Advice needed - Exhibiting at Long Beach

droopyd

I am about to take possession of an extensive collection accumulated over the past 60-70 years with instructions to liquidate.

In addition to large quantities of 90% silver and a small truckload of mint products (in original packaging), there are many albums of "collector coins" mostly pulled from circulation.

We're talking complete or near complete sets of lower/mid-grade circulated Indian/Lincoln cents, Liberty/Buffalo nickels, Barber/Mercury/Roosevelt dimes, and Barber/Standing Liberty/Washington quarters. A quick look reveals few key dates (1885 Lib nickel among them) but some semi-keys.

Also some Barber/Franklin halves, Morgan/Peace dollars, and a smattering of other stuff (many rolls of Lincolns from the 40s-60s, a bunch of large cents, some bent or with corrosion; a few classic commems; some foreign stuff).

None of this is going to be earth-shattering stuff, even the proof sets that have some gold and are thus worth something are still fairly "widgety."

I was thinking that it might be worthwhile to get a cheap table in the back of the next Long Beach show for the primary purpose of selling the "collector coins" as singles. (I'd also have the proof sets and other stuff there too, but there are other avenues to sell these items). I'm guessing that selling the singles directly to collectors at reasonable prices at a show would net substantially more money and be much less of a hassle than trying to sell on eBay or even here on the BST. (Most of these coins will be in the under $5-10 range with very few more than $50.)

Any thoughts on whether this is a workable strategy? And what I should watch out for? I've never had a table at a coin show before (but have taken tables at record shows back in the day).

I'm guessing that this would be a one-time thing for me.

Thanks for your input!

illini420

I heard those cheap tables in the back sell out fast... many dealers with the expensive tables up front abandoned their tables and moved to the back to save lots of money. It might be a good idea to find out if you could even get one of those tables in the first place, especially with the show only a few weeks from now.

droopyd

I was actually thinking about the February show for this endeavor.

RedTiger

I'd lean towards one of the smaller shows and plan on a couple of visits. Unless you plan to to sell at realistic wholesale to a few other dealers you probably aren't going to move all that common stuff in one show. In addition to table fees, parking, food, lamps, cases can all add up, and will tend to cost much more at Long Beach, than one of the monthly shows, or Buena Park (twice a year). Before getting a table, ask the show folks about paperwork such as a tax ID number, because the last thing you want is to run afoul of the revenue agents.

robkool

Better make sure you have a resale license... Unfortunately, I currently don't have one.

Amigo

IMHO, sell the whole kittin cabodle for $18k cash and be done with it. The time and expense will not make anyone a happy camper.

OldEastside

<< <i>I heard those cheap tables in the back sell out fast... many dealers with the expensive tables up front abandoned their tables and moved to the back to save lots of money. It might be a good idea to find out if you could even get one of those tables in the first place, especially with the show only a few weeks from now. >>



I agree, I went in June, and a good % of dealers were relocating to the back
and there was tons of activity back there, there were whole intersections
empty up front.

But if ya make it there, I hope to see ya, good luck

Steve

droopyd

<< <i>IMHO, sell the whole kittin cabodle for $18k cash and be done with it. >>



You buyin'?

truthteller

<< <i>Better make sure you have a resale license... Unfortunately, I currently don't have one. >>




A valid resale number must be on file with Long Beach promoters before you can rent a table. You can share a table, but also be prepared to show that resale number. Know the rules as to cash and cashlike transactions. The State Board of Equalization does monitor this show and sometimes will set up a dealer to make sure he/she charges CA sales tax. Sales tax to the public is 7.75%, otherwise a dealer sale is wholesale.


TRUTH