Is this a good approach at coin shows?

TopographicOceans · November 17, 2015 4:12PM

If you see more than a couple of coins you are interested in and the dealer doesn't display prices (or is busy with others) just fill out this form and give it to them.
Keep a list of the tables where you left forms and come back later and pick them up.

Then you can sit down and have some hot dogs while you compare prices, then go back and see the ones you have interest in.

Dealers - what would you think?

Buyers - Anybody want to try it and report the results?

MrEureka · November 17, 2015 4:22PM

Anyone that wants to do this should consider leaving a mobile phone number on the form.

As a dealer, I'd be happy to call anyone that wanted prices. No need for them to circle back to the table trying to catch me at a better time.

TwoSides2aCoin · November 17, 2015 11:41PM

I hate paperwork. That's why my submission numbers have dwindled to zilch. Who wants a job submitting ?

ricko · November 18, 2015 12:03AM

I agree with Andy... otherwise an interesting approach.... Cheers, RickO

coindeuce · November 18, 2015 12:06AM

I might be concerned that you would take the form back with the quotes and parade them around the bourse to use as leverage against another dealer for a few pennies less on a comp(s). Just a thought. I like MrEureka's suggestion though. A verbal quote is fair customer service.

It still begs the question: Why would you ask for a quote on a coin(s) that you haven't seen both sides (or even the edge if possible) of ?

golden · November 18, 2015 12:48AM

Originally posted by: coindeuce
I might be concerned that you would take the form back with the quotes and parade them around the bourse to use as leverage against another dealer for a few pennies less on a comp(s). Just a thought. I like MrEureka's suggestion though. A verbal quote is fair customer service.

It still begs the question: Why would you ask for a quote on a coin(s) that you haven't seen both sides (or even the edge if possible) of ?

oih82w8 · November 18, 2015 1:00AM

This is (sorta) what I was thinking when I read the title without opening the thread...business card with similar info on the back.

I like it...along with the requestors phone number.

Hydrant · November 18, 2015 1:20AM

Not a bad idea.

TopographicOceans · November 18, 2015 4:09AM

Originally posted by: coindeuce
I might be concerned that you would take the form back with the quotes and parade them around the bourse to use as leverage against another dealer for a few pennies less on a comp(s). Just a thought. I like MrEureka's suggestion though. A verbal quote is fair customer service.

It still begs the question: Why would you ask for a quote on a coin(s) that you haven't seen both sides (or even the edge if possible) of ?

One thing about phone calls is they are made at the convenience of the caller and it would be easier to have a pile of paper you could sit down and review.

As far as a bargaining chip, there is nothing on the form that identifies the dealer.

And it would be a “round 1” kind of thing. If the buyer thinks it is a $500 coin and the seller is asking $1,000 then there is no need to see the reverse.

If you have 7 quotes for the same date/grade that you think are in range, it would come down to eye appeal and you could determine that in the next pass before deciding which to buy.

crazyhounddog · November 18, 2015 4:15AM

Not the way I do it but what ever floats your boat.

keyman64 · November 18, 2015 4:28AM

If I were to do something like this....

I would leave a personal business card. Write on the back, the coins I was interested in and ask for their immediate call.

"I MISSED YOU, PLEASE CALL ME ASAP ABOUT: 1933 $10, 1794 1$ etc... THANK YOU!"

LindeDad · November 18, 2015 4:39AM

I think a lot of dealers are going to think why bother he's too busy to wait his turn.

Of course I can't blame them for not saying a much here.

Baley · November 18, 2015 4:41AM

Who knew coin shows were so difficult, and time so precious, and we so shy, that we can't just look at a coin with no price sticker when it's our turn, discuss price with owner, and then pass or play.

FredWeinberg · November 18, 2015 4:49AM

I'll say my opinion -

As others have mentioned, it usually takes a minute or less for a dealer,

if he's working with another customer, to see what that next customer

might be interested in, especially if the dealer has another employee

at the table- usually the situation at a larger show. He might be able

to say "Hi - I'll be with you in a few minutes, care to check out my

showcases, or come back in a few minutes please?"

If you don't want to wait just a bit, or come back a few minutes later

to have me gladly open my showcase and show you the actual coin

and price it, isn't it a bit unfair to expect me to take time to fill out

your form?

The 'form' is an interesting idea, but most dealers, if they're showing

coins to a customer when you come by, wouldn't have the time to

fill out the form anyway.....just come back and let's have a nice

conversation face to face - the 'form' sounds like an old-fashioned

'text message' method - no human contact.

FredWeinberg · November 18, 2015 4:49AM

I'll say my opinion -

As others have mentioned, it usually takes a minute or less for a dealer,

if he's working with another customer, to see what that next customer

might be interested in, especially if the dealer has another employee

at the table- usually the situation at a larger show. He might be able

to say "Hi - I'll be with you in a few minutes, care to check out my

showcases, or come back in a few minutes please?"

If you don't want to wait just a bit, or come back a few minutes later

to have me gladly open my showcase and show you the actual coin

and price it, isn't it a bit unfair to expect me to take time to fill out

your form?

The 'form' is an interesting idea, but most dealers, if they're showing

coins to a customer when you come by, wouldn't have the time to

fill out the form anyway.....just come back and let's have a nice

conversation face to face - the 'form' sounds like an old-fashioned

'text message' method - no human contact.

stman · November 18, 2015 4:55AM

I'm thinking while that may be a good idea from the OP...... You might want to bring them a bottle of cold water as well..... or of course a beverage of their choice. No wait, you might not know their choice and have to interrupt. OK just water.

johnny9434 · November 18, 2015 5:00AM

if the dealer was busy then i would come back later. if i could not come back then yes thats a terrific idea. fwiw

TwoSides2aCoin · November 18, 2015 5:04AM

Let me just , for once, borrow stman's sigline. It's really a perfect fit. Just ask : "How much ?" Or put a number out there for the dealer to bite on.

