Stamp Show Observation

If dealers started serving wine at shows, I bet the average per person purchase would increase. :-)




Very true statements.

I remember my wife actually went to a show with me once and as we were walking around she asked how I determine what dealers to stop at. Naturally, the possibility they might offer something in my collecting areas was a big consideration, but there was something else. I pointed out a dealer table where the larger case he kept his "red boxes" in was falling apart and held together by tape. I asked my wife how well she thought he took care of his inventory, and if he's that careless with the inventory, what else might he be careless with (grading, identification, pricing?)?

You know, I saw that at the national show too.

Not sure why your post made me think of that DonSellos.

They are an amazing group, and I am proud to support them even though I don't live in Colorado. I recommend reading their newsletter "Scribblings", which is posted on their website in PDF form here http://www.rmpldenver.com/start.do

Cheers!

Brian

I agree with the previous comments on the debit credit issue. I did ask a couple of dealers if they took either method at a couple of shows,they looked at me like I was from another planet??? My needs at these shows were for stamps beyond the $100.00 range each. I refuse to walk around with large sums of cash in my wallet. They need to get with the times.If they complain that there is a cost to all this, they just don't get how to do business in 2014.

In reference to their pricing which I usually find quite high. I am thinking that these guys forget how easy it is to get information on pricing trends. They are not giving the buying customer respect for his or her knowledge of the product they are interested in buying before they came to the show. Even at the shows I use my smartphone to search pricing right there on the spot. They act like it was 30 years ago when we only had catalogs with pricing. We had to drive to a stamp dealers shop and were at the mercy of his pricing. His only competition was another guy 20 miles away.

Someone should show these dealers Square for the iphone. It might blow their minds. I've seen it used by small dealers at craft shows and even native american artists at the plazas in new mexico. Time to get with the times.

If I may speculate here, I believe that not all stamp dealers are registered businesses with the IRS. If they start taking credit/debit cards, checks, or Paypal, there's a paper trail left behind. It might actually be worthwhile turing away customers if they choose not to claim their earnings ...

On the other hand, some dealers just don't trust or want to learn the new technology.

Eventually, all of the above will cease to exist. At some point in the future I envision all transactions becoming electronic. It's just a matter of time ...

Brian

I agree 100%. We might have to start even simpler by showing these guys an iphone or any type of smartphone or even a cell phone of any kind..lol

This is a very interesting thread. Thanks to all who contributed.

I agree and disagree with various aspects, so I will just ramble on a couple of points. (Just run now if you hate rambling.)

Anyone on this forum obviously does philatelic work - purchases, research - etc. with the Web and knows how valuable a tool it is. And this would, I think, be an equally valuable tool at stamp shows, for SOME dealers and SOME buyers.

I understand the Web; I don't own a SmartPhone and am avoiding one for as long as possible, being the Luddite that I am.

So is high technology needed at stamp shows? Yes and no. If I were buying top-line items - like individual stamps that cost $50 or more - I would think it would be very helpful to have technology on both sides of the table.

But for lower cost items, I don't think it is necessary. Before a show, I research just about anything that might cost more than $10 before I go. I jot down prices that I think are reasonable based on that research. I used my technology beforehand and can go to the show and enjoy, browse, shop, talk, look at exhibits, etc., without being tethered to technology.

I have to admit that the bigger the show, the more we are all satisfied and likely to find something - deals, dealers, exhibits, contacts - that make us happy.

The ROPEX show in Rochester, NY, started charging a small admission fee a few years ago to cover the costs. I can't blame them. It's pricey to put on a show and a few dollars is not a killer.

I think some background music might be nice, if the sound system is good (hahaha - good luck finding that in an old Legion Hall).

But it would be nice to have some steps taken to remove the funeral home parlor atmosphere at a show. (The absolute BEST way to do it, I am convinced, is to have friendly folks around who enjoy people. I think clubs, which are big enough, need to recruit from their membership the three or four friendliest members who spend the show as hosts/concierges - there at the door to chat, help, assist, etc.)

