What can be done to improve coin shows?

ScarsdaleCoin

Seriously positive constructive thoughts wanted to improve coin shows. Ideas???

Justacommeman

Less shows will make the ones they do have more appealing



Thin the herd. There are too many dealers. I think this will happen naturally.



Better venues. I just held a show ( non coin) in a ballroom of a new hotel in South Beach. The event was amazing and the venue would blow you away.



Younger thinkers. The current establishment is tired and predictable. Shake it up



mark

Justacommeman

Mix in the better darkside dealers with the better federal and colonial guys on the bourse. Create some buzz and new interest.



The lack of vision and creativity on the coin circuit is astounding.





mark

3stars

Hot dogs with mustard inside to prevent embarrassing stains on dealers shirts

Cougar1978

Lower table fees, fewer days in some instances

PTVETTER

something that would reduce the cost for both dealers and collectors?

Parking
Lodging

just 2 areas

jmcu12

Venues that offer more. Ie concessions, etc. too many shows, at least in my neck of the woods, are in tired, out of the way, boring locations.

jmcu12

Or in current popular terms - more value added

TopographicOceans

We are years away from full implementation of having every coin for sale pictured online with the tables location, but as a start each TPG coin's bar code should be scanned and entered into a shared database available at the show and online.


Buyers can search for what they are interested and get a list of all the dealers tables where the coin is availble.


We search online for coins all the time, why not be able to search for them at shows?

bigjpst

Originally posted by: TopographicOceans

We are years away from full implementation of having every coin for sale pictured online with the tables location, but as a start each TPG coin's bar code should be scanned and entered into a shared database available at the show and online.





Buyers can search for what they are interested and get a list of all the dealers tables where the coin is availble.





We search online for coins all the time, why not be able to search for them at shows?

Our hosts already do this at Long Beach. It's called pcgs coin search. All dealers with inventory on collectors corner and cce can participate.

Its definitely a good start, but there are still more than half of the dealers without their inventory listed.

TopographicOceans

I wasn't aware of that. I'll have to check it out next time I go to LB.
It should be expanded and advertised more.

bigjpst

Originally posted by: TopographicOceans

I wasn't aware of that. I'll have to check it out next time I go to LB.

It should be expanded and advertised more.

They have been doing it for several shows now. They had a video running next to registration for a couple shows,( not sure if the still do). You are correct many aren't aware. They have iPads on stands at the front of the bourse and in several other locations. Also last show at the end of our isle they had a CCE table with a computer and the coin search iPad.

Illini420 actually asked them to put one in front of our table a few shows ago so we could direct people to use it. They did, but the iPad wasn't working half the show.

bigjpst

It would be helpful if the made it easier and more accessible for dealers who don't pay the CCE or collectors corner fees. Maybe allow a show only rate.

MidLifeCrisis

I agree with everything Justacommeman said.



Also, not sure about these but I'll throw them out there:



Hold more coins and collectibles shows. People who collect other things might develop an interest in coins.



Hold coin shows in conjunction with other events. A coin show can benefit from the increased traffic - people who come for other events may come over to see the coins, especially if those people brought their children with them.

Musky1011

Put asking prices on coins in display cases.. I am not one to ask about price.. I am sure there are others like me

KollectorKing

How about a table or two where collectors (only?)

to conduct business, etc.

lunytune2

Days open ... My favorite show is always Thursday , Friday and Saturday.

I like most , work Thursday and Friday and by Saturday a lot of dealers are gone or leaving.

BryceM

As a collector, I'd rather have the main business days of large shows on Friday & Saturday. I don't mind flying somewhere to attend a show and to view auction lots, but getting away in the middle of the workweek isn't realistic for me. By the time I can be there, usually on Friday or Saturday, the show and most of the auctions are basically over.



For the Summer ANA show, three days is plenty. For other shows, one or two days would suffice I think. If dealers need more time to do wholesale business, do that at the end of the show. That'd be a huge change!

hchcoin

Here are the things I like best at shows:



Aisles that are wide enough so you are not crowded

Enough chairs to sit down at tables

Enough space at tables to transact business without getting in the way

At least one dealer who is a strong buyer of all types of material (I drive hours to a show every year because of one dealer who is a strong buyer that will make an offer on anything)

At least one dealer who carries bullion

At least one dealer who specializes in world coins

At least one dealer who carries low priced raw coins (graded coins are great but raw coins at great prices still attract the most people)

A free ATM in case I need more cash

Cheap concessions

An area to sit down and rest

An auction

Young numismatist activities and freebies

A book seller and book buyer

At least one dealer selling supplies

Free and easy parking

Security

Free admission

Advertised show hours with dealers who stay till the end

A table for free appraisals, identification, grading, and authenticity help staffed with knowledgeable people

Hourly drawings

A website that details the show including directions, hours, dealer map etc.

