for rarities. On the other hand it is a room with a captive audience itching to buy something. Ergo, prices realized at the FUN auctions were sky high.

Internet Auctions? Seems to take a lot of time to monitor bids on ebay and other internet sites. Returns are an issue too.

Dealers? On the one hand they need to turn over inventory to make a living. On the other hand I suspect the best material goes to their best customers before the run of the mill folks ever see it.

Shows? Competion among dealers would seem to be a source of good deals. But there are big travel costs if you don't live a short drive from Long Beach or other sites of the major shows.

Just looking to see if there is any consensus.

CG

BigD5

For me, the biggest bang for my buck is at my local shows. I do have quality shows where I am though. I'm in and out on a Sunday morning, 3-4 hours and I usually can make my rounds. Talking to most dealers is better than my computer too.

ANACONDA

I get most of my very best coins from dealers. Usually through the mail.

coppercoins

My best is at the shows....hands down. Worst is through the internet.

Tonelover

If you're shopping by price, I'd say head on over to ebay. There's a lot of cheap stuff to be found. Get that Bluesheet in hand and have a ball. For the most part though, I think you'll find eventually that those "deals" turn out to be anything but.

Live Auctions?
Any venue which is attended in person by experienced dealers and collectors who have a chance to inspect the coins in person will probably end up leaving you in the dust because the nice coins will sell for more than you're willing to pay.

Dealers?... On the other hand I suspect the best material goes to their best customers before the run of the mill folks ever see it.
The best customer is not necessarily the one that spends the most amount of money. It's the one who doesn't nickel and dime you when you show them a nice coin.

Shows?
Perhaps. Seems there's a built in negotiation factor involved much of the time. But don't expect anyone to cut you much slack on that fresh original high end piece which is nicer than 95% of others out there.

My philosphy is that the best deal is often the coin that costs a bit more but has all the qualities I'm looking for.

Catch22

In my opinion, shows, dealers, auctions.

Mojoe

I find the nicest coins at coin shows. I've also had nothing but positive experiences with Heritage auctions although I prefer to see the coins in person.

coinkat

It depends what coins you are looking for. For the vast majority of coins, my experience is that coin shows are your best bet to find great coins at a good price. Dealers for the most part are motivated to sell at shows. However, if your looking for rare date no-motto gold or earlier gold, and money is a secondary concern, then hook up with a dealer who knows what they are doing because they have a way of finding coins through sources that most collectors just don't have acess to.

IrishMike

Good question, if you want really nice coins and decent prices I would opt for the show route. Obviously you can eyeball them close up and I found the dealers willing to deal on nice stuff too. I've paid more for coins at Heritage and Bowers auctions than I would have from dealers. My travel costs were about $500, but the education was worth the five hundred. There are a lot of dealers and collectors willing to pass on good information.

stman

I don't think I've ever got a "Deal" on a coin. Well maybe years ago before I really appreciated a really nice original surface coin. There are plenty of dipped out or problem coins out there that might go cheap.

These days if you want a nice quality coin with original surfaces that haven't been stripped off, you're not going to find any deals. Then all we can do is decide what kind of coins we want to own and how much it is worth to us.

mr3holesinone

The best place for the best deal depends on what you're looking for and how often you have the itch to add to your collection. This can range from looking through bank rolls at face value and just the cost of gas money to the local bank all the way to attending a major show.

Major shows often are not located in your hometown (especially if you're in the midwest!). A trip to Long Beach, the ANA or FUN shows could easily cost $1,000 or more with just airfare, hotel, meals and entertainment.

Not everyone needs to visit a major bourse to feed their habit. Online dealer inventories, eBay & Yahoo auctions and forums such as this one, where you can ask collectors and dealers if they know where a specimen for your collection is lurking, brings 24-hour access to possible deals.

Befriending a local dealer, earning trust (both WAYS!), searching and waiting for wanted varieties and rarities is yet another avenue of getting a deal.

Putting your own 'Coins Wanted Ad' in your local newspaper is a possible way to find a Great deal. Sometimes you'll have to look deep within yourself and determine if you will deal ethically with someone. Getting a great deal but also paying a fair price. You'll learn to offer fair prices/cover your costs of travel and advertising and still end up with a deal.

One final method not mentioned so far would be the Home Shopping Network. For the life of me though I can't think of a deal there....unless it's a Bad one!