Experts speaking at the Arizona Daily Star's panel discussion Tuesday evening, January 31, offered some insights.
Don't stay away because you don't have credentials for the wholesale shows. About 80 percent of shows are open to the public. You can find out which ones aren't at tucsongemshow.orgΒ and search all of the shows for details at Visit Tucson's complete listings page.
If you want time with an expert, arrive at the show early when there are fewer people and the vendors are fresh.
How can you be sure you're getting a good deal?
- Know what you want before you go. You can do research online at mindat.orgΒ and other mineral sites. Find an expert by talking to someone atΒ TGMS.org
- Take your time. Don't be in a hurry to buy. Look around and if you have the time, don't buy the first day. You may find that different vendors have some similar products for different prices.
- Haggling is allowed.
- The worth of an item often depends on how much you like it.
- The old adage applies here: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- On the last day of a particular show, you might get a better deal because the vendors don't want to take their wares back home. However, selection won't be as good as it was in the early days.
