Turns out the dealers aren't the only ones gouging
 

I just noticed that the Friday day admission for CSA in Chantilly VA/Dulles shows is $25 from 2 - 5. I normally go up n Fridays and because it is a 400-mile round trip, I prefer to get in and get back on the road before it's too late.

Fridays have traditionally been free admission.

It's a perfectly fine show, but it's not like there are freebies and this isn't the 1980s so there are no particular bargains to be found when the doors open...any hug bargains were scooped up by the show dealers hours before the doors open.

I get COVID and everything, but it seems a lot to pay just in order to spend money.

I actually have an extra Friday VIP ticket I can’t use. If you want to me there at just before 2pm Friday, you are welcome to it for free

It's possibly a combination of things. Out here a couple of weeks ago, I tried to go to a free show that would traditionally have a small, basic turnout of people ambling in and out. But because of the market boom (especially with modern cards), there were untold numbers of people on line to get in first thing in the morning. Hundreds upon hundreds. It was batsh*t crazy. Sure, it can be argued that some of the interest was due to it being so long since a show was allowed to take place, but I digress. We were told the wait time would be around 2 hours to enter, but that was a complete fabrication. My first thought was if they charged an admission, the line would have probably been greatly reduced, as the more frugal people would have been a bit turned off and stayed home. Maybe that's part of what's happening with your show? More revenue for the promoters and less people actually there in line pissed off at said promoters??

Trying to Boost Attendance on Saturday and Sunday on a nice spring Mid Atlantic weekend.

Turns out the dealers aren't the only ones gouging
 

I don’t remember Friday ever being free.

In all due respect wanting to get in early with no cost and the same access to the dealers in the room is kind of a bit cheap. Lucky for you Ryan is a nice guy. One thing if your friend has a pass for you but “expecting” is nervy and cheap. Just like your comment of promoter “gouging”.


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Many shows charge a high fee for early admission. Not just card shows, but others I have attended - antique shows, book fairs etc. I would suggest that the 'super duper double secret we supply you with two condoms and a beer pass' that they sell for The National is pretty much the same thing. Additionally you are misleading everyone with you claim of gouging. It is FREE!! from 5-8 pm on Friday. You should have disclosed that in your original complaint. Your choice to get in and out to beat the traffic is a you problem.

Edit - my mistake. It used to be free Friday evenings.

These are the times and prices on their website, but shouldn't the $25 Friday admission say 2:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.?

Hours and Admission
Friday 2:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. $25 (early admission)
Friday 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. $10
Saturday 9:00 a.m.-.5:00 p.m. $10
Sunday 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. $10

Friday Sounds Like A Perfect Day To Attend The Show, Less Dollar Box Dumpster Divers Clogging Up The Room.

Not Everything in Life is Free.

You don't think $25 is too much for admission to a card show? It's traditionally been $5, Net54 members free. You just had to print out the post on the board. I do think I paid $5 the last time. Tickets to the National are $22 on-site. You will receive freebies from Topps, Pannini, Fleer, and lots of other companies. I got a free grading coupon (same day) last time I went to the national. You'll get nothing special at Chantilly. I think gouging is completely the correct term. I also do appreciate Ryan's kind offer and I am going to take him up on it. Honestly, I'm looking for two cards at the show...a 1952 Bowman Hodges and a Garver in mid grade. I could probably get those for around what they are charging for Friday admission.

what the hell got in your Cheerios this morning? "All due respect", you sound like a douche.

I was at the last October show. Friday was extremely busy whereas Sunday I would call dead. Saturday morning was busy but in the afternoon it slowed down. I wasn’t there late on Sunday but I heard a number of dealers packed up really early. I won’t be attending this show and will just hold off for the National. The last Chantilly show I found to be run quite well especially with the restrictions in place. It was great to network but I found prices too high. Didn’t see many deals at all.

If you don’t like capitalism move. It shocks me how many people
Truly display this entitled attitude of I deserve a card at a price I deem fair or I deserve entrance to the show cheap cause I just want to look or some similar sentiment. Demand for things are up and supply is down so that means prices go up that’s how capitalism works. Don’t like it stay home you won’t be missed in this hot market.

You are projecting quite a lot on me for someone who simply objects to pricing something that has been one thing for years and was multiplied five times for no apparent reason. I could spend the same amount of money and probably get better value by simply ordering online from my desk. I normally spend $500 or more with dealers when I go to a show. That would be missed, especially if you multiply it by a number of people who share my view. Maybe not so much to the guys selling 2021 wax, but for the people who fill out sets and spend money at the tables that are just your bread and butter dealers.

It’s amazing how many people bitch, brining up past prices, the present is now, shit get over and Adapt, sick of the constant crying if you don’t want to pay don’t go, damn. Nobody has to go to this show if $25 has you that bent out of shape don’t go. You Don’t Dictate Rules Because You’re Cheap, Remember That. Again We are talking $25 Friggin Dollars BFD !

