Payment at card shows?

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by packs

I highly doubt the average customer has a few thousand bucks on them just in case they happen to find something they like and the person only takes cash.

Just in case they happen to find something they like? It's a card show. They're going there to buy cards. Do you think a collector just happens to be driving by a hotel, convention center, etc and sees a sign that says, "Card Show" and thinks to himself, "I think I'll go in there, but I have no cash on me"? Or do you think a collector plans for the show in advance and carries the cash they need? I choose the latter. Maybe I'm different than everybody else.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Just in case they happen to find something they like? It's a card show. They're going there to buy cards. Do you think a collector just happens to be driving by a hotel, convention center, etc and sees a sign that says, "Card Show" and thinks to himself, "I think I'll go in there, but I have no cash on me"? Or do you think a collector plans for the show in advance and carries the cash they need? I choose the latter. Maybe I'm different than everybody else.

I've never gone to a card show with any significant amount of cash. Just a checkbook.

[packs]

I think you are. I never expect to find anything I want at a card show. I mostly go because it's a weekend, I'm looking for something out of the ordinary, and maybe, just maybe this time I find something I like at a reasonable price. I never walk into a White Plains show for example with a few K in my pocket ready to spend. If you're at the National or some huge collector showcase show I think the pocket money number goes up, but not for a local show you're just casually passing through.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Double Post

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by packs

I think you are.

Nope, I'm obviously not. Read the post above my last one.

@Peter. That's great if you know the dealers and they trust you. I just prefer cash. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel I can negotiate a better deal with cash.

[ALR-bishop]

Cash, along with checks, credit cards and PayPal give you the most flexibility and leverage, especially at a big show like the National. But, carrying large amounts of cash has it's risks. To each their own. There would seem to be no one right answer for everyone.

[packs]

I mean, I could see your pocket money number going up at a large collector showcase show like a National, but your local show doesn't seem like the place to just assume you might need a few thousand dollars. And although that poster might think dealers shouldn't bend over backwards for a buyer, I disagree. The dealer is the one with something to sell. If I leave with my money it's not a bad day for me. But if you leave with your inventory it is one for you.

[Jewish-collector]

At the National, for some collectors $6,000 is really just pocket change.

[Snapolit1]

Seller's want cash so they can avoid any tax issues.

Yes, call me Mr. Obvious.

[Beastmode]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Seller's want cash so they can avoid any tax issues.

Yes, call me Mr. Obvious.

++

[Beastmode]

If I'm at a show, any you have some nice PSA 9's from the 70's, and they are priced reasonably, and you take plastic, we will do a lot of business.

If you only take cash, then your s*** out of luck, and IMHO, are probably not someone I would do business with anyways.

I wouldn't know how to take that kind of cash out of my account anyway. And walking around Atlantic City with +$10,000 in cash doesn't sound like a good idea to me. But that's just me.

[quinnsryche]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Seller's want cash so they can avoid any tax issues.

Yes, call me Mr. Obvious.

Great point. Not so obvious in that no one else mentioned it. No one pays taxes on a cash transaction.

[junkwaxjunkie]

I started collecting again last summer, and I've been to maybe 5-6 shows over that span. I noticed the exact same thing as the OP. I just take cash with me, then when I run out, I make another trip to the ATM. This last show I actually made 2 trips to the ATM, even though it was about a 10 minute drive from the hotel.

I do find it frustrating that dealers haven't evolved with the technology that makes life so much easier as consumers, but it is what it is. I understand the points that others have brought up here, but it's still a strange business model... I readily admit I don't spend as much at shows as I would if plastic were accepted. You'd think that limitation would be enough for most dealers to upgrade (as it has worked in just about every other industry/market that exists).

All that being said, I try to use cash whenever I can when buying my cards, especially at my LCS. I understand the fees associated with plastic are a burden that the seller bears, so I like using cash to help out where I can.

[The Nasty Nati]

The big time dealers should at least get square: squareup.com

[steve B]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Do you think a collector just happens to be driving by a hotel, convention center, etc and sees a sign that says, "Card Show" and thinks to himself, "I think I'll go in there, but I have no cash on me"?

Not recently, but I've done almost exactly that. Not necessarily with a card show, but I've stopped by shows for other hobbies that I just happened to drive by. Of course, back then I usually had a bit of cash with me anyway. (Nowhere near 6K though!)

