What draws you/repels you to/from a dealer's bourse table?

291fifth

One thing that I like to see is a neatly arranged display and posted prices. At least it makes it easy to find what I am looking for and decide quickly if the prices are reasonable.

I hate "pig pen" dealer displays with no rhyme or reason to what is being shown. Slabs that are scratched or damaged are a real turn off, as are displays with "third world" slabs.

Barndog

The people behind the table matter most: who they are, if I know them, what my experience has been in the past, etc. I tend to stick to the people I know, even at large shows -- especially on day one of a multiple day show. I miss cherrypicking opportunities, but I am invariably pleased with my results.

RYK

In a word, gold. If I see it, I look, if not cul8tr.

Leiana

I like friendly people. If I smile and say hello and get a grumpy nod (or ignored!) in return, I will most likely leave.

Note- I do not try to distract busy dealers.

-Amanda

garsmith

I haven't been able to go to a coin show for so long I don't remember!

roadrunner

I can usually tell within 2-10 seconds if what's in the case is of interest to me. Doesn't matter if it's tossed all over the place or neatly arranged. If it's out, I'll usually pick right up on it. Usually a high grade slab with the right look will catch
my eye. Since I typically only looking for seated, bust, and barber type it doesn't take long. I usually don't have time to assess who
is behind the table, at least not at larger shows.

roadrunner

Whizzard

Well, with me its a time issue. In a show like Baltimore I like to walk by and see what is an area of focus. If you cant figure it out with a walk-by I don't bother. In a small show, I don't mind picking around more in a messy display.

tpfnar

The FREE CANDY

notlogical

<< <i>I like friendly people. If I smile and say hello and get a grumpy nod (or ignored!) in return, I will most likely leave.

Note- I do not try to distract busy dealers.

-Amanda >>

bidask

A table that doesn't sell widgets.

19Lyds

In a nut shell, friendliness attracts and rudeness repels.

However if they have IKEs on display, I can work through the rudeness!

PerryHall

The hot bourse babes.

stman

When I go to a show the first thing I do is find the very few dealers that might carry what I'm looking for. Or, if I've arranged in advance to look at a coin, I go there first. After that, I just walk down the middle of the aisles, and my peripheral vision will usually catch something of interest. Or, my nose will sniff it out. If I see something of interest I honestly could care less who's table it is, or who is behind the table. I don't care if they have their hair slicked back, wearing gold neck chains, and pinky rings either. All this entertainment value is priceless. And of course the stories as well. Heh Heh. Oh, I guess I really didn't answer your question, sorry.

Coxe

The simple answer is lots of coins. Beyond that, I like a table that offers me room to sit and look through coins without cluttering up the top of his case. Friendly folks too who don't give me the look or worse when I respond to their question, "What are you looking for?" with "VAMs".

Coxe

<< <i>I don't care if they have their hair slicked back, wearing gold neck chains, and pinky rings either. >>



That doesn't bug me in the least. But I don't think I could handle being at a table run my someone with eyelid, lip and other piercings for long. Geez, I just don't get the allure of the walking tackle box look.

clw54

I'm repelled by dealers who mark Morgans without any hair detail as Fine.

TwoSides2aCoin

the smell of garlic coming off of a guys skin and pizza stains on his undershirt
..... I don't go around them tables

jpkinla

The hot bourse babes. I agree with PerryHall!

Then I MAY look at some coins!

coinkat

I dunno...

the hunt... looking for something different... and usually I can get a handle if there is something there for me quickly.


The trick to big shows is go around more than once because some dealers will put newps in an area that is visible and depending upon what is there... you never know what deal was had after you left that might be fair game the second time around. Stranger things have happened especially if you ask... the worst is that a dealer will say... no, I don't have that... but he may point you in a direction that may help...

mirabela

In no particular order, here are some characteristics of tables I linger at --

* Whether priced at $5 or $5,000, the coins are all nice. They don't feature crap. They carry coins that would be nice to own, period.
* The coins are clearly marked with prices and / or grades, preferably both. Allowing for the particular merits of the coin, both are in line with the market and with common sense.
* There is a marked absence of problem material, and that which is there is clearly marked as such.
* The dealer behind the table saves his bullsh!t for someone else

Basically, I like tables that I can tell are run by choosy buyers who treat me with respect.