Nothing is easier than discussing what I want, or asking what the Master (customer/fellow dealer/collector/mailman, the boss) asks of me.

That is : to serve. That's what a dealer is ultimately there for. That's why we are called merchants and vendors.

TopographicOceans · November 18, 2015 6:32AM

If any dealers get a sheet like this at Long Beach, it is NOT me

It would be from someone who read this thread and thought it was a good idea, so don't jack up the price just because you think it's me.

Brol · November 18, 2015 7:09AM

If you see a really nice coin in the dealer case, you stay there as long as needed, ask price, talk, bargain, buy it and only then leave a table. If you see a coin and you are not afraid to step down the aisle it means this coin is not important to you, maybe not that rare and you just don't care about that peace.

On my recent purchase, I considered calling to Sweden at 2am, but figured their office going to be closed anyway, so I just dropped an email and go to sleep. But I was lucky and secured that coin for myself.

coindeuce · November 18, 2015 7:13AM

Originally posted by Topographic Oceans: "As far as a bargaining chip, there is nothing on the form that identifies the dealer."

There most certainly is info, such as the cert. number of a particular coin, that would allow a secondary dealer to confirm who the primary dealer is that has the comp. that you may want to buy for one or two or five dollars less from the secondary dealer.

keyman64 · November 18, 2015 7:14AM

When I replied to this thread, I rushed. I was assuming the dealer was away from the table.

If the dealer was there and I was interested in something he had then I would just stand there

patiently. Some dealers are always busy and if you wait for a call or some sheet to be filled out

then it is more than likely that the coin(s) you had an interest in will be gone. Patience is a virtue

that needs to be practiced in this hobby a little more often.

golden · November 18, 2015 7:18AM

I have been going to shows since 1970. At every show there are several dealers that I have to go back to and see a coin or get a price. It is not a big deal.

stman · November 18, 2015 8:21AM

I've been at plenty of shows and even when the dealer was busy, if they made eye contact with me after seeing me interested in something...... they have excused themselves real quick to their other customer and asked me if they could answer any questions. Some ask me if I want to see something. Now before some of you cringe I don't expect them to hand me a coin with a lot of people around. In fact I don't expect anything.

I don't want to get in a urinating contest on who should do what, or who's time is more important. There is no coin I need to have. Yes, I have come back before and most of the time the coin is gone. I prefer to do business with someone that wants it and isn't out to prove anything. And bad mouth me behind my back.

And it's getting old not being able to make paragraphs on here. I don't want to use no special code. I'm a coin collector.

lordmarcovan · November 18, 2015 2:46PM

Not a terrible idea, but you're gonna get dealers who say, "What, you givin' me f#*@ing homework to do, now?"

Coinosaurus · November 18, 2015 3:00PM

A biz card with a cell number and list of a couple coins works. ("Can you call me about this coin when you get a minute?")

A long spreadsheet won't score well. Dealers are drowning in paperwork already. Didn't understand this until I actually worked for a dealer. They are happy to help if they have the time, but if they have to look up 10 or 20 coins before they get back to you, it may be awhile. The customer in front of them will get a lot more attention than a pile of paper in the back case. Nothing personal, it's just that the present client's cash is in closer proximity to the dealer than your's

knightem · November 18, 2015 11:39PM

Originally posted by: Baley

Who knew coin shows were so difficult, and time so precious, and we so shy, that we can't just look at a coin with no price sticker when it's our turn, discuss price with owner, and then pass or play.

I was thinking the same thing...

IMHO, the price doesn't matter until you see what the coin looks like.

DoubleEagle59 · November 18, 2015 11:42PM

Sorry, but I think it would be a lousy idea for a dealer to do this at a coin show.

I'm not a dealer and I've never done a show, but I just think most dealers would roll their eyes at this 'job' they have to do.

justcollecting · November 19, 2015 12:31AM

Im not a dealer, so im looking at it from the opposite perspective. I think it is a great idea. I've waited on more than my share of dealers. Most of the time it wasn't the dealers fault, at the last PAN Show a woman in front of me had to look at every gold coin in the dealers show case. I think the dealer was even frustrated. Needless to say I got tired of waiting and left. The other thing I see is dealers that get up and leave their table and have their neighbor watch their table. It would be nice to leave them a note. We are just asking you to write a number not to fill out a form.

telephoto1 · November 19, 2015 2:45AM

Originally posted by: FredWeinberg
I'll say my opinion -

As others have mentioned, it usually takes a minute or less for a dealer,
if he's working with another customer, to see what that next customer
might be interested in, especially if the dealer has another employee
at the table- usually the situation at a larger show. He might be able
to say "Hi - I'll be with you in a few minutes, care to check out my
showcases, or come back in a few minutes please?"

If you don't want to wait just a bit, or come back a few minutes later
to have me gladly open my showcase and show you the actual coin
and price it, isn't it a bit unfair to expect me to take time to fill out
your form?

The 'form' is an interesting idea, but most dealers, if they're showing
coins to a customer when you come by, wouldn't have the time to
fill out the form anyway.....just come back and let's have a nice
conversation face to face - the 'form' sounds like an old-fashioned
'text message' method - no human contact.

This. Point and period.

Is this a good approach at coin shows?

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