At a Major Coin Show, do you Walk up to and Introduce Yourself to Dealers that Post Here?
dragon
Posts: 4,548 ✭✭
For years and years I would always just keep to myself, but last year at the huge ANA in Chicago I decided to break out of my shell and actually attempt to walk up to and introduce myself to a handful of dealers that regularly post here. So whenever I walked by the table of a dealer that I recognized their name I would approach them and say "hey, you're XXXXX" and they would hesitatingly say "yes" and then I would hold out my hand and say "hi, I'm dragon from the PCGS boards". Well most would just give me a sort of confused look and a half smile as if to say 'so what' and 'move along'.
After this same thing happened about 6 or 7 times I stopped doing this and realized that I must be even more odd looking than I thought, and twice as awkward.
Interestingly, the one dealer that actually seemed happy to meet me and we even struck up a nice conversation was poorguy (Brandon) and he also introduced me to Jhon E. Cash and I was very happy to meet him and talk for a few minutes.
So do you introduce yourself to familiar dealer names at major shows or keep to yourself?
After this same thing happened about 6 or 7 times I stopped doing this and realized that I must be even more odd looking than I thought, and twice as awkward.
Interestingly, the one dealer that actually seemed happy to meet me and we even struck up a nice conversation was poorguy (Brandon) and he also introduced me to Jhon E. Cash and I was very happy to meet him and talk for a few minutes.
So do you introduce yourself to familiar dealer names at major shows or keep to yourself?
0
Comments
type2,CCHunter.
<< <i>No I don't and any thought I ever had of doing it just went out the window after hearing your experiance. >>
I am 99% sure it's just me, and most dealers are actually very friendly and receptive to meeting fellow forum members and also quite personable.
Ebay sellers have a BBL list . For shows dealers have an ONIH list
be careful how you reply to this thread or you will get on it
Lance.
I sure do, and it has made me some great friends. The fine folks at Eagle Eye, Legend, Numismatic Americana, The Penny Lady, Julian, TomB are just a few that come to mind. I have also become friends with non posters such as Doug Winter, Mark Feld, and Andy and Alynne Skrabalak.
If they are busy I leave 'em alone. If they are just settin' around, we are gonna schmooze.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Even folks that I had never dealt with or really done PMs with or anything.
The first major show for me was FUN2005. Just a year or so after joining the boards. I didn't really know anyone that was a dealer at that time, and not even many collectors (hadn't met any in person).
I attended the PCGS FUN Luncheon that year, which, following my path of luck, was one of the only years they didn't have a sample coin to give away.....
The table I was at had HRH and David Bowers, among a few others. I did NOT introduce myself to them as I was too awstruck and just listening to their stories while they talked at the table. I had 2 seats but my wife couldn't make it, so I gave the seat to LTC (LongTimeCollector....Jim).
After that, at any coin show, I have made sure to try to introduce myself to dealers that post here, as long as I am not overly turned off by their posting style. (I admit it).
Sometimes, I have had other collectors at the shows take me to meet certain dealers that I either didn't know where there, or who they were (ie....they deal in things I don't collect and I didn't put forum name to dealer name). All of them have been really cool folks so far.
It's also a surprise when meeting one of them, that I don't really interact on the boards with much, and they recognize my forum name and actually know some of my postings and we discuss topics. Kind of neat. Kind of scary when they say they like my postings
I won't name names as I don't want to offend the dealers I would inadvertantly leave off the list of having met at the shows, but I can say that I would encourage you, and others, to keep trying. Dragon, you have some awesome coins and any forum member/dealer that looks confused must be a little out of it at the time. Now, about the odd-looking part, I can't comment
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
And, as usual, The Shadow is looking for PL Morgans!
I have also had certain dealers act weird one time I see them and then another time act normal. I guess it is the bipolar side of numismatics
<< <i>Just the opposite reaction with the "Penny Lady". She actually keeps a list of us so that we can seek out each other. A real class act. >>
Charmy is a great lady and has a friendly outgoing personnality unlike most coin dealers.
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
I believe you learned something by doing it
And suddenly, you'd be hip deep in new friends!
The first person seemed to be taken aback so I tried to be polite and just moved on.
The second person I had seen previously at a show in Vegas. In vegas I got a positive result but when I saw that same dealer in Chicago (who I am sure did not recognize me) it was pretty much the opposite reaction.
So I think it just depends on the person and varies by the day, but overall, unless I already know them I am just going to avoid it in the future.
