Dealing at shows...

[barrysloate]

Buyers may need more time to reflect on big purchases. When an expensive card appears in an auction, a buyer usually has a couple of weeks to consider all aspects of the purchase, including how he is going to raise the funds to pay for it. At a show it may be difficult to spend thousands of dollars on the spur of the moment.

As far as the mid grade Topps cards the OP was trying to sell, they are too common and can be bought anytime. It is a tougher market, and despite what some people may feel, shows are not the future of this hobby. People feel more comfortable today buying online. The oversized clear scans most auctions provide are exactly what buyers need, and the often poor lighting at shows is not the ideal environment to make a big deal.

And I should add I haven't been to a show in well over ten years.