Some overall advice for dealers at coin shows.

keets

Just a collectors perspective of things which might help a new guy on the block and a cagey veteran.

Al H.

1. If you're at a show planning to do Wholesale only, please consider putting up a sign which will alert collectors, then they won't stop by to pester you and interrupt anything.
2. If you're planning on selling some of the coins in your cases try not to cover them up while you're doing a deal with someone(dealer or collector) since it makes it impossible to see what you have.
3. Arrive at the show organized and well rested so that you can attend to customers courteously and without being rude. It is also helpful if you know your inventory.
4. Please mark stuff that isn't for sale.
5. Please plan some time for lunch-break and to catch your breath, either with someone sitting at your table or a clear sign indicating a time when you'll promptly return. Nothing is quite as enduring to a customer than seeing a dealer stuff his face while trying to conduct business.
6. It is a coin-show-reality that many dealers leave early. If you plan to leave early please post a "ballpark" day/time so we can get back to you and make a decision if you have something of interest.
7. Try to understand that there are various levels of knowledge in this great Hobby and face them with a smile. If someone seems below you don't scoff at them and if someone knows more than you please don't be disingenuous or condescending, just be honest.
8. When you arrive at the slow period that strikes every dealer at every show, get organized cause it won't last long or take a break away from the table.
9. Don't ever forget that the people out in the aisles are the main reason you're able to be behind the table.
10. Remember to have fun.

Mercury10c

11. If someone comes to your table and starts looking at your inventory, at the very least, look up from what you are doing and say "hello"
rather than pretending that they are invisible.

WTCG

A few quick responses from a dealer point of view. Technically I'm on "vacation" today and I'm on an iPhone so I'll keep it simple.

1. Some dealers do that already but often the public will either try to talk to them anyways or it automatically generates a negative response from the public. A sign really doesn't make a difference.

2. I agree with that one.

3. Most dealers do but sometimes because of scheduling or logistics it's sometimes not totally possible.

4. I agree with that one.

5. I'll agree with that one. I despise it when somebody eats and handles coins at the same time. Above all, doing that is unsanitary.

6. Easier said than done.

8. Often when a show slows down the writing's on the wall and things won't pick up again. After some experience you'll know it when you feel it.

7. I agree.

9. It's true for many dealers but not for everyone. That's especially true for the dealers that don't deal with the public and leave early from shows.

10. I agree and time passes faster when there is fun involved.

TCoins

GREAT POST !! I agree.

Moldnut

<< <i>11. If someone comes to your table and starts looking at your inventory, at the very least, look up from what you are doing and say "hello"
rather than pretending that they are invisible. >>




I was just at a local show and I saw a 1927-s 5c in a NGC MS62 holder that I liked. I said hi how are you doing and the dealer said nothing at all. There was no one at his table, he was just sitting there drinking coffee. Well he didint make a sale from me. Maybe Charmy can tell me about him. He was the old man set up in the center section at the Anaheim show.

keets

Wei, good feedback!!

RYK

<< <i>11. If someone comes to your table and starts looking at your inventory, at the very least, look up from what you are doing and say "hello"
rather than pretending that they are invisible. >>


I disagree with that one. From my collectors' perspective, I prefer to look without being cornered into idle chit-chat. If I want to look at something, I will let the dealer know. Most times, I do not. Because there are undoubtedly quite a few people who feel the same way, dealers have probably grown accustomed to not engaging unless the customer makes the first move.

IGWT

Generally speaking, both collectors and dealers are socially inept, but intend no harm.

yellowkid

<< <i>Just a collectors perspective of things which might help a new guy on the block and a cagey veteran.

Al H.

1. If you're at a show planning to do Wholesale only, please consider putting up a sign which will alert collectors, then they won't stop by to pester you and interrupt anything.
2. If you're planning on selling some of the coins in your cases try not to cover them up while you're doing a deal with someone(dealer or collector) since it makes it impossible to see what you have.
3. Arrive at the show organized and well rested so that you can attend to customers courteously and without being rude. It is also helpful if you know your inventory.
4. Please mark stuff that isn't for sale.
5. Please plan some time for lunch-break and to catch your breath, either with someone sitting at your table or a clear sign indicating a time when you'll promptly return. Nothing is quite as enduring to a customer than seeing a dealer stuff his face while trying to conduct business.
6. It is a coin-show-reality that many dealers leave early. If you plan to leave early please post a "ballpark" day/time so we can get back to you and make a decision if you have something of interest.
7. Try to understand that there are various levels of knowledge in this great Hobby and face them with a smile. If someone seems below you don't scoff at them and if someone knows more than you please don't be disingenuous or condescending, just be honest.
8. When you arrive at the slow period that strikes every dealer at every show, get organized cause it won't last long or take a break away from the table.
9. Don't ever forget that the people out in the aisles are the main reason you're able to be behind the table.
10. Remember to have fun. >>



Amen!