Cranky and nasty dealers are just that. Luckily they seem to be fading, though, there is one here in Upstate NY whom I have not spent a penny with for several years. Why? Because he practically mocked the quality (price) of material I was buying (including material I bought from him!! Why would I subject myself to him again? DUH).

I went to a small show in Gettysburg, PA., last fall and I thought it had a great feel. Friendly folks putting the show on. Friendly dealers. There is the same feeling at the shows here in Syracuse, NY.

Early in this thread someone said they were grilled at the door of a show (forgot where). ... Arrrrgh .. that is awful and total turnoff and I would have basically said "none of your business." But I hope those organizers realize what an error that was.

Sorry this was so long.
Keep on stamping!!

There's also dealers who don't take credit cards and the like as they don't like being charged for the service.

It won't work on their rotary phone!

This is a pretty sophisticated and technologically savvy group. I think that we are in the a minority as collectors. As much as it irks me, the big companies like Amos aren't stupid. I think they believe there isn't a market for more sophisticated offerings. If they are wrong (I hope they are) they and the less tech-savvy dealers will either eventually get up to speed or someone will take their place.
Dan

I have made some very nice purchases from a dealer in Vermont who has no computer, has no idea what an MP3 is, and doesn't take plastic at all, yet he takes my check and fills the order promptly and accurately. People like him don't want to learn the new technology of a computer. I mention the MP3 because I've sent him some CD's and once asked him if he could play an MP3 file on a CD as opposed to wave. Acceptance is the answer. In my opinion you can't tell a dealer how to run his business. You can make an offer but to say what the other dealers are offering has nothing to do with his pricing. You can't try to buy from his customer. The dealers aren't going to change. The key is to work with children so future generations will produce younger dealers.
Tom

Absolutely. No one likes the fees. Over a year's time, most retail establishments pay an ungodly amount of fees to credit card companies. So why do they take them? Because they know that the average credit card transaction is much higher than the average cash transaction. And because...you basically have to in this day and age. I rarely carry more than $20 cash in my pocket because I know practically every place I go takes plastic. If I encounter a place that doesn't (which is exceedingly rare anymore), I'd probably have to turn around and walk out.



I wouldn't dream of it. I can choose to do business with them or not based on how he/she runs their business. There is one dealer that I buy on approval from that only takes cash or checks, but I get great service and great stamps for a good price, and I see the stamps before I buy them. Also, I don't sweat paying cash for low-cost, sight-unseen purchases, but if it starts approaching $100 or more, I definitely want to use plastic.

I still do old school snail mail price list transactions, but I would think a dealer booth would use cc to provide convenience to the potential customers on a show floor. Instead of asking how much they lose in fees, a better question might be how many sales have they gained by offering cc as a form of payment. I am in my early 30's and very rarely carry cash on me, as is it is with most of gen x and younger.

Dealers can do what they want, but I would think that the goal of a biz is to maximize sales.

If they take a card I am more inclined to make an impulse purchase. That is a good thing if you are a retailer.
If they only take cash and I am not carrying enough, well that's a lost sale. Not good for business.

Great thread...
I've been on both sides of the table at stamp shows. I have assisted dealers (get paid in stamps, what's not to like.) I learned a lot from the experience. You realize very quickly you are fixed to your location. Most dealers are class acts. I have only run into one bad apple and that was a UN new issue seller. I never have enough time or money as a buyer. I try to spread what I have around if I can. The Minnesota Stamp Expo is the largest show we have here and it does not have the high rollers like at the big shows. Dealers seem to do fine. The second days of shows are tough. The key in Minnesota is to have a large amount of world-wide stock and lots of covers. I go for the box lots if there are any. It is hard for dealers to bring a lot of box lots due to space though. I am on the board of the Maplewood club show Metropex that's held in October each year. We give food to the dealers. My wife made sandwiches to order last year. This year we will have bag lunches made up. Its not a large show, but it has the best lighting for a show.

I inadvertently left out the word RATE (re inflation RATE covers), which Floortrader was kind enough to point out. Perhaps he'll clarify what he meant with his reference to the new Colorado law affecting what people read.