Sticker price at card shows

[parkplace33]

Interesting video that came out this week of cards at a baseball card show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsTpUa4mOgY

I like these kinds of videos. My question is if you see a sticker price at a show and you want to make an offer, what percent do you offer? I feel like i would offer at least 80 percent of the price or wouldn't offer anything at all.

[Johnny630]

I’ve noticed over the past 6 months at the major shows some regular dealers Have way over retail sticker prices on the same cards. Idk if they’re there to make money or show and talk idk some dealers I think just come for the thrill or the chance someone walks in with a raw or graded deal. Most of them go to auction houses set up at the shows so IDK. I think it’s the chance and the fun of the show.

[raulus]

How badly do you want it??!!

As others have noted in several other treads over the last few weeks, if the item is rare enough and you want it badly enough, then pay the man!!!

But outside of those situations, it seems like offering market price is going to be the logical choice. I suppose if you're dealing with a prickly dealer, then maybe you have to consider whether to just walk away rather than offer anything if the asking price is so far disconnected from market that you're likely to get heaps of abuse by making your offer.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I'm so glad that shows are not necessary anymore if you don't want them to be. They were incredibly fun 30+ years ago, but so were many other things.

[G1911]

If it's a dealer I do not know, I just skip their table and move on if I'm not within 30%. If it's a dealer I do know, I adjust that scale to reflect their style and what it takes to reach market. Some guys are pricing way over expecting a big negotiation, some will only waver 5-10% because they've priced more fairly. I make sure my offer is around market going rate, and pull up comps to validate it's about right. I have one dealer I just pay whatever he asks me for on the things he's set aside for me and don't even look at the card because I know he's fair, if anything he cuts me a deal.

Shows are great because you get to actually see the card. Pretty much everything is common material though, not going to find the things hanging on my want list because I can't find a copy. I fill out my Topps, Bowman, modern at shows, not my priority list.

[steve B]

I don't usually go for expensive stuff, so the difference between a regular price and what I might pay is pretty small. If I think a card is a good deal, I don't try to negotiate, and if it's not a good deal I usually just pass it by.

Most dealers end up giving me something off, probably because I usually make it an easy deal. Card marked at 40? Ok I'll take it. Sometimes at 40 they don't give any discount, since they'd have to make change. But at 45? Or two cards, One at 40 and one at 5? Usually they just say ok, how about 40.

[ejstel]

Hard to super discount the 40-70s key legends as someone else will come along at a show in 15 minutes (medium stars= yes...discount)

As a buyer xombos seem to always work with dealers.

I heard a dealer at chantilly show have a great comeback when asked "what's your lowest price on the psa 6 1958 mantle"...dealer replied " what would it take to get you into a 1958 psa mantle ".......both buyer and dealer were smiling

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[notfast]

If your sticker prices are way over what stuff is worth, I don’t waste my time to talk to you.

Not sure what the OP is asking as there is no set amount to offer based on a sticker price.

[Eric72]

The following is just a general rule of thumb. As with everything else in life, there are exceptions to the rule.

If a sticker price is more than 25% or so above what I'm willing to pay, I don't even bother negotiating.

Let's say there's a card I would pay no more than $200 for.

• If the dealer has it marked at $250 or so, I'll start a conversation.
• If the dealer has it marked at $300 or more, I'll just keep walking.

Sure, I'll occasionally miss out on something. From my experience, though, I'd lose a ton of time trying to find dealers willing to slash their sticker prices.

[NiceDocter]

Ive had my best deals when I buy a pile of stuff and usually get a pretty good deal off of "retail".... remember, the dealers for the most part are looking to move the merchandise and like it when you buy a bunch...... but then theres the guys you see over and over and over with the same stuff for the last 5 years....... I guess they just like getting out of the house to sit at a card show because it sure doesnt look like anything is being sold!!!! LOL In any event, be respectful whether a deal is made or not. No need for anger or insults although Ive witnessed those on occasion ( not personally involved ! )

[Johnny630]

Raw collector grade is what’s being bought at shows these days. Graded is not selling at dealers asking prices, specifically higher grade, they’re not being bought buy people coming to shows. The days of 2021 are over. If you want high auction house comps on graded cards you’re going have to give it to an AH to get those numbers. How many are going to roll the dice ? How many will sit on it and bring it to show after show after show.

[ejstel]

I went to the Chantilly show on Friday pm and the parking lot was basically full and inside was busy. I believe Ovechkin was there for auto's. I appreciate the Chantilly show, also there is usually enough space to walk around. Food and bathroom are much more humane than the National was.

Back tobthe thread topic: For me I like when a vintage dealer (of either graded, raw or both) has prices posted I will spend time at the table and look to make something happen...If prices are not posted I literally walk by as (I feel) I just can't ask every dealer, how much are you looking for on the x, then the y, then z etc etc...over and over per dealer. Do dealers want to do this with every one? So from my side I can say that I don't even look if no prices.

