Table-to-Table Shopping at Coin Show: An Appropriate Way?

ChuckC

Next month, I'm heading to coin show, and I'd like exposure to all the merc dime offerings. I'm worried about striking a deal on one coin at the Table A when Table B might have a better deal and Table C has an even better deal yet. I've been to one show, but for only an hour. It seemed like it was easy to miss out on something if you didn't make a decision right away. What do you guys think?

dthigpen

If you see a piece that you're seriously interested in, let him know and ask the dealer if he'd be willing to set it aside for a little bit until you can scope out the other tables. A lot of dealers are very willing to do so (Then again some will just scoff at you *shrug*).

relayer

You first have to scout out the tables before making any purchases. Just make a note of what table you saw the coins and then make a second trip back to pick out the best.

Then one final trip to make the purchase - IF it's still there

coinbuf

The answer depends upon the rariety of the material you are looking for. If for example you are looking for a 1916-D there may not be many examples at a small local show so you may want to buy the first nice/original coin. If on the other hand you are looking at more common dates you may be able to find multiple nice examples.

Chris

FC57Coins

Look into each case, and in your loudest and most obnoxious voice yell "OOOOH OOOOOH MONGO WANTS THAT ONE!!!"


Im sure the proprietor will give you a good deal to go away

mheffner2

Newbies two-cent piece here: My first go at a show was this past summer here in Baltimore. I spent two to three hours looking and talking. Some of the dealers were eager to educate and do the show-n-tell, and some just made it a more intimidating experience. Once I went into shopping mode I noticed right away anything I was willing to afford was there in decent supply. Of course I bought from the "nicer" dealers, even if it was a a few bills more expensive!

JrGMan2004

<< <i>You first have to scout out the tables before making any purchases. Just make a note of what table you saw the coins and then make a second trip back to pick out the best.

Then one final trip to make the purchase - IF it's still there >>

This is very good advice... I always do this on my trip to a coin show. My first trip around, I'm just looking around, stop and say Hi at Bill Jones table (He's really the only show dealer in the area I really personally actually know... ) but I continue my trips around, take note of the tables to come back to, take note of the tables of the ass-hole dealers and avoid like the plaque, and then I make another trip around, and I stop at the tables I noted to take a better look. If something really jumps out at me, I'll buy, and not worry about if I'll find a better one later in the day... no big deal... even if you find the best one at the show and buy it, next week, you might see one that's even more spectacular on EBay... don't sweat it... As long as you like the coin, go for it... don't always be worried about the, "What if I find a better one?" As long as you like this one, who cares?

kranky

If I buy a coin it's because it's the coin I want at the price I want to (or can) pay. Once I've bought it, I don't even look at other examples. You can easily drive yourself crazy with "what if"s.

The strategy of scouting all the tables first can work, but you will need to accept that you won't always be able to go back and get something you saw earlier because it's been sold. If you think that would just grate on your nerves, and you'll always be tortured by the "one that got away", then I'd recommend not using that technique.

It will somewhat depend on what you're shopping for. If you are looking for items which are in plentiful supply (proof/mint sets, circ Morgans, BU state quarters, modern proofs in 69DCAM), you don't need to worry - they will always be around. But if you want, say, a Barber dime in PR63 with attractive toning, your options are going to be limited and it might be advisable to jump on the first one which meets your standards if the price is right.

Fairlaneman

<< <i>Next month, I'm heading to coin show, and I'd like exposure to all the merc dime offerings. I'm worried about striking a deal on one coin at the Table A when Table B might have a better deal and Table C has an even better deal yet. I've been to one show, but for only an hour. It seemed like it was easy to miss out on something if you didn't make a decision right away. What do you guys think? >>



If you are looking for early date Mercs and stumble across one at table A more than likely it will be the only one you see at any table. I would take my time and look the coin over very well and then make a buying decision right then and there. If you do not like the coin proceed to table B and so on. Common date stuff. Scout around like the others have suggested already.

Ken

mtnman

It seems like every time I keep looking after seeing something I want, it's gone when I go back. Now if I see something I want and at the price I'm willing to pay, I buy then.

ChuckC

great advice everybody....I like the "buy it right then and there if the price is right theory" and the scouting theory

marz

I usually wear an " IRS TAX AUDITOR" shirt with big round magnifying black framed glasses. I carry a three inch thich stack of consecutive numbered 50's. I would make sure they hang out of your pocket just enough for the dealers to see secured by a $20 gold piece money clip and gold chain. Where boots so you look like your willing to go down in the trenches of negotiation. Buy only ANACS or PCGS graded coins! Always buy the plastic.................NOT the coin. NEVER walk by a table with Sample Slabs without purchasing them the first time you see them or Kiefenschucker will get them and we all do not want that to happen.Next,lay off the potatoe chips and hot dogs.Between the fat,carbohydrate content and grease on your fingers,it makes for a tough clear view of certified coins when your hands are dirty.Keep the finger smacking to a minimum. Also,by not buying this food you'll save enough to buy the equivelant of a Stella four dollar Gold piece in a Proof Eliasberg providence holder! Have you seen the price of a Coke at a coin show these days! Lastly,bring a couple of rotted teethed loud kids with noses spewing of snot because your more likely to get your price so the dealer can get rid of you!Give the kids lots of crab cakes and broccoli prior to leaving the house for added distractions-this all will help you secure a few deals at the show~ Good Luck! And enjoy**

michael

for me

if i am going to a show and there is a coin i am seeking that

is within my interest/speciality and happens to be at the first table i go to

and the coin is great a value/opportunity in my minds eye and the price is not over what i want to pay i would buy it

even if i had no money left and not worry what i might have missed

and still go look at other tables no matter what i might find



michael

PTVETTER

Remember that if a dealer sets a coin aside for you and you fine a better deal. YOU should go back and tell the dealer that set the coin aside for you that you don't want it anymore so he can put it back in his display case.
If you never return to the table and the dealer has a coin set aside he may have lost a sale because the dealer did do you a favor.
Is that fair?
As it was pointed out earlier that you should take notes
table name or number
discription of the coin
and price agreed to.

Libertad

My (limited) experience at local shows has been that if Table A has the coin I am looking for, and I buy it, another table further down will have the
coin with a better lustre/strike/price. If I don't buy the first one that have in mind, and browse, the coin is gone when I return.

If I think I'll regret handing the coin back to the dealer after asking for his 'best price', I've learned to buy it then. Fewer regrets!

If you're looking for more common stuff, you have a much better chance of finding several examples that please you. Uncommon stuff is,
well, uncommon.

majorbigtime

I ususally establish a grid pattern, go from table-to table on each side of the aisle. Some dealers can easily be passed by me (moderns, foreign, unslabbed) so I focus on what might be of interest and generally concentrate on known dealers. I also enjoy "shooting the bull" with dealers I have known for many years even if they have nothing of interest to me at a particular show.

FatMan

<< <i>Look into each case, and in your loudest and most obnoxious voice yell "OOOOH OOOOOH MONGO WANTS THAT ONE!!!" >>

Hey Frank

Stop giving away my buying secrets.

The only advice I have about shows is to remember you are a customer. If you are at a table and you do not feel like one, move on to the next table.

coppercoins

Any show I go to, I do the quick walk of the entire floor before I set out to purchase anything. I'd hate to go with a $500 budget, spend $400 of it, then get to the last table in the route to find a $450 coin I can't live without. I scope things out quickly, then go back to spend time in the places that piqued my interest the first time around.