What were your worst show experiences?
Cougar1978
Posts: 8,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
Many have had bad experiences at shows - care to relate some of yours?
Coins & Currency
0
Comments
A vest-pocket dealer at a small coin show in Idaho, back in May of 2012, talked me into investing in a roll of GEM clad Bicentennial quarters.
It turned out they were mostly AUs.
The worse $600.00 I have ever spent.
Also, the hotdog was cold and the beer was warm.
i have the same bad experience at every coin show
apparently i look like a sucker because everyone tries to rip me off
Another worthy resurrection! Nice one @OnBendedKnee !
I have had a few bad experiences but they have all been travel related due to airline delays and hotel mishaps. I've never had a bad time at a show although I have made some purchases I ended up regretting.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
A twelve dollar hot dog. By far the most overpriced and worst tasting wiener my tongue has ever sampled.
eating outside food is dangerous!
I have never gone to a show out of the immediate area, and only a few times close in. Not much experience and thankfully no bad experiences. I did get a beautiful MS66 1936(P) Half Dollar at one, which was a plus.
Last show I went to was smaller than my living room.
I spent my cash at the Lion’s Den across from my hotel the night before the show.
Did she lie down and roar while you threw her the meat?
it's the weekend!
Are you sure it was beer?
Throw a coin enough times, and suppose one day it lands on its edge.
That Hot Dog looks more like a science experiment- Was the Middle School Science Fair at the neighboring venue? Or has the FDA been noticed of Coin Show food?
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
$12 for a hot dog? WOW! They saw you coming!
Worse, still, he was embarrassed to tell us that he paid an additional $4 for the bun. But at least he passed on the $2 mustard.😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I know a lot of collectors bring their own food to the large coin shows. Do many coin dealers order delivery and have their assistant or spouse receive it from the front door of the venue? If I had a nearby burger or pizza place, I'd have an employee drop off a menu at every dealer's table.
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
At least I don't see any ketchup.....😊
Dealer called me a tire kicker... I walked away so he could work his angle on someone else.
At a coin show when I was much younger, I asked to see a coin in a dealers display case. He said, "You can't afford it." I laughed at him and then moved on.
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
If that was among your worst show experiences, you’ve lived a charmed life.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I have never had a really bad experience at a major coin show. The closest was at a major show which came to my area. I came in looking for an 1839-C quarter eagle. There were five or six available there with grades on the holder which ranged from AU-50 to MS-62.
“Grades on the holder” was the key phrase. All of the coins had been “processed.” They looked like they had been polished with Brasso, but they all had straight grades. The prices ranged from $6-7 to $20 grand just as if they were perfect. Needless to say I didn’t buy an 1839-C at that show.
I ended up buying an 1838 half eagle, which was also on my list, out of frustration. Although it had a CAC sticker, it was over graded. So the show was pretty much of a disappointment.
Here is the 1838 half eagle. It's graded AU-58, CAC. I think that it falls a little short of the grade, or at least it did at that time.
Well... "knock on wood", "caveat emptor", and anything else I can say... but I've never really had a bad experience (other than revenge of the food) at a big show. And, as for the food... I've learned that Convention Center food pales in comparison to local establishments. Typically, the local hole-in-the-wall around the corner has much better food!
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.
Only one bad experience I can recall, albeit a somewhat amusing one - I believe it was the Bay State show, had to exit the bourse for a quick emergency work call, was on the phone in a quiet part of the lobby area and a show attendee walks out, has his back to me, and proceeds to break wind in a prolonged and furious fashion. He then nonchalantly walks back into the bourse area. At least his shirt appeared to be free of mustard stains.
...not to get all "Monty Python"... but did he "fart in your general direction..."
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.
I can relate something that dramatically stands out . . .and may offer some education for all with tuition paid by me.
The sting has passed, and it has been a few years, so the involved party will never see this or know . . . .
At the outset of my 'selling' transition (the thrill of selling and possibly actually 'making money' was a new numismatic concept to me) I was lucky enough to 'make' two Classic cents (1812 and 1814 Cr 4) in PCGSVF20 that I had found raw and reasonably priced. Wet-behind-the-ears, and somewhat intimidated, I took them to a larger Cal dealer that was and is a great guy to see if I might want to sell. He made a good offer, we did the deal, he took the coins, and said he would 'bring around the money'. As the show wound down, I had not received the money (wanting to see if I could spend my profits on some other coins), so I stopped by . . . . and the carnage started. "I already paid you!"
Oh . . . . I knew I was in waaaaaaayyyyy over my head and in big trouble. I HAD NOT been paid, and as the big fish in our little 'local-show-pond', he had been bombarded by business and just forgot. Simply put, our further exchanges were reasonable and non-dramatic (mainly as I was stunned at what was happening) . . . and within a minute he had just acquiesced (realized?????) and paid me. I was so scared I don't think I could breathe. This guy was a big player (to me) and I was somehow involved in an integrity situation I just did not see coming. That was about 60 seconds of pure terror. . . I thought I had just lost $1500.
Bottom line . . . I learned about receipts, how the buying game is played, and a bit more on how to 'do a deal'. The education was emotionally telling, but in the end, worth it.
