How beneficial is doing early bird if you're cherrypicking at a show?

opportunity

Say you're going to a large non-national show on primarily a cherrypicking venture. How "necessary" is it to do early bird? Of course, it will increase your odds some, but by how much?

WaterSport

Well thats a very good question. Frankly my schedule only allows me to get to shows on Fridays so I miss the pre open events, etc. But I can say I still pick away just fine. Or at least good enough that I do not wonder if someone got everything before me. My view is there is plenty to go around and what you may be looking for may not be what i am, etc.

Ws

mannie gray

It depends on what you're cherrypicking.

If you're pounding the floor looking for good deals, undergraded coins, etc. then it might be beneficial.

If you're planning on camping out with a 20x loupe, you won't have much luck with dealers who are busy with wholesale transactions.

In other words, keep the CPG in the trunk of your car.

Just my .02, from experience on both sides of the aisle.

Lakesammman

Agree with the above - if you want to watch dealers set up or wonder what's under the covered cases, the EB is great!

Bob1951

The early bird gets the worm. If you are looking for what I am looking for you better get there before dawn. The bargains disappear quickly. Go to the dealers that appear to be new, or at least unknown to you, first. They may have material that has not been on the market in years.

DIMEMAN

Originally posted by: WaterSport
Well thats a very good question. Frankly my schedule only allows me to get to shows on Fridays so I miss the pre open events, etc. But I can say I still pick away just fine. Or at least good enough that I do not wonder if someone got everything before me. My view is there is plenty to go around and what you may be looking for may not be what i am, etc.

Ws

CoinRaritiesOnline

It's a numismatic no brainer. If you want to find the hidden jewels you need to get there as early as possible.

ricko

Much depends on the size of the show... real small shows tend not to have 'early bird' entry....the large shows can offer opportunities, especially if you target specific dealers...Cheers, RickO