My First APS Stampshow

HAVE A PLAN -----Yes that means having a intelligent answer when people ask you a question . I don't know how many people can't be polite at a show or a bourse. You will get questions about --How are you ? what do you collect ? can I show you something ? what are you interested in ? . There were so many times as customers or viewers walked by or stopped at my table and I would get no answer . Be polite .....Don't look at the dealer and keep walking .
Try to spend some money....it makes for a happy experience .....buy supplies, a book or something from the discount box but make a purchase ....support the hobby .If you see something that is overpriced to what you see on ebay ,you don't have to tell the seller he already hear that a hundred times .

Thanks for the auction information .

I don't collect first day covers, but I attended a first-day ceremony once and thoroughly enjoyed it; the postmaster of the host town was enthusiastic about postal history and gave a great presentation. (This wasn't at an APS StampShow, but at a regular "World Series" show in Massachusetts.)

I'll respectfully disagree with floortrader on a couple of the details to which he referred two posts above this one. It's not only attendees who can be impolite. The first APS StampShow I attended was in 2008 (Hartford, Connecticut) and I was just getting back into the hobby after a 30-year break. As I walked around some of the dealers were too loud and aggressive for my tastes, and others were pretty cold when I acted like a rookie. In my opinion, you can safely ignore the overbearing ones and walk away from the flute-snoots and the snot-bots. However, I do agree that buying at least a few things here and there keeps dealers interested and keeps the shows going in the long run. There are some dealers who usually show up at shows around New England, and I've established good relationships with them over them, enjoy seeing them, and have spent my share of money. Many dealers are likeable people who are genuinely enthusiastic about stamps, not just about commerce.

As far as the meetings and lectures: it's kind of like the dealer tables. If a meeting feels "closed" and unwelcoming to you, you can easily find something else to do. But most of them aren't like that; they are run by and for enthusiasts, and they'll gladly welcome both passers-by and potential maniacs to share their obsessions :) . Some meetings are indeed specifically members-only, so don't feel offended if you're not invited in to those. Members-only, or closed, meetings, are usually identified as such in the show's program guide.

Most of all, make time to check out the exhibits. Most of them are fascinating, and if the subject of one exhibit doesn't do much for you, move on to the next one. One in particular that I saw in 2008 - about land postal routes along the Andes - reawoke me to the infinite variety of philately and really helped send me back into it.

I have always been amazed at how many dealers will open with the line, "Hi, Can I help you?" This is a 'selling 101' mistake and a sign of a clueless salesperson; once a customer replies 'no' it is difficult to continue to conversation. Never, ever ask a customer a 'yes/no' question. Instead ask leading questions which encourage a dialog like 'Hi, what do you collect?'.
Don

If they are going to shut down "Hi, Can I help you?" with a "NO", they can just as easily shut down 'Hi, what do you collect?'. with sometg=hing like "I'm just browsing"

Despite 160 years of evidence to the contrary, department stores have never grasped that British shoppers hate being asked "can I help you?", and managers continue to insist on their staff asking, probably leading to more sales lost than gained. To this has been added the irritating "did you find everything that you were looking for today?" at the till. A "hello" or a smile is all that's needed.

That is not my experince after owning a retail store for a few decades. There is a ton of research, much of which can be found online with a search, which indicates that opening a sales conversation with 'Can I help you' is totally ineffective.
Don

Back to the original topic, new comers to shows may be surprised about some dealer prices and material. Prices can be higher than one sees online and some may look "old" as if they had been carried from show to show for some time. A few carry a lot of stock so you have to ask for what you want to see. Some dealers expect to haggle and some do not unless you purchased some minimum amount.

For what I collect, for me show dealer prices are on the high side and can take time to find the better priced material.

This may seem a strange question but there is a reason for asking it: Does the local host club have any degree of control over operations of the show or, is their role strictly honorary? Could an officer of that club simply decide they don't want a given individual to attend?

I am asking for reasons I'd best not get too detailed about. Input appreciated.

Great advice from all. I do have a small want list and I am noting those dealers that might be able to help me fulfill some items I need. I am familiar with Columbus having lived in Chillicothe to the south and currently living in Cincinnati. I agree that growing this hobby begins with me.

<quote>This may seem a strange question but there is a reason for asking it: Does the local host club have any degree of control over operations of the show or, is their role strictly honorary? Could an officer of that club simply decide they don't want a given individual to attend? </quote>

The show is operated by the American Philatelic Society and is an event open to the public. There are some exceptions, but those are determined on past behavior, such as theft or fraud.

Scott

Something no one has mentioned. My example: I was planning to break in a new dealer for my specialty areas at the Rocky Mountain Stamp Show at the end of May. Unfortunately for me, and the dealer, since I was planning to spend money with them, they never had a vacant seat during the 45 minutes I was at the show, and part of that time was spent viewing a few exhibits I wanted to review.

An option, which I didn't do as I found another dealer who was less busy, is to quickly ask for a business card, and which hopefully gives a web site. That allows one to browse later at your convenience.

A&D?

Scott thanks for the clarification. The individual referenced in my post is a member of the APS who has had issues with the leadership of the local club. No theft or fraud involved. I will pass this back to him.

eyeonwall: A & D? Yes.