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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,286 |
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New Member
United States
20 Posts |
Its me again, the great uneducated one!
There is a show about an hour from me in a month.
I wanted to ask what to take and how that works.
I mean just take a printout of what I have and leave the coins in the trunk?
I don't fancy lugging all that around.
Plus don't know how safe that is.
Also I have nOOb written all over me so I was just wondering what to expect.
Thanks for your help. This is such a helpful place
Angie
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Valued Member
United States
339 Posts |
if youre planning on selling and you dont want to keep the coins on you, I doubt anyone would buy, even if you had a list and descriptions, do you have any showcases with locks on them? thats what I see a lot at flea markets so people can look at the coins without touching them
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Dear Angie,
If it were a question of a 10 or 15 minute drive instead of an hour
my advice would be different. But from what you have said some preparation is wise.
First, establish the reason(s) you are going and also pin-point your expectations.
Are to planing to buy? To sell? A little of both?
A list of what you want to buy is helpful, but do not be closed to discovering
something unexpected.
A list of what you have to sell is a must if you are dealing with bulk. Having the coins
in your car is wise, and a dealer will want to see the item(s).
When you arrive scope out the place. Get a sense of the general vibration.
The bourse floor (yeah, it's somewhat like a stock exchange) can be intimidating. After
all these years I still have to do this myself. Once I took a friend and co-worker to a show, a modest one. An otherwise self-assured guy became so overwhelmed by "all that money!" that I
had to insist we go outside and take a breather. I did not want him to faint.
Any dealer who is deserving of your business will say the same thing: "I would rather spend
time with a new collector who is serious about learning that waste my time with a collector who thinks he or she knows it all." There is a bit of wisdom that I want to share: "A dealer
respects a person who realizes that a dealer's time is as valuable as the customer's time." I wish I said that, but I didn't.
I'm going to stop for now. It is 12:15 AM and I do not want to start getting sloppy.
But as we have a month to go we can all work together to get you primed for a first show!
Matthew
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New Member
 United States
20 Posts |
Thank you Matthew for your kind advice.
Angie
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
You are welcome, Angie. Please keep this topic open and as you prepare for your
"expedition" keep us informed as to your plan.
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
Angie, you might be better off selling coins to a local dealer - "local" defined as one within, say, 100 miles of your location - as s/he can take more time in a more private atmosphere to examine what you have to offer. If lug you must, consider a small suitcase on wheels. Just keep an eye on it as you roll it around. Obviously it's better to pair up with someone else if you're lugging valuables around, even if that person isn't built like a linebacker. With any dealer, don't expect more than about 80% of the listed value in the current Red Book. Don't expect anything for non-silver coins, unless they are rare dates and in VF or better grades. Don't try to sell copper or brass to a dealer who advertises "now buying silver and gold" on a sign in his booth. Don't be afraid to ask questions, just as you have here. The more you ask, the less "uneducated" you'll remain. Most dealers are happy to deal with "n00bs" and to assist them in becoming regular customers. As for leaving things in the trunk ... car trunks can be pried open. My car has an "open trunk" button on the dash; one quick smash to the side window, and a perp doesn't even have to pry. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Sounds like your planning on selling or trying to sell.
Regardless of buying or selling, here is some things about coin shows. AND so much depends on where you live, where the show is, the size of the show and many other things.
1. There is a Search tab at the top of the page. You should try that and type in coin shows. There have been discussions on that in the past.
2. When going to any coin show, gun show, camera show, remember that they are basically only specialized flea markets.
3. At flea markets you can buy and/or sell almost anything. At a coin show that sometimes also is true.
4. There really is no set price on coins. There are many pirce GUIDES on coins but they are GUIDES, not a catalog or document that is absolute.
5. You can and in most instances are expected to haggle, chew down, prices. If you don't, your a looser.
6. Do not buy or sell to the first dealer you see. Walk around so you get to know what is what and where things are.
7. Keep money in a front pocket. Do not put money in a purse or carry over the sholder item. Do not pull out a wad of cash. Do not use or carry credit cards or personal checks unless you really have to.
If you plan on keeping coins in your car, make sure there is nothing in the car visable from outside that makes robbing it worth while. IF you can, park as close to the front door or entry location.
8. Do not use a back pack. They bump people and in some shows you would be asked to take it out to your car by security.
If you do take a personal check and a dealer will accept that, be carefull not to allow people standing over your shoulder to see personal information.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1088 Posts |
You may also want to implament some rules such as only being able to have one coin out of your case at a time (especially if you are by yourself). That way you can keep track of who has what out of the case an coins to do not "go missing".
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2448 Posts |
Whatever happens keep an open mind and enjoy the experience. Watch out for what I call the "super market effect". The sight of all those coins and currencies lined up like a market can cause some to become almost hypnotized with wonder. The initial sight is really dazzling and some perceive that the displays actually emit an aura; it can be overwhelming, so be ready. It happened me at my first show and to my fiance (her first show) last January in Orlando. She still speaks of how she wanted to buy or touch everything. Quote:
First, establish the reason(s) you are going and also pin-point your expectations. Quote:
A list of what you want to buy is helpful, but do not be closed to discovering something unexpected. All have given great advice! Also, don't feel hurt if a dealer is abrupt with you; just find another dealer. Remember that those dealers are there to sell their product and some have strange ways of trying to embarrass people into purchasing their particular product. If you don't like what you hear, just walk away; there will be a nicer person just down the aisle. When I attend a show, even a big show like the FUN or Whitman, I'm ever amazed at how I always bring something home that I discovered at the show. It's probably the "super market effect".  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I always suggest doing as I do about a list of coins. I sit down and make a list of all the coins I need. Then another list of the coins I'd like to buy even if I don't need them. Then one more list with the possible prices I'd pay at a maximum. Now I go to the coin show and leave those lists at home and buy whatever I feel like and can afford. |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,286 |
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Posted 08/21/2012 12:18 am