Barry

Repelled:
A significant number of third-tier slabs in the case
The case covered up with CDNs and other crap of the dealer's. Don't make it difficult to see the coins. That's why the case has a glass top!

MadMarty

<< <i>and posted prices. >>




YEA, RIGHT!

fcloud

Attitude.

If they have a bad attitude I leave and I don't care what they have that I need.

I searched a major coin show with enough cash in my pocket to buy an AU 1916-D (three to four years ago), most dealers were happy to tell me they didn't have the coin. I did see a few uncirculated, but out of my budget. I got to one guys table and he didn't think I was serious, and called me names. He acted like he had the coin but didn't think I really wanted one or something like that. His loss. He had some other dimes, but I wouldn't even look at them. It simply amazes me why a dealer wouldn't take some one serious looking for a coin that expensive.

originalisbest

fcloud - love that '69 Chevelle~!

fcloud

Thanks, I love it, too.

messydesk

<< <i>the smell of garlic coming off of a guys skin and pizza stains on his undershirt ..... I don't go around them tables >>


I know who you're talking about (even if it's not), but I never get close enough to smell the garlic. And the pizza stains are usually on his sportcoat.

dthigpen

Fat, sweaty dealers. Sorry, but you're in sales, present yourself appropriately.

dthigpen

Oh, and for Christ's sake, eat somewhere other than your booth.

michael

i am as much drawn as repelled all at the same time

majorbigtime

If I see a bunch of raw or 3rd tier TPG slabs, I keep walking.

At a major show, it's "coin overload" so I go where the quality coins repose.

I also go to known dealers, many of whom I have known over 40 years.

tcmitssr

For me there are two factors:

1. Do they have coins (great toned classic commems) that I want?

2. How friendly are the dealers?

I've walked from dealers with attractive coins who had bad attitudes.

I can always find a great coin. I might have to wait awhile but if I am going to drop big bucks, I expect and require a dealer to treat me with dignity, respect and politeness.

JLW

I'm off to Long Beach next weekend for my annual foray into the world of "big-time" coin dealers. What draws me to a dealer is for them to acknowledge my presence at their table, and be glad for my business, no matter the amount. Why have $100 coins in your cases if you have no intention of selling them to the intended market? More than once I have seen dealers pandering to some joker looking at coins in the thousands of dollars for 20-30 minutes or more while I was ignored though ready to give them a real tangible sale of $100-$200 or more only to have the guy say "too rich for my blood" or something to the effect and walk away. I have pointed this out to more than one dealer in the past and presume I will again. Eating at the table is ok as long as the priorities of a potential customer come first, put down the hoagie and say hi to the guy looking at your coins!
Joe
P.S. My wife and I love Long Beach, Tequila Jack's at Shoreline Village, Bubba Gumps, Outback Steakhouse, etc. The show is a fun diversion for me for a couple of hours, I always buy at least one coin there, but overall the majority of my collection has come from eBay sellers who give me better service at a much better value!

majorbigtime

Outback Steakhouse, ?

You gotta be kiddin--a franchise??

Try Kelly's on Second Ave in LB--outstanding!

dthigpen

<< <i>Outback Steakhouse, ?

You gotta be kiddin--a franchise??

Try Kelly's on Second Ave in LB--outstanding! >>



I agree, and if you are going to frequent a chain chop house, at least let it be Fleming's or Morton's or such ilk.

mozin

First off, I only look at coins enclosed in sealed display cases.

My first observation would be whether or not the display case contains major grading service coins. Secondly, I look to see if there are any Classic commems, or Bust series coins. If not, I smile and move on.

