Using Trade At Card Shows

[ClementeFanOh]

I've been to a couple live shows in the past 5 months. I take trade material
with me that is legitimate. If I ask about trades and the seller doesn't even
express curiosity ("what do you have"?), it's not likely I'll buy from him. I
went to a show in August and told a seller I had a graded Christy Mathewson
I'd be willing to trade. He told me "not many people know Christy Mathewson".
I looked at him like he had rocks in his head and walked away...

Finally, I don't propose trades because I lack money. I propose trades for
two reasons. First, I may like a card but it doesn't fit my specific wants, so I'll
propose a trade rather than a buy. Second, the seller's asking price may be so
far off that even negotiation won't make it right- so, I ask if he'll trade. Some
say yes, some say no

Trent King

[packs]

I've always brought cards with the intention of trying to make a trade but I haven't actually pulled off a trade at a show. It's too difficult to negotiate when you're not working with a collector.

[parkplace33]

I think most collectors bring cards to trade with other collectors. Dealers probably don't want to deal with the hassle of trading and would only buy outright for items they can sell.

[ClementeFanOh]

Packs- definitely agree it's tough to trade with someone who is merely a
dealer, not a collector; specifically, the dealers who have a limited
knowledge of the hobby itself. I've done it successfully at shows with good
folks, though.

Parkplace33- I think you're illustrating a point for me. Any dealer who thinks
it's a "hassle" to look at a handful of cards- at a card SHOW- is part of the
problem. Lots of savvy collectors know dealers expect to come out ahead in
trades to make it worthwhile and, like me, are willing to take the financial
loss to acquire a card they want more. So if, for example, I'm willing to
trade a $150 card that a dealer can sell, for his $120 card that I need, I'd
say it's not a hassle. It's away for both to win. Too many dealers close off
this possibility from the start at shows, despite being voluntarily present at a
venue where the behavior is historically normal and valid. Trent King

[jcmtiger]

Been going on since the 70’s.

[notfast]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

Lots of savvy collectors know dealers expect to come out ahead in
trades to make it worthwhile and, like me, are willing to take the financial
loss to acquire a card they want more.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. While YOU may understand this, the majority does not.

[ClementeFanOh]

Notfast- what "this" are you referring to? That dealers expect to come out ahead in
trades, or that collectors are willing to take a "loss" in the trade to get what they want?
Both are in fact true- at least, in 40 years of collecting I've consistently observed it.
People (collectors and sellers) know what they have financially in their cards, which gives them room to make deals of all sorts- trade, sale, buy. If the "majority" doesn't
understand this simple concept, then the majority have their heads in a bucket. Trading
is a massively popular way to acquire cards, so those who don't accept it out of hand
are shorting themselves in the end. You can't make someone trade, but when someone
dismisses it from the start, they limit themselves. Trent King

[notfast]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

Notfast- what "this" are you referring to? That dealers expect to come out ahead in
trades, or that collectors are willing to take a "loss" in the trade to get what they want?
Both are in fact true- at least, in 40 years of collecting I've consistently observed it.
People (collectors and sellers) know what they have financially in their cards, which gives them room to make deals of all sorts- trade, sale, buy. If the "majority" doesn't
understand this simple concept, then the majority have their heads in a bucket. Trading
is a massively popular way to acquire cards, so those who don't accept it out of hand
are shorting themselves in the end. You can't make someone trade, but when someone
dismisses it from the start, they limit themselves. Trent King

The majority of people do not expect the dealer to “win” the trade. That’s why trading is very hard.

[samosa4u]

You trade with a dealer, then you're gonna' lose badly, period!

[conor912]

It’s easier to throw around stupid prices when no money ever changes hands.

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

I think most collectors bring cards to trade with other collectors. Dealers probably don't want to deal with the hassle of trading and would only buy outright for items they can sell.

Yes, and a lot of traders want to trade a bunch of unsellable cards for your quality items.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by CurtisFlood

Yes, and a lot of traders want to trade a bunch of unsellable cards for your quality items.

Exactly

[chriskim]

If I am not mistaken, I think one board member here trade out majority of his collection (probably plus cash) for a PSA2 Wagner when the card was still under quarter Mil$

[kmac32]

I have had cards I traded for cards I wanted at the National. I bring my duplicate cards and If I find something I really want or is on my want list, propose something like a 2 for 1 deal. I have fewer cards to carry around And I get a card I want. They win and I win.