Coin Shows Big Or Small Ones

ok I am thinking I am going to go with the smaller show since they might have stuff more in my price range. I am only going to have a few hundred to spend. If I had more money and was ready to buy my 1916-D Mercury dime then I would go to the big one. But still up in the air. I am just really in the mood to go to a show and don't know if I want to wait tell end of April. When I could go in 4 weeks to Vegas. was hopping we would o got more votes thought it is pretty close just by going with the poll. but some of your comment made me think smaller might be better for me right now. but I do no that there will probaly be more dealer with foriegn bullion dollar at the San Clara show. Which is what I collect mostly besides my type set.

Also talking to my dealer he said that if I go Saturday or Sunday I might get a good deal in Vegas since some of the dealer may of lost a lot of money in the casino and need to make money. so they will give good deals. And I may just wait tell 2008 when the ANA comes to Oregon which not to far and save up for that show.

my bad accully not tell 2009, in OR.

I like shows over 100 tables. I make a list, and research prices before I go. I know what I want, and I know what it will cost. We're not talking extremely rare or valuable coins here, mostly fairly common. So, if I pick up my coin at table 20, and then find it cheaper at table 30, the differance isn't going to be a killer because of the monetary bracket it's in, and the fact that I know what they cost, so I wouldn't have overpaid at table 20.

I hate it when my pocket book says "BU" and the "Choice BU" is sitting there winking at me.

I usually get my best buys if shows have a minimum 50 tables. Anything less gets tough as there is not enough supply so I typically walk out disappointed though not entirely empty handed.

Big shows all the way for me, the selection is just soooo much better. The Santa Clara show would be a good one, it is a fairly big show but has traditionally been quieter than a Long Beach or FUN so you kind of get the best of both worlds.

Kind of as I previously noted the larger coin shows are well over priced. You have to remember that the larger shows have many dealers from some good distances so they have to rent rooms, go to restaurants, possilbly rent a car, pay to park, pay more for table spaces, etc. This has to be made up in the prices of the coins they sell. At smaller coin shows I've found most of the dealers are withing driving distances, don't have to pay to park, don't have to pay for a room at a hotel or motel and many bring their own food, table spaces are usually much less also. This is one more reason their prices can be much less than at a larger coin show.
At smaller coin shows the dealers always think you too are local and will become a steady customer so deals are easier to make.
Last Sunday I went to one of the smallest coin shows in the area with only about 20 dealers and as usual I talked to almost all of them as if they were life long friends. One dealer gave me 25% off his marked prices which were already lower than the grey sheet because I am such a loyal customer or so he thinks. He has some great coins that he said if I really want some, he would put them aside for me for whenever I wanted them. Now just how many dealers would do that at a large coin show.

Any way ya go you'll have fun I'm sure.

I've never been to a show with more than about 60 tables but I've had a really good time no matter how much I have to spend or how few tables there are. I enjoy the socializing aspect and "window shopping" as much as finding something for my collection. There are dealers who don't want to take time out for you unless you've got your money out and are ready to buy but I've had a lot of luck finding the other kind that enjoy socializing too (those are the guys that get my money) so whatever you decide just take your time and enjoy yourself. If you run across one of the jerks just brush him off and move down the line.