I'm thinking about getting a table at a local show

mbbiker

sorry if this is a little off topic, I want to set up a table at my local show 30-40 tables. I was wondering what type of coins i should bring. What price range should most of the coins be in $1-$10, $10-$30, $30-$50, or higher than $50. Also do proof sets/mint sets sell well at shows? This will be my first time attempting to sell anything so any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Also would only taking cash be bad? being my first time i don't want to worry about bouncing checks? I'm not really doing it to make alot of money i just think it would be a great learning tool to see what goes on behind the tables (i'm only 18 so i have alot to learn). Also what is the usual markup? Last question for now, should i have more slabs or more raw?

ScarsdaleCoin

welcome to the club....good luck....my 2c worth...take as much assortment as you can....what coins sell one week can slow down the next....good variety of inventory is terrific...you need a way to lock up items when you wish to take a break ie showcase or you need to work with someone.....pack a lunch its sometimes hard to leave a table to get food....bring small change....and remember it takes time....you will be a new dealer so the old dealers dont know you yet and neither to the customers.....it may take you a few times til people start to feel comfortable with you....try putting some candy out on the table...at least people will stop for the free goodies....good luck

ScarsdaleCoin

ps: just take cash...one bad check will put all your sales right down the drain!

MadMonk

Have plenty of variety. Price them as they should be.
Be clean shaven, clean hair. (you would be surprised)
Be nice to the young numismatists, and cut them a little slack here and there.

sinin1

I assume you are talking about a small show - what are you interested in?

The small shows I have been to had various people focused in their specialties

1) a person with ancients
2) a person with Morgans
3) a person with state quarters (individuals and rolls)
4) a person with gold slabs
5) a person with Barbers
6) some people with everything ( baskets of 2x2's with various coins and high prices crossed off or a sign saying 50% off special)
7) bills
8) confederates and tokens

Of course, you need to sell enough to cover your table fees (and time?)

I was talking to one seller in St. Paul who was from Madison - he and his nephew started at 4 am for the Saturday show and expected to get home around 8 pm.

kranky

ScarsdaleCoin had good advice.

Also, watch for people who want to rip you off, because they are out there. They'll see if they can get you to let them have two, three, four coins at a time to look at, and when someone else comes up to the table they'll hand them back in a stack. By the time you get around to putting them back you might find one is missing, and the person is long gone. Even if you know who it was, you really can't do anything about it.

Just be careful, keep your cases locked, and try to only let one coin out of the case at a time.

Regarding proof/mint sets, you should be aware of what others are charging when pricing yours, since those are likely to be available at multiple tables.

Merc

My uncle used to get a table at small coin shows. I've never done it. He would have a variety of coins from low to high priced. When I go to a small show, I'm looking for cheaper coins like moderns and proof sets. I could buy them on ebay but the shipping cost makes it cheaper to buy them at a show. It looks like a lot of work. I just made a display for the FUN show and I thought that was a lot of work and I didn't have to sell anything.

CharlieB

I rented a display case from dealer's tables in the past. That
worked great. You only need one small display case at a show to
put your good stuff in and keep the rest behind you at the table.
I could do that at the next show if I want. It is a good
arrangement to consider.

kranky

Another thought - are you willing to buy coins? If so, have a sign for your table that says "I buy coins" or something. Then make sure you have enough money with you. Don't forget a Redbook or some other reference in case you need it.