I hope this continues, $25 entrance on Friday, keep the dollar box dumpster diving cheap people off the floor.

What’s wrong with the $1 dumpster divers? Many people look through common boxes to complete sets. Without all parts of the business there isn’t a business. Not everyone goes to shows to spend $10K on a card. Getting kids interested in collecting doesn’t have to be expensive and not everyone at shows are looking for prewar.

Kids aren’t the dumpster divers I’m talking, it’s the cheap old men looking for mistakes in dollar boxes.

Kids aren’t buying 66 Topps Tony Olivia or other set building commons from the 60’s in Poor Shape, please.. it’s the dumpster divers looking for mistakes.

Y’all know it’s a true story lol.

But then what will I do for customers?

I've decided to pass on going to the show on principle and will comment no further. I hope those who go have a nice time.

Aren’t you a Auction House ?

I don’t want to insult the guy but given the market and the huge demand and capacity limits in place they really don’t have to give things for free. Really the OP is being cheap not the promoter. Saying the promoter is gouging people doesn’t put the OP in a good light.

Costs have gone up substantially for these larger shows so we all should be happy they are happening. People need to get the dynamics before spouting off.


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+1

Yes but I started as a dealer who had very well known bargain bins. Was just trying to be light-hearted

Ok cool lol 👍🏻

Price gouging? Seriously? So you are privy to the promoter's books or the restrictions they might be under?

One big thing to consider: The capacity limitation for this show is 1000. What was the previous capacity limitation? Assuming previously 2000, they would have needed to double the previous entry price to have the same ticket income this time. If the previous limit was 5000, then the ticket income to the promoter (assuming all tickets sold) is effectively the same this time as it was for previous shows.

To put it as simple case, how is it price gouging if you have 1000 tickets available at $25 each or 5000 tickets available at $5 each? I'm not saying whether this is the case or not, just that you don't have enough facts to make that claim.

I thought this board would be different but I was wrong. What's the point in being on a board when people can't post opinions about anything without being name called and jumped on. Geez guys. If you don't agree just move along. No point in trying to make an argument over everything. Dang, I have already had to block two negative fight pickers in the last week. Chill.

Hey, at least the promoter didn't advertise the Friday early bird admission as "Make an offer".

There's a lot of anger in this thread... on both sides.

Golly, guys. Don't you reckon that the promoter's books aren't open to the original poster, nor to those that are what-iffing him? So what's with taking an extreme position on that and then not considering the other extreme?? Maybe the promoter is like the other side in some divorce; first thing they want is money, and the second is more money.

I'm still annoyed about the price of beer at a ballgame. I remember seeing beer sell for less than a dollar in the 60's. There's two kinds of beer at a ballpark... the beer can come to you, or you hafta get up and go get the beer.

I'd be annoyed if I got in free, and then they started charging $5. And I'd be annoyed when it went from $5 up to $25. But I can envision having a reason to enjoy it if it went to $100, more on that later.

And obviously some of you guys are good with throwing down $25 and don't like the whining.

Back when gas got to $5 a gallon, I could see aspects of that I liked. Fewer drivers on the road, less crowding made it easier to get from A to B expeditiously. There were more parking places, so easier to park and closer parking... And the down side was paying double or more for gasoline. So some of you guys who are annoyed with the position of the original poster should be advocating for $100 tickets. Then you would have fewer people with whom to compete as you were searching for cards to buy.

I still am annoyed that we don't get new telephone books.

And when I think about various times I've raised hell or caused problems on the board, it gives me pause; it's a helluva note for me to be the one advocating for folks to calm down...

Now about me getting a new, up to date, telephone directory...

I'm a $1 box dumpster diver and I also take offence at those comments.

Rich

Then when you DO make an offer they respond "I'll feel it's worth more than that"

No counter,.no nothing


Aka a n54 seller

And plenty of other people are "dumpster divers"

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000514362860

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000514497406

I was informed these were a couple of the most popular episodes I was on. So there are many people out there who like to hear about that underrated part of the hobby

Rich

One more thing.

Some time ago I won a card on eBay. A mid 60s Pacific Coast League card, I think a popcorn card, of some player that I wanted a card of... realistically it's a bookmark, not some valuable card. Back then, the buyer and seller would email each other to haggle out payment methods and shipping. eBay let us see each other's name and email address.

So, as soon as the auction is over I send the guy my mailing address and ask how he wants paid, that was about lunchtime and I sent that while at my office. I live in Kentucky, the seller was in California. When I got home that night he had responded. He said I could pay with personal check or money order, he didn't care. He said he'd already put the card in the mail, and that he knew I'd pay; he felt that he knew me from posts, talking with other collectors, I'm not even sure how, but he had heard of me and was sure I'd pay. I was impressed... until I looked at the end of his email.