Most of the time, all I see is Morgans, Morgans, Morgans...

Otherwise, all I see is modern crapola.

JLW

<< <i>

<< <i>Outback Steakhouse, ?

You gotta be kiddin--a franchise??

Try Kelly's on Second Ave in LB--outstanding! >>



I agree, and if you are going to frequent a chain chop house, at least let it be Fleming's or Morton's or such ilk. >>



I'll take Outback over Morton's any day, we have better steaks cooked on the street here in Santa Maria on any given weekend! We're the place that invented Tri-Tip in case you don't know! Hitching Post in Casmalia, Jocko's in Nipomo, or the Far Western in Guadalupe beats anything the "city-slicker" restaurants can dish out! Come on up and try it, you'll leave a believer.......

rec78

Draws--1. Coins i am interested in.
2. A well organized case with prices on all of the coins.
3. A good attitude and a knowlegable dealer.
4. Paying attention to me when i am the only one at the case and showing me what i want to see instead of BS-ing with the neighbor dealer.
5. Good lighting.
6. a willingness to negotiate and talk coins
7. Dealers who know what i want and tell me on sight what new items they have obtained that i might be interested in before i even look in the case.
8. Undergraded coins
9. Underpriced coins
10. Raw Bust and Seated coins

Repels-- 1. Bad attitude
2.Disorganized case ( although bargains can smoetimes be found in all the confusion if you look close enough)
3. Coins that i am not interested in.
4. Bad or no lighting
5. No dealer in sight (DO you want to sell me coins or not?--Well -then BE there when i come-I dont stay long when you are not around)
6. Overgraded coins at MS70+ prices.
7. Prices on the coins are on the reverse---Why do dealers do this?? If i look at two or three coins and the prices are way out of range then i certainly won't look at more and you lose a possible sale--This really turns me off and i will avoid your table.
8. Unwillingness of a dealer to negotiate--this is important--tells me a lot about your character.
9. Asking to see a coin and having the dealer say it is "not for sale or is already sold" THEN TAKE IT OUT OF SIGHT YOU MORON.
10. Seeing damaged and problem coins at prices that undamaged coins would bring.

jdsinva

<< <i>Friendly folks too who don't give me the look or worse when I respond to their question, "What are you looking for?" with "VAMs". >>



For some dealers, they hate the three-letter word VAM. . .

There's one dealer that attends a local show and when I would ask to look at his 1878-S Morgans, he would always bluntly inform me that all his long nock coins are in slabs in the other case. Finally after about the 3 time he did this, I politely informed him that there are nearly 100 different 1878-S VAMs and that there were quite a few of them that I do not have and that the long nocks weren't the only VAMs in the series. He seemed to ease up a bit and after I bought a tougher VAM from him, I seemd to feel his attitude changed a bit.

I like dealers who don't mind collectors browsing their inventory when they are not busy. I don't care for dealers who blatantly overgrade (and overprice) their coins and then try the hard sell like all collectors are a bunch of dim-wits.

BlindedByEgo

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Outback Steakhouse, ?

You gotta be kiddin--a franchise??

Try Kelly's on Second Ave in LB--outstanding! >>



I agree, and if you are going to frequent a chain chop house, at least let it be Fleming's or Morton's or such ilk. >>



I'll take Outback over Morton's any day, we have better steaks cooked on the street here in Santa Maria on any given weekend! We're the place that invented Tri-Tip in case you don't know! Hitching Post in Casmalia, Jocko's in Nipomo, or the Far Western in Guadalupe beats anything the "city-slicker" restaurants can dish out! Come on up and try it, you'll leave a believer....... >>



I'm suprised you didn't mention McLintock's - we hit it on the way up to Lake Naci. Food overload.

Hope to see you in LB!

As far as the question- since I really don't "need" anything, much like I don't "need" a Turbo Carrera, it's all attitude. Good attitude = business. Bad attitude = walk away quick. End of story.