In any case, I agree w the comments here...if you are only into raw, raw vintage makes sense. Ot is tough being between both worlds. Graded vintage=much safer and faster (someone has already inspected the card professionally)

I even made a trade w a great vintage dealer in the back center right. It was a great experience. I offered cash and trade and we just traded (wow).

On Friday middle right section an attendee brought in 1952 mantle psa 4, 1951 bowman mays psa 6 and 1953 pss 5 mantle...looking to sell/trade....and this dealer had vintage to take this trade with a card or 2. (Wow pt 2)

For me, it is the moderns (not in this thread) but it is astonishing...so much stock coming into the show from collectors...they have their market and prices...from what I hear you can make/lose a bunch depending on the player.

Best,
Ed



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[markf31]

Originally Posted by ejstel

I went to the Chantilly show on Friday pm and the parking lot was basically full and inside was busy. I believe Ovechkin was there for auto's. I appreciate the Chantilly show, also there is usually enough space to walk around. Food and bathroom are much more humane than the National was.

Back tobthe thread topic: For me I like when a vintage dealer (of either graded, raw or both) has prices posted I will spend time at the table and look to make something happen...If prices are not posted I literally walk by as (I feel) I just can't ask every dealer, how much are you looking for on the x, then the y, then z etc etc...over and over per dealer. Do dealers want to do this with every one? So from my side I can say that I don't even look if no prices.

In any case, I agree w the comments here...if you are only into raw, raw vintage makes sense. Ot is tough being between both worlds. Graded vintage=much safer and faster (someone has already inspected the card professionally)

I even made a trade w a great vintage dealer in the back center right. It was a great experience. I offered cash and trade and we just traded (wow).

On Friday middle right section an attendee brought in 1952 mantle psa 4, 1951 bowman mays psa 6 and 1953 pss 5 mantle...looking to sell/trade....and this dealer had vintage to take this trade with a card or 2. (Wow pt 2)

For me, it is the moderns (not in this thread) but it is astonishing...so much stock coming into the show from collectors...they have their market and prices...from what I hear you can make/lose a bunch depending on the player.

Best,
Ed



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Ed, was that you with whom I made the trade with for the T210 Richmonds you were looking for?

This weekend's CSA show was the first time I ever played the part of a "dealer" at a show. A friend had a pair of tables and asked me to go help him with running the table in exchange for a case of space. For me it was a great experience and a great success.

Back to the topic at hand, the scope of what I collect is pretty narrow and focused and I don't hesitate to ask for a price if a dealer does not have posted prices or if a dealer seems to have extra inflated prices. I have almost always found dealers in both instances to be respectful of my counteroffers and have purchased just as much from that style of dealer as dealers who post prices more in line with the current market on their items.

[Huck]

Upon seeing all the ungraded vintage material, I did wonder if the backlog at the grading companies was the culprit or was the hobby trending towards raw? I believe it is the former, because a dealer can't wait a year for cards to return. Thoughts?

[CobbSpikedMe]

Originally Posted by Huck

Upon seeing all the ungraded vintage material, I did wonder if the backlog at the grading companies was the culprit or was the hobby trending towards raw? I believe it is the former, because a dealer can't wait a year for cards to return. Thoughts?

I think some dealers are realizing they aren't going to get their museum prices on their graded that they bought high so they are dumping their raw stuff and collectors are loving it.



.

[ejstel]

Originally Posted by markf31

Ed, was that you with whom I made the trade with for the T210 Richmonds you were looking for?



This weekend's CSA show was the first time I ever played the part of a "dealer" at a show. A friend had a pair of tables and asked me to go help him with running the table in exchange for a case of space. For me it was a great experience and a great success.



Back to the topic at hand, the scope of what I collect is pretty narrow and focused and I don't hesitate to ask for a price if a dealer does not have posted prices or if a dealer seems to have extra inflated prices. I have almost always found dealers in both instances to be respectful of my counteroffers and have purchased just as much from that style of dealer as dealers who post prices more in line with the current market on their items.

Hi great to hear that you worked a good trade. This was not me, I traded for graded 1956 Ted Williams and Kaline rookie.

How do you do with attendees selling and trading from their briefcases...when I was young dealers paid 50% of book (not a bad business if people are walking in with legends).

Best,
Ed

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[ejstel]

Originally Posted by markf31

Ed, was that you with whom I made the trade with for the T210 Richmonds you were looking for?



This weekend's CSA show was the first time I ever played the part of a "dealer" at a show. A friend had a pair of tables and asked me to go help him with running the table in exchange for a case of space. For me it was a great experience and a great success.



Back to the topic at hand, the scope of what I collect is pretty narrow and focused and I don't hesitate to ask for a price if a dealer does not have posted prices or if a dealer seems to have extra inflated prices. I have almost always found dealers in both instances to be respectful of my counteroffers and have purchased just as much from that style of dealer as dealers who post prices more in line with the current market on their items.

...oh thinking of what you are selling...were you near the back right ...back wall row. I think I bought something from that dealer..maybe 86 Fleer basketball..he said another dealer was setting up (Friday pm) on this part(right side) of the table...pre war?

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