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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,949 |
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Valued Member
United States
262 Posts |
I'll be attending my first coin show this coming weekend in Aurora,CO. Extremely excited and can't wait!
Is there any pointers on dos nd donts other then the obvious?
Two questions I'm unsure of:
First, is alright that I check the grey sheet when I think I'm ready to purchase a coin at a vendors table?
Second, is it uncommin to use a loupe when looking at coins at tables or should I just eye it?
Any other advice is appreciated. Thanks
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
first question, not sure, so someone else will have to speak up
second question, a loupe should be okay, my first show I took a pocket magnifying glass
my first coin show I didn't think I was going to buy much, so didn't carry lots of cash with me, found a great coin, ran home to get money then went back and bought it. Some/most dealers at coin show may not take credit/debit cards.
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Valued Member
 United States
262 Posts |
Thanks Fuzzy, I know what my spending cap is so I guess I'll have to carry it in cash.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
michaeln1036: If a dealer can use the grey sheet, why can't you? If I was a dealer I would be happy to discuss the grey sheet in front of you, so that you are both 'on the same page' when discussing prices.
The Russians call it 'Glasnost' (openness). Makes for honest dealing on both sides.
I have ALWAYS taken a loupe with me to coin shows. I have yet to meet a dealer at a coin show that was not happy to let me see closely a coin that I may buy.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
 John1  |
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
Quote:
First, is alright that I check the grey sheet when I think I'm ready to purchase a coin at a vendors table?
Second, is it uncommin to use a loupe when looking at coins at tables or should I just eye it?
Both of these you should do! Have fun  swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2335 Posts |
Quote:
michaeln1036: If a dealer can use the grey sheet, why can't you? If I was a dealer I would be happy to discuss the grey sheet in front of you, so that you are both 'on the same page' when discussing prices. The first coin show I went to I found a dealer that had a coin I was interested in. I noticed he had the greysheet sitting on his table so I asked him how he priced his coins. He told me he needed to get 10% over greysheet ask to make a living. I felt like I could live with that so asked him for a price on the coin in question......he proceeded to quote a price that was greysheet plus 35%. I guess the moral of the story is that irregardless of what the dealer may say check your own greysheet & do your own math. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
1. Take any price guide you want. Normally don't take the Red Book. Sign of an amateur 2. Don't take a back pack. Aisles are usually small and those bump people so much you could be asked to leave. 3. Keep all cash in a front pocket. Do not pull out large bundles of cash. Keep cash in several smaller piles. 4. If you use a credit or debit card, be real, real carefull not to let anyone see it as you make a transaction. 5. Same with and even more so with a personal check. Remember how many people now have camera phones. 6. Best just not to take credit, debit, personal checks with you. 7. Regardless of how great a deal appears, wonder around the place first. Don't buy the first coin you think is the beset deal on Earth. 8. Always use a magnifier to check both sides of a coin. Not a good feeling when you get home and find a scratch on a coin you should have seen at the show. 9. ALWAYS ask what the lowest price is on a coin. NEVER offer to pay the first price noted. Remember a coin show is basically a flea market for coins so prices should be nogotiated. 10. Do not say things like WOW is that a good deal. Or Just wht I'm looking for. etc. You don't want a dealer to think he has you. 11. Try to talk to all the dealers. Let them get to know you so in case they are the same ones at another show you go to, they might remember you. Better deals if they think your a steady customer 12. When leaving any coin show, gun show, camera show, etc. check out if anyone is leaving the same time. If so, go back inside to see what they do. If you drove there, as you start to leave, drive around the parking lot to see if anyone else follows you. If so, go back inside and wait a while. |
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Valued Member
United States
362 Posts |
It can be daunting I went to my first a few months ago. I went without knowing exactly what I wanted, my main focus is on silver and gold investment for helping my portfolio. But the first one I went to, I did not have anything in mind that I wanted, and there were coins EVERYWHERE. Its good to have a goal or something specific to look for. Also a lot of dealers buy and sell at all values. So silver might be worth 40$ and ounce, but they may have bought it for 50$ an ounce, and usually will over price it, or sit on it till the cost of silver/gold or whatever goes back up. my Two Cents |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
Good advice from everyone. I would just add one more piece: if you end up making an offer (i.e., "will you take $25 for this coin?") and the dealer says yes, you need to complete the deal. IMO it is very discourteous to come to that point and then say you'll think about it. It's perfectly OK however to ask "what's your best price?" and then walk away if that price is not to your liking. Just my Two Cents! |
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Valued Member
United States
262 Posts |
Thanks for the strong advice all, some very good points. most of it seems like common sense stuff.
I just really wasn't sure how a dealer would react with me whipping out a grey sheet. Although it is on my e-reader so they may not know what I am doing.
Obviously dealers want my and everyones business but how they go about getting it will be the biggest deal breaker for me...I refuse to work with snobs or rude dealers.
I've been to TONS of gun shows over the years and there surely are alot of snobs as far as dealers are concerned.
Not sure if I should expect the same at a coin show.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I've been to TONS of gun shows over the years and there surely are alot of snobs as far as dealers are concerned.
Not sure if I should expect the same at a coin show.
MASSIVE differences in the type of shows you go to. And the reasons are usually obvious. For example at a gun show, a dealer usually knows the average person is not going to buy, buy, buy. This is sort of true at a computer show too. Therefore there is a completely different type of attitude per sails. In many states a gun sale is not completed that day since there may be a waiting period for each purchase. Again, this makes a difference in attitudes for everyone. At computer shows a person may buy one and that is it for a long, long time. At electronic shows people are similar to a coin show where a customer may be very repeditive so again, a difference in attitudes. What I mean is if you go to a place where a seller, dealer, wants you as a steady or repeat customer, they develope a more polite attitude. Coin shows are good examples if more on the local side and even sometimes this continues to the larger type shows. Now if it's snobs you want to see, try a dog or car show. |
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Valued Member
United States
212 Posts |
When I went to my first coin show, I was like a blind dog in a butcher shop. Just everywhere. Didn't know what to look at or buy first. Way too excited and hyper. Now I like to go in and just browse over every table and take mental notes or you can write notes down. Then go back to where I started on the floor and relax while shopping slowly.
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Valued Member
United States
277 Posts |
The answer to both questions is YES! If the dealer has a problem with you checking the grey sheet it may be due to the fact that his/her price is way off base if it's reasonable then no big deal.
For the loupe, most dealers I have dealt with when you ask to look at a coin will say "Sure, do you have a loupe or would you like to use mine?"
Trust me when I say they want you coming back every show and buying from them!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1064 Posts |
These are great tips, many I just would not have thought of; I've gone to 1/2 doz local shows, have not felt comfortable enough to actually buy anything yet! I really like just carl's list, thanks - I'll be leaving my Red Book at home... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1348 Posts |
Quote:
Good advice from everyone. I would just add one more piece: if you end up making an offer (i.e., "will you take $25 for this coin?") and the dealer says yes, you need to complete the deal. IMO it is very discourteous to come to that point and then say you'll think about it. It's perfectly OK however to ask "what's your best price?" and then walk away if that price is not to your liking. Besides for the 12 rules posted earlier I think this may be the best tip. |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,949 |
Posted 06/01/2011 11:49 pm
