Giorgio11/VDB Coins' TSNS Chattanooga Show Report With Little Usable Information and No Food Shots!
giorgio11
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We packed up the buggy and headed down to Chattanooga in what was predicted to be a 100% chance of pouring rain, and yep, sure enough, it made for some white-knuckled driving most of the way. Fortunately, it did let up for about 45 minutes once we made it through the horrible Knoxville traffic (what do Dallas and Knoxville have in common? Neither will ever complete all their road construction in our foreseeable lifetimes), so we got to enjoy the many scenic sights and sounds of such tourist meccas as Philadelphia, Tennessee; Athens, Tennessee; and Cleveland, Tennessee. Who knew that so many places were actually somewhere else? Kidding, y'all.
The Camp Jordan area in Chattanooga (choo-choo sounds permitted here) is a low-lying sports complex with jogging trails and a very large sports arena, and Chickamauga Creek runs through it. So my suspicions were confirmed; yep, the front way into the complex was flooded, the road closed. Fortunately I had my show paperwork handy and called a couple of the organizers who navigated me in (note the aquatic root here, very apropos) the back way. The front entrance stayed closed all day Thursday, Friday, and until midmorning Saturday. There were lots of folks who had come to this large regional (200+ tables) show from Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and many other places, and I certainly hope that most of them managed to turn on their GPS/whatever and find the back way in. But, I also suspect that some of the locals just turned around and went back home.
This didn't help.
We had intended to get all set up by 2 o'clock, but it was 4:30 before we got in and got everything squared away; admittedly, we did take a couple of "nerves breaks" on the way down. One of the nicest surprises lay in store when we checked into the La Quinta nearly across the street from (the front entrance to) Camp Jordan, on Ringgold Road, the main drag through what is technically East Ridge, TN (all you Civil War buffs can have a field day looking up all the points of geographic interest here), right before you cross into Georgia. I mentioned to the nice receptionist how spanky-new and clean the hotel looked, "Isn't it new? Didn't this used to be something else? A Days Inn?) and she got an "Ewwww" expression on her face. "No, it was a Nights Inn (Knights Inn?), and they charged by the hour." !!!!! I joined her in "Ewwwing" at that point as she explained that they had razed the entire structure, right down to the concrete pad. "Good choice!" I said. She said people still come in expecting $30/night rates ("or $25/hour," I interposed). But for a rate of basically $99/night, you get a great breakfast, an extremely clean, well-maintained hotel close to whatever amenities you need, and it's dog-friendly too! (But remember, totally clean!) Mrs VDB and I do not have dogs, but I love them (Saturn and Neptune Would Not Permit It), and I got to pet a bunch of really friendly pooches over the next three days, the best of both worlds! I found the La Quinta to be a real jewel, and the people who were regulars at the chain (those pet-friendly types, mostly) said it was the nicest one they had ever stayed in. And no, I have no fiduciary interest in, nor am I a paid endorser of, said properties.
On with the show! Friday and Saturday saw very brisk wholesale business, and we bought a lot of nice new coins in various series (cents and dollars and type). Retail customers too were pulling out their cash -- interestingly, I was not offered a single check all weekend -- but they were price-sensitive. Too many retail buyers are still trying to buy good material at wholesale prices, but some of them realize it's not going to happen and are paying up for nice coins.
I saw a lot of familiar faces among the dealers at the show--it was great to see Darryl aka @amwldcoin in his usual spot (and great to see him back on this forum after a short hiatus), and I bought a nice Canadian Color Coin from him. He had a great inventory of both Barber halves and world coins ... It was great to see Lee aka @Yorkshireman again for the first time in a couple of years, and he took home of my nice Mexico 8 Reales with him.
The traffic slowed down some by Saturday afternoon, and I packed up my wares on Sunday early and made it back home in time for Mrs VDB to throw the first load in the laundry. A couple of other random thoughts:
--There were quite a few young numismatists at the show, or at the very least, young capitalists who were interested in money if not coins. This was extremely gratifying.
--I think the coin market is cycling down some in some series (Morgans, for example), but not all series at the same time. I think the market overall is quite healthy! Type coins were eagerly sought, and we sold quite a few American Silver Eagles and some nice Lincolns and Indians.
As usual, when we got home, Saturn and Neptune were so excited, they were Nearly Beside Themselves with joy.
And thus endeth my song.
Kind regards,
George
Comments
Foolish question. Did you make money?
Thanks for the report George... and the excitement displayed by Saturn and Neptune is palpable...
They need a dog....Cheers, RickO
@LindeDad yes, but not as much as if the flooding had not occurred.
@Ricko I will consider a canine companion. OK, there, I did.
Kind regards,
George
Were you able to get rid of the cats at the show? There was certainly plenty of water, but were there enough feed bags and string?
Nice report, George.
It was great to see you.
Thanks for not including photos of your dinner and mode of transport!
Now, now, @Yorkshireman, it was good to see you too but let's not diss dear Charmy! I do enjoy seeing how the other half lives, and I love her reports! But a 2000 Honda CRV with 160,000 miles and Quarter Pounders with Cheese are not that photogenic!
Kind regards,
George
Nice seeing you again too George! Speaking of Quarter Pounders....1st time I have ever seen this happen! Sunday a friends wife asked if I wanted anything from McDonald's. Sure...a Quarter Pounder with Cheese...no mustard or pickles. I got my sandwich and notice the label said pickles and Mayonnaise only....WTF! Yeap, that's how they made it. Took off the top Bun and ditched the pickles...then went to pick it up and it was stuck to the carton. The asshats tossed it in with no bottom Bun!