Coin Shows Big Or Small Ones

I've been going to coin shows for about 20 to 30 or more years now. Getting old so not sure. However, the main thing I've found over the years is going to large shows your just a person walking by and no dealer is goind to give you a big break because he assumes you'll never be heard from again. At really small shows the dealers are usually basically the same ones and want to get to know you as a regular customer so you could get bigger breaks on prices. Just don't mention you live so far away you may never come back. We have 3 coin shows a month within 12 miles of my house. One is in the 100+ dealers all the time and growing. The other 2 are rather small, have basically the same dealers, really friendly and much, much better prices. Another thing about a small show is if you tell a dealer you are interested in a certain coin for a certain amount of money, they may write it down and look for one for you. At the very large shows of well into the hundreds of dealers I've noticed an extreame lack of carring about the customers. Not sure of this but it seams the bigger the coin show, the more it cost to park, entrance fees, horrible and expesive food. The smaller shows I go to have free entrance, free parking, Occational free snacks to eat, but still lousy coffee.

ok I still haven't deside but by your comments I am think the smaller one might be beter.but I think that the one in santa clara might be alot of fun since I never been to a coin show. Went to the coin shop today talked to the dealer about it and he didn't help alot he had pro and con about both shows. so if you had a chose would you go to a very big show or average show. I know I am kind of repeting myself but stuck between Vegas and Santa clara. Vegas about 100 to 150 tables, or Santa clara with about 1000 dealers. so don't know.

The variety is great at a larger show but, a bit too impersonal for my taste, although they are competitively priced IMHO. I prefer smaller more personal shows where the dealers show a bit more interest in their customers (drawback, sometimes too pushy). I like to go to shows and keep in mind something in particular to purchase so as to not go wild and crazy. Prudent is my main concern. It's really easy to spend more than you want and buy more than you planned, big or small shows - it doesn't matter.

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.