A newbie's objective look at a coin show...

MrEureka

Fact: There are some very professional coin dealers at coin shows.

Fact: There are some very UNprofessional coin dealers at coin shows.

To focus on one group without acknowledging the other is unfair. Someone that has never been to a coin show reading these boards might believe that coin shows are dominated by rude slobs and criminals. That person might choose to avoid coin shows forever, which would be unfortunate. So I pose the following question to those that have actually attended some coin shows: What should a newbie expect when he attends his first coin show?

braddick

Expensive, re-heated hotdogs; a general (although somewhat pleasant) roar filling the room and the scent of money mixed with greed, mixed with exhuberation.

Russ

<< <i>might believe that coin shows are dominated by rude slobs and criminals. >>



They are.

Actually, in my area I wouldn't mind it if they were a bunch of rude slobs if they'd just get some new friggin' material.

Russ, NCNE

JrGMan2004

Have fun... don't let 1 grumpy old dealer ruin your day. There are too many nice dealers out there. I experienced this 2 weekends ago at a local show. 1 grumpy dealer nearly ruined my day... but then I made my way to Bill Jones' table, and to talk to such a nice, knowledgable, informative dealer just lifted me up for the rest of the day! Find a dealer who attends the local shows that's nice and deals in your field. And keep goin back to him! That's when I've done with Bill...

ealandg

I just went to my first big show recently. My advice would be to walk the whole floor first, then go back to those who seemed friendly. With a few notable exceptions, everyone has the same stuff at the same jacked up prices. Look for the friendly dealers because they are more likely to view you as a continuing source of revenue as a potential client, and hence more likely to give you a decent price now.

stman

These days I have the better business dealings (and fun) with the "Grumpy" dealers. Just have to know how to communicate with them.

BTW, I forgot to add you need to be a grump to get along with a grump. These dealers people on here get upset about for being grumpy is all part of doing business in any profession. If they have something I'm interested in and will show it to me I don't care if they yell at me or what. But I don't care for being slapped and yelled at both at the same time.

Also.... the "Entertainment" value of grumpy Dealers? PRICELESS!!!!

Fairlaneman

<< <i>

<< <i>might believe that coin shows are dominated by rude slobs and criminals. >>



They are.

Actually, in my area I wouldn't mind it if they were a bunch of rude slobs if they'd just get some new friggin' material.

Russ, NCNE >>



I'll second these two statements and add. Why do people thinka coin dealer has to smooch thier butt and be jovial. Basically a coin show is a place to buy a coin or two and maybe BS a little with a dealer if he feels like doing so. If this, the BS, happens fine if not atleast you have got your coin. Newbies that go to shows just trying to tap the resources a dealer has obtained through the years need to turn around and go home too perfect their skills or just walk around the show and look, look ,look.

Dealers are at shows for one reason, to make money. Coin collectors need too perfect their skills by looking and or asking questions from other collectors, not dealers at shows.

The objective of a newbie at a show should be buying coins for their collection. With this in mind what the heck does a dealers attitude have to do with buying a coin? Either the price is correct or it is not correct. End of subject.

JMHO.

Ken

ksteelheader

You're right Andy. I have only run into one rude dealer at all of the Baltimore shows I've attended. I had dealers calling to me by name yesterday, and I even bought from some of them. Bad dealers, or really bad dealers are the exception, not the rule. I even told some of the guys yesterday that I felt they were asking too much and refused to buy. No hard feelings either way......Ken

darktone

<< <i>The objective of a newbie at a show should be buying coins for their collection. With this in mind what the heck does a dealers attitude have to do with buying a coin? Either the price is correct or it is not correct. End of subject. >>

Fairlaneman

<< <i>

<< <i>The objective of a newbie at a show should be buying coins for their collection. With this in mind what the heck does a dealers attitude have to do with buying a coin? Either the price is correct or it is not correct. End of subject. >>

>>



You do not think this statement is correct ? I would think a local coin shop with a trusted dealer would be the place to filter information into the memory bank for a newer collector. Coin Shows are a business proposition only and not a place to obtain information from a dealer that has to pay to set up his/her table. If the dealer wants to talk, fine. If not, buy your coin if the price is correct and move on to another table.

Ken

ColonialCoinUnion

Well, the first thing you'll encounter is throng of collectors waiting in the hall just outside the door while a security officer faithfully ensures that not one single person will enter the bourse floor even 5 seconds before the start of the show. Usually, the clock used by security is a few mintues slow, so even though your watch and the watches of all other collectors waiting says 10:04, the guard still won't let anyone in until a palpable murmur starts to build up and faint whispers of 'hey, isn't it time?' can be heard all around you. Finally, sensing that things could get ugly, the guy opens the door and collectors file in ready to explode on the MS64* quarter nearest to the door.

That pretty much covers it.

RYK

I think that the expectations around here for dealers is set too high.

According to the folks on these boards, the average dealer is supposed to have fresh and good material at each show, be kind and gracious to one and all, be an expert on all collecting topics, be an engaging conversationalist, buy high, sell low, and keep his/her finger out of his/her nose for nine consecutive hours. It's virtually impossible for a human being to live up to this list of demands.

Finally, sensing that things could get ugly, the guy opens the door and collectors file in ready to explode on the MS64* quarter nearest to the door.

CCU, you are hysterical.

LanLord

In all my years of collecting (started in 1971), I can honestly say that I have only met two coin dealers that I would not deal with again - ever.