Steve B

[pokerplyr80]

I assumed you would need to take cash or be willing to pay the fees with a card with most dealers. But it makes sense that some would not be willing to accept them because of the risk of charge backs. I can't imagine accepting a check for a few grand from someone I have never met. At least not without verifying an account balance on a banking app or something. When I go to a show I either bring cash or assume that I will need to make a trip to the bank if I find a card I really want.

I have had a dealer let me send the money paypal ff for a 1,500 card at a recent show.

[Rich Klein]

I have had actually had people claim they carry NO cash into the shows, even for admission. And as the promoter, when they tell me they have no cash (and I only charge $1 admission, I actually request they go to the ATM and get cash to bring for the dealers as well)

I got some news for you all, it's always good to have some cash in your pocket for an emergency

Rich

[packs]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy
Do you think a collector just happens to be driving by a hotel, convention center, etc and sees a sign that says, "Card Show" and thinks to himself, "I think I'll go in there, but I have no cash on me"?


Some cash yes, but the discussion started with a $6,000 purchase and I can't believe that most people would casually carry that much cash to any and every show they attend.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by packs

Some cash yes, but the discussion started with a $6,000 purchase and I can't believe that most people would casually carry that much cash to any and every show they attend.

It's already been confirmed that some people do. Any and every show? Certainly not, but for larger shows yes.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Justus

If anyone has read my post as a complaint against the dealer, it was not meant that way. He can do his business in whatever fashion he desires. I simply am interested in what is the norm and I appreciate the replies.

In his defense, the dealer DID tell me he could do paypal "friends and family" when he got back home and would mail me the card, so he was trying to find a way for it to work. I've certainly paid that way for lots of cards but none of this value, so it was my choice to thank him and decline.

No, I don't expect a dealer to bend over backwards for a buyer but, as someone mentions...the dealers are the ones there to sell their stock. If it is credit card fees they are worried about, I would think a dealer would just roll that overhead cost into the price of the card. That's what most online dealers do.

As a side question...If plastic is used as a debit card, are there any fees to the dealer?

As far as chargebacks...I don't know what to think about that aspect. Maybe the in-person collectibles market runs on cash (I'm finding out now) but most of the rest of the world and online-world runs on credit cards. It's just a cost of doing business.

Again, thanks for all the comments!

I don't find any fault with you at all. If you're story happened as you say it did (and I absolutely believe it did), then shame on the dealer for poor negotiation skills. I was in sales (large ticket items) most of my life until a career change 9 years ago. The first step in negotiating any large ticket item is to ask the buyer how they intend to pay. It does two things. (1) It's lets the seller know how much room they have to negotiate. For example if the buyer is paying with a credit card, the seller can factor that fee into the price. (2) It serves as a qualifying question - does the seller/company accept the form of payment the buyer intends to use? In your case if he would have asked that question and you told him that you intend to pay with a credit card, then he could have said he didn't accept credit cards and it would have ended any negotiation saving you both time. So, in your case, shame on the dealer for not asking that question. Again, this is only for larger ticket items.

[Duluth Eskimo]

My question for the OP is why you need to charge the 6k card. Couldn't you meet up with the person later by putting a $100 downpayment on it or something? If it is money from your checking account then meeting the dealer at a later date might be an option and I'm sure something they would do for a 6k purchase. I have personally delivered large ticket items for customers. If you are merely credit carding 6k then the risk of chargeback is legitimate and maybe why the dealer did not work with you. Sometimes cash talks and BS walks.

A lot of younger people wonder why people that have been in the business for a while do the way they do. Because they have been burnt in the past. Legal tender is cash and not a promise of cash in the future.

[Justus]

Originally Posted by Duluth Eskimo

My question for the OP is why you need to charge the 6k card. Couldn't you meet up with the person later by putting a $100 downpayment on it or something? If it is money from your checking account then meeting the dealer at a later date might be an option and I'm sure something they would do for a 6k purchase. I have personally delivered large ticket items for customers.

I don't need to charge anything, I do it out of convience. Just like I would if I'm going to buy anything over $50-$100 in a store. It's a PITA to get that much cash from an ATM (my bank has no branches where I'm currently located) and even then, it would take me a couple days to do it due to the daily limits. If I was dead-set on having the card, I would have changed the plans with my family and gone back home for my checkbook. Obviously I didn't want it that badly.

Originally Posted by Duluth Eskimo

If you are merely credit carding 6k then the risk of chargeback is legitimate and maybe why the dealer did not work with you. Sometimes cash talks and BS walks.

If that's his business model, great. I never complained about it, I only asked the forum if that's the norm at shows.

