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

[bcbgcbrcb]

I would be thrilled if that is the case, Leon. So, if I put my name on their waiting list today, in the next 2 or 3 years, they will have a booth for me?

Considering they lose about 100 booths this year by going to a smaller venue in Cleveland, I assume that leaves out numerous dealers who would already have National seniority over me. That’s on top of the existing waiting list, which I’m sure is extensive. Unless they build that show up to a 2,000 table event by 2026, I don’t see any way that it’s happening. Might be what the public wants to hear…..

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Leon

Glad to hear!

And yes, shows fill up, and it sucks not being able to get a booth. At the Net54baseball dinner this year Joe D (hi Joe), one of the Natinoal promoters, said there is a 2 yr wait for a table.
.

I'd say that's conservative since I'm a priority two and am not assured of a table next year. So how would someone on a wait list make it in two years?

I was on the wait list for about 5 years for both the National and Strongsville before I got in. I was already in Chantilly and Philly before things got tighter. I don't know how things are today but I did one East Coast National with no wait so the White Plains and Hofstra Shows may be available. I did The old Robert Morris Show after it moved with no wait in Pittsburgh, and I know one of the big shows in Texas is always trying to get me to come down so they must have room. Not sure about the Boston shows though they are ones we have considered adding to our repertoire, and we got in to Burbank with their move to Anaheim but then decided we couldn't justify the huge expense (travel more so than show). So opportunities for big shows are out there, just look around.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

I would be thrilled if that is the case, Leon. So, if I put my name on their waiting list today, in the next 2 or 3 years, they will have a booth for me?

Considering they lose about 100 booths this year by going to a smaller venue in Cleveland, I assume that leaves out numerous dealers who would already have National seniority over me. That’s on top of the existing waiting list, which I’m sure is extensive. Unless they build that show up to a 2,000 table event by 2026, I don’t see any way that it’s happening. Might be what the public wants to hear…..

I think you should put your name on the list. The new crew that took over the National is going to make some things happen. And, they read this forum. Get on the list, then at least you can be in line. And/Or, there is almost no doubt you could find someone that has a table to sell you a case or two for the show...
.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks, Leon. Certainly worth a shot and nothing to lose.

[Exhibitman]

Let's just start our own damn show and we can waitlist them!

[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.

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

I'd say that's conservative since I'm a priority two and am not assured of a table next year. So how would someone on a wait list make it in two years?

I was on the wait list for about 5 years for both the National and Strongsville before I got in. I was already in Chantilly and Philly before things got tighter. I don't know how things are today but I did one East Coast National with no wait so the White Plains and Hofstra Shows may be available. I did The old Robert Morris Show after it moved with no wait in Pittsburgh, and I know one of the big shows in Texas is always trying to get me to come down so they must have room. Not sure about the Boston shows though they are ones we have considered adding to our repertoire, and we got in to Burbank with their move to Anaheim but then decided we couldn't justify the huge expense (travel more so than show). So opportunities for big shows are out there, just look around.

White Plains is a pretty flexible space (there are many side rooms, a stage and a downstairs along with the main area) which are sometimes utilized and sometimes not, so I assume there is generally space if someone is interested there.

[ocjack]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Let's just start our own damn show and we can waitlist them!

Plus 1.

[jbsports33]

Pick the right shows and be patience! and make sure you have enough travel money and $$ to pay the fees. Communicate and talk to people! Many will tell you and talk about other shows during the first show you pick!
Good luck!

[philliesfan]

Let's just start our own damn show and we can waitlist them!
Yesterday 11:41 AM

Maybe we can have our own card show. Maybe create a new forum for a card show and set it for a certain date. And anyone interested can shoot a short 1 minute video of what you have for sale and post it.

I don't know if this would work or if it is even a good idea but who knows. It may beat listing individual cards and scans by using video.

Bob

[bcbgcbrcb]

You mean a virtual card show, Bob?

[philliesfan]

Yes. A virtual card show. Think it could work?

[bcbgcbrcb]

Whatnot is doing their version of a card show on YouTube this weekend. From what I understand, this is the third time they have done this. I don’t use the site so not familiar with the process.