GoldenEyeNumismatics

<< <i>

<< <i>11. If someone comes to your table and starts looking at your inventory, at the very least, look up from what you are doing and say "hello"
rather than pretending that they are invisible. >>


I disagree with that one. From my collectors' perspective, I prefer to look without being cornered into idle chit-chat. If I want to look at something, I will let the dealer know. Most times, I do not. Because there are undoubtedly quite a few people who feel the same way, dealers have probably grown accustomed to not engaging unless the customer makes the first move. >>





If every time I walked by a case a dealer said hello to me, it'd slow down my pace quite a bit, and I'd likely get frustrated.

I've encountered some dealers who are overly aggressive in trying to talk to you, and sometimes will even try to talk to you if you're just walking by, not looking at their cases. That degree of interaction is, IMO, annoying.

Moldnut

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>11. If someone comes to your table and starts looking at your inventory, at the very least, look up from what you are doing and say "hello"
rather than pretending that they are invisible. >>


I disagree with that one. From my collectors' perspective, I prefer to look without being cornered into idle chit-chat. If I want to look at something, I will let the dealer know. Most times, I do not. Because there are undoubtedly quite a few people who feel the same way, dealers have probably grown accustomed to not engaging unless the customer makes the first move. >>





If every time I walked by a case a dealer said hello to me, it'd slow down my pace quite a bit, and I'd likely get frustrated.

I've encountered some dealers who are overly aggressive in trying to talk to you, and sometimes will even try to talk to you if you're just walking by, not looking at their cases. That degree of interaction is, IMO, annoying. >>



Yes I agree with that but thats not the same as you looking and wanting to buy something and you say hi and.......... nothing!

Mercury10c

<< <i>

<< <i>11. If someone comes to your table and starts looking at your inventory, at the very least, look up from what you are doing and say "hello"
rather than pretending that they are invisible. >>


I disagree with that one. From my collectors' perspective, I prefer to look without being cornered into idle chit-chat. >>


I stated that the dealer should acknowledge that you are there, not engage you in "idle chit-chat." Too many dealers
ignore collectors when they come to their table.



<< <i>If every time I walked by a case a dealer said hello to me, it'd slow down my pace quite a bit, and I'd likely get frustrated. >>


Again, I'm talking about the collector that is actually looking at inventory. Not the collector that is walking by a table.

RYK

I've encountered some dealers who are overly aggressive in trying to talk to you, and sometimes will even try to talk to you if you're just walking by, not looking at their cases. That degree of interaction is, IMO, annoying.

I agree. Some dealer did that to me in Baltimore. He read my name tag, called me by my first name, and called me over to look at some stupid thing or another in his case. I came over, looked, politely thanked him for showing it to me, and moved along.

RYK

I stated that the dealer should acknowledge that you are there, not engage you in "idle chit-chat." Too many dealers ignore collectors when they come to their table.

Again, I would prefer to be completely ignored until I was ready to engage. If he says "Hello", courtesy dictates that I reply the same, and the next thing you know we are talking about precancerous lesions on his face. Yes, this has actually happened to me at a coin show.

Bear

I believe that expecting collectors and dealers to be pleasant, cheerful

as well as respectful, is an unreasonable standard.


That being said, Your laundry list seems most appropriate.

Moldnut

Your probably correct Bear

grip

<< <i>I believe that expecting collectors and dealers to be pleasant, cheerful

as well as respectful, is an unreasonable standard.


That being said, Your laundry list seems most appropriate. >>



I agree.Especially in that atmosphere.

cmerlo1

Great post. The one thing I see lacking from dealers at shows (not all of them, of course) is customer relations, I think you covered that very well.

Remember, whether you're dealing with dealers or collectors from behind the table, the coins are ultimately bought by collectors whan all of the deals are done.

keets

RE: the encounter at a dealers table which was bantered around.

i think there are two main scenarios which take place when a collector unknown to the dealer is at said dealers table.
1. one or both acknowledge the other with either a simple "Hello" or a conversation is struck up about a coin(s).
2. one of the two attempt to talk to the other and are ignored.

it is the second which most don't care for, and it works both ways.

as RYK said, most often it's best not to distract a dealer until/unless there's something you're interested in, and if you're a dealer it's best not to get pushy and "pry" into a collectors brain when he's looking at the coins in the cases. i know whenever i've helped a friend behind his tables i always thought a simple "Hi, if there's anything you'd like to see just let me know" was the best approach with someone looking in the cases.

Bear

Keets, I will tell you that I have been ignored by some very important people.
Not so much as a butter cookie for my efforts.