Wishing You Were Here

If you go to coin shows constantly you get to know dealers rather well if the shows are constant and in the same local. I have really struck up some friends of dealers and from what they mostly say is the larger the show, the more higher the prices of everything.
Not sure of rhe FUN or other really big ones with items other than coins but as an example the Red Book at one of our larger shows goes for about $12 compared to one really small show where I get mine for $10 and that is the hard covered one. Small show table rentals are also less in order to attract dealers. Also, I've seen in the real small shows they are usually held in Hotels, Motels or siilar places and some complimentary refreshments are there too.
At some large shows dealers are even charged for electrical usage and that too is normally free at the smaller shows.
One real interesting thing concerning large/small coin shows is at a large show the dealers basically don't care about you since the chances they will ever see you again is dim. At those small shows dealers are local, some have or work in coin stores and really want to get to know you. That too gets you some real good deals.

Great photos and commentary Scooby .... thanks for starting the discussion.

My limited experience with 'large' national shows mirrors yours .... I have attended the previous 3 Baltimore "Whitman" shows ..... perhaps not quite the size of the FUN .... but certainly the same order of magnitude with all the big name dealers.

I have never purchased a coin at this show! I run into my 'local' show dealers and their prices are higher at the "Whitman" then they are at the local hotel shows ...... I ask why .... making a living with the big show expenses.

Anyways .... big shows are fun for the shock and awe value .... and I'm sure there are fair prices for some hard to find things ..... but .... for me ....

I'll stick with my local 30-dealer hotel shows for my main purchasing.

David

yes

Well...did you try it?

I knew xshift would represent!

I see the summer show is in July in Orlando fl. Having been a 20 year resident of Fl. good luck! you are land locked there, the middle of that state is the entrance to Hades from early June through September. so, have a bottle of water with you at all times, don't forget sunscreen to the tops of your sandal clad feet and your ears, ( I have ER stories on this topic),and the place is full of foreign visitors who have the unfortunate cultural belief that deodorant is for wimps.
People who live in Fl. avoid Orlando and the space coast like the plague in summer months. I have to ask, since the prices are so high, I would think a poor turnout once or twoce would put a stop to that PDQ.

I thought you had every right to retort, but I appreciate your class nonetheless.