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Advice For First Coin Show

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jakes8's Avatar
United States
123 Posts
 Posted 07/04/2018  6:55 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add jakes8 to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
Hello all,

I hope everyone is enjoying America's Birthday! I will be attending my first coin show hopefully later this month and I am very excited! I was just wondering what I should expect from it and any advice you have that will help me get the most out of my experience.

Thanks for your help!
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silverwolf's Avatar
Canada
3733 Posts
 Posted 07/04/2018  7:17 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add silverwolf to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Keep your wallet in your front pocket, and prepare a list of what you are looking for , and be sure to research prices before you go.. Have fun/
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Alpha2814's Avatar
United States
2023 Posts
 Posted 07/04/2018  7:20 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Alpha2814 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Bring cash. Very few (if any) will take a credit card or a personal check.
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oriole's Avatar
Canada
5239 Posts
 Posted 07/04/2018  7:53 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add oriole to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
This subject has come up a number of times. Here is one:

http://goccf.com/t/283755

Do a search for "first coin show" and you will find many more. There is a lot of great advice-take a look at the other responses and you won't be sorry.
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MikeF's Avatar
United States
3479 Posts
 Posted 07/04/2018  9:01 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add MikeF to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
-Know your objectives - If you are looking for certain type coins stick to the plan. If you are looking to complete an album stick to that plan.

-Don't lose your standards - if you have certain grading standards or eye appeal standards don't deviate from them. You will only be disappointed with your purchases later.

-Do a cursory walkthrough of the floor to get an idea of which dealers sell what and write down which coins you are interested in. Sit down at an abandoned table and then do a sales check on your smart phone....

-Bring your smart phone to lookup auction prices and sales history of the coins you're interest in. -don't do it in front of the dealer(it will just piss them off. Here in the Midwest coin prices at shows are inflated. For both graded and raw coins.

Don't be afraid to walk away empty handed. But make sure you get a card from the dealers who were friendly, helpful and had coins you're interested in. You can always put a deal together over the phone and internet later.





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MikeF's Avatar
United States
3479 Posts
 Posted 07/04/2018  9:22 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add MikeF to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I almost forgot the biggest one. DO NOT TRUST THE DEALER'S GRADES ON RAW COINS! Nine times out of ten you will get hosed if you send the coin in for grading. They ALWAYS skew the grades in their favor. It sucks but it's a very prevalent practice.
Edited by MikeF
07/04/2018 9:24 pm
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basebal21's Avatar
13014 Posts
 Posted 07/04/2018  9:47 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add basebal21 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
I almost forgot the biggest one. DO NOT TRUST THE DEALER'S GRADES ON RAW COINS! Nine times out of ten you will get hosed if you sent the coin in for grading. They ALWAYS skew the grades in their favor. It sucks but it's a very prevalent and dishonest practice.


This, if you remember nothing else remember this.

Many of the raw coins will be raw for a reason and a good number will have likely been broken out of details holders at some point.

Also the younger someone is the more egregious some dealers will be about it and about hyping things
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jbuck's Avatar
United States
188213 Posts
 Posted 07/05/2018  2:37 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add jbuck to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
Keep your wallet in your front pocket
Good advice always.


Quote:
Bring cash. Very few (if any) will take a credit card
In the past sure, but at the shows here it is becoming increasingly popular to accept plastic. Sign of the times.

With that being said, you should still bring cash as it will not only get you better deals, but will keep you in budget.
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Earle42's Avatar
United States
10038 Posts
 Posted 07/05/2018  3:24 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Earle42 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Buy what appeals to you.

Remember to buy the coin and not the holder.
http://goccf.com/t/322364

How much squash could a Sasquatch squash if a Sasquatch would squash squash?
Download and read: Grading the graders
Costly TPG ineptitude and No FG Kennedy halves
https://ln5.sync.com/dl/7ca91bdd0/w...i3b-rbj9fir2
Valued Member
United States
318 Posts
 Posted 07/05/2018  3:41 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add mikem007 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
So, keeping your wallet in your front pocket... is that to protect against pick-pockets where somebody steals your wallet? Are coin shows really that busy these days that there will be a crowd around to the point where somebody can get in that close?

Last time I went to a coin show was 1980. If you all are saying coin shows are still a happening place loaded with people, I need to get back out there a visit a few.
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jbuck's Avatar
United States
188213 Posts
 Posted 07/05/2018  4:11 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add jbuck to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
So, keeping your wallet in your front pocket... is that to protect against pick-pockets where somebody steals your wallet?
Yes.


Quote:
Are coin shows really that busy these days that there will be a crowd around to the point where somebody can get in that close?
They can be, but as I said above this is always good advice, be it a coin show or busy city street.

It is also a good idea if you have a George Costanza wallet.
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acloco's Avatar
United States
3540 Posts
 Posted 07/05/2018  6:55 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add acloco to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Have a want list and stick to it.

KNOW the true market price/grade.

If you see "the good/great deal" on your first pass, BUY IT - will not be there on the next pass.

Don't be afraid to ask for the best cash price.
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oriole's Avatar
Canada
5239 Posts
 Posted 07/06/2018  9:39 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add oriole to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
Keep your wallet in your front pocket


Even better, keep your wallet in a ZIPPERED pocket. Always keep it zippered except when you take money out. Put a few bills in another pocket so that you can make small purchases without taking your wallet out. Put valuable purchases in the same or another zippered pocket.
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basebal21's Avatar
13014 Posts
 Posted 07/06/2018  11:27 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add basebal21 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
Are coin shows really that busy these days that there will be a crowd around to the point where somebody can get in that close?


Most aren't even the major shows. That said it is an advertised place where pick pockets would be likely to stop by knowing most people will have large sums of cash on them so better safe than sorry
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United States
20753 Posts
 Posted 07/07/2018  8:19 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add just carl to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
And please no back pack. In busy aisles they hit people all the time. Keep cash in a front pocket and not necessarily in a wallet. Make sure your not followed when you leave.
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basebal21's Avatar
13014 Posts
 Posted 07/07/2018  11:11 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add basebal21 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
Make sure your not followed when you leave.


Also a good point. Don't go straight home, do some errands or make a stop or two first
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