He never, ever, had any future problems, and our relationship has been stellar and positive ever since.
Drunner
great lesson for us
At the Michigan State show many years ago I had an extremely well struck Coronet half cent with very smooth slightly mirrored fields. ANACS was set up offering free opinions. The fellow studied it intently for a while, so I asked what do you think? He said this may be a Proof but I’m not sure….you should show this to dealer XX, and see what he thinks.
XX was a well known west coast dealer that I’d bought coins via mail order from, as well as at shows, dealing with his wife. So I stand patiently at his table while he was bs’ing with someone. After several minutes he finally glanced at me and said “yeah?”….. I said “hi the fellow at ANACS said you should have a look at this and see if you think it’s a Proof”. He said, without looking at the coin or even taking it out of my hand, from 5 feet away, “it’s not a Proof “…..how do know? “It’s just not”…..then turned back to resume the chit chat. That really torqued me, and I never spent another dime with him.
Yes, I’m sure it’s no big deal compared to bounced checks and other scams, but it’s stayed with me for thirty years as an example of how not to treat customers or collectors no matter how important you think you are.
yeah... being summarily dismissed is pretty bad...
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.
The first time I had the “You can’t afford that,” line laid on me, I was in my early twenties at a New York City show. The guy who did it is still very big in the business. I was wearing a red sport coat, and I guess I didn’t look too prosperous. After I heard some of his prices. He was right. I could pay what he was asking, but given the price, I would not want to afford it, if you follow my drift.
No bad experiences, all just end with me walking out empty handed or with a consolation prize, not the coins I'm trying to buy most.
The last show I attended was ANA National Coin and Money show February 2020 in Atlanta. I only found a couple of coins I was interested in purchasing and the asking prices were much higher than I was willing to spend on both. It was the only show I have ever been to and not spent any money. I did get to see a few collector friends and enjoyed that time visiting, but the overall feel of the bourse was dull and uninspiring. To be fair though...part of that could have been the beginning of what was to come the following months!
I once saw a dealer at a major show who had a female Kung Fu assistant glaring at customers. The head dealer was also overheard either making ridiculous football analogies or was telling customers that BS walks. Such a clown show that I gave the table a wide berth.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Saturday at the last FUN show was a nightmare. Getting lost and stuck in traffic for hours. Lost opportunities galore at the show. Didn't see any coins I wanted or anyone I knew. Car battery died. Lost in Orlando again. Then horrible news when I got home.
I will not go to a FUN show again on a Saturday.
Nothing too tragic. I had one dealer flip his lid at a Long Beach show. He started yelling at me, stood up, and chased me away from his table. He also told me to never come back...... I mean, red-faced, veins bulging, spit flying, raving madman stuff.
And, I have not a single idea in the universe why. We were chatting, not even talking about anything particularly important. Not trying to make a deal. Not running down his inventory..... nothing! Maybe I was mistaken for someone else??? Maybe he misheard something I said. Who knows. He's a well-known dealer too. I never went back, which was too bad. His specialty was in an area I was really working on at the time.
I've paid tuition behind the table a few times, and each time, it is something different. At least I can say I'm learning.
First one was an 88s in DMPL RAW with color. Something screamed wrong with it, but the price was right and the vest pocket guy was insistent. I was going to show it around before purchasing, but i bought it anyway. Cost me a bundle. I kept that coin for about 10 years as a reminder of what not to do, and to trust your instincts. Same guy came by two more years running and tried to engage me again. Each time I just pulled the coin out and asked if he'd like to buy it back for the same price. He just nervously laughed and left. Haven't seen him in the last 5/6 years now.
next one was last year. Bought a bunch of gold and silver, correctly done. Using a tester from another dealer. It was one I hadn't ever seen before, but he swore up and down a tree about it being ok (the gold was mostly marked). Long story short, everything was off and when I went to melt instead of a $400 profit, it was a $1500 loss. I'm buying my own tester now.
Its all good tho. Those experiences go as tax losses, so there is some sort of bright side. But yeah, sometimes it just doesn't work out. Stick to your guns, remember your gut, have a trusted source help out....
Surf
The Winter FUN show is much better on Thursday and Friday, if you can make it. By Saturday afternoon, some are pulling up stakes. Some are even gone by Saturday morning. Sunday resembles a large local show, not that there can’t be some good buys on Sunday.
Mine was a Palace Station show in Vegas that I was able to attend due to being in town on a business trip. I was fairly new to the hobby and this was my first coin show.
Small talked with a dealer while waiting in line but didn’t see his table until later. Searched all day for a nice draped bust quarter, came up empty. Didn’t eat and brain fog set in. The aforementioned dealer called me over and proceeded to sell me on a flowing hair cent in an environmental damage holder. Convinced me he was doing me a favor and giving me an incredible deal; I was too green to know better at the time and having spoken with him earlier, I had let my guard down.
I stepped away and instantly realized that I had spent all my money for the show on a problem coin, walked back over and told him I was having second thoughts; he immediately told me to take a hike before I could finish my sentence. Can’t blame him, it was my fault and I respectfully obliged, but disappointing to see the “nice guy” from 5 minutes ago completely disappear.