Great lighting (I hate shows in dark places, they are too gloomy and hard to see coins)

hchcoin

Here is another idea for small coin shows. At our local coin club, everyone is allowed to bring 3 items for the auction and it is the most popular thing we do. Why not set up an auction that starts in the afternoon of the last day where each dealer is allowed to auction 3 items without a sellers or buyers fee ? For example, if you have 30 tables, you could have a 90 coin auction starting during the last hour of the show. All items should have low or no minimum starts. Advertise this auction to attract people to the show. Make it at the end of the show to get people there on the last day and during the last hours of the show. To end the auction, give away a free coin to one lucky winner by giving out tickets to all those in attendance (excluding the dealers). The free coin could be an uncirculated Morgan dollar or something else that is universally liked. This would be a great way to get people and dealers to stay to the end.



Just a thought.

ambro51

It's all about Prices. Kohls gets people in with 30% off coupons. Would YOU attend a show and buy... If you had a 30% off coupon?????

MFH

Originally posted by: KollectorKing
How about a table or two where collectors (only?)
to conduct business, etc.

This is an important Wish For Item. Especially if there is no dining tables
offered. On larger shows, it's just nice to sit down .... wandering the aisles for hours is exhausting !

291fifth

For large shows: 1. Fewer days. 2. Show your prices! Don't make the buying public ask. 3. Fewer but better dealers.Be more selective about what dealers may attend. Dealers with stale stock should not be invited back. 4. No collectors allowed into the show before the official opening. If the "good stuff" is all gone by the time the show officially opens there is no reason to attend.

GotTheBug

.

roadrunner

You can't add any more "value" to a show if the collectors routinely expect to pay the same prices that dealers do, or less. I finally gave up the show circuit 5 years ago when it was clear that no matter how cheaply I bought something, the collectors wanted it cheaper. 98% of sales went to dealers.



At times I'd test the same tire kickers at prices 10% under wholesale where they could walk an item across the room and make $25- $50. That didn't work either. Never had a problem selling to dealers. It's just that today there are a lot less of them buying on spec.



One of the biggest issues that would inject life into shows and the coin market in general? Higher precious metal prices (and a bustling economy with rising interest rates). When has the coin market (and shows) been strong over the past 45 years, when metal prices were continually sinking and the overall economy was flat? You need one or the other, or preferably both. Tough sledding otherwise.

TwoSides2aCoin

Charge attendees a $20 admission. Give them a token worth $40 off on any purchase at the show. If they use it during the show with any vendor, they end up with free admission and a discount on the purchase. Those tokens can then be cashed in by dealers at the END of the show, only.

2ndCharter

You can't add any more "value" to a show if the collectors routinely expect to pay the same prices that dealers do, or less.

Gee, I wish I could find a show with dealers like this. It seems every show I go to, when I ask about a cool item (and I've got money in my checkbook and am willing to pay the going rate), I always get hit with a price that's "moon money" or "that's not for sale - it's in my personal collection."

FredF

Give them a token worth $40 off on any purchase at the show.

How long before the Chinese fabricated fake tokens and then PCGS offered to certify genuine ones?

EagleEye

Originally posted by: TopographicOceans

We are years away from full implementation of having every coin for sale pictured online with the tables location, but as a start each TPG coin's bar code should be scanned and entered into a shared database available at the show and online.





Buyers can search for what they are interested and get a list of all the dealers tables where the coin is availble.





We search online for coins all the time, why not be able to search for them at shows?

Sounds like Collectors Corner

EagleEye

Originally posted by: TwoSides2aCoin

Charge attendees a $20 admission. Give them a token worth $40 off on any purchase at the show. If they use it during the show with any vendor, they end up with free admission and a discount on the purchase. Those tokens can then be cashed in by dealers at the END of the show, only.

Great idea!

TwoSides2aCoin

Ha… Thank you FredF for the introspect.



You're right, too. The question is right on !

Scratch my thought, and your ideas. LOL

johnny9434

do away with that early bird carp, make it worth while for everyone and not make it about the almighty dollar all the time

1Mike1

Originally posted by: hchcoin
Here are the things I like best at shows:

Aisles that are wide enough so you are not crowded
Enough chairs to sit down at tables
Enough space at tables to transact business without getting in the way
At least one dealer who is a strong buyer of all types of material (I drive hours to a show every year because of one dealer who is a strong buyer that will make an offer on anything)
At least one dealer who carries bullion
At least one dealer who specializes in world coins
At least one dealer who carries low priced raw coins (graded coins are great but raw coins at great prices still attract the most people)
A free ATM in case I need more cash
Cheap concessions
An area to sit down and rest
An auction
Young numismatist activities and freebies
A book seller and book buyer
At least one dealer selling supplies
Free and easy parking
Security
Free admission
Advertised show hours with dealers who stay till the end
A table for free appraisals, identification, grading, and authenticity help staffed with knowledgeable people
Hourly drawings
A website that details the show including directions, hours, dealer map etc.
Great lighting (I hate shows in dark places, they are too gloomy and hard to see coins)

I agree with this and would add, no lameazz excuses from organizers who come up short.

