Fanatics Chicago show = major disappointment

[darkhorse9]

I make a regular three hour drive to Rosemont for the Fanatics card shows there. I could always count on hundreds of tables and plenty of vintage dealers. I would spend hours upon hours there

I made the trek this weekend with plenty of cash ready to complete a couple of sets. What I found was a small room of less than 100 tables, most filled with guys selling unopened new stuff or supplies. There were only a half dozen dealers with any vintage and only two I saw with pre war. A couple dealers admitted they didn't even bother to bring much merchandise. I spent less than an hour there and left with most of my money still in my pocket.

I feel duped out of my time and my $10 admission. I will seriously have to reconsider ever going to another one of their shows again.

[thescooper]

At least you have a card show, try living in Vancouver Canada

[Edwolf1963]

I forgot about that this weekend. I recalled they usually have a spring show and saw the dates last month - thought that may work for me to head out (I'm about 45 minutes away) but completely forgot until now. Reading your post, I don't feel too bad about missing it now Sorry it turned out to be such a disappointment/waste of time. Any of the vendors speculate as to why? Definitely not a lot of local promotion (that I noticed anyway) - in fact, what I recall jogged my memory of that show was seeing one of the grading companies note it on their upcoming shows.

[basesareempty]

I believe that since Fanatics bought out Mounted Memories a couple years back they have changed their business model, gearing the show more towards the autograph guests as opposed to the card customers.

[midmo]

Originally Posted by basesareempty

I believe that since Fanatics bought out Mounted Memories a couple years back they have changed their business model, gearing the show more towards the autograph guests as opposed to the card customers.

I was wondering about that. All their website shows is the autograph guests, no real mention of cards/dealers at all. I thought about going to check it out anyway, but other things came up. Glad I didn't make the trip.

[Danny Smith]

I made the exact same mistake. Terrible show. The few vintage guys were like "oh I thought they advertised that this was a tiny show?" Uh. No. I expected the usual Chicago show. It was horrible. Of course it looked packed because of the auto crowd but it was a joke for vintage.

[rats60]

I think the March and November shows are very good. I saw this show and thought about going, but didn't. I think what you saw was the product of having another big show 2 months after their major spring show.