Why do dealers bail from shows early?
CoffeeTime
Posts: 141 ✭✭✭
I went to a multi day show after work today. 2/3 of the dealers had already departed the show - as in went home (Friday 4pm afternoon with 6pm end time). The few dealers remaining committed on the location and crowd.
I guess they only care about the old retired collectors able to be there at noon on a Friday?
Is this normal?
2
Comments
typical
it is said it allows time to get home before monday
Time is money. How long would you stay at work if you aren't getting paid?
They also may have a long drive home or other commitments.
You couldn't be there at noon on Friday. They may not be able to be there at 5 pm on Saturday.
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There are many different answers to your question but they pretty much all boil down to- because the dealer thinks his time is better spent elsewhere.
They may have done their business (a lot of dealers go to shows to do wholesale business - unload things not moving from their inventory and restock with things that are moving).
They may have a long drive and want to do it in daylight (sometimes they have to go to work on Monday morning).
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Dealers have lives. Sometimes they have commitments for weddings, children's events, unexpected funerals, etc. Several times at my shows, I've had a dealer's wife become ill and the dealer have to leave for the hospital and I've had a dealer's sister pass away while he was at the show. Whenever 3 major shows are in a row, many dealers are tired and need a break. I do not hold it against the dealers who leave my shows early, as I have operated brick and mortar stores and know how it was to stay until Sunday and have to open the store on Monday. Unfortunately, it isn't convenient to everyone, but it isn't about: "they only care about the old retired collectors able to be there at noon on a Friday?"
I'd feel deserving of a good meal after working a multi-day Show.
But after 6:00pm on a Friday or weekend, even with reservations you might need some patience getting seated at a nicer restaurant.
Anyway, Happy Hour at many restaurants is 4:00 - 6:00pm.
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Can understand some dealers position and can understand some attendees viewpoint on dealers position. Looks like: and never shall the twain meet.
It seems to be that way at all hobby shows of any kind.
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Most dealers have a target sales number. If they have achieved that number, then they are ready to leave. They usually give themselves a day for travel and/or a day for rest before going back to work the following week. Most of the heavy foot traffic occurs on the first or second day, anyway.
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and the disappointed kids can't see stuff because there are so few dealers and because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up because there are so few dealers means so few attendees which means so few dealers stay which means so few bother showing up
perhaps we can have more praise threads and this time name dealers who care enough to stay
I believe Julian Leidman is one of those dealers.
That's unfortunate. I'm going to CoinX STL tomorrow, and I knew a lot of dealers leave early on the last day, but I didn't realize it happened on the second day as well.
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I usually try to be one of the last people in the room when doing show, but when there are 4 or 5 people waiting to come in the door on Sunday opening, its not a good sign to stick around all day.
Funny thing, dealers pack up early on Sunday, so show promoter moves show from Fri-Sun to a Thurs-Sat show. Then dealers leave early Saturday, so promoter moves show Wed-Fri and so on it goes.
Bottom line, most multi day shows are too long and most collectors find a way to get there in the first day or two. Not every one can, but between wholesale with other dealers and the people who take the day off, the bulk of the business is done during the day.
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Guess coins shows show post a statement that dealer attendence will be less on the last day of show..The Long Beach show posted that statement on webpage
What show was this @CoffeeTime ?
Some dealers only come for the "horse-trading" stage of the show, where dealers trade with each other at wholesale prices before the gates open and the madding crowds arrive. However, to get in on that sweet dealer-dealer trading, you need to be registered as a dealer and assigned a table.
There's one internet-only dealer that "attends" a local show, and they're only there for the horse-trading. Once the gates open to the public, they pack up and go home - they've got the coins they came for, to sell online, and the show venue has poor Internet connections.
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Some of the best coin deals that I have ever made at a coin show were on the last day after two thirds of the dealers have already left. Many of the coin dealers left on the last day were anxious to sell coins and make deals.
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I'm not a dealer but I understand that some need to be back home by Monday. They may have a shop they need to get back to or a different job to show up for. The life of a dealer is not easy.
It works out pretty good 👍
It depends upon what the collector is looking to buy how much it matters.
I've arrived on the first day (for the public anyway) first thing in the morning just in case there is actually anything I want to buy. I never expect to find anything of significance for my collection and leave after an hour or two. This was at the last two ANAs in Atlanta.
I haven't been to NYINC (which I think might be somewhat better) or FUN (which I don't think would be any better).
The serious business is done early. That is when the deals are done and the money is made. Coin dealing is a business and sitting around for several days when no significant business is likely to be done is a waste of their time and money. Most shows are too long and this has been true for many years.
At WFoM on Friday morning, I overheard two front corner table dealers chatting.
One had sold $230k, calling it their best show ever.
The other had sold 240k, saying they hadn't made their number.
One was packing to leave by the time I left on Friday afternoon. One was still all in for the next day...
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It’s par for the course. Maybe they had a bad show or it could be due to security, traffic conditions, need to get to airport on time.
One show I attend (setup) it’s critical to get there early for me to get with the wholesaler before they let the public in. Once my buying is finished with him I am set for retail operation with the public. If sales are bad in that scenario then the dealer might bail before show closes. After all after they let the public in he’s competeting against the wholesaler (sales wise). Many shows are over (attendance) before they officially close so no incentive for dealer stay around as traffic outside getting worse.
Most likely because it’s not time or cost effective for them to be there.
Some dealers come to shows to trade with other dealers. Much of that work is done before the show opens to the public. On the first day there are serious retail customers. After that there are only smaller customers and tire kickers. Since hotels and meals cost money, they leave.
When I was a dealer I ran through another dealer’s boxes before the show opened to the pubic. I picked out $5,000 worth of material. At the end the transaction, the dealer commented, “That wasn’t worth my while.” That’s an indicator of how some dealers feel about “small sales.”
Oddly enough a.couple of my best customers were people I met at the end of a show when most of dealers had bailed. For that reason, I found that sticking around was worth it.
With all the thieving criminals out there, I would almost think that some would like to get packed up before it gets too dark.
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For a Wed. afternoon-sun. show there are maybe four classes of dealers,
A. Sharks that show up early, Mon.-Tues. , hit the local B&M's before they even pack for the show. Then they hit the show early and hard, Virtually In Wed. Out Thurs. Tabled or not. Do not want hassle with public. Generally out of towners. "OOT" May appear rude as they have little time for publc.
B. The regular Guys on the show circut, OOT, in early leaving depending on how the show goes for them. If slow, gone friday. If good Sat or possibly Sun. Friendly, but not intrested in alot of chitchat. Usually the best location empty tables that people see sat.-sun.
C. Locals, This is their big show, man table whole show. Meet up with long standing customers, Wed-Sun. The show is a social event. Belly up to the table.
D. Vest pockets, Floor walkers, Generally hold regular jobs, may take off work to hit show, May or may not have resale licence. Cherry pickers
Think of it as fishing. The early show action is like surface casting. Lot of action, fast and exciting, dealing with like minded dealers, fast, efficient, no tire kickers, like bass fishing. End of show'ers are going for bottom feeders, catfish. Patience in working with the public a virtue because they need the last long dollar. . Everyone else in between. If they are"t biting people leave the pond early. J.P.
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Good point. And too, a plus, at least for me, is on the last day of show being able to actually see the coins being offered for sale at dealer's table without having to deal with so many table campers, who, sitting on their butts for an inordinate amount of time, are blocking the view of coins in a dealer's cases. If I were a dealer doing shows there would be no chairs, especially on day 1, to sit on in front of the table with my case(s) of best stuff.
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