Home U.S. Coin Forum

Coin Show Query?


At the large shows, ie. Fun, Long Beach, if your'e planning on major purchases, is it advisable to bring a wad of cash
or do you use strictly credit cards?
What % of dealers even accept credit cards? I know it sounds like a goofy question. But I was just curious.

Comments

  • TassaTassa Posts: 2,373 ✭✭
    Not many dealers accept credit cards at shows.
  • TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think you're better off with a check. Dealer might trust you....might hold the coin and mail it after it clears. (My guess anyway).
    Easily distracted Type Collector
  • OldnewbieOldnewbie Posts: 1,425 ✭✭
    They all accept wads o' cash.
  • A check would be the safest way. If you have purchased regularly from a dealer set up at the show ask if you can use him as a reference to vouch for you. Another way would be to have a few copies of recent invoices if you have any. Make sure to bring your driver's license or some id that matches your checks.

    I should have qualified my suggestion a little. I was assuming your purchases could be sizeable. Most dealers probably won't balk at taking a $100 or $200 check from you, they won't even ask for an id. Some dealer's comfort levels may go much higher, $1,000 or more maybe.


    There are other threads you should read to help you learn how to visit a coin show. Just type 'coin shows' in the Search box and you'll have a lot of reading to catch up on. Go slow and learn all you can before pullling the trigger and making a purchase. Good luck.
    Holes-in-One
    1. 7-17-81 Warrenton GC Driver 310 yards 7th Hole (Par 4)
    2. 5-22-99 Warrenton GC 6 iron 189 yards 10th Hole
    3. 7-23-99 Oak Meadow CC 5 iron 180 yards 17th Hole
    4. 9-19-99 Country Lake GC 6 iron 164 yards 15th Hole
    5. 8-30-09 Country Lake GC Driver 258 yards 17th Hole (Par 4)

    Collector of Barber Halves, Commems, MS64FBL Frankies, Full Step Jeffersons & Mint state Washington Quarters
  • CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,629 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Once people get to know you on the show floor, pretty much it is all by checks. It can take awhile to build a track record, depending on how often and how much you spend.

    The large national firms seem to accept credit cards more readily than the smaller dealers.
  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,233 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What pct dealers would you say take credit cards at shows?

    Coins & Currency
  • 1madman1madman Posts: 1,474 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Bring the wad of cash. Too many times dealers have gotten weird with the mention of other payments.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,233 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 15, 2024 9:48PM

    Should a dealer get cc processing for shows - to increase sales? How that worked for you. Some of them coming in show may spend on credit card if cash run out. My bank Mgr thinks so. She trying get me on board with that. I think many of them would use cc for small purchases (raw collector coins and currency) once their cash ran out. It all adds up. Have seen some of them setup w cc processing. While been in cash is king camp wonder how that goes for them / cc sales icing on cake / sweet.

    Coins & Currency
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,525 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Numismatics is a small world. Everyone seems to know one another. I know a well known dealer, and because of this, I have no problems having my checks accepted.

    Be aware that in California, the State is a stickler for sales tax, and I believe it applies on sales up to $2,000. An $1,800 coin may not be such a great deal with sales tax added on. Some out of state dealers don't have to have a sales tax permit because they are in California for under a certain number of days, and / or don't do enough sales here to require them to have a sales tax permit.

    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,877 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Cougar1978 said:
    Should a dealer get cc processing for shows - to increase sales?

    How many customers do you get at a show that want to use a card?

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,233 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 15, 2024 10:19PM

    That’s anybody’s guess - how many brown dwarfs in interstellar space? Well my bank Mgr - she thinks probably a lot them might use cc at shows. One instance a teen guys mom spent $1200 on toned slabs (non stickered) for collector son (dealer next to me). I would wager some would use card especially if their cash ran out. Impulse buyers - like guys wife wants beautiful WPM with animals. Or somebody’s kid wants Dad or Mom finance about $12 of junk box coins. Seen one or two show dealers w cc processing equip. Have a lot of small ticket raw stuff for that…… Good sales of that can pay show exp and more. Want to tap into that. Have seen some dealers w cc processing equipx.

    Coins & Currency
  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,877 ✭✭✭✭✭

    "Well my bank Mgr - she thinks probably a lot them might use cc at shows."

    How many coin shows has your bank manager attended?

  • ndeaglesndeagles Posts: 384 ✭✭✭✭

    I always use CC, rack up airline miles and pay it off immediately. Never had a dealer turn me down from CC payment. I prefer carrying a card vs $5k in cash

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file