Using Trade At Card Shows

[Johnny630]

I’ve been to four major shows this year. I’m amazed at the amount of material card attendees bring to trade with dealers or other attendees. They’re carting in or carrying lock boxes suit, cases, pelican boxes ect. Has anyone else noticed this trend ?

[Exhibitman]

There's always been a steady stream of sellers and traders at shows; it's often the profit of the day. We've had nearly two years of collecting w/o shows, so I bet there's a lot of sell/trade boxes that are filled to the brim right now.

[hcv123]

Always looking to trade for or purchase new inventory. In fact some of the best shows I have had, I have bought more than I have sold!

[mrreality68]

I noticed those things but actually thought it was either dealers bring stock to their tables or people using them to bring carry there purchases home.
I have seen many collectors sit for hours at tables going card by card and walk out with piles.
Pretty interesting and sometimes the cards they find that they have been looking for years for and they are beyond excited.

[Johnny630]

It’s my belief that attendees are using trade in because they’re low on funds from the FOMO Late Feb-July Run. Or they way overpaid for their cards and want to trade around their losses.

[ClementeFanOh]

I've been to a couple live shows in the past 5 months. I take trade material
with me that is legitimate. If I ask about trades and the seller doesn't even
express curiosity ("what do you have"?), it's not likely I'll buy from him. I
went to a show in August and told a seller I had a graded Christy Mathewson
I'd be willing to trade. He told me "not many people know Christy Mathewson".
I looked at him like he had rocks in his head and walked away...

Finally, I don't propose trades because I lack money. I propose trades for
two reasons. First, I may like a card but it doesn't fit my specific wants, so I'll
propose a trade rather than a buy. Second, the seller's asking price may be so
far off that even negotiation won't make it right- so, I ask if he'll trade. Some
say yes, some say no

Trent King

[soxinseven]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

I noticed those things but actually thought it was either dealers bring stock to their tables or people using them to bring carry there purchases home.
I have seen many collectors sit for hours at tables going card by card and walk out with piles.
Pretty interesting and sometimes the cards they find that they have been looking for years for and they are beyond excited.

Most collectors are actually part time dealers now. It seems like every collector has a trade or sale pile and they aren't just going in a different direction. The cards were bought to hopefully turn a profit and acquire something else.

[Jason]

Trades are the way to go. Unfortunately for me they are few and far between. Had a nice one about 6 months ago.