Coin show regular attendees

erwindoc

What stuff do you do to get prepared to go to a show? I usually attend 1 show per year and I want to maximize my efforts this year.

19Lyds

<< <i>What stuff do you do to get prepared to go to a show? I usually attend 1 show per year and I want to maximize my efforts this year. >>


Why don't you share what YOU do first so that folks will have an idea of what you are referring to?

Walkerguy21D

1. make sure my basics are packed - current Greysheets, guides, magnifying glasses (I bring 3 different types), cash and my checkbook.
2. pack want lists for myself and customers
3. pack coins I want to sell, know prices, and have them handy so I don't have dig around when I'm at a table.
4. If it's a big show like FUN, pack coins I want to get photographed (you won't need to do this, as your pics are great!), and
coins I want to submit for grading. Make sure you keep these separate from coins you are selling!
5. Double check the date, location, and public hours.
6. Directions, a snack, and a bottle of water.

Do as much of this as possible the night before, NOT the morning of, like I tend to do!

erwindoc

Good advice Greg! I have two weeks to prepare!

Walkerguy21D

Edited to add a bit more that occurred to me....

ldhair

I make a list of all the collectors and dealers I hope to see.
I try to have a group of coins ready to drop off for grading.
It's nice to save on the shipping and insurance.

NewEnglandNotes

1) Laptop, with up to date reference material, inventory/census data and want list.
2) Cash and checkbook, as well as sufficient cash in checking accounts at two different banks. If banks are closed, know the daily ATM withdrawal limits, ask for a temporary bump if branch will be closed. Map out beforehand where the closest ATM is for each bank. ( I refuse to pay ATM fees for using an ATM other than my own bank).
3) Drink with a screw cap, kept in pocket or on floor if sitting at a dealer's table. I once saw a cup of coffee set on top of a dealer's case knocked over. I never want to be "that guy".
4) Notepad and pen.
5) If you have never been to the show before, small bills and change for parking and admission if needed. Once went to a show that required street parking. Meters took change, as luck would have it, I had none. Also, nothing beats the look of the doorkeeper charging a $2 admission and all you have to give them is a $20.

lkeigwin

I take my want lists. My Mac Air. Wifi unit, just in case. So I have "my inventory" on PCGS's site. Along with Coinfacts, cert look-ups, pop reports, price guides.

I bring my for-sale coins. Pad and pen. Cell phone. Water bottle. Cash. Two good loupes.

I hang all of this on a utility belt and try to blend in.
Lance.

Barndog

Gather all this stuff and double check before leaving that I have it all:

half dime book
inventory spreadsheet printed out
want lists printed out
loupe
magnifier
cash
checks
cell phone charger
pistol
note pad and pen
coins to sell!

roadrunner

Most everything pales when it comes to getting everything packed the night before and getting a good night's sleep. If you aren't at the show the minutes the doors are open for the public (or to dealers if you are a dealer) then you are leaving potential bargains on the table. I'd much rather just go into a show totally unprepared with only loupe and check book in hand as the doors open vs. being 100% prepared and arriving 1-2 hrs later.

Spend an hour or so the day before refreshing yourself with current prices so you won't be a slave to your "sheets" during the show. The quicker you can move along w/o using the price guides for a crutch the more you can see. You can always make a 2nd trip around with a more detailed price guide/pop report assessment. I always prepare a good sandwich, veggies, and snacks to I don't have to worry about the eating issue. Some shows have nothing at all and others have stuff you really don't want to eat. I always bring a second sandwich for my favorite dealer.

DRUNNER

Pre-arranging the critical materials. Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Eat before you go, wear comfy shoes, make sure your pay attention to details (clean loupe, paperwork (Graysheets, Coinfacts, pricing histories), action plan (what am I REALLY looking for?). Relax. Enjoy the camaraderie, the dealers, build some relationships, don't be afraid to get a few dealers into your 'inner circle' of what you REALLY look for.

Have fun . . . . see PLENTY of coins. Avoid the fweeby dealers who are there for the wrong reasons. Know your desires -- know your "points of pain" when getting to pricing points. Don't waste a dealer's time if you really know you are in over your head. Look at the back of the room! The forward tables are cool, but many times are just occupied by dealers with a 'history' in the show -- but no good inventory! Look for that guy in the back trying to break into the show that has all the inventory that NO ONE has seen !!!

Have a blast . .

Drunner

DeepCoin

I would add bring an iPad or smart phone for accessing coin history for those coins you find that you never thought of perhaps making an offer on. All of the other things listed are no brainers, but always good to have a list!

Boosibri

Im surprised how many responses included the "Greysheet" which I find to be completely worthless. I once had a dealer ask me what a rare SF $5 in choice AU was going for in the Greysheet when I was walking it around the floor. I think I laughed out loud.

I just have my checkbook, iPhone and iPad, external battery and loupe and depending on the show cash.

SoCalBigMark

Corkscrew
Mustard
2002 Grey Sheet
Highwaters
Velcro shoes
Black socks
Copious dandruff emanating from my oily hair
Don't bathe for several days prior to share my "essence"
Long dirty fingernails
Sharpen my elbows
Stop taking my meds

Timbuk3

I usually bring the following items:

Cash
Checks
Credit Cards
Debit Cards

Barndog

<< <i>Corkscrew
Mustard
2002 Grey Sheet
Highwaters
Velcro shoes
Black socks
Copious dandruff emanating from my oily hair
Don't bathe for several days prior to share my "essence"
Long dirty fingernails
Sharpen my elbows
Stop taking my meds >>



and how is that different from any other day of the week?

AnkurJ

Magnifying Glass
Check book
Coinfacts on my phone
Hand Sanitizer

AnkurJ

<< <i>

<< <i>Corkscrew
Mustard
2002 Grey Sheet
Highwaters
Velcro shoes
Black socks
Copious dandruff emanating from my oily hair
Don't bathe for several days prior to share my "essence"
Long dirty fingernails
Sharpen my elbows
Stop taking my meds >>



and how is that different from any other day of the week? >>



He puts his tail away all the other days.

TopographicOceans

A plan.

leothelyon

<< <i>Magnifying Glass
Check book
Coinfacts on my phone
Hand Sanitizer >>



I haven't seen my 5X magnifying glass in days.

CoinRaritiesOnline

I wrote this 5 years ago.

Barndog

<< <i>I wrote this 5 years ago. >>



timeless advice and a good read, as always

jcping

Fill out the submission form(s) if I have coins to submit
Refresh my price list if I have coins to sell
Make sure my iPhone have 100% battery for coinfacts
Make sure my want list is up-to-date so that I won't buy duplications
Check book

ricko

Been a few years since I could go to shows (none in this area)....however, my prep was simple -

Charged smartphone (android)
Cash (enough to cover most expensive two coins on want list plus extra)
Want list
Zeiss eye loupe
Firearm
Comfortable shoes

Cheers, RickO

shorecoll

Sure, you could do all this or you could a) take out a nice Home Equity Loan b) get really, really drunk and c) head for the show (use a taxi, or public transit...please don't drive in your condition).

golden

I keep my briefcase packed so that I am always ready to go.

Staircoins

Some good replies so far. My regimen is similar...

Items to sell
Want list, with appropriate notations re pricing expectations
Notepad & pen
Loupes
Cash, and plenty of it
Checkbook
Firearm, concealed, w/permit to carry
Smartphone, with a number of relevant sites bookmarked