Originally Posted by Duluth Eskimo

A lot of younger people wonder why people that have been in the business for a while do the way they do. Because they have been burnt in the past. Legal tender is cash and not a promise of cash in the future.

I'm glad most of the world has evolved, I'd hate to have to carry around a pocket of gold nuggets and a scale.

[midmo]

This has been an interesting topic for me as I travel quite a bit. This weekend I'll be in Cleveland and am going to try to swing by the Ohio Sports Collectors Convention. With daily ATM limits it can be tough to decide just how much cash to take, especially when out of town.

On similar note, last summer I went to a show in Phoenix and had about 5k on me. There were two dealers that had items I wanted to purchase, but they would not give me the time of day. It almost became a weird social experiment to see how long I could be ignored.

[Justus]

If anyone has read my post as a complaint against the dealer, it was not meant that way. He can do his business in whatever fashion he desires. I simply am interested in what is the norm and I appreciate the replies.

In his defense, the dealer DID tell me he could do paypal "friends and family" when he got back home and would mail me the card, so he was trying to find a way for it to work. I've certainly paid that way for lots of cards but none of this value, so it was my choice to thank him and decline.

No, I don't expect a dealer to bend over backwards for a buyer but, as someone mentions...the dealers are the ones there to sell their stock. If it is credit card fees they are worried about, I would think a dealer would just roll that overhead cost into the price of the card. That's what most online dealers do.

As a side question...If plastic is used as a debit card, are there any fees to the dealer?

As far as chargebacks...I don't know what to think about that aspect. Maybe the in-person collectibles market runs on cash (I'm finding out now) but most of the rest of the world and online-world runs on credit cards. It's just a cost of doing business.

Again, thanks for all the comments!

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by Justus

If anyone has read my post as a complaint against the dealer, it was not meant that way. He can do his business in whatever fashion he desires. I simply am interested in what is the norm and I appreciate the replies.

In his defense, the dealer DID tell me he could do paypal "friends and family" when he got back home and would mail me the card, so he was trying to find a way for it to work. I've certainly paid that way for lots of cards but none of this value, so it was my choice to thank him and decline.

No, I don't expect a dealer to bend over backwards for a buyer but, as someone mentions...the dealers are the ones there to sell their stock. If it is credit card fees they are worried about, I would think a dealer would just roll that overhead cost into the price of the card. That's what most online dealers do.

As a side question...If plastic is used as a debit card, are there any fees to the dealer?

As far as chargebacks...I don't know what to think about that aspect. Maybe the in-person collectibles market runs on cash (I'm finding out now) but most of the rest of the world and online-world runs on credit cards. It's just a cost of doing business.

Again, thanks for all the comments!

Stolen credit cards are always a possible problem. The dealer would be responsible for the charges in some cases. I know a business that took almost $30K on a stolen credit card. They had to eat the loss and lost their inventory as well. Double whammy.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

I assumed you would need to take cash or be willing to pay the fees with a card with most dealers. But it makes sense that some would not be willing to accept them because of the risk of charge backs. I can't imagine accepting a check for a few grand from someone I have never met. At least not without verifying an account balance on a banking app or something. When I go to a show I either bring cash or assume that I will need to make a trip to the bank if I find a card I really want.

I have had a dealer let me send the money paypal ff for a 1,500 card at a recent show.

I've never had anyone not take a check. Even if the person doesn't know you in advance, you chat a few minutes, you find you know people in common who will vouch for you, the person gets comfortable with you and realizes you are not about to start a life of crime by bouncing a check for his card. This is still a people business, or should be.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I've never had anyone not take a check. Even if the person doesn't know you in advance, you chat a few minutes, you find you know people in common who will vouch for you, the person gets comfortable with you and realizes you are not about to start a life of crime by bouncing a check for his card. This is still a people business, or should be.

That makes sense, I just wouldn't have thought to bring a check book. I suppose if you know enough people in the hobby you will find a mutual acquaintance. I've just always assumed I would need cash. I check if there's a Wells Fargo in the area before going to a show. Next time I will bring my check book. Do most dealers take checks at the national?

[ALR-bishop]

Great point Peter. At any big show I can find someone who will say my check "might" be good. But that assumes you have some history....good or bad

[dealme]

I was actually surprised at this past year's National that a dealer asked me how I would be paying. I had been under the impression that sales were cash only simply due to the dealers' fears of getting burnt. It was eye-opening for me.

Mark