What do you bring to coin shows/shops to help you buy coins?

mrpaseo

I can't remember everything about everything, checklists, dates, grades, costs....

What do you use to keep track of everything?

I have a palm pilot that isn't being used A note pad would work I guess, give me some ideas please.

Ray

dthigpen

Cash.

mrpaseo

<< <i>Cash. >>



Good point, well presented

1956Quarter

Pocket PC with Date and Mint Marks needed with various values on several grades I'm interested in.

JrGMan2004

I don't go to shops very much... mostly because my local shops don't carry much of what I want...... but, when I go, I just bring my 5x and 10x glass...

For shows, I get all decked out I have a shoulder bag type thing, with several compartments... and I bring Red Book, Half-Dime Reference Book, sometimes greysheet if I have it, want/wish list... directions to show... Also a notepad to write down the table numbers of dealers' I want to come back to, so I don't forget... a Palm Pilot would work well in this regard...

dthigpen

<< <i>I don't go to shops very much... mostly because my local shops don't carry much of what I want...... but, when I go, I just bring my 5x and 10x glass...

For shows, I get all decked out I have a shoulder bag type thing, with several compartments... and I bring Red Book, Half-Dime Reference Book, sometimes greysheet if I have it, want/wish list... directions to show... Also a notepad to write down the table numbers of dealers' I want to come back to, so I don't forget... a Palm Pilot would work well in this regard... >>



You're entirely too organized and prepared.

RYK

Coin Values
Greysheet
Loupe
Notepad and pen

anablep

1. list of dates & mint marks needed
2. coins to use in a trade
3. $$$

DaveG

I make an Excel spreadsheet for each series I'm interested in that shows the Bid and Trends prices for each date and mintmark for the grades I want. I then print a copy and tape it to a 4" x 6" index card to take to the show with me. Although this is a bit time-consuming to set up, it's fairly easy to maintain.

I also make sure I bring a small 5" x 8" note pad with me to take any notes I want.

If I'm going to a big show and carrying a bag, I'll bring a book or two with me, too.

Elcontador

Current Greysheet
Current Bluesheet
Pocket 5X glass
Notepad & Paper

ChuckC

February will be my first chance to use my Pocket PC in the same way 1956quarter uses his

I also bring mag. glass, pen, paper, and old leather pouch

foodude

Cash

I like that

edited to add:
-loupe
-price guide info
-funds (checks and a little cash)
-pen and paper
-sometimes a list of coins to look for

ultradmpldollars

Who doesn't Greg..

Mojoe

I take a Whitman checklist/record book, 5X glass, pen & notepad, cash and a blank check (just in case).

mrpaseo

<< <i>February will be my first chance to use my Pocket PC in the same way 1956quarter uses his

I also bring mag. glass, pen, paper, and old leather pouch >>



Whats the old leather pouch for?

Ray

Millertime

This is a very good topic, I've been wondering the same thing for a while. Here's the scenario I'm thinking of.

You ask a dealer at the show/shop to see one of his coins. You like the looks and want to check his grade vs. Photograde and his price on Red Book value (I don't have any other price references yet). If you pull out your Photgrade book and your Red Book do you think that would offend the dealer, or is it expected?

I prefer to walk into a place knowing exactly what I'm going get and the price I'll pay for it. That ends as soon as I walk into a shop and see all the pretty coins . Then I see everything else I want and don't buy anything because I've lost my focus.

dthigpen

<< <i>You ask a dealer at the show/shop to see one of his coins. You like the looks and want to check his grade vs. Photograde and his price on Red Book value (I don't have any other price references yet). If you pull out your Photgrade book and your Red Book do you think that would offend the dealer, or is it expected? >>



If this offends the dealer, you should find a new one.

IrishMike

Ray, I am sure this will get a chuckle out of some, but I've been going to shops since the 50's and shows later. I take nothing but a loop with me and a notepad with notations on some coins I might want. I've found out that I make better purchases if I find something that says buy me rather than try to fill a want list. I discovered that the coins I purchased on my want list didn't have a long lasting affect on me.

jonesy

I take my 10x loupe and try to remember dates I need.

Russ

Money and a loupe.

Russ, NCNE

greghansen

I have a 2" Three ring binder notebook which has weekly, monthly, quarterly greysheeets, current bluesheet, current currency newsletter for valuation. It also has a print out of my current needs in whatever collection I'm working on at that time. It has blank paper for notes addresses, dealer names, etc. I have spreadsheets for certain coin series that contains information useful to me, i.e. varieties for certain dates, coins with big jumps between 2 grade levels, etc. All this fits easily into my notebook. Around my neck is a 7X loupe for general purpose buying and a 16X loupe for those tough RPD's and such. If I can just locate a pocket protector and a Texas Instruments calculator, I'm sure I could pass for 1st year engineering student....or at least as I remember them on my campus.

Fairlaneman

Money, Check Book, Credit Card, Failing Memory, Loupe and most of all the Hope that something will be found.

Shut Outs are hard to take.

Ken

Barry

My (one page) want list
B&L Packette
Graysheet
Money and/or blank check

AuldFartte

Cash, loupe, short "want list" including current prices/grades, and an attitude that I'm probably gonna buy something "off the list" because it catches my eye.

And I make sure there's enough gas in the car to get home

orie

With my memory, as much as I can carry!

KISHU1

The standard for shows, a loupe and a list. When I go through all the tables and have found what I want I use my secret negotiating tool I go to the snak bar and get the greasiest, messiest, sandwich that they have, gennerally a pork roll with mustard, and head to the table with the coin that I want. Then I will start to eat my sandwich with one hand and lean over the table looking at the coins, of course making sure I don't make a mess on the case and ask to see that coin and make my offer. I find that dealers are anxious to give me a good deal and send me on my way.

jbsteven

a big fat wad of hundreds. great ice breaker.

foodude

a big fat wad of hundreds. great ice breaker.


It's REALLY fun to deal with Jason

100proof1957

Cash and a Blue Sheet !

Cameonut

I bring cash, a loupe, and my secret weapon.

My secret weapon is a printout of an Excel spreadsheet with dates, grades, pops, and market prices for the series I collect. How do I get it all on one sheet? Thanks to Small Fonts, I can get an incredible amount of info on one sheet. The other advantage of small fonts is nobody can read the sheet with the naked eye - so no prying eyes. But since I have my loupe with me, I can easily read the sheet.