San Jose Show

joecopper

Anybody go that could give a report - I went a couple times when traveling there several years ago - seemed like a nice small shller show.

ChrisRx

Not I. Busy weekend for me. I am sure WTCG went?

rmpsrpms

Went on Saturday around noon. This is the 2nd year in the Fairgrounds building, and I missed last year, so it was my first time in new venue. Parking was a problem, and had to park in a $8 pay lot on the other side of very busy Tully road. The show was free after that, though, no admission charge. It was billed as a coin/stamp/collectibles show, but it was >90% coins. Just a few stamps tables, and a couple pure collectibles tables, mostly jewelry. I recognized about 80% of the dealers from various shows and shops, but the other 20% were new.

One of the dealers, a local vestpocket, had a bunch of nice BU cent rolls for sale. I was curious why they were still there, as they seem to sell quickly at shows (and shops) so I picked up a 53-S and asked him how he priced his rolls. He said these were all rare rolls and that he had a description for each one. It sounded like something I heard from a B&M dealer a few years ago, who took out a Grey Sheet and proceeded to quote me 50X the MS65 price for a roll of 55-S. But anyway, the show dealer brought out a list and said that the 53-S roll was a gem roll that he rated from 65-66. I looked at the top couple coins and they looked nice, so I asked the price. He got out the grey sheet, and I was ready for the "that one is $175", but he said "that one is $37, which is right at GS Ask". Awesome! Good prices for nice rolls, what a concept. I told him that sounded fair, so picked up about 10 more rolls (got the 53-S, a 46-D, a gorgeous 43-D, a 50-D, 51-S, 54-S, and a couple others) all for between Bid and Ask. As he was packing them up, I asked him if they had been searched for varieties, and he said no, he didn't look for varieties when he pulled them from the paper bank wrappers...

I also picked up a couple rolls of common Peace dollars ($15 each, good price?), a roll of 1oz rounds at 12.75 each (seems like a very good price) and a few Krugerrands at $935 each. I was in a bullion buying mood that day, right or wrong for the times. Overall I came away from the show VERY happy, with the most I've picked up at a show in a long time.

I then had to walk the long walk back to my car carrying a few grand worth of booty. Many of you are probably not familiar with that part of San Jose, but I was feeling a bit nervous and walked quite briskly, got in the car, and locked the door, not that it helps much. All I can say is that I liked the old venue downtown much better, but I will probably will go back to the show next year.

WTCG

Ask any dealer who has attended this show for the last decade or so and universally everybody will tell you that this show is a mere shadow of what it used to be. Incompetent management, culminating with a change for worse of show venue, has reduced the number of bourse tables by about 40 tables in the last few years.

I used to set up at this show but did not this year because last year I did not sell one single coin to retail. The blowing wind from a vent exhaust didn't help either.

I was at the show on Friday. Attendance was light but could have been even more dreadful given the circumstances. Having to pay $8 for the privilege of parking a quarter mile away in the mud doesn't help either.

dizzyfoxx

Wish I had known about it.

truthteller

Although this show is much smaller than the one at the downtown convention center, if you know where the free parking is, you can't complain. I walked from free street parking less than two blocks to the exhibition hall. The show was OK, but I did very well since I know with who to do business and don't waste time. Retail traffic is suffering, but that is what all the midsize shows are going through. Expect 2009 to be rather tough for the coin biz.


TRUTH

Barndog

rmpsrpms, let us know what you find when you open those rolls!