Should Show Promoters Include Clauses That Prevent Dealers From Working Other Shows?

[Buythatcard]

In case you haven't heard, dealers that recently worked one show in PA, will not be allowed to work another show in the same area. Apparently, a promoter had this clause which says that if a dealer worked one promoter, they would not be able to work at another show within a certain time period.

I attend both shows as a buyer and am not happy about that clause.

I am curious what others think about this arrangement.

[mordecaibrown]

My understanding is that it is opposite of what you have stated; however, I am not a dealer.

I was under the belief that David Hunt (Philly Show) told dealers that if they participated in any other Philadelphia area locations, they would not be allowed to attend the Philly Show (Valley Forge).

I agree with your anger; however, I believe it is aimed at the wrong show. But the dealers that setup at the shows would know better than I and hopefully can clarify.

[Buythatcard]

I have spoken to some dealers and was told it was CSA who prevented them from working the Philly show.

[tedzan]

You have it in reverse of what it actually is.

Furthermore, the veteran vintage dealers that have switched to setting-up at the Oaks show are not interested in setting-up at
the Valley Forge show for numerous reasons.

[Buythatcard]

I apologize to CSA if I have my facts twisted. I was just going by what I heard from some other dealers.

My post should refer to any promoter and not single one out.

[ThoseBackPages]

what year is it again? 1987?

Unreal that ANY promoter in 2011 would turn away business

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

I have spoken to some dealers and was told it was CSA who prevented them from working the Philly show.

Except for being exactly opposite you are correct . The rule is on Hunt Auctions website. CSA didn't have that silly rule, that I am aware of.

[Exhibitman]

First of all, as weak as shows have been over the last decade, anything that spurs more of them is great.

Second, there is something wrong with trying to prevent independent businessmen from doing business with others. I don't see the promoter rushing to guarantee a profitable day for the dealers--there's no responsibility taken for the dealer--so why should he be able to keep them from setting up at a different show?

Third, I don't see the other show as competition. If it is on the same weekend it is competition. If not, it is complementary. Collectors are gluttons; we take all the cards we can get. If there is a show every week we go to a show every week. I recall during the 1990s going to multiple shows every weekend here in SoCal. Sometimes I'd hit two shows a day.

Finally, what the Philly promoter is doing is probably an illegal conspiracy in restraint of trade, especially the market allocation aspect [i.e., demanding that the vendors agree not to work in the specific area in any other show]. I'd love to see him try to enforce that contract provision.

[Piratedogcardshows]

Being strictly a consumer I say no.I want as many dealers as possible at every show I go to.

[kcohen]

Philly Show and Hunt Auctions, YOU'RE DEAD TO ME!

[Gradedcardman]

Absolutely ridiculous !! In todays economy, or yesterdays for that matter.

[skelly]

I know a lot of people in Northern New Jersey have really lost interest in attending the "Philly Show." Used to be a great show, not to be missed and myself and three or four buddies loved it. Went in September and we were like what are still coming for? Fewer dealers, and we don't really care about autographs. If your into the whole autograph thing, need stuff graded, or are looking to consign to an auction house, then you might want to make the trip. Going just to buy cards, its no longer the place to be ( at least in my opinion ).

[novakjr]

Well, when I had my band a while back, certain clubs/promoters would do the same thing...BUT, in that case, you were getting paid(or an opportunity for good exposure), so they were just covering their a$$es to make sure you're putting in a full effort to bring in as many people as possible...

However, when in comes to these card shows, aren't you paying them?

You pay them to not only put together the show, but to promote(thus the title of promoter) and make sure as many people are coming as possible, using the money you give them... I'd tell him to shove the clause up his a$$...He can either take your money without the clause, or go F himself...

[judsonhamlin]

I have been going to the Philly shows since the glorious days at the GW Motor Lodge, and I even was a multiple-year member of the EPSCC so I could get that extra hour on Fridays. I can safely say that my cash and I have gone to our last Hunt show. Oaks may not be perfect, but I find it be a better enviornment for my collecting "focus".

[Teamsets4u]

Voted earlier before the title was changed
Voted YES but should have been NO

[FrankWakefield]

I've heard before of women who approached relationships with a tacit requirement of such fidelity and loyalty. Let's not have a poll about the propriety of that.


I voted no, as many did.

[glynparson]

want to do shows again and set up at the Oaks.

[Jewish-collector]

What David (Hunt) and Marco (CSA) should do is to combine their shows into one large show and have that one large show two or three times a year.
If you can't beat em, join em.

[Lordstan]

This kind of reminds me of some of the Gloria Rothstein rules at her White Plains show. If you missed a show, you were out of her shows period, no matter what the reason. She got away with it because it was one of the best shows around beside the National, and she had a wait list of dealers looking to get in.
In today's economy and with shows dying even before the economy tanked, It is surprising a promoter would want to put in a rule like this.

[edhans]

Add me to the list of those who voted yes when they meant no. If the vote wasn't so one sided, I'd suggest taking it down. No need for that, though. The results speak for themselves. This ploy was tried in Western NY about 20 years ago. It didn't work here either.

[Rich Klein]

I'll post about the last time this occured in Philly about 30 years ago -- that is a doozy IIRC.

Rich