What were your worst show experiences?
Cougar1978
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Many have bad some bad show experiences. It could have been an obnoxious seller or buyer or something like theft - care to relate some of your stories?
One experience that stands out (in the early years I was setting up) was a guy who always had something hateful to say when he came around to my table whether it was something disagreeable about price, other dealers, or the bourse room. He was a nicely dressed tall dark haired fellow with dark glasses who would make comments like "well your competetion has that coin for xxxx (yes, but theirs was low end trash)" or "don't you discount coins of TPG xxxx" I did buy a coin from him on one occasion but that is just about it. I have always wondered what happened to him and when I find someone on a message board insulting I think of this guy and wonder if that is not him LOL.
One experience that stands out (in the early years I was setting up) was a guy who always had something hateful to say when he came around to my table whether it was something disagreeable about price, other dealers, or the bourse room. He was a nicely dressed tall dark haired fellow with dark glasses who would make comments like "well your competetion has that coin for xxxx (yes, but theirs was low end trash)" or "don't you discount coins of TPG xxxx" I did buy a coin from him on one occasion but that is just about it. I have always wondered what happened to him and when I find someone on a message board insulting I think of this guy and wonder if that is not him LOL.
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However,. . .
In my early years of attending coin shows, back in the mid-1990's, I remember an "old guy" who used to go around to most of the dealers to announce that his "d*ck was bigger than yours" - whatever nice coin a dealer had in his case, he had one in his collection that was nicer; whatever story a collector was relating, he could top. Although the guy must have pretty lonely, he never seemed to want to share, just to make himself feel bigger than everyone else. As a result, we all used to go out of our ways to avoid him.
Then there was this other "old guy" who just wanted to talk about himself (work experience, travel experience, you name it - everything except numismatics). He was really hard to get away from, because he could talk for 20 minutes without taking a breath!
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Instead of saying something like "sorry, I can't do that," or "you know, I just have too much into the coin, " etc., the guy went off on me as if I had propositioned his grandmother. I don't know whether I was more shocked or amused at his tirade, because he reminded me of a little kid having a temper tantrum. I was tempted to tell the guy what I thought of him in Portuguese, Spanish, or Italian, but I decided not to say anything. I just looked at him, said nothing, then walked away.
I will never buy anything from him. He could offer me an 1804 $ at melt, and I'd pass.
Epilogue - He didn't get his asking price for the coin & put it up for auction. He would up getting less as a consignor for the coin than I was willing to pay him for it.
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Around 1999, before I was a dealer, I went to a small coin show at the Cathedral Hill Hotel in San Francisco. The admission price was high and the show was small and crappy. After one walk around the room I walked up to the table of the New Jersey dealer with the big display at the front of the room (who I later found out operated the show) and asked to see a coin. The dealer told me that that coin was "something you couldn't afford" and that "all the coins here are extremely expensive, upwards of $300 each". I walked out of that show in a huff and demanded my admission fee back. The fat Asian guy manning the admission table then proceded to give me a useless, ranting speech about how "everything happens by God's will" and "everything that happens is God's lesson" and bunch more similar crap. It took a while but I got my $5 back, which wasn't enough to cover the cost of parking.
That New Jersey dealer is still in business and he sets up at Baltimore. Today I will buy from that dealer but it has to be a rip for me. He thinks we're buddies and I have him believe we are, but really we're not.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
<< <i>The worst coin show ever is still way better than going to work. >>
Well said Big Moose.
<< <i>The worst coin show ever is still way better than going to work. >>
For many years I believed that but I've learned going to some coin shows isn't as entertaining as sitting at home eating packets of ketchup you stole from McDonalds.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Fortunately I remembered that I had the letter than had been sent with the badge when I had received it in the mail. I walked back to my hotel room and got it. After I was able to show that to one staff member who was reasonable, I was able to return the show, but I lost an hour and a half of bourse time for which I had paid a $100 fee.
Not long after I returned to the bourse I returned to a booth where I had been looking at some coins. The dealer pulled out my missing badge and asked me, “Did you drop this?” Yes I had, and I got my badge back.
<< <i>Two years ago, I viewed and really liked an (to me) expensive type coin which was hard to find that I wanted to add to my type set. The particular dealer has a reputation for very aggressive pricing to retail customers. When he told me his asking price (I never asked for his "best price)," I politely told him that his was one of the nicest coins of the series and grade I've seen in awhile, but that the price was a bit too rich for me. I asked if it was possible for him drop the price by roughly 9%, and if he could do so, I could cut him a check then and there for the coin.
Instead of saying something like "sorry, I can't do that," or "you know, I just have too much into the coin, " etc., the guy went off on me as if I had propositioned his grandmother. I don't know whether I was more shocked or amused at his tirade, because he reminded me of a little kid having a temper tantrum. I was tempted to tell the guy what I thought of him in Portuguese, Spanish, or Italian, but I decided not to say anything. I just looked at him, said nothing, then walked away.
