Baltimore Coin Show

[tw656]

Anyone going next weekend? Ive never been to a coin show before, any tips on getting good deals? Can you haggle with the dealers or is that looked down upon? Also, had heard sometimes some of the big graders do on the spot grading at a reduced price? Anyone do that before? A friend is going with me and we plan on hitting a few banks on the way there, as its about an hour away. Should be an all around fun experience!

 

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[LJ]

I have never been to a coin show TW....that should be fun though. Hope you find some good deals. Good luck on the stops on the way there. Let us know how it goes.

 

[bigtime400]

Well I am sure they would rather not have you haggle. I buy alot of antiques and I always do. They usually always go down. Just know what you are looking for and talking about. Be informed. Don't go and offer $50 for a 1916 D Mercury if you know what I mean. I would probably be walking around with a grade book. Ofcorse I don't go to many coin shows......

 

[Immy]

I love coin shows! Here are a few pointers:

- Bring a want list. It's easy to get overwhelmed and forget what you're searching for!

- Know what the maximum is you want to spend on an item. It'll help you avoid the overpriced sellers.

- Bring a trusty magnifier. No one should be without one.

- Do one or two circuits of the whole bourse floor before you plant yourself at a table. Get a good lay of the land.

- Yes, haggle, but as bigtime said don't be ridiculous about it. Sometimes you can knock $10-$15 off a $100 item.

- Tell dealers what you're looking for. They frequently have stock that's not on display.

- Scour those bargain bins! Dealer often have tubs of miscellaneous discounted coins. You can often cherrypick semi-key dates, find silver for less than melt value, etc., etc.

- Above all else ---Have Fun!!!

 

[scotto]

- Bring a trusty magnifier. No one should be without one.

- Scour those bargain bins! Dealer often have tubs of miscellaneous discounted coins. You can often cherrypick semi-key dates, find silver for less than melt value, etc., etc.

Those are two good things I always do.
There's a coin show by me this weekend, which I'm going to be at as well. A lot of dealers with stamp collectors too, and I'm trying to unload this massive stamp collection I got from my mother-in-law, and turn it all into silver.

 

[tw656]

Thanks for the tips. I think it is a good idea to be prepared, and give some thought to what I am looking for and what I might spend. I tell you, Ive got a lot to learn. I have bought a few certified coins, and I know in a couple cases was ripped off at least $30 or $40 dollars or more. Buy the coin not the grade! Although at the show I want to see if I can find a bargin on an ungraded coin and then get it graded. I don't expect to win as I still have a lot to learn and that is what I hope to do at this show. Learn something! Oh yeah, and have some fun. I tell coin collecters are the weirdest looking people in the world! At least the ones Ive met at the coin machine returns and various dealers at the coin shop. Got to admit, Im no pretty boy myself! oh yeah, I will definetely check out the bargin bins!

 

[enamel7]

I agree with taking a list and looking around first. I went to the ANA show in Charlotte today and had a blast. I will definitely be better prepared the next show I go to. Still picked up some rolls and a Cherrypicker's Guide at a discount.

 

[TreasureTales]

All these tips are excellent. I'll add a few of my own.

Listen to what other collectors or dealers talk about, IOW eavesdrop. You can learn alot about the latest collectible coins, what's hot and what's not, whose prices are lowest, etc.

One thing I've learned through the years, the really good stuff is kept under the table.

On average, the prices are higher at shows. Doesn't matter if it's a coin show or a car show - they mark up their prices for the show. There are exceptions to that general rule, so keep your eyes and ears open.

This is gonna sound strange, but here goes anyhow. When I go to the coin shows, I look for old books. When I go to the book shows, I look for old knives. When I go to the knife shows, I look for old coins. IOW, I avoid the obvious and look for the odd because you can usually get better prices on stuff when it doesn't fit in with the main focus of the dealers. It's the rule of contrariness. Try it, it is fun and rewarding. Just don't be obvious about it, act casual.

Take a small pocket notebook and jot down stuff so you will remember what you heard, learned, saw, bought, prices, etc. It is much easier to write it down at the time than to try to remember everything after you get home.

The best thing to keep in mind: learn to walk away if the price is out of your range.