I am surprised, and sorry, that so many of you get non-positive reactions from most of the dealers you attempt to meet from the boards
I think I come across pretty abrasive (I am pretty blunt on things), but I have received such positive interactions from the dealers that I never would have thought others wouldn't experience the same, or better.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Other times I just leave it off my name tag, try to Cherrypick and then introduce myself to a few folks.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Two folks with whom I always enjoy talking are Fred and Kathy of Fred Weinberg. Great stories, pleasant conversation, and I always tend to learn something (good or bad!) while I visit.
I just with I could travel to more shows ... that was one nice thing about being at the ANA ... spending time at the shows talking with friends who happen to also be dealers.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Forum AdministratorPSA & PSA/DNA ForumModerator@collectors.com | p 800.325.1121 | PSAcard.com
they might wonder if dragon is a verb or a noun.. like what else are you draggin? see?
<< <i>Just the opposite reaction with the "Penny Lady". She actually keeps a list of us so that we can seek out each other. A real class act. >>
you wouldnt think there would be enough hours in the day to do that?
I remember one show where I was buying a coin and I wasn't sure if the seller was a participant here or not, so I asked. Seller said no, but looked at my hat (which has my board handle on it) and said, "Oh, you're kranky!" Some dealers lurk but don't ever participate, but I don't imagine there are a lot of those.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.americanlegacycoins.com
CG
It works better that way.
I have always enjoyed her postings about the shows that she attends and she is the most recognizable of all on this board.
I was at that show for 4 hours... and if I met anyone, it was someone I recognized from these boards (Penny Lady, Todd, a few others).
As a relative rookie at the time, I was not comfortable in this strange new environment, and hoped to meet a friendly face, or have someone recognize my handle - you have to admit, it's memorable - and take the initiative. Sigh...
I suppose my popularity would heighten if I won the lottery, and decided to go coin shopping... but that wouldn't be especially genuine, now, would it?
A Truth That's Told With Bad Intent
Beats All The Lies You Can Invent
I have made countless dealer AND collector contacts that originated on this forum and culminated in face-to-face meetings at shows. In almost every instance, these have been at the very worst pleasant and at their best, very rewarding. I will not list the collectors that I have met through the forum, but, suffice to say, the number is probably over 100, and I will no doubt forget many if I list them.
I will similarly not list every dealer that I have met at shows because of my contact with them through this forum, but instead, I will list a smaller group that I would recommend that are very friendly, travel to numerous national and regional shows, and are or were active members of this forum at some time (in no particular order):
1. Charmy
2. Julian
3. CCU and CRO (John and Dave)
4. Rich Uhrich
5. Mark Feld
6. njcoincrank
Once you master these half dozen softies (above), you will be credentialed and, hopefully, confident to take on the following list:
1. John K (Pistareen)--sharpen your elbows to fight your way to the front of his table.
2. Lady Legend--are you sure you have what it takes?
3. WTCG--will your wisecrack be worthy, grasshopper?
4. MrEureka--bring a dog biscuit if you want to get any service.
5. PTVETTER--if you are wearing a purple shirt, you might walk away with a black eye.
6. Anaconda--when you are ready for the international coin and pot bourse.
I will say that the first time I met Laura (Legend) was about 2003 at a St. Louis coin show, and I literally came up to her and said something original like: "Hi, I am RYK from the PCGS forum." I believe she did an eye roll, shrugged me off, and we have been great friends ever since. Really!
I will also add that making friends with dealers has allowed me access to coins that I would have never otherwise had, has opened my eyes to the inner workings of the coin business, has provided me excellent and proprietary market information, and has made going to coin shows a lot more fun.
Frankly, it has been my experience that collectors are more typically the ones lacking social skills, not the dealers. Coin collecting is a hobby for introverts; retail coin dealing is for extroverts. Don't be afraid to step up to the plate. It is worth it.
Like I always do myself I would rather have someone muster up an ounce of courage and introduce themselves to me in a cordial manner than have someone play the role of the shy peeping Tom peering at me from afar then claiming to have met me when they really hadn't.
It reminds me of a good friend of mine who's had a history of futility with women. I've always taken the initiative to introduce women I'm acquainted with to him but he often refuses the introductions because he thinks "they're awkward for everybody". I think it's even more awkward to glare at women without the benefit of an introduction.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
My one experience that was not so positive was with a MAJOR dealer...when I introduced myself, I got the look of " Oh, your one of the " Chatroom Weenies " :-)
My Ebay Store