Making The Most Of A Stamp Show

I have been asked to discuss this topic in-depth, so I am starting a new thread.

If you are going out of town, to a major stamp show, here is how you make the most of it. For the purposes of this discussion, I will use my bi-annual pilgrimage to NYC for the Mega-Stamp Event.

1. Set yourself a budget for the stamps. Typically, mine is $200.

2. Get your want lists ready and decide what you are going to pursue. For example, I cannot get much United States Air Mail in Canada, so I tend to focus on that at the NY show. I know there will be lots of dealers there who'll be selling that sort of stuff.

3. Look at the programme and see which dealers will be there. Usually there is one or two dealers there you will know will have the material you are looking for. My main collecting interest is the KGVI-Reign of our Commonwealth. Murray Payne Ltd., from Somerset, England, usually attend one of the two Mega-Event Shows. They are the authors of the very specialised KGVI Commonwealth Catalogue, and have absolutely the most difficult (and reasonable priced) material for what I am looking for. I always visit them first, because I know I will find something on my want lists in the $50-$75 range.

4. Once you get that elusive and special item at the show from the specialised dealer, you now know you've gotten something that you could not easily get anywhere else, and you have made the "trip" worthwhile.

Now the real fun begins...

5. With your remaining cash, hit the Dollar tables like Phil B did. There's always good deals to be had, there. Of your $200, you should be down to about $90.

6. Stroll the aisles and look at the dealers you will want to go back to a little later.

7. LUNCH!! Eat!! Stamp shows are hard work.

8. After lunch, look at the show programme and view the exhibits that look interesting. You may find an idea with respect to something you collect, or you may see something really neat you want to start collecting. If the exhibitors are there, ask them about their exhibit, you will learn even more.

9. Now go look at the dealers you saw before and get that item you were humming and hawing about for $20... you'll never see it again.

10. Get all the free magazines and catalogues everyone is handing out, you can read them on your trip home, or when you get home.

11 LASTLY: Take the last $25 or so and by a big bag of stamps or a small collection, lot or whatever. You get good lots at shows and you'll have hours of fun!

Got it?

Questions?

Got it, sir. Thanks for sharing the sensible advice- we newbies appreciate it!

Gussyboy1

What wonderful tips David

Now if I could only get to a stamp show

Dianne

David

Thanks, hopefully I will actually get to attend a show sometime (at least just once)

Great advice, David. Thanks for posting it!

(I never seem to get past step 4. I break the bank with one or two nice items and then look at the exhibits)

Very good advice. I have went to shows before when I had not decided exactly what I wanted to pursue and felt overwhelmed with options on where to spend my money.

Be sure to revisit dealers that you have done business with before, they may recgonize you & remember what material you were looking for and brought it with them. Also, you could get a discount. It is always nice to see a familiar face and build friendships.

SEP.20 MONCTON, NB
BRUNPEX sponsored by Fundy Stamp Collectors Club.
Place: Rotary Lodge
Centennial Park on George Blvd.
Hrs: 9-4
Free

Good advice, thanks David.
Especially about the budget, its so easy to buy because after all it's only a dollar or 2 right

With out the budget I found my first stamp show great but costly.

Excellent advice David! My only addition is to also encourage people to take your time and take breaks. Bending over a table pawing through tons of material can wear on your back, eyes, and patience!

I agree, Bandicoot... and as I learned with Phil & Jopie, a good breakfast before the show is important. American bacon and eggs are the best source for that breakfast!

David

That didnt stop you from getting the 9 dollar hot dog and soda combo !!

David, I came prepared with money to the Hartford show..my only regret is that altho I found several bargains...i did not find that one piece..for me that would probably be in the 30 dollar range..that would be a remembrance of the show..theres a Central American dealer an Englishman Brian Moorhouse who has all the good stuff..the guys in my club stayed away from him because he told someone he bought nothing under $150 To the show...thats the type of clientle he has...he is the one who supplies Dr. Woo with his gold prize award Quetzals...he sits on his stuff til one of the deep pocket boys need something...then they know who to call !!

One more thing and I will pipe down..my wife and I spent two full days at the Stampshow and you can not believe how fast time goes...there are first day ceremonies, there are free seminars and classes on things like estate planning or buying and selling stamps, there are topical societies you might want to visit and investigate..all these things take a chunk of time out of your day. There are hundreds of panes of fantastic exhibits ...and of course you are there to visit dealers and look for stamps !! Before you know it its 5:45 and they chase you out of the booth..everybody wants to go to supper !!

Thanks Bob

I should be able to make that one. I will definately try.

Dianne

I'm still envious of all you guys and gals in the Northeast that have the BIG, important shows, and all the famous dealers. We may have hurricanes, heat & humidity, gators and food that's bad for you, but we don't have your hobby resources!