Coin Shows

That's a bummer, I'm sure it must cost them some sales for newbies like me don't know the values of all the silver coins and I'm not in the market for rare, expensive coins yet.

I feel bad even asking for prices, like the old quote goes "If you have to ask you can't afford it". So even at my LCS I don't buy what is displayed in the cases because of the trouble it is to ask the price and for them to take the time to look it up, ultimately it being too expensive for my meager coin allowance and everybody's time is for naught. After a few of these they start to think I'm not planning on buying anything and start working with other customers.

Not pricing items for sale really deters business IMHO, it takes up time to ask, it almost sounds like an insult if you put an item back because it's too pricey and posting prices is a good way for the inexperienced to get a feel for prices.

At least at the gun shows the items are marked, usually marked way higher than they're worth but marked none the less.

Rick

Depending on the show there may be a couple people that mark prices but unfortunately most dont, I honestly think some dealers do this so they can ask for more if they dont think you know what youre looking at.

With that said you know what your budget it. I would suggest picking a number in your budget and just asking what do you have thats in this price range. They should point some stuff out and save every one the time of asking about things over and over and if they arent willing to do that move onto the next dealer.

Something to remember about coin shows. Actually coin, gun, knife, computer, electronic, camera, etc. shows is they are basically a specialized flea market. Prices are normally flexible. Never just pay a price without asking if the seller can do better. Always try to haggle a price. Nothing to loose and lots to gain. Many, many dealers at these shows purposely raise their prices full well knowing most people will haggle for a lower price.

Same thing happened to me years ago at a gun show. Had a beautiful 1873 Springfield Trapdoor at a very reasonable price in my hand but I sat it back down, walked about 10 steps away, turned back to buy it but.................

Rick

Well, the Foley, Alabama show is this weekend. I'm going in the morning with $100 cash and some ASEs to trade with.

I'll post my thoughts on my first coin show tomorrow. If anybody's going to be there look for me, 6'3, 275, mustache, white Guy Harvey fishing shirt.

Rick

I don't plan on making the show, but would like to hear your thoughts on it.

Also I would like your opinions on what local (Pensacola) coin shops you like ...or don't like

Ah Ray, that's just it. I hate haggling.

As for what Pensacola LCSs I like, I've really only been to Emerald Coast Coins and I've been happy with them. I think their buy prices are a bit low but that's how they make money. Roberts & Roberts bullion brokers is where I got most of my stash and I'm very pleased with them. They're mostly bullion and junk but they do have some numismatic coins to pick through. I was getting some near BU and BU Morgans for $31 before the crash. Last time I talked to them they had all been wiped out.

Rick

Well I made the trip over to Foley and it was quite a nice little show. Everybody was very friendly, there was anything you would want.

The prices for the most part were a little higher than I see things selling for on ebay. I saw one table with $24.90 ASEs but everybody else was in the higher 20s. I offered to pay with 2013 ASEs on a few items I wanted but they would only offer me spot, couldn't go that route.

I'd say a good quarter, maybe a few more, vendors had prices marked. Saw some decent Morgans for about $36, rest were more toward the $50 and up range, and there was a bunch of them. There were cases and cases with nothing but pretty Morgans, some really exceptional.

I managed to spend $90 on 3 Ikes and 6 junk Mercs. Got a 73 blue Ike, a 72 brown no box and a PCGS PF69DCAM in 72 also, a beautiful coin. Bought a few flips and airtites too.

I can see you really need to know what you're looking for or it's overwhelming trying to take it all in, not really a place to browse unless you're learning. I saw my first 3 cent silver, 3 cent nickel and learned all the old pennies, large, half, 2 cent, ect.

It was a great time, saw and learned a lot and will no doubt attend many others.

Rick