Shopped the coin, most dealers wanted nothing to do with it. Finally found one who bought it from me for what amounted to a loss of a few hundred bucks, but a fair price for what it was. He said “I will buy this, but I want you to remember this from now on: ‘Problem Coin, Problem Selling.’”
I have never forgotten that and haven’t bought one since. In hindsight it was the worst because of the dejected feeling I had that evening after making an idiotic decision, but simultaneously one of my best because of the important lesson learned.
At the 1975 ANA show at the Marriott in Los Angeles I was registering at the front deck of the hotel. The shuttle driver tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to my suitcase that he had brought in and sat it on the floor 5 feet behind me. I had my brief case in my hand. When I finished at the front desk, I turned around and my suitcase was gone. I rushed to get my brief case into the security room because I did not know what was happening. I looked around for my suitcase, but it was gone. I had not been at the hotel for 5 minutes and now I was 2000 miles from home and no other clothes. I was ready to go home before the show even started. I called and talked to my dad. He got another case and packed it and sent it out on a late AA flight to LAX. I took the shuttle to the airport at 6 AM the next morning and picked up the suitcase.
Another near bad show was the 1997 ANA show in NYC. I had a heart attack 48 hours after I got home from the show. I cannot imagine being in NYC in the hospital and not knowing anyone.
Usually, I go on Thursday or Friday. CAC was already gone and PCGS was packing up when I arrived. Dropping off coins with each was the main reason I went to the show. I was a bad day all around, particularly the news when I got home.
I don't think anyone has experienced their “ worst show experience “ YET. With global warming becoming a significant weather factor like tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding and uncontrolled massive firestorms, it is just a matter of time before a severe weather incident physically impacts a major coin show in place…like Oklahoma. I hope not , but it is just a matter of time. It has already impacted arriving and departing flights to/ from shows and prospective bourse holders who couldn't make it
I’ve had a few moments at coin shows that have not been pleasant… and I have accepted that it just sort of goes with the territory or even the odds that not everything goes as expected at a large show of a few hundred tables. My positive experiences have been exactly that… Positive.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
I hope you can come out from your fraidy hole long enough to join us in OKC. It's really not that bad...
Philippians 4:4-7
Decades ago I had a really bad show which was at a shopping mall. Jerry, a friend sharing a table with said “the people coming in here don’t have any money.” I concurred. Tire kickers galore. Sales around zero I was really hacked. One of most weird experiences - A at guy at that show wanted to take a $1 priced junk box coin to another dealers table who had a microscope - told him a firm no (coins don’t leave my table unless paid for). Someone even tried steal a Swiss 20 franc gold coin from Jerry. Watch out at those bad shows.
The strange thing about it is that I had a really good selling show about a month later selling 8 $20 DE at really nice retail. Super cash money. Plus a number of other slabbed coins (non gold), good retail. Put a smile on my face. This was a more well off city. Some shows can be losers some winners big time. Can be tough to predict.
Wife and sugar baby ran into each other in the lunch line and got into an epic mustard fight.
Same thing happened to me as a young collector. I didn't laugh but I was very disappointed. The coin was
a J-228. Sol Kaplan (RIP) knew I couldn't afford it.
It was a PCGS Members Show in Dallas, TX, and a few years ago. The only thing good about it was a small buffet. There were probably 12-15 dealers set up and it was very dark except for the desk lights at the dealer tables.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
Went to FUN and got the Zombie Apocalypse instead. Guess I could've cancelled, but the weather was too nice!
Well, the only time I can remember having a “bad” experience was being told by a friend dealer that a certain other dealer didn’t want me coming around their table anymore. I was kinda shocked, as I couldn’t remember even who they were until I was told that I rendered an honest opinion about a coin having been asked by my friend who, while at that table, was looking at it. The thing is, aside from being a lookey-loo, those guys were off my radar for a long time at that point and the “request” only served to save me time as I dutifully honored their request 😂
So not really that bad after all
Empty Nest Collection
The truth hurts. As a YN, I learned to keep my mouth shut in coin shops when a dealer was doing business. I was told to leave and not come back. Thankfully, I am rarely put into the position that you are as a dealer.
I cannot imagine how the ANACS guys feel when giving opinions at a coin show. They must ruin a lot of deals while asked for a grading opinion.
The time show security followed me into the bathroom. Apparently, a sports card dealer had a sheet of cards lifted by someone and I was a suspect. I exited the bathroom and the panicked dealer was outside the door and asked me if she could go through my folder that I would carry around to coin and card shows in those days, the 1980's. I complied with her request. Needless to say, she discovered that I hadn't stolen her sheet of cards. I was nowhere near the card tables so I suspect that someone who looked kind of like me was the card thief.
Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.
An old fart dealer insulted me and tried to put me on the spot, when I took my girlfriend. He had a bunch of ridiculous costume jewelry that was overpriced and was pressuring me to buy it for her. I declined. I told him that I was an embryo compared to him. Lmao. Instead, I took her out for a nice dinner that day and bought her a beautiful gold amethyst ring for her birthday.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/