As far as your idea, I think it’s feasible but wouldn’t really work for me. My main interest in setting up at the major card shows is two-fold, one is to sell the vintage high-end HOF GOAT rookie cards and the other part to it is bargain box $1-$20 vintage singles in mainly low-mid grade, mostly all HOF’ers and rookies from the 1960’s, 1970’s & 1980’s (baseball, football and basketball but heavily weighted towards baseball).

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

It would be absolutely wonderful to have an annual show for vintage material. I wouldn't personally want it restricted to Pre-War, though. Pre-Junk Era would open it up nice and wide and should also make it easier to enlarge it beyond those few tables at the small Virginia event that happened. I think the vast majority here aren't exclusively Pre-War but would venture that most don't dabble in the shiny junk. If a great and successful vintage-only show were to actually happen, it can't afford to be Pre-War elitist. That's just bad business.

Keep corporate and breaker areas with their noisy racket far away, please.

I'd definitely like to see more than 10 dealers or however many were in VA. Let's say 100 dealers, but the more the merrier provided the above parameters are implemented. Lots of venues available everywhere for something of that size. The last National had just over 350 dealers, so something a third of that size would be perfect.

Another interesting strategy would be giving priority to those on other shows' waiting lists, or true first-timers. We're all tired of the stale inventories at other shows.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

It would be absolutely wonderful to have an annual show for vintage material. I wouldn't personally want it restricted to Pre-War, though. Pre-Junk Era would open it up nice and wide and should also make it easier to enlarge it beyond those few tables at the small Virginia event that happened. I think the vast majority here aren't exclusively Pre-War but would venture that most don't dabble in the shiny junk. If a great and successful vintage-only show were to actually happen, it can't afford to be Pre-War elitist. That's just bad business.

Keep corporate and breaker areas with their noisy racket far away, please.

I'd definitely like to see more than 10 dealers or however many were in VA. Let's say 100 dealers, but the more the merrier provided the above parameters are implemented. Lots of venues available everywhere for something of that size. The last National had just over 350 dealers, so something a third of that size would be perfect.

Another interesting strategy would be giving priority to those on other shows' waiting lists, or true first-timers. We're all tired of the stale inventories at other shows.

You're, in many ways, Describing the Strongsville show.

[glynparson]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Whatnot is doing their version of a card show on YouTube this weekend. From what I understand, this is the third time they have done this. I don’t use the site so not familiar with the process.

As far as your idea, I think it’s feasible but wouldn’t really work for me. My main interest in setting up at the major card shows is two-fold, one is to sell the vintage high-end HOF GOAT rookie cards and the other part to it is bargain box $1-$20 vintage singles in mainly low-mid grade, mostly all HOF’ers and rookies from the 1960’s, 1970’s & 1980’s (baseball, football and basketball but heavily weighted towards baseball).

Bargain boxes are great at shows. If you get in you should do great.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks, Glyn. I think so too, that’s why I am so intent on trying to set up at a couple of major shows a year. Rather than doing my local events down here in Florida where I am lucky to get a couple of hundred attendees (like literally 100-200), the type of stuff I have at the prices I charge (almost always the lowest at the show for vintage HOF’ers and stars), I wouldn’t be surprised if I completely sold out of my 5 bargain boxes that I currently bring to each show by the end of the weekend. I feel that those sales alone would be more than enough to cover my booth and all travel expenses. Then, if I sell a Jim Brown rookie, an Aaron rookie, a Pele rookie and a Jackie rookie, I’m well over $10K with just those 4 sales alone for a 3-5 day show, pretty reasonable expectation, I believe.

[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…..

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Let's just start our own damn show and we can waitlist them!

If you need a celebrity guest, I'm available...

[Lucas00]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Let's just start our own damn show and we can waitlist them!

A N54 ran show, I like the sound of that.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thus far, no response back from my follow-up efforts with the National, Chantilly or Philadelphia shows. Strongsville did respond with a no chance any time soon answer.

On the bright side, my local card show down here this past weekend brought in a total of $160 in sales less the $50 table fee and $10 gas. Of course, that’s not counting what I paid for everything I sold so probably lucky to break even there. Quite underwhelming as usual.