1st coin show this weekend. Any suggestions?

Cuzh

I usually drop by to see the local dealer. What can I expect at the show? Anything to be wary of?

nwcs

Be wary of shiny objects! Seriously, be careful. Look at every table first and then start looking to buy. Don't let your emotions take over. Everything is negotiable, remember that.

merz2

The first thing is to decide what it is your looking for.As nwcs said don't jump on the first one you see.Look around.Don't seem anxious.That will raise the price.Have fun!!!!!

Cuzh

So in other words... be patient and wear a "poker face". I'll let ya know if I pick anything up.

Thx,

Cuzh

merz2

Cuzh
Also go back into your prifile and allow for Private Messages.

paigowjohnny

Which show are you going to ??

MadMonk

Don't buy any beautifully toned franklins!!!!!!!

Cuzh

Local show at the Clarion near SFO airport.

ScarsdaleCoin

why not have a game plan...ie a budget of what you might wish to spend, idea of what you want to look for....stay within this plan...dont get caught up in the moment and buy buy buy...good luck and have fun!

relayer

When you see a coin you like start getting excited, then say "I've been looking all over for one of these and I really need it to complete my set."

Then ask "How much do you want for it?"

dorkkarl

single most important thing in the world is this:

"know what you like, what you really, really like".

don't let someone else try & "talk you" into liking something .

if you are honest w/ yourself, & stick to what you really, truly like, you will be just fine.

K S

matteproof

Bring a loupe. Bring a Greysheet. Be VERY wary of RAW coins. Don't trust your eyes when it comes to raw coin grading at a coin show. The lighting at coin shows is HORRIBLE - and that's on a good day! There is much that one CANNOT see without true magnification. Certification takes away much (though not all) of that guess work. Good luck.

matteproof

Tman

Cuzh

Depending on th size of the show, but if small enough, take one lap before buying anything. Write down what you liked and where for a second go around. Some times a second look will bring out all of the problems on that gem you missed the first time. This approach also lets you do a little price and quality shopping if you are looking for a specific coin.

Good Luck

Tman

airplanenut

Remember- You DON'T have to buy anything... don't feel the need to buy just because.

Jeremy

ANACONDA

Get to the show early.

Walk the floor rapidly and identify the very best (premium quality/high end) coins in your area of interest. (Makes sure you ask the dealers if there are any coins behind their table that fit your needs that they may have purchased the day before.) Ask the dealers to put the coins on hold for you for one hour - to set the coins upside down in the back of their case for you for one hour. Tell them you just got to the show and are trying to line up some coins to buy. Don't be a pig - asking the dealer to set more than two or three coins upside down is not the way to make friends.

After you finish walking the floor once, check your notes (Did i mention that you should take notes, identifying the table where the very best of the very best are?), and go to the tables where the best coins are. Start your negotiations. Don't waste the guys time with idle chit chat unless you are the only one at the table.

As always, remember buying and selling coins is very relationship oriented. If you treat people well (don't hammer the dealer for every last dime) they will treat you well. And we coin folk remember each other - there's good guys and not so good guys.

One technique i find useful is to simply ask them what their best price is. If they give you what they puport to be their best price don't, counter offer them. That's not the best way to get the coin for the least amount of money but it is a good way to build relatioinships while getting a reasonably good deal on the coin.

If you want the best price and don't mind potentially losing the coin and don't care about the relationship.......start out really low inch slowly and waste the guys time so he finally sells the coin to you cheap to get rid of you. (What i usually do when confronted with this negotiating technique is raise the price or put the coin in my pocket and make it a part of my temporary personal collection.)

adrian

Chaparral

Cuzh - I'm solely a collector and I don't do coins as an investment. Before a show, I make a list of what coins I'm looking for and about what they'll cost. I bone-up on the grading for those coins. If I have any other coins that are similar in condition and luster to what I'm looking for, I review those and I take them to the show with me for reference. I also take a loupe and my grading book, but frequently I don't open the book. I do a full lap, take notes, and then return. I don't negotiate. I just ask the guy what's his best price.

The most important thing is to believe that there is the possibility that the coin you're looking for will just reach out to you. You're not going to get an incredible buy (50% of what it's worth)! These guys know their stuff and you want exceptional, clean, well-struck coins for the grade you're paying for. If you find that you're talking yourself into a coin or settling for one, don't buy it. The fondest memories and the coins that you'll most enjoy are the ones that grabbed you, even if you paid 10 - 15% premium. Good luck.

ANACONDA

I agree with Chaparral - the real joy in hunting treasures is finding true treasures, not buying fool's gold at half price.

gsaguy

Most importantly...............have fun.

GSAGUY

Cuzh

Thanks everyone! Great advice! Wish me luck...

Cuzh

stujoe

Very good tips. I couldn't agree more with taking notes and wrting down dealer names and table numbers when doing your initial cruise of the bourse. At a decent sized show, it is incredibly easy to forget what you saw where.