JLW

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Outback Steakhouse, ?

You gotta be kiddin--a franchise??

Try Kelly's on Second Ave in LB--outstanding! >>



I agree, and if you are going to frequent a chain chop house, at least let it be Fleming's or Morton's or such ilk. >>



I'll take Outback over Morton's any day, we have better steaks cooked on the street here in Santa Maria on any given weekend! We're the place that invented Tri-Tip in case you don't know! Hitching Post in Casmalia, Jocko's in Nipomo, or the Far Western in Guadalupe beats anything the "city-slicker" restaurants can dish out! Come on up and try it, you'll leave a believer....... >>



I'm suprised you didn't mention McLintock's - we hit it on the way up to Lake Naci. Food overload.

Hope to see you in LB!

As far as the question- since I really don't "need" anything, much like I don't "need" a Turbo Carrera, it's all attitude. Good attitude = business. Bad attitude = walk away quick. End of story. >>



McLintock's in Shell Beach also great steaks, they also own Steamer's (sea food) in Pismo Beach.
Joe

numonebuyer

People behind the tables that look like they want to be behind the tables.

JLW

<< <i>People behind the tables that look like they want to be behind the tables. >>



Great answer in a nutshell!
Joe

Bear

If the dealer pulles a gun or a knife on me,

that would repel me for sure.

JLW

<< <i>If the dealer pulles a gun or a knife on me,

that would repel me for sure. >>



Bear,
Why would anyone bring a knife to a gun fight? That would be downright unhealthy for that individual.
Joe

Coindexter

<< <i>The hot bourse babes. >>


Man, what shows are you going to?


<< <i>...eat somewhere other than your booth. >>


Agreed. I worked retail for years and spent as much as 16 hours a day on the sales floor. The rules were plain: be clean, be polite, never let them see you eat and take as much of their money as possible. I realize that many dealers are solo acts and have to be married to their inventory, but when I see them chowing down I keep walking. If they have something I want I'll come back later.

Bear

Hot bourse babes....thats why we have Carol.

RedTiger

I agree with some already have stated. Organized displays, clearly marked prices, a good attitude are all positives.

I don't like to admit it, however, I see a steady stream of customers as a good sign. Just like people like to eat at restaurants that are busy, especially if it is a dealer I don't know, a busy table is a good sign. A lot of people passing by without a second look is a bad sign. Certain dealers seem always busy. The other side is that certain dealers may have a more select clientele because of a narrow specialty or carrying high end merchandise.

However comparing apples to apples, high end to high end, low end to low end, specialist to specialist, customers at the table doing business is generally a good sign and no one buying or selling is not. This works better on the busier days on the bourse.

[ Baa, baa (sheep following the herd) ]

UncleWiggly

numonebuyer said it best for me in what draws me to a dealer's table. I don't know what would repel me to a dealer's table, but I do know what would repel me away from a dealer's table. There's only one problem though. You can't tell it would repel you until it's too late and you're sitting there. And, that's being ignored. And I mean obviously ignored. I hate that. And it's only happened to me twice. So, I've had pretty good luck. Actually, I think it says something good about the dealers. Two dealers out of maybe 9 or 10 big shows since 2001.



Jerry

Dog97

What draws me-slabbed toners. What repels me-old shiny coins in 2x2s and piles of Mint Sets. Not that I got anything against Mint Sets I just aint into them.

Conder101

Lots of nice raw early material will get my attention quick. Just a bunch of slabs, I move on to the next table.

Aegis3

Draws me? Items I'd be interested in buying or at least looking at. Repels? Nothing but row upon row of slabbed Morgans, or row upon row of n-th tier slabs (having only a couple (coins) are acceptable), or really stupid attributions (like an "1801" half cent priced at $115,000, which clearly has a spiked chin). Row upon row of slabs apparently does not stop me anymore. At Long Beach yesterday, I bought something at a table that had nothing but slabbed coins.