How does a new seller get into ANY major card show these days?

[bcbgcbrcb]

Over the past several months, I have completed dealer applications online for the Chantilly card show, Philadelphia card show and Strongsville card show as those respective venues suggest on each of their websites. Not only have I not gotten into anything, I have never received a response from any of the three from anyone there running these events. Needless to say, zero chance of getting into the National as a dealer so I did not even bother with that one.

Are things ever going to change here or will everything just continue to be seniority driven and the heck with everybody else. Not a good way to run a business model IMHO. Anyone else have any different experiences with any of these events as a prospective new seller?

[parkplace33]

Phil, it’s tough getting in. I recommend contacting one of the dealers already set up and see if you can buy space from them.

Prices at a lot of these shows are going up in 2024 so you might have an avenue to get in.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thank you for the input, Drew. That has always been the easiest solution. Unfortunately, the show promoters beginning with the National are shutting down that avenue by explicitly disallowing that in the dealer contracts that need to be signed. Dealer costs going up in 2024 is definitely not a plus for me, if it forces others out, will most likely keep me out as well for the same reason. Finances are tighter for me than probably just about anyone else out there looking to set up at a major show.

[the-illini]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Thank you for the input, Drew. That has always been the easiest solution. Unfortunately, the show promoters beginning with the National are shutting down that avenue by explicitly disallowing that in the dealer contracts that need to be signed. Dealer costs going up in 2024 is definitely not a plus for me, if it forces others out, will most likely keep me out as well for the same reason. Finances are tighter for me than probably just about anyone else out there looking to set up at a major show.

It is in the contracts that subletting tables is not allowed, but it happens all the time. As previously mentioned, that is your quickest way to getting a decent table at the big shows.

[Peter_Spaeth]

The promoters should still reply to inquiries like Phil's. They can't be that busy, and they certainly aren't that important.

[philliesfan]

I am also trying to get in the Philly show.
No luck so far even though I have done it in the past.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Good news, I received a response today from the Strongsville card show. Bad news, as expected, it was that the show is sold out every year as all dealers always return. On occasion, a spot may become available and then the extensive waiting list kicks in. I put my name down but am going to be 55 next month so not too optimistic that I’ll ever get to experience it.

What’s getting harder and harder to justify isn’t the travel expenses when you are setting up as a dealer at these big shows, it’s the travel expenses to simply attend the show when you cannot make any money selling to offset your costs. I don’t expect to attend many, if any, in the near future. Guess I’ll have to stick to the bargain box buying and selling at the small shows down here in central FL. I would have to travel a minimum of 10-12 hours to get to a regional show and I’m not doing it if I can’t make any money while I’m there.

[Exhibitman]

You really have to adjust your expectations of a show. If the focus is grinding money out of a mainstream slabbed collection, better to put the time into eBay listings. Local shows are best suited for all of the stuff you cannot sell and ship economically, and for hard to find and esoteric stuff that niche collectors will go for. That sort of material always sells well for me. Occasionally a good walk-up sells you something too. The nice part about that is that the expectation is not to make a retail sale to you, so there is some advantage baked into the deal.

[Hankphenom]

I'm just curious what's happened with those. For many years, I could expect a table at a good regional show to run somewhere in the $200-250 range, with a discount for multiples. What are they now?

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

I'm just curious what's happened with those. For many years, I could expect a table at a good regional show to run somewhere in the $200-250 range, with a discount for multiples. What are they now?

For a three day big show, at least $800.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

For a three day big show, at least $800.

Yikes! I really am living in the past. That's what the National used to run, how much is THAT now?

[bcbgcbrcb]

I was going to say $500 for a regular aisle table. Guess I even underestimated how much these went up. Good thing mine are only $40-$50 for the little 40-60 table shows down here that we hope will draw over 100 people in a day. Pretty tough to try and make a living this way. And dealers are complaining that attendance at the Dallas card show is down significantly…..

[Tony Gordon]

This is just the way things are… my advice is to just go with it and you will eventually get in. I was on the wait list for Strongsville and the Chicago show and was patient and eventually got in both shows. I also set up at the small regional one-day shows and enjoy them very much. Sales are inconsistent but good enough while buying is generally very good.

[bcbgcbrcb]

So, I went on the NSCC website this morning to look for where to add my contact info to their waiting list for dealer booths. I couldn’t find anything so I called for help and ended up leaving a voice mail, nobody answered. Still waiting to hear back from someone for assistance. I will post again with an update if I get any further with this.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Tomorrow I am setting up at one of my “regular” monthly card shows down here in Florida, 15 vendors and 30 tables. How many collectors do you think come out to this one? Very tough to make a living doing these…..