One is an occasional poster on these boards and goes to many shows nation wide.

The other, I doubt is on these boards but does go to many Northern Cal shows.

The former was just rude and I don't need to deal with that in something that I consider a hobby. The latter was an absolute a$$hole (not only to me, but to several others at his table just as I was walking up).

For the most part, I have been very lucky to have run into many nice and decent people at shows.

Perhaps I'm just easy going, or just gullible, but they are not all jerks out there.

Fairlaneman

Is the skin thicker out West or are we just a bunch of Fun loving souls compared too other folks in this country?



Ken

Bear

The truth on this matter lies between the highs of our expectations

and the lows of our worst fears. Dealers are a lot like collectors. We have

the pleasent, informative and polite collectors . Then you have your generally

trollish collector. Rude, crude, avericious, insensitive and even gross. Then of

course we have all the collectors in between. I will go on record as saying that there

are as many nice dealers as there are nice collectors. When I go to a show, I tend to seek

out the dealers that I have had long and pleasent bussiness relationships with. Even though

they may be very busy, they always greet me, show me what ever I want to see as well as some

newps that they think might be of interest to me. They give me their straight up opinion on each coin

to me, knowing that there is much bussiness to be done between us in the years to come. I suppose

I could be more adventersome and seek out new dealers to pick off, but slugabug that I am, I am

comfortable just to skan the reeom and stick to the 5-6 dealers I know. Perhaps its the fact tht I only

collect the highest quality type coins and Classic Commems, but this style suites me and I enjoy

myself. I try to seek out dealers that have been long time Forum contributors and have stood the

test of time and integrity. Even if I dont buy any coins on a particular trip, its always pleasent to

say hi and chew the fat a bit. One never knows what treasure might be purchased by your dealer

in the next few minutes. If you like confrontations in the search for coins, go for it. If you want a pleasent

rewarding day then go for that. You as the customer control who you deal with, what you will buy and

what price you will pay. I get enough rudeness in my day to day living, I dont need more aggrivation

at a coin show. When we bears lose our temper, its a rather nasty event for all concerned.

Dave99B

Yes, many dealers are a bit odd. But I frankly find other customers ruder that the dealers. I particularly love the guys who plop down at the best dealers table, and immediately cover the entire glass top with Greysheets, all the while they look through a junk box of AG Lincolns and Buffalos.

Hello! Other people like to see that the guy has too! Gimme a break.

Dave

stman

<< <i>and keep his/her finger out of his/her nose for nine consecutive hours. It's virtually impossible for a human being to live up to this list of demands. >>



I disagree.... if they can't keep their finger outta their nose, they don't get my business. Be grumpy fine. Just like people driving down the freeway digging in their nose. You've noticed that right? I guess they think this is the sacred time to be digging in their nose and nobody will see them.

Sorry, if they want to be held to a high standard....Just Say No To Dealers PICKING THEIR NOSE AT COIN SHOWS. And yes they should be able to hold it for 9 hours.

Russ

I don't really mind the nose pickers. It's the ass scratchers that bug me.

Russ, NCNE

Theop

I appreciate the advice given in this thread...

I too attended my first coin show this weekend: a monthly small show (15-20 dealers) here in Franklin, TN.
It was interesting going there after reading this forum for a couple of months.

I was struck that there were relatively few slabbed coins, and alot of those were PCI and SEGS slabs. I somehow had the impression that most nicer coins would be in slabs. Most of the PCGS/NGC slabs were silver dollars but not alot in 65+ grades.

The mix of dealers there was also eye-opening. I met three who I had good conversations with and would definately do more business with in the future. I did pick up a nice 1943 Steel Lincoln in 67 NGC for $30 from one of them. However, several of the dealers were pretty aloof and didn't seem too interested in talking to me. Mostly old men. Nobody was rude.
I didn't try selling anything ... I guess that would be a whole new ball game.

I picked up a roll of 2004 nickels and have had fun giving them out to my friends.

Overall I had a great time. I look forward to going back in the future.

Bear

Theop - Perhaps for a collector, thats the main thing at a show.

Having a good time. You will have a better time, if your

not snookered on a bad coin, or a bad price on a coin.

JrGMan2004

Bear truly is wise... I agree, I go to shows to have some fun, and see some new coins... and maybe learn something in the process... like at FUN, I stopped in with Rick Kay... I obviously couldn't afford anything out of his case... but I still enjoyed looking and learning about his pattern coins (I'm still in love with the Copper Morgan Dime...)... even last show, I stopped at Bill Jones' table, and he had brought some stuff from his personal collection to show me... like an awesome looking Flowing Hair Half Dime in PCGS AU58... most expensive coin I've ever held in my hand... and it was so much fun!!!

stujoe

<< <i>Fact: There are some very professional coin dealers at coin shows.

Fact: There are some very UNprofessional coin dealers at coin shows.

To focus on one group without acknowledging the other is unfair. >>



I have not been to a tremendous amount of shows but I have been to one large one, several medium sized and a number of small shows. I have never run into a rude dealer yet.

Maybe it is because I have been lucky? Maybe it is because I am such a wonderful person? Maybe it is because I don't deal with the high end stuff? Maybe it is because they are afraid of me? Maybe it is because I am not there to chit chat or engage them in conversation and am just there to look and buy? Dunno. But I have never run into a rude dealer.

Same with the coin shops I have been in.