I will never buy anything from him. He could offer me an 1804 $ at melt, and I'd pass.
Epilogue - He didn't get his asking price for the coin & put it up for auction. He would up getting less as a consignor for the coin than I was willing to pay him for it. >>
I don't blame you. You run into these jerky dealers who would rather cut off their nose to spite their face that treat potential customers with respect. There are several dealers who are on my “do not resuscitate list” for similar reasons. After buying $5,500 worth of coins from a dealer at a show, he told me that that sale was not worth his time. Since a $5,500 purchase was not a worthwhile sale for him, I decided that I would never trouble him any further at any show with my business, and I’ve kept that promise.
<< <i>The very first show I went to as a kid when I was 8 years old back in 1994... Was walking around with my mom in tow, spotted a haf eagle in a dealers case, a nice, clean XF liberty type, don't remember the year. The coin was priced at something like $80, which was under spot, as spot was hanging somewhere around $400/oz or so at the time. I had only brought $50 with me, buy my mom offered to give me the rest of the money since I really wanted it. So I walk up to the dealer and wait a minute or two, cash in hand, to ask him if I can buy the coin. He looks at me, laughs in a most demeaning manner, and says, "Oh, you can't afford that one, son." and turns his back on me. Of course my mom totally lost it at that point, and was just ripping the dealer. He eventually offered to sell me the coin, but for $200, not $80. Suffice to say, I didn't buy it and never went back, even to this day.
That single incident probably pushed me away from collecting for the better part of 14 years. >>
At 8 years old you were already tracking the price of gold, what are you doing these days?
-Paul
there have been a number of obnoxious dealers and collectors over the years, none of them
really got to me. Guess I am just too laid back for that.
My "worst show experience" would be the show where my brother called to let me know that my
father had died the night before. Nothing comes close to that.
<< <i>
<< <i>The worst coin show ever is still way better than going to work. >>
For many years I believed that but I've learned going to some coin shows isn't as entertaining as sitting at home eating packets of ketchup you stole from McDonalds. >>
Isn't that what most dealers do AT shows for intertainment?
<< <i>The very first show I went to as a kid when I was 8 years old back in 1994... Was walking around with my mom in tow, spotted a haf eagle in a dealers case, a nice, clean XF liberty type, don't remember the year. The coin was priced at something like $80, which was under spot, as spot was hanging somewhere around $400/oz or so at the time. I had only brought $50 with me, buy my mom offered to give me the rest of the money since I really wanted it. So I walk up to the dealer and wait a minute or two, cash in hand, to ask him if I can buy the coin. He looks at me, laughs in a most demeaning manner, and says, "Oh, you can't afford that one, son." and turns his back on me. Of course my mom totally lost it at that point, and was just ripping the dealer. He eventually offered to sell me the coin, but for $200, not $80. Suffice to say, I didn't buy it and never went back, even to this day.
That single incident probably pushed me away from collecting for the better part of 14 years. >>
Dude, you were one sensitive 8 year old.
<< <i>
<< <i>The very first show I went to as a kid when I was 8 years old back in 1994... Was walking around with my mom in tow, spotted a haf eagle in a dealers case, a nice, clean XF liberty type, don't remember the year. The coin was priced at something like $80, which was under spot, as spot was hanging somewhere around $400/oz or so at the time. I had only brought $50 with me, buy my mom offered to give me the rest of the money since I really wanted it. So I walk up to the dealer and wait a minute or two, cash in hand, to ask him if I can buy the coin. He looks at me, laughs in a most demeaning manner, and says, "Oh, you can't afford that one, son." and turns his back on me. Of course my mom totally lost it at that point, and was just ripping the dealer. He eventually offered to sell me the coin, but for $200, not $80. Suffice to say, I didn't buy it and never went back, even to this day.
That single incident probably pushed me away from collecting for the better part of 14 years. >>
Dude, you were one sensitive 8 year old. >>
Not really as I could see this being a turn off...
I recall being a YN in my late teens and having to show a fist full of wadded cash in my hand to get dealer attention. Two dealers in general, bought numismatic authors wouldn't give me the time of day even though I was already dropping 4 figures at a major show. For years I avoided them both and didn't have any interaction with either till just the last couple years... Turns out they weren't non YN friendly just butt holes in general!
The next show was run by El Cheapo (a local "dealer") who scrimped on everything and moved to a remote lodge hall way off the beaten path and THEN hired some yayhoos for ....SECURITY!
Two badges (cereal box) and one guy carrying a .22 caliber SINGLE ACTION COWBOY gun.
I had to go home and bring back my own arsenal and even then had to take everything home that night because the "promoter" was gonna be the ONLY overnight security.
The money that's wasted by SAVING money is sickening at times.
One large dealer claimed to have a couple back at the office, but wanted to work out a deal with me on a ms66 Saint I had.
This is back when common 66's were around $3250-$3450 and I was asking $3150.
