L.K. Jones

On Friday, I leave my credit and debit cards, checkbook and cash (even the change) at home. I take my coupon that I received in the mail and get in free. I go fairly early (no more than an hour after it opens). Then I simply snoop and stroll and figure out who has the best beads and tools, the best prices for those beads and tools, and make notes (I note which vendors had what and the price for the item, plus where they are in the hall).

I spend part of Saturday deciding a budget, and what I want most from whom. I make a list and prioritize the vendors by what they’re offering and for how much. I try to establish the shortest route between vendors.

On Sunday, armed with my list and only cash, I return to the gem show. I use my weekend pass (that I got on Friday just for showing up), and go directly to the first vendor on my list. Sometimes by Sunday, the vendors are willing to dicker, or they’ve simply lowered their prices. When my cash runs out, I’m done.

In all my years of doing this, I’ve found only one disadvantage to it: occasionally, there’s a one-of-a-kind item that I wish I had the money right then. On the other hand, I figure that if it isn’t there when I return, I wasn’t supposed to have it. Window shopping on Friday, and returning on Sunday with cash only, has saved me money over the long run. Sometimes, if I don’t see anything I can’t live without on Friday, I don’t go back on Sunday, thereby saving even more money.