Long Beach

DonWillis

Rumors of the demise of the Long Beach show have been greatly exaggerated!

Every table was sold and attendance seemed strong the two days I was there.

Submissions to PCGS were very strong for both show grading as well as for back at the office.

I saw plenty of nice coins and was able to pick one up for my collection (no it wasn't a Barber half although I was shown a couple).

All of us at Collectors Universe are doing everything possible to make this a dealer and collector friendly show. I've been attending LB show for over 25 years and I always enjoy it.

I believe the next show is already sold out. There's lots of technology and specials for CC members. See you there next time.

Shamika

I certainly heard dire things about this show. It's great to hear the future looks good.

thisnamztaken

Good to hear!

MFH

Don,

Glad to hear you're up and around. Hope you're not overdoing it though.

From the reports I have heard, LB is alive and well. One of these days, I'll
try and make it out to the West Coast as i've only been to Northern California
and would love to see So. Cal.,as well.

claychaser

Was there on Friday, and it seemed like there was more buzz in the room. I noticed that there were some directory signs in the middle of the bourse, which was nice. And having the lighted coin display on the middle was a nice touch too.

The other thing that a lot of us collectors like is having auction lot viewing open at 8:00 am for us early people who are too cheap to pay for a early bird pass.

Any reports from Saturday? Did the show keep a buzz in the AM?

EagleEye

Bucking the long trend, metals prices were up sharply during the show. This brought out people with silver and gold to sell. One customer of mine brought his 90% and traded it for $20K worth of Indian Cents. I was able to pick up a huge cent pattern deal and if not for these two events for me, the show would have been average or slow. The show is expanding into sports memorabilia, which helps the table sales. It may bring more people out, but not coin collectors. As usual on Saturday, the wholesalers at the front of the hall left and it looked pretty deserted when you first come through the doors. All the activity as in the middle and back of the room where dealers stayed the duration. This is not a knock on the wholesalers, just an observation.

I think David and the CU crew are doing a good job making the show enjoyable. I don't know what outreach they do in So. Cal. with clubs or if they send out mailers, but I think they should develop an email list, maybe though a contest, to get the collectors to show up.

Maybe in concert with dealers, they can offer a parking voucher rebate. If you buy a coin, get the dealer to sign your voucher (up to $20) and the LB show will rebate your parking. LB can then get reimbursed from the dealer who validated the ticket.

claychaser

Rick, I totally agree with you on having sports collectables being a plus for the show. As long as there is a big enough coin mix in the dealers, it's positive. With the size of the venue, I don't think that will ever happen.

As for parking, I paid a flat $10 Friday morning for the garage below the convention center. Since the admission was free, that's not too bad, and I am a real parking cheapskate. But the parking rebate is a great idea. Maybe dealers could buy $1 stickers to validate parking, and if the validation card gets filled up, the customer can take it to the reception counter for a free voucher for the next show or some other prize or perk.

illini420

Reaching out the the local clubs and local coin shops would be something else to improve upon. I'm active in a few of the SoCal clubs. I know that on a couple of occasions, the club received a dozen or so badges for the show and they were quickly grabbed up by the members. Other times, $4 off coupons were provided to the club, so half price isn't too bad either. The badges were the best though since it was a free admission and it allowed you in the show w/o having to wait in line to get your badge. For this show, nothing was handed out by any of the clubs I am a part of. It's possible CU sent things to our clubs, but maybe they came too late. Both clubs I go to meet the 2nd week of each month (so this coming week). To get our members info/passes to the show, they would have to be to our club at least a month before the show.

Local coin shops would be another place to better market the show. I know there are tons of shops in SoCal and a few with very active weekly bid boards. I go to two of the bid boards each week and everytime I've had extra passes or coupons for the show that I was able to get through the clubs, I have brought them to the bid boards and they get grabbed up immediately.

That said, I had a great time at this show. The Walker showdown was really cool to see along with the display of checks signed by various Presidents including Washington, Jefferson & Lincoln. I almost missed it in that display since they were on the corners, but there were also a couple of sweet looking 1943 copper cents and an ex. Elisaberg MS68 $10 Liberty! WOW! I also gave the grading contest another shot (to defend my title from last show), but lightning didn't strike twice... was still fun to try and it's great that CU offers that contest. I was also able to sell off a few coins at the show and buy several others both on the bourse floor and in the Heritage auction. Also spent around $1000 in PCGS grading fees with several submissions dropped off at the show, so the fun will continue for the next few weeks as those grades start coming in

robkool

I also had a great time at the show. The club finally got a great location/spot at the show for set-up with some kool educational exhibits to boot. I found some neat-o tough circulated Barber quarters to add to my dansco, as well as some kool PCGS & raw Franklin toners. I also placed 2nd in the foreign/world educational exhibit. I couldn't be any more pleased. This show was far better than the last one. Thanks !!!