THe said dealer offered $3100. Being that was what i paid for it only days before I did not want to sell it for cost (as I knew it was worth more)
Then I get the jab- "If you dont want to work with me on $50 than I dont want to work with you"
Well, its been probably 2 years now- of which I have attended almost every show since (maybe missed one out of 24) and I will always pass over his table.
???
What business is that of yours? How about I'll tell you if I can afford it or not.
I ended up spending my money elsewhere and even went home with $$$ in my pocket, but I didn't go to that guy's booth again.
The dealer made a mistake in pricing and didn't want to admit it. Eight-year old RIPS clown coin dealer.We can't have that buzz on the bourse floor now can we?
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.-Albert Einstein
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
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At a major national show, I was talking with a dealer about a coin I was interested in adding to my set. He had similar interests for himself. I bought a few pieces off him and went my way. He called me later and had me meet him at a major dealers table to show me the coin I was looking for. Before I could even say anything he told the dealer "Thats just too nice I have to take it". He then proceded to show me the coin and just grin...Kind of wanted to smack him upside the head right there. This was earlier this year and an now about calmed down enough to email him and ask his price on it.
ahhhh that felt good
We both wandered off looking at coins and after a couple hours, I lost sight of him. One of the security guards spotted me looking around and approached me as if I was guilty of something. Then his buddy joined him. I said , "Look fellas, I'm just looking for my friend Walt" They asked what he was wearing. I told them he was wearing a plaid shirt. After a minute or so, one of the guys started laughing and said " This is like 'Where's Waldo ?' .... everyone is wearing flannel or plaid. "
I felt bad for coin dealers that day. Even the hired guns were making fun of us
Forgot the best part
Worst show was the Atlanta 2001 ANA. Passed on the chance to buy Duncan Lee's 1873-CC NA 25c, went home and bought Mercedes instead. At the time the price was not that much different
<< <i>I have mostly had very positive experiences at shows but have had some rough nights afterward when I get home and I look at the coins I bought that no longer have the aid the the magic show lights
I've had the same experiences. There's something about show lights that seem to make coins look better and hide hairlines. I think that the numerous ceiling lights give a diffused effect.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Well,I needed to use the restroom so left the coin dealer's table to do this.A security guy was giving me the evil eye as I entered the lobby and proceeded to the restroom,zipper notebook in hand.
On exiting the restroom,a young woman asked me if she could look through my notebook.It seems that she is the dealer who had the sheet of cards lifted from her table.
I obliged her request and,of course,her cards were not to be found in my notebook.She apologized to me "if" I happened to be offended.
Next time this happens,I would tell her that I ate her cards while I was in the restroom and that's why she can't find 'em in my notebook.
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.-Albert Einstein
<< <i>I would carry a large notebook with a zipper with me while I walked the bourse looking for something to buy. I had sat down and was visiting with a dealer for a time after walking the floor for a few hours looking for coins to buy.I hear over the intercom that a card dealer was missing a sheet of baseball cards.
Well,I needed to use the restroom so left the coin dealer's table to do this.A security guy was giving me the evil eye as I entered the lobby and proceeded to the restroom,zipper notebook in hand.
On exiting the restroom,a young woman asked me if she could look through my notebook.It seems that she is the dealer who had the sheet of cards lifted from her table.
I obliged her request and,of course,her cards were not to be found in my notebook.She apologized to me "if" I happened to be offended.
Next time this happens,I would tell her that I ate her cards while I was in the restroom and that's why she can't find 'em in my notebook. >>
Seems like a reasonable request! Glad your fingers weren't the sticky ones.
She was a very cute gal.I was thinking about going to her table and asking her out for a date but decided not to since I was kind of rough
and scary looking that morning,going directly to the show after working my grave-yard shift job.
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.-Albert Einstein
There's a dealer from San Antonio (there's almost always a shot of his Downtown SA shop when a Spurs game is televised) who was rude to me on numerous occasions (even though I'd almost always spent money at his table), once asking me to move chairs several times, then taking the boxes off his table that I hadn't looked at yet. When I asked if I could see one of them, his reply was "you've seen enough". When I moved to the bowl of loose dollars he told me he would pick the ones I bought. I finally told him I would spend my money elsewhere and haven't been by his table since. He has done that with a couple of friends of mine who are VAMmers. The guy puts big boxes of slabbed coins and flips on his table- I fail to see why me looking through/buying them is any different than anyone else looking through the coins and buying them. That's my worst show experience, and it still makes me angry.
The good news is that at another Baltimore show a year or two later he recognized me and when I told him about the $8 he accepted my word and gave me the refund then and there - in the form of a silver eagle. I thought that was pretty classy.
(Just think of city streets clogged with a hundred thousand horses each generating 15 lbs of manure every day...)
No way!
The worst show I ever attended was the New York 1976 ANA summer show. It was a disaster in nearly every way.
It took the ANA 21 YEARS to have the courage to bring it back to New York.
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......