Questions Before I Attend My First Coin Show

Since this will be your first show I advise just go to look around and get the feel for what a show is like.
That works best at medium and large shows (50 dealers or more).

You will probably get overwhelmed by what's available.
You want that feeling to wear off so that you are more comfortable with what's happening.
Wait for the second time to do your buying.
Leave your credit cards and checkbook at home and take only a limited amount of cash.

Just because it isn't out on the table doesn't mean they don't have it. Asking around is always a good strategy to use. Plus, if the dealer doesn't have what you're looking for, they might be able to point you to a dealer that does.

The single no-no is to wait until the seller is done with his business with folks that were at their table before you, before attempting to gain there attention.

If the seller is in the middle of making a deal, they won't appreciate being interrupted.

If a dealer is free give them your name with a hand shake and get their name. Tell them what you are looking for. Feel free to ask questions. The best dealers are not grumps.

1. Keep all cash in a front pocket
2. Always ask if they can lower the prices
3. If you bringing little kids, keep careful watch that they don't touch stuff
4. Don't carry a back pack. If aisles are small, they tend to hit people or people hit them.
5. Get used to asking questions to dealers.
6. Do not take a check book or try to use a credit card. To much personal information on a check.
7. Do not give out personal information such as where you live
8. Make sure your not followed when leaving
9. Make sure you know the values of what you plan on buying.
10. Have fun

I buy almost all my coins at coin shows. I've been going for a couple years now and I've found the following just from my PERSONAL experience:

-There are a handful of dealers that I like to buy from because they are always offering something that I want and have reasonable prices, willing to come down a bit in price, and are generally friendly and helpful.

-On the flip side, there are dealers who are overpriced, grumpy, or just don't deal in what my interests are (which is no fault of their own).

-If you have ebay on your smartphone, it is good to check "sold listings" on what you are thinking of purchasing so you will know if you are over paying or not. I don't do this in front of the dealer as I don't want to block their table from other customers, and I don't want to seem rude verifying prices in front of them.

One thing I also did when I first started going to shows was buying "junk" silver and bargain bin coins (that don't have damage). That way you aren't using too much of your money and there is a low/non existent risk of overpaying. Needless to say, I love going to coin shows and look forward to going to them when they are scheduled.

Coin shows are rather sort of flea markets for coins. You have to remember most dealers put prices on coins and actually expect people to bargain them or chew them down. Therefore they inflate the prices so they can eventually get what the coins are worth.

@jus_carl I agree, but how much can you negotiate. One coin that I was interested in the wanted $1500 for, it has a book value of $700. How do you even make an offer there. As soon as he says the price, your like these guys are nutz.

If told the guy I'm in at $500 and he waved me off like I was crazy. LOL
Granted I enjoyed that part, but still no coin in my hands.