Advantages of having a table at a coin show vs. walking the floor

Michigan

Anyone care to comment about the advantages of being a dealer with a table at a show vs. not having a table
and just walking the floor dealing with other dealers?.

I would guess the biggest advantage would be no table fees and being free to come and go when
you want. Downside - no dealing with the other collectors since you don't have a table (someone once said
they didn' want a table because they can't stand dealing with the uninformed general public so maybe that
is not a disadvantage in some situations).

Is it true that some shows will kick out a dealer with no table if they catch them buying and selling
to non dealers at a show?

darktone

<< <i>Is it true that some shows will kick out a dealer with no table if they catch them buying and selling >>




I was approached by a dealer with one of those suitcases on wheels at one of the big shows in Chicago and he started showing me coins. I knew this was against the rules and I told him we should go outside the show but I think he was afraid to leave the building. In a couple of seconds one dealer that I recognized from local shows got all upset and started asking for security and the dealer with security came up to us and told us to leave. Was not much I could do it happened so fast but since then I take it outside if someone wants to deal that does not have a table.

kranky

They really don't tolerate people doing business in the aisles. No show tolerates that.

You can have the best of both worlds by taking a table, then put a handful of junk in a locked case, then go on your way. That way you have a place to do business "legally" and you don't have to worry about leaving your table since there won't be coins that need to be watched.

KISHU1

I just started setting up a table in the last month, and the main reason was to buy coins from the public. My inventory is small and this is like having a store on a part time basis where you get the inside deals from other dealers also. So far I have managed to pay for the table and make a small profit, and also have bought from dealers and customers that I then resold or added to inventory. Another aspect is learning the business from the other dealers and meeting future contacts.

Frank