Zoins

Originally posted by: EagleEye

Originally posted by: TwoSides2aCoin

Charge attendees a $20 admission. Give them a token worth $40 off on any purchase at the show. If they use it during the show with any vendor, they end up with free admission and a discount on the purchase. Those tokens can then be cashed in by dealers at the END of the show, only.

Great idea!

Come up with a decent looking token so they can become collectible as well!

Baley

Originally posted by: TwoSides2aCoin

Charge attendees a $20 admission. Give them a token worth $40 off on any purchase at the show. If they use it during the show with any vendor, they end up with free admission and a discount on the purchase. Those tokens can then be cashed in by dealers at the END of the show, only.

For how much?

TwoSides2aCoin

Originally posted by: Baley

Originally posted by: TwoSides2aCoin
Charge attendees a $20 admission. Give them a token worth $40 off on any purchase at the show. If they use it during the show with any vendor, they end up with free admission and a discount on the purchase. Those tokens can then be cashed in by dealers at the END of the show, only.

For how much?

Twenty dollars if they're AU. $40 for UNC

TwoSides2aCoin

^ You know, as incentive for the dealers to stay, AND in addition get a discount from the promoter for the table costs.

ARCO

For myself, coin shows have a certain energy which I enjoy. Mostly it is the possibility, even if so very remote, of finding a really nice coin. The bi-annual coin show in Utah seems to be two-tiered offering: a lot of low end filler coins and at the other end, higher priced MS generic (ish) morgans, lincolns, gold, etc. Basically stuff that is everywhere, if for the right price.

Coin dealers at shows seem to have prices higher or equal to the auction houses, but far lower quality. That isn't a workable combo for me. I realize now that I can always wait for Heritage and the right coin will come along, but with an auction / bidding / market price instead of retail. Coin shows tend to have higher retail prices, with the internet, I am going for mostly market prices found at auctions.

I don't fight the trends, I just try to adapt to them as a collector.

Tyler

Shamika

Move the dang shows around. The vast majority of collectors cannot visit Long Beach, Chicago, or FUN.

keets

Charge attendees a $20 admission. Give them a token worth $40 off on any purchase at the show. If they use it during the show with any vendor, they end up with free admission and a discount on the purchase. Those tokens can then be cashed in by dealers at the END of the show, only.



I hope this was meant tongue in cheek because it's ludicrous.



think about it, because what it means is that for every person who attends the show and uses the token the show promoter would lose $20.

JeffMTampa

Originally posted by: TwoSides2aCoin
Charge attendees a $20 admission. Give them a token worth $40 off on any purchase at the show. If they use it during the show with any vendor, they end up with free admission and a discount on the purchase. Those tokens can then be cashed in by dealers at the END of the show, only.

Great idea.

Bigpoppas

Originally posted by: MFH

Originally posted by: KollectorKing
How about a table or two where collectors (only?)
to conduct business, etc.

This is an important Wish For Item. Especially if there is no dining tables
offered. On larger shows, it's just nice to sit down .... wandering the aisles for hours is exhausting !

Okay now this is a bit over the top.. I'm a collector and a dealer and find this completely not right ..
Why should dealers pay thousands possibly to attend a show and then have collectors or vest pocket dealers conducting transactions for free at a table provided by the same promotor

Bigpoppas

Originally posted by: GotTheBug
Get the dealers to stay until the scheduled end of the show and reverse the decline in show attendance. Nothing is more irritating to go to a show and find that half of the dealers have packed up and gone home three hours before the thing ends.

1000% AGREE !!

It us unacceptable as I stated in the Baltimore show thread..

Bigpoppas

Originally posted by: keets
Charge attendees a $20 admission. Give them a token worth $40 off on any purchase at the show. If they use it during the show with any vendor, they end up with free admission and a discount on the purchase. Those tokens can then be cashed in by dealers at the END of the show, only.

I hope this was meant tongue in cheek because it's ludicrous.

think about it, because what it means is that for every person who attends the show and uses the token the show promoter would lose $20.

It's an interesting concept that would have to be adjusted to be a realistic consideration, so I agree and disagree..

Charging people to come in to spend their money is as ludicrous as casinos charging parking fees to come in and gamble .

I don't agree with either !!

Nysoto

Better promotion. The coin hobby needs new blood at all levels. Regardless of what the gloom and doomsters say about the economy, total US wealth is at an all time high, over 85 trillion dollars. More innovative promotion can bring new collectors into the market.

AMRC

The one most important thing you can do to make a show better is to increase the attendance. Everything else will fall into place after that.