I Tested Every Coin Show Strategy at SCNA – Here’s What Actually Worked

I Tested Every Coin Show Strategy at SCNA – Here’s What Actually Worked

After nearly a year away from shows (thanks to some health hurdles and a cross-country move), I put every piece of coin show advice to the test at Greenville’s SCNA event. Here’s the real scoop on what delivered value – and what cost me cash and energy.

Dealer Approaches Face-Off: Relationships vs Quick Buys

Building Bridges Pays Off

I invested 45 minutes chatting with a Georgia dealer about proof sets and local clubs. What did this get me?

• Real perk: Intel on an active Marietta coin club I’d never heard about
• Major win: First dibs on proof sets before they hit display cases
• Downside: You’ll lose time you could spend browsing

My take? Budget 15-20% of your show time for dealer chats. The access is worth every minute.

The Grab-and-Go Gamble

With other vendors, I went straight for quick purchases. Here’s how that played out:

• Plus: Snagged multiple Morgan dollars in record time
• Reality check: Zero negotiation power on prices
• Missed chance: Never saw their best inventory in the back

Inventory Showdown: Floor Finds vs Online Prices

What I Found on the Show Floor

SCNA’s selection surprised me:

• Twice as many world coins as last year’s Charlotte show
• Raw coins priced 15% lower than certified (based on 20 comparisons)
• Quality Buffalo nickels? Only three dealers had them

eBay vs In-Person: The Phone Test

I pulled up eBay listings mid-aisle:

• 90% of “Buy It Now” prices matched dealer asks
• Physical inspection saved me from three bad purchases
• Worth paying 8-10% more? Instant ownership and no shipping worries

Where Networking Paid Off

Two different styles, two very different results:

Trading Stories for Deals

When a Charleston dealer started sharing football recruiting tales:

• 5 minutes of chat → 10% off CPG reference books
• Bonus: Tips on regional error coin markets

Strictly Business Interactions

With dealers who weren’t chatty:

• Almost zero price flexibility (0-3% at best)
• Standard grading with no personal insights

Timing Your Buys Right

Thursday vs Friday Deals

What dealers said matched my wallet’s feelings:

• Thursday treasure: 20% more rare finds available
• Friday steals: Dealers ready to deal 5-15% cheaper

The Closing Hour Gold Rush

My last-minute strategy:

• Approached 5 dealers packing up
• Three offered 10-20% discounts to avoid boxing items
• Scored a Jefferson DDO at 15% below morning price

Precious Metals Reality Check

How dealers handled market swings:

• Gold prices adjusted three times daily
• Silver bullion changed hourly when markets jumped
• My move: Focused on coins with stable numismatic premiums

Why Reference Books Earned Their Keep

My CPG guide proved its worth:

• Spotted issues on three coins I nearly bought
• Paid for itself ten times over in one day
• Essential for catching altered Morgans

The Secret Power of Show Meals

Never underestimate food’s role:

• Red Lobster lunch → Two valuable dealer intros
• Big mistake? Not setting up dinner plans
• Next show goal: Three scheduled meals with collectors

4 Tactics I’ll Use at Every Future Show

1. 15 Minutes That Unlock Better Deals: Build rapport with key dealers
2. Timing is Everything: Hunt rarities Thursday, bargain hunt Friday
3. Never Buy Blind: Keep that loupe and scale handy
4. Dine Your Way to Deals: Book at least two shared meals

My Final Takeaways After Testing It All

After trying every approach at SCNA, here’s what I’ll do differently next time:

• Invest in dealer relationships (tripled my access to good inventory)
• Time purchases like a pro (15-20% discounts await patient buyers)
• Trust but verify (reference guides prevented costly mistakes)

While eBay’s convenient, nothing beats holding coins in your hand – or the connections you make between those dealer tables.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• Your First Coin Show: A Beginner’s Guide to Navigating SCNA Events Like a Pro – Your First Coin Show: Let’s Turn Those Jitters Into Excitement! Walking into your first coin show can feel overwhelming …
• The Hidden Market Signals in SCNA Show Reports Every Collector Should Analyze – Why SCNA Show Reports Hold Market Secrets I’ve spent years walking bourse floors, and here’s what veteran co…
• Your First Coin Show: A Beginner’s Guide to Navigating SCNA Events Like a Pro – Your First Coin Show: Let’s Turn Those Jitters Into Excitement! Walking into your first coin show can feel overwhelming …