At the end it looked like there was a poem. I thought who the hell collects baseball cards and prose or poetry? Who is this guy that I'd bought a card from. Cautiously, I started to read it. It went pretty close to what's below, because I liked it so much I committed it to memory.


I like to sit outside, drink beer,
and hollar at people.
If I do that at home,
I go to jail.
But if I go to a baseball game,
then I can fit right in.



I know that if a friend and I set up lawn chairs either side of a cooler in my front yard, and we sit there drinking beer and hollaring at those who drive by, we'll last about 10 minutes. Then the police will show up and ask me what the hell am I doing...

But if we go to a ball game, we can sit outside, drink beer, and hollar. We can hollar at one team, or both. We can hollar at the umpires. And at the ballgame they will bring us more beer.

Hey Rich!

I still recall us seeing a no hitter in Arizona, that's where I met you, And I got to talk with Lew Lipset in person... Say well!

The show in October 2020 was 1000 capacity as well. There was no waiting to get inside at that show. The only "waiting" was lining up outside before the show started each day. For that October weekend, I did not find the show busy except for Friday evening. It was extremely easy to social distance at that time. There was no waiting at tables to look at product. I was told because of no autograph guests, that attendance was down over previous years. I would assume that is the case this time as well. Also, the market was "hot" in October as it has been the last 7 months.

From the show in October and from a business perspective, it makes sense to charge more on Fridays. That was the bulk of the people last time and will probably be this time.

and Randy Johnson lost despite giving up only 1 run and fanning 14 batters. A quick well-played game and I was back in the hotel so quick thanks to Lew

Rich

October admission was $10 on Friday…and Saturday…and Sunday.

They did allow “half day” admission so 5-8 was $5 and 2-5 was $5 — both were $10

This was billed as being due to COVID limitations at the time. Now its just falling in line with what every other show does.

Ill be there Saturday.

I look for stuff I actually collect in the dollar boxes. Some of it is over priced at a dollar, but considering the dealer probably had to drag it around for months or longer before I bought it I think it's reasonable.
Some of the strange 80's-90's varieties.
Classic autograph cards of guys who never went anywhere.
Signature rookies - pretty much anything.
Some of the flashy or die cut or both! inserts that were a big deal but are now dollar box cards.
Broders
I can't really recall ever finding a card in the dollar box that didn't deserve to be there.

Now at stamp shows, I have found stuff that might be called "mistakes" although most of it is stuff that I knew or suspected might be a little more special than being a dollar item. I've found a few, but more often than not, they turn out to not be anything more than a dollar box item. (Also generally not really worth a dollar, but if some old guy is willing to lug in a couple 30Lb boxes of CR** for me to look through he deserves a bit extra. )
On one occasion near the end of the show I was offered the entire dollar box for a very reasonable price.


We can't all be snobby elitists.

In my neighborhood we call that "Tuesday" .....

Ok, it's not that bad, but unless we were yelling actual threats or doing it at 2AM I doubt the police would even show up.

Years ago I briefly had a room shared with college kids. I was barely out of college. College kids upstairs too.
One day the upstairs were REALLY tearing it up Yelling over the stereo (How could you Miss? That was Zeppelin!) Throwing trash out the windows...
So we decided to call. At the time, the police would only come for a noise complaint if they got calls from three different people. The PD didn't have caller ID then, so three of us called.
About 5 minutes later, the party goes silent, maybe a minute later the police are at the door. OUR door.... they think it's us. We explained that it was upstairs, no, really, upstairs. I think they finally listened when I said I had work in the morning - "wait, how old are you? 23? Hmmm... " I also pointed out that the end of the street was visible from upstairs, so they knew when the police were coming.
They left an officer in our living room, with a stern speech that if upstairs wasn't the problem we were all in a LOT of trouble..

not 30 seconds after they pull away, the party lights up again and a big bag of trash drops past the window.

Officer on the radio yelling to be heard "Holy S***! Get back here! they weren't lying!"

Best thing I'd heard all day.

There is a lot of anger on many posts in this forum. I'm shocked that so many people can get their panties in a wad so fast over the most insignificant opinions and topics. It's just cards and everyone collects differently and always have opposing views on most things in life. Agree to disagree and then move on. Not sure why some have to always call others names and be so angry all the time. I think they have medication and therapy for that. LOL.

Turns out the dealers aren't the only ones gouging.

Truer words never spoken. If you look at the scans of the front and back, it's pretty much a happy face made out of what is missing.

Brian

Is he a spokesperson for Goodwill or a friend of Large Ass?

(The Goodwill reference makes more sense if you only look at the back of the card)

:p:D Thanks, I needed that! Funniest thing I've heard in a long time!

show
 

Wow...the anger is amusing