How does a new seller get into ANY major card show these days?

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Am I paraphrasing this thread correctly?

People want to set up and become dealers at shows in order to lose money, but no one's allowing them to do so?

Yup, you pretty much nailed it.

[Hankphenom]

This thread is a revelation to me. I set up at Chantilly, Philly, Tuff Stuff, and other East Coast shows for 20 years until retiring in 2016, and I never imagined that any dealer application for any of those would ever get turned away. In fact, for a long time I think it was pretty much assumed that most shows were dinosaurs that would be gone soon, surviving only because of promoter revenue from autograph guests. I'm surprised nobody has invoked the classic Yogism: "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded." Maybe it turns out that people are social creatures and want something more from their collecting than sitting at a computer bidding in auctions and on eBay.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

This thread is a revelation to me. I set up at Chantilly, Philly, Tuff Stuff, and other East Coast shows for 20 years until retiring in 2016, and I never imagined that any dealer application for any of those would ever get turned away. In fact, for a long time I think it was pretty much assumed that most shows were dinosaurs that would be gone soon, surviving only because of promoter revenue from autograph guests. I'm surprised nobody has invoked the classic Yogism: "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded." Maybe it turns out that people are social creatures and want something more from their collecting than sitting at a computer bidding in auctions and on eBay.

Those dinosaur dealers from when you retired in 2016 are still around

Collectors still love to see/hold cards before they buy.

[theshowandme]

Getting onto the list for Strongsville seems like an impossible task.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

Getting onto the list for Strongsville seems like an impossible task.

Even in its heyday at Ft. Washington, a new dealer with decent references could set up at Bob Scmierer's famous Philly Show with no problem. Until just several years ago under Hunt, that show at Valley Forge was bleeding dealers and collectors and seemed one or two shows away from going under. Other shows have always been just a matter of filling out the application and paying the table fee. This new situation is great for the hobby, and undoubtedly portends some good new shows opening up to take up the slack.

[bcbgcbrcb]

The National is really the one that I would like to get in. But, some of the same people running that now as the Philly and Chantilly shows and I heard a two hour long interview from them on YouTube about a month or so ago. Absolutely no plans for letting new dealers set up unless a greater number of the existing dealers give up their spots. My assessment here is that the vast majority of those dealers who have been doing it for 4+ years are financially well equipped to foot the bill regardless of sales so just about all will continue to do so and nothing will change.

Travel expenses are far more tolerable to set up at a National than any of the regional shows due to attendance.