Coin Shows

Gun shows, knife shows, coin shows, etc are different everywhere. Some gun shows have prices far, far lower than anywhere. In most places you have to wait to actually buy the gun, but usually the best deals. Same with computer shows, electronic shows, camera shows, etc. In some areas any of those are lousy. In other areas, prices are the best anywhere. At gun shows by me the prices of ammunition is fantasticly low. And I can bring back shells for a refund. I once had $85 in empty shells. Computer shows too could be bad or great. So much depens one where, when and by who.
At the coin shows by me, prices are the best anywhere. And no postage, shkpping, handling, insurance charges. No lost in mail or wrong item sent. What you see is what you get.
However, as with any place, all such shows are people and people are people so expect either the best or worst.

It seems that buying and selling has been priority one at every coin show I have attended. You will not hear me complain.

Good buys can be found. Just talk to the dealer, you will get a feel of him/her.
Just remember show etiquette. If someone is with the dealer, wait till the he asks if you'd like to see something, and don't lean over the table while someone is there ;)

Echoing what was said above... all shows are different and you never know how it's going to go.

There's a 10x/year show near where I live that's made up of the same (60ish) vendors all the time. Even with that, I never know what'll happen at the next show.
There were months when I had to hold back from overspending at a damaging level and there were other months when I couldn't find a way to spend a $5 bill.

The only thing that can be said is to go to the show loaded for bear, be ready for anything, know what you're doing, make prudent purchases and DON'T get caught
up in impulse purchases or by that old "I may not get a chance like this one again" demon. There will always be other days. Have a good time at the show!

I have learned to take a list that includes the coins I am searching for along with the grades and corresponding expected prices, and only as much cash as I am willing to part with. I often find nice coins in the grade I am searching for less than expected. Have yet to do business with a dealer that did not give me a discount if I purchase more than a single coin.

If this is your first show do find a good thread on coin show etiquette. There are a couple of dos / donts. Even if you are a rookie you don't have to look like one. Also if you are looking for junk silver coins be sure to go early, there will be competition for that if it is available.

And the best part, unlike ebay, you get to hold it in your hand before you decide.

Hi! Sounds like you're off to a good start with some of the advice listed here. A few more things to help you out-

- Never buy full collections at once: this not only takes away the thrill of the hunt, but A) rarely will you find a collection with the exact pieces you want, and b) it is cheaper to assemble a collection than to buy a full collection.
- Know what you want; this is a toughie, but if you keep buying things and trading them up, you usually take cash out of your budget every single time.
- Negotiate for the best price down to the bone; but, don't be afraid to pay a little more for a Premium Quality piece. Even if the number on the slab says the same as the other coin, NO TWO COINS ARE ALIKE: I would not hesitate to pay 5-10% more for a coin I believe I will always love.
- Don't use the RedBook: even though it's a good annual indication of prices, most prices change from month to month, or even week to week. So invest in either The Coin Dealer Newsletter (Greysheet.net) or you yourself can create a database chock full of Auction Prices Realized from ebay, Heritage Auctions, Teletrade, GreatCollections, and other sites. Remember to figure in the 17.5% buyer's premium.

Good luck and let me know how it went!

Thanks for all the tips. Other than some slabbed ASEs there's nothing in particular I'm looking for, just the best deals I can get on US silver.

One issue I have with my LCS, and I understand why, is they don't have the prices on anything in their display cases. I don't like having to ask the price on everything I'm interested in, this I'm sure bugs the help and price is pretty much the key factor at this early point in my. collecting.

I do hope the show dealers have prices posted, where I can read them. After all, I'd be much more interested in a $50 Morgan over a $450 Morgan and if the high price was posted I wouldn't waste anybody's time asking.

Rick