Buy online, sell at a show

Doubleddie · July 8, 2012 1:33PM

Buying coins, slabbed or raw, online (either on the bay or not) with the intent to sell at a show. Have you tried it? Has it worked well? Curious to hear below.

jonathanb · July 8, 2012 1:39PM

As with anything... no problem if you buy low enough to start with.

ColonialCoinUnion · July 8, 2012 1:41PM

You can make a killing or lose your shirt (or somewhere in between those two extremes) depending on what you buy and how much you pay for it, and, equally, your ability to know how much you can get for it and who you can sell it to.

WTCG · July 8, 2012 1:44PM

A lot, and I mean a lot of people think this is a clever idea until they find out everybody else has thought of this idea already. Similar to any other business there are those who succeed and many more who fail.

Just keep this thought in mind: there is no Santa Claus in numismatics.

keyman64 · July 8, 2012 1:44PM

I have done this several times. Selling something in person avoids shipping, avoids returns, avoids cc fees, paypal fees, feedback issues, etc etc etc....it is THE WAY to sell if you can pull it off.

Doubleddie · July 8, 2012 1:46PM

I'm sure there's a large range of results that can be got from this, but if anyone has experiences, thoughts would be welcome. For a slightly more pointed question, would you say that this likely wouldn't work as well for slabbed coins, seeing as the good deals are then easier to pick out (in general)?

TomB · July 8, 2012 1:54PM

It works wonderfully because no one who goes to a show has ever used the internet.

michiganboy · July 8, 2012 1:57PM

I sometimes see coins at shows at a very reasonable price and vice versa. Like others have said its more of knowing the value and good coins, I think more money could probably be made buying from someone who will sell you coins at a fair price. Oh wait where captain obvious, BTW who keeps giving me coins for Christmas if there is no Santa Clause in numismatics

Buzzybest · July 8, 2012 2:07PM

<< I sometimes see coins at shows at a very reasonable price and vice versa. Like others have said its more of knowing the value and good coins, I think more money could probably be made buying from someone who will sell you coins at a fair price. Oh wait where captain obvious, BTW who keeps giving me coins for Christmas if there is no Santa Clause in numismatics

>>

We all had a Santa Claus when we were younger!

LindeDad · July 8, 2012 2:51PM

What about going to a show and taking them home and selling them on the internet? Or maybe buying on the BST and selling on eBay. Or buying on eBay and selling on eBay or the BST.

Been there done that and still not making a lot of money but having a fun old time staying busy.

nwcoast · July 8, 2012 3:56PM

<< What about going to a show and taking them home and selling them on the internet? Or maybe buying on the BST and selling on eBay. Or buying on eBay and selling on eBay or the BST.

Been there done that and still not making a lot of money but having a fun old time staying busy.

>>

Yea!! I think it can work in any of those directions if you've got the eye for it.

Walkerguy21D · July 8, 2012 9:37PM

Or selling them on the BST, then seeing them sold later on Ebay for $100's more

notwilight · July 8, 2012 11:28PM

<< Or selling them on the BST, then seeing them sold later on Ebay for $100's more

>>

Depending on the value, often $100 won't cover ebay and paypal fees. --Jerry

TwoSides2aCoin · July 9, 2012 12:44AM

Buying and selling on and off line. Rarely do I do shows, but the dealers who buy from me offline must make money or they wouldn't be buying in a B&M, and selling at a show.
A few come to the shop and buy stuff to sell online. It goes both ways. No, it goes all sorts of ways.

rhedden · July 9, 2012 12:57AM

Don't forget the cost of a table at a show. It can be in the $1000 neighborhood at a big show, or more like $100 at a small town show. (Dealers can update my numbers on this if they would like, as my info. is probably out of date). Will you get the foot traffic you need at a small town show with $100 tables? I think you need a good list of material that sells like hotcakes at whatever venue you pursue.

The great thing about selling online is that you have a national audience. You can sell to the highest bidder or best offer in a state that is 1,500 miles from your home. To me, this advantage more than outweighs the shipping costs. You also will not have to worry about shoplifters or "coin show parking lot robber" when selling from your living room.

Walkerguy21D · July 9, 2012 1:14AM

<< << Or selling them on the BST, then seeing them sold later on Ebay for $100's more >>

Depending on the value, often $100 won't cover ebay and paypal fees. --Jerry >>

Good point, but I meant $100's as in plural, as in $300 - $900, in various cases - but it's my fault for not knowing the real market value and apparently selling them too cheap to begin with.

erickso1 · July 9, 2012 1:16AM

I buy sometimes with the intent of resale, but I've found that once in hand they tend to not leave.

SeattleSlammer · July 9, 2012 1:23AM

I've done this when I see something that I consider to be undervalued and knowing a few dealers at a show that pay strong for certain coins....I usually only get a single or double out of it instead of a triple or homerun...and I lost a little money once too when I realized that a purchase was not undervalued after doing more research....but it's still fun.

stealer · July 9, 2012 3:23AM

Thread title pretty much sums up the way I do business in coins.

However, I'm very, very small fish so I'm not sure if you'd consider that to "work" or not.

thecoinlook · July 9, 2012 4:07AM

<< 

<< << Or selling them on the BST, then seeing them sold later on Ebay for $100's more >>

Depending on the value, often $100 won't cover ebay and paypal fees. --Jerry >>

Good point, but I meant $100's as in plural, as in $300 - $900, in various cases - but it's my fault for not knowing the real market value and apparently selling them too cheap to begin with. >>

If you are making money and happy with the price, it's not too cheap. Like you said, the other person just had a better eye or knew the real market for the coin(s) in question. Nothing to worry over. It happens all the time. I've sold stuff on the BST before, ended up seeing the coin on Heritage and bringing moon money. But I made money, so no problem. I was lazy and didn't do the research.

But to the original question, it really depends on the coin and the market. You can make money different ways or buying and selling through different venues. I've even bought on ebay, next week put it back on ebay properly described/photo'd and made good $$$. And there's coins I've bought off the bay, and been able to double my money on at a show. Or buy at a show, list on the bay and do pretty well. There's no set answer.

johnny9434 · July 9, 2012 5:50AM

<< It works wonderfully because no one who goes to a show has ever used the internet.

>>

the best of both worlds

lcoopie · July 9, 2012 6:32AM

your theory may be flawed as you are buying from a photo which is inaccurate and selling to a person who can see the coin and who may be an expert

DeepCoin · July 9, 2012 10:51AM

It all depends on the price you pay for the coin and what the market will bear at the show. O

ne of my minor complaints at shows is that many dealers want high retail for all their coins. Yes, I know they paid to set up, travel, etc. However, my other sources for coins are places like Heritage, Teletrade and of course eBay. I try and support my favorite dealers, but I have choices as well.

At the end of the day, selling is all about buying right in order to make a profit.

Buy online, sell at a show

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