My Card Show Experience at RMU in Pittsburgh

[mintacular]

Spent several hours at the show in my backyard, not sure where this thread will go but why not share....

1. Foot Traffic was pretty light, then again it did seem like the show was not advertisted---did not have to elbow anyone....

2. Most the sellers were very courteous—I think the word has gotten out that if you are d**k it will cost you, or maybe the economy has weeded out the bad sellers. Customer service is key is big/successful sellers realize this. You will spend more $ if the dealer is approachable/polite, etc.

3. Post-war vintage 50s-70s is not as rare as I thought, one dealer had about 15-20 ’55 Bowman Mantles albeit most were low grade

4. Hi-Grade 71 BB (black borders) are hot!

5. Prices tend to be higher but for set building not too bad considering you are not paying shipping and can see the card in person

6. Not a lot of hockey or football, mostly baseball maybe it’s the season

7. Did not see many modern sellers, a couple guys, mostly vintage—not a good sign

8. I can’t recall seeing a kid there, I think there was one or two that were dragged in by their parents but NONE that I saw actively buying/looking

9. If you walk around with a binder every dealer will ask: Anything for sale in there?

10. More pre-war cards than I thought existed! Ken Cohen is a great guy, same with Michael G? Not sure who he is but really good guy...

[mintacular]

The best card I got btw:

<a href="http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/nollpm/?action=view&amp;current=AaronRaw.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/nollpm/AaronRaw.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[Big Ben]

You did very well. That is a very nice Aaron card!

[mcadams]

Patrick- Your later comments touch on a topic of which I have great interest. I frequently hear "No kids were there" or "No modern dealers at the show"

I think this is more of a statement of logistical preference and less of a statement about lack of interest of the younger generation. The 25-35 crowd grew up going to shows and they will continue to do so, but the "under 25" crowd just don't do shows, period. They are still buying however, yet they are perfectly content doing 100% of their buying via ebay or online auctions. I do a fair bit of selling on ebay to "modern" registry collectors from the "under 25" bracket. They are out there and they spend money, they just don't do live shows.

[ephus]

The best card I got btw:

<a href="http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/nollpm/?action=view&amp;current=AaronRaw.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/nollpm/AaronRaw.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

That is a beautiful Aaron. Points about the show are well taken. I just wish I had more shows to attend. I live in Kentucky and shows are almost non existant. Last year I took my 3 kids to a couple shows (age 4,7,10 at the time) and they had alot of fun. I did see a few other kids, but adult to kid ratio was about 15 or 20 to 1. I also think that the point made in the thread about the younger generation enjoying the hobby mostly through their computers is spot on, although I would venture to say that they don't know what they are missing. I have made some great friends while visiting a show and seen/talked about things that I otherwise may have never experienced. That is one reason why I try and take my kids to shows for the interaction part of the hobby.

[vintagetoppsguy]

From my TriStar experiences, I see some kids at the show with their parents, but mostly like 12-13 and under. I really don't see a lot of teenagers there. I think this is the promoter's fault. Most teenagers are on a budget and are limited to whatever funds they have from allowance, mowing yards, part-time jobs, etc. My point is, it would cost a young teen $20 just to walk into a TriStar show before they ever get in the door - $10 parking, $10 entry fee. I think most teenagers would rather spend that $20 on cards and not for the "privilege" to buy.

When I was collecting as a kid in Houston in the mid to late '80s, most shows were free to attend or maybe like $1-$2 to get in. $10 entry fee is ridiculous. Don't they make enough money off the dealer tables? Back then, most of the parking was free too because it was usually at a hotel. Also, back then, there were usually 2 or more shows every weekend around town and you had to pick and choose the one you wanted to go to. The good 'ole days.

Anyway, that's my thoughts on why less kids are attending. They just can’t afford to.

[bsuttonosu]

My point is, it would cost a young teen $20 just to walk into a TriStar show before they ever get in the door - $10 parking, $10 entry fee.

$20 to get in + $50 for an autograph + $15 for an inscription + $7 for authentication...and that's if you want to wait in line and not buy the "VIP" pass.

If you're a kid, next thing you know you've spent 5 weeks allowance and you haven't even looked at a card (not that you could figure out if it was rookie or not anyway with all the new "rules").

The industry today is set up for adults. Why go to a show where a player is signing an autograph you can't afford? And why pay $100 when you can buy it on eBay for $35? To "meet" a guy that won't look at you or shake your hand or let you take a picture unless you spend another $50? (I realize this is an unfair generalization to the many great signers out there, but it's reality for many others.) When you look at a pricing structure that charges different amounts based on the potential future value of what is being signed (e.g., a picture costs less to autograph than a jersey) then you know you have a real problem.

I don't have the answer, but I know what it isn't. And I fear for the future of the hobby. I don't care if my cards hold their "value", that's never why I collected. But I'd hate to see our hobby disappear because of money.

[vintagetoppsguy]

$20 to get in + $50 for an autograph + $15 for an inscription + $7 for authentication...and that's if you want to wait in line and not buy the "VIP" pass.

If you're a kid, next thing you know you've spent 5 weeks allowance and you haven't even looked at a card (not that you could figure out if it was rookie or not anyway with all the new "rules").

The industry today is set up for adults. Why go to a show where a player is signing an autograph you can't afford? And why pay $100 when you can buy it on eBay for $35? To "meet" a guy that won't look at you or shake your hand or let you take a picture unless you spend another $50? (I realize this is an unfair generalization to the many great signers out there, but it's reality for many others.) When you look at a pricing structure that charges different amounts based on the potential future value of what is being signed (e.g., a picture costs less to autograph than a jersey) then you know you have a real problem.

I don't have the answer, but I know what it isn't. And I fear for the future of the hobby. I don't care if my cards hold their "value", that's never why I collected. But I'd hate to see our hobby disappear because of money.

Wow, you nailed it on the autographs! I didn’t even think of that aspect. Just for example, Evan Longoria (he’s someone a lot of young kids can relate to) will be signing autographs at the TriStar show in Houston next month. Autograph tickets are $89, inscriptions are $39 and photo opportunities are $89 as well. To a young kid that is a Longoria fan, that is a lot of money. A lot of kids don’t have that kind of money, so they can’t obtain an autograph of their favorite player and lose interest - not only in the hobby, but in the sport as well. They don’t understand that it’s greedy promoters charging those prices and not the players themselves. Can you blame them? And people wonder why there is no fresh blood in this hobby. Yes, it is an industry that is set up for adults. What a shame.

[rc4157]

I enjoyed the Pittsburgh show, $5 to get in, free parking, pleasant dealers. Prices seemed a bit on the high side for me but then I'm on the tight side when it comes to buying cards.

It was a pleasure to meet Ken Cohen and another Net54er (sorry, his name escapes me).

I look at shows as somewhat as visiting a museum, just seeing some of the phenomenal pieces was worth the $5. Then, to top it off, I was able to visit with my first granddaughter who is now 2 1/2 weeks old and resides in the Steel City!!

RC