How much preperation is done before attending a coin show if a collector.
giantsfan20
Posts: 1,716 ✭✭✭✭
Observation at a recent show I would say most do not. Nobody had a price guide or even a list on paper. One person made a small book with photos of die varities and one had a redbook but other then that not a price guide to be seen 
. If nothing else a price guide keeps everybody honest when quoted price.
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Digital.
Document, notepad, or spreadsheet on smart phone and maybe pics of what I am looking for.
Same for books, if not already in electronic format then snapshots of the needed pages.
I have a smartphone which is like a miniature computer and it has want lists, price guides, auction records, and even pictures.
Most collectors are on a budget. So when they go to a show they memorize
the two or three coins on their wish list. They also have an idea of price for
each coin. I keep a small list of 15-20 Morgan's that I need with a price next
to each date.
I have a printed (Registry) list of my sets with me so I can see what I need either to fill a hole or upgrade. And I usually carry the CPG for varieties although I have most of the Dimes memorized.
Yup. Welcome to the 21st century.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Most collectors make sure they have favorite mustard dripping tee shirt a pocket of cash and are looking to annoy as many old dust covered case carriers as possible. Once that is a. All set well yeah we use our trusty “ large digits cell phones and look up what we may need too. Yeah. That’s the tickets.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
A good loupe and comfortable shoes are definitely a necessity.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I always have my loupe and a couple lists with me anywhere I go.
As others have said, I usually have the few items I want memorized (including prices) and anything else is easily researched on my phone.
I do carry a small handwritten list as a backup in case technology doesn’t cooperate.
That's what I do
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
I've tried both.
I've only been frustrated when I did not prepare.
So now I prepare the best I can whether it's a little or in depth.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
I pack a loupe, anything I might want to sell, and usually a couple of the clip albums for show & tell. There are a few error dealers whom I see infrequently but are aware of the sets and like to see my progress. For price sheets and want lists, I use my smart phone.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
I am old fashioned. I have a notebook with my want lists for coins and a list of the political tokens I have by Sullivan number. There are political tokens on my want list, but all of them are rare and seldom seen. If I spot one that looks interesting, I can make sure I don’t have it from the list.
All of my list are on my desktop, but I am not computer literate enough to be using the devices some of you are using.
Depends on your goals. If you’re there to find specific coins for one of a dozen sets you’re working on, you might want to bring some notes. If you’re just there to have a good time, see friends, and buy something random if it strikes your fancy, little prep is required.
Also, some people have fabulous memories and can do amazing mental gymnastics on the fly. Some people can’t find their car in the parking lot.
I'm pretty organized with regard to planning what I'm looking for and what I have with me to sell. It's all written down and organized in alphabetical order according to height.
!!!
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
I tend to always make sure i have multiple loups in case one goes missing etc. I tend to work off a wishlist thats on a index card or in the phone. Generally i use a couple price guides and i tned to the have the numbers somewhat in my head before i walk in the show. And i always carry a backup check just in cause theres something that i cant leave without lol
Smart phone, baby. I have an Excel doc on my iPhone, with items I'm looking for, and dates/mint marks I'd like to upgrade in my sets. With that, and the online PCGS Price Guide, I'm GOLD. Don't need no stinking paper!
Dave
If there's something specific I'm looking for, I usually have an idea of what it should cost. That said, I often just look and see what catches my eye, so there's no way to know what I might walk away with, and no way to prep price-wise. I have online guides available on my phone, but I'll always be unprepared at some level versus when I'm home and can really research prices... it's the nature of the beast.
I write my want list down on a piece of paper for the sets I am looking for things for.
Writing it down before the show makes me thing out it and then I can have the top thing in my mind.
I bring a small notepad and pencil to track my purchases, since cash has a way of mysteriously evaporating out of my pocket without a trace!
A list and all the cash I am willing to spend as well as note pad and a couple of pens. A good attitude helps and some bottled water.
Yep, cell phone too! But, in the recent Baltimore Show, my Internet connection was less than great. I typically have maybe a half dozen or so coins I'm actively looking to get at any time. I also look at recent auction results for the pieces/grades I'm looking for, so it mitigates the need to carry The Redbook or an older version of The Greysheet. At this point, if you need to carry a book around for grading purposes, you should probably spend a little more time at a B&M shop and learn how to grade before going to a major show.
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
Some of the stuff is in my head. When I was collecting half cents by die variety, I could attribute all of them. If I found one to cherry pick, it depended upon the dealer. If it was a guy I had done business with, and I liked him. I told him what he had, and we would discuss prices. If he was a jerk, I'd pay him his asking price.
That might sound unethical, but I had a couple instances where the guy took the piece off the table and would not let me have a shot at it all after I told him what he had. After that, if a dealer is like that comes to a show ignorant, he can remain ignorant.
I used to help dealers with tokens as to rarity and prices when they got them and didn't know what they had. They in turn treated me better when they had something I wanted.
Before the Baltimore shows, I used to invest hours of prep time. I would create want lists. I would create price lists based on auction results for the want list. I'd look at the show's dealer directory, then look at those dealers' on-line inventory and pricing. I'd plot out my attack based on the dealer maps. I'd pack the price lists, note pads and pens, loupe, maybe some pieces from existing collection to make sure NewPs were a good match.
Technology changed much of that. Family constraints on time changed another good chunk. But even before that point, all that preparation would lead to a sense of disappointment if all that prep work did not result in meeting the 'goal', and I'll admit to making some less than ideal purchases all in the name of not walking away empty handed.
One show I went without any want lists. It was a truly liberating experience. Now I'll make sure I have my Ipad, a stack of cash, still bring pad and pen, and whatever I plan to drop off for grading or consignment. I've learned to enjoy the show as "daddy's day out" regardless of whether any NewPs are involved or not.
Buffalo Nickel Digital Album
Toned Buffalo Date SetDigital Album
I have a list, but I try not to overdo the preparation. As others have mentioned it is a bit disappointing when you put so much time into preparation, just to come home empty handed. So now I do some preparation and try and enjoy the show more.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
For me, a loupe, my iphone and cash is all I need.
My YouTube Channel
Don’t forget the $.
There are many classes of collectors along with many classes of dealers
Greysheet, iPhone with GPS and coin apps, loupe, glasses and wallet with ID, debit card and cash money. My want list is all in my head.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/