Ebay vs Card Shows

[jg8422]

Do you think you get better deals on ebay or shows. In my opinion, I have found that I almost always get a better deal (sometimes much, much better) with ebay if I take my time and wait for auctions to appear. Especially on those auctions that end at strange times.

I usually always attend the Philly Show, the National (when on the east coast, not too often), and a new show that started this year in Oaks, PA. I always end up buying vintage cards at the shows, but then I see them go much cheaper on ebay.

Thoughts?

[bobbyw8469]

Ebay is 9 times out of 10 cheaper than shows. The main advantage for me for a show vs Ebay is that you can see the cards up close in person with the shows. That usually doesn't justify the bloated prices I see at shows however.

[deadballera]

cheaper on ebay


But if want to talk pre-war cards....dealers at the shows are usually willing to talk as long as there is time. You can't have this extra service on ebay


That's what makes this forum so great !!

[pow323]

The only thing bad about Ebay is that there are alot of Shillers that sell on Ebay! AND!! Pepole you would not think that would do such a thing!!!!!

[Robextend]

Definitely Ebay most of the time will have the better deal. But there is still something to be said for being able to walk through aisle after aisle of cardboard and hold the cards in your hand. Sometimes if the $ differnece isn't much, to me it is worth making a card show pickup.

[rdixon1208]

I love going to shows. I get to see other collectors that I never see otherwise, catch up with a couple of dealers that I know, talking cards, etc.

And you don't always get a better deal on ebay. I bought a nice T206 common in about VG/EX at a show a couple of months ago for $15. I could never get that deal in an auction. I know it's not a big deal, but it was still cool. I usually go around to every modern dealer and ask them if they have any pre war cards. They usually don't know what they have if they do, so if they do happen to have a T206 or something similar, they'll either say $15 or $200...you never know.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Robextend

...there is still something to be said for being able to walk through aisle after aisle of cardboard and hold the cards in your hand.

+1

I was overwhelmed last year at the National (my first), and am super excited for this year's. It's just mouth-watering to see all of that vintage cardboard.