My plea to Sellers at the National

[Johnny630]

I don't mind not seeing a price. If I'm interested I will ask them.

[Steve_NY]

My wife just doesn't get why I work so hard to get a price on everything -- it's so much easier to turn a deal around if you have a price on everything.

Unfortunately, thieves have a better target to try and steal the most expensive items.

When I walk around at shows, I rarely stop at booths/tables when the items carry no price, unless they are as rare as can be. Then I really want to know their price.

That being said, I may have two showcases where all of the items only have prices on their backs -- prices on their fronts detract from the visual beauty of these items. We will see. I haven't decided yet.

Steve
DynamicTwo@aol.com
National Booth 1100
6 Booths from main entrance

[JollyElm]

123. Fly-Over Greats (also The Overbook Hotel or Cases Loaded)
A show table full of beautiful Hall of Famer cards, but there’s not a single price tag anywhere to be seen, so you know everything is super-exorbitant and you decide to just pass it on by.

[vintagetoppsguy]

I price everything when I set up and I feel that it puts me in a much better position to negotiate. You'll almost always get the "What's your best price?" question, and my response is almost always, "What's your best offer?". Then they usually reply with something like, "It's your card, you tell me." That's when I say something like, "I don't mind negotiating, but it takes both people to negotiate. I've already thrown out the first number, it's right there on the card. It's your turn." They either counter or walk away, but I never throw out another price when there is a price already on the card.

[Fballguy]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

I price everything when I set up and I feel that it puts me in a much better position to negotiate. You'll almost always get the "What's your best price?" question, and my response is almost always, "What's your best offer?". Then they usually reply with something like, "It's your card, you tell me." That's when I say something like, "I don't mind negotiating, but it takes both people to negotiate. I've already thrown out the first number, it's right there on the card. It's your turn." They either counter or walk away, but I never throw out another price when there is a price already on the card.

In my experience, nothing strikes fear in collectors more than asking them to make an offer. They seem to lock up. Fear of negotiation. They rather walk away empty handed.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Steve_NY

My wife just doesn't get why I work so hard to get a price on everything -- it's so much easier to turn a deal around if you have a price on everything.

Unfortunately, thieves have a better target to try and steal the most expensive items.

When I walk around at shows, I rarely stop at booths/tables when the items carry no price, unless they are as rare as can be. Then I really want to know their price.

That being said, I may have two showcases where all of the items only have prices on their backs -- prices on their fronts detract from the visual beauty of these items. We will see. I haven't decided yet.

Steve
DynamicTwo@aol.com
National Booth 1100
6 Booths from main entrance

To me, prices on front don't detract from our beauties....
The reason they are put on back is to drum up conversation but that can backfire too, as has been shown in this thread. When I do set up, I have prices on front.

.

[mrreality68]

i would think that prices on the front would be easier for the sellers since if the price is not to the buyers liking they keep walking and frees up the seller to sell if the prices are right or reasonable to the buyers

For me I have no like or dislike if they are priced or not. But since I am seeking specific and rare cards. Anything I like will start with a conversation of some type anyway.

not sure if i am buying since many times the shows prices are on the high end since the seller has alot of overhead from this event to cover

[Donscards]

I have been selling cards since 1978 and right from the beginning I always priced my cards--way back . some dealers gave me flack for pricing the cards but that is how I wanted to do it---I always like when I see another booth and prices are marked---I hate asking a dealer (who maybe I dont know) what is the price--many times you hear different prices to different people. I price my cards close to what price I want to get. But for me, it has worked for a long time. See you at the National., thanks, Don

[x2drich2000]

Personally, no price limits what I'll look at. For stuff I'm really searching for, I'll ask for a price. But I'm generally not going to ask for the price on something I would consider buying, but that are not must haves. Could you imagine asking the price for each and every item in someone case? Even asking about just 4-5 cards would get tiresome real quick. On the plus side, this does help limit the impulse buys.

[Steve_NY]

Leon,

Thank you!!! All of my ten showscases will have items with price tags on the front. Thanks for your input and I agree.

Collectors/Dealers can expect to pay 85 to 90% of the prices I place on my items. In fact, most of my sales are larger ones to collector/dealers who are going to resell their purchases after grading them. They do not even blink at paying my price -- maybe a little negotiations but not much.

I had many larger deals last year and some of the purchasers often spent anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours with me. In fact I would estimate that most of my sales -- probably 75 percent to 85 percent of my sales are made to dealers!!

I would be doing more on Net 54 if I could, but now that I am getting older, I just can't go to storage as frequently as in the past.

Stop by and say hello.

Steve
DynamicTwo@aol.com (914-522-3853)
6 Booths in the main entrance of the show (1100)

P.S. - I have now done 38 Nationals and there are only 24 sellers at this National with a higher priority than me. It's been fun, and I hope to continue doing the National forever -- well maybe until I am in my eighties.

[Touch'EmAll]

Gee, I haven't been to a show in a long time. If I saw what I was looking for, then I asked to please see the card. If it passed my eyeball scrutiny, then the last thing was talk about price. Actually, if there wasn't a price sticker, I felt I could more easily offer what I was willing to pay. If i walked right by tables without price stickers, I would have missed some opportunity for what I was after.

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

Personally, no price limits what I'll look at. For stuff I'm really searching for, I'll ask for a price. But I'm generally not going to ask for the price on something I would consider buying, but that are not must haves. Could you imagine asking the price for each and every item in someone case? Even asking about just 4-5 cards would get tiresome real quick. On the plus side, this does help limit the impulse buys.

DJ, I agree with you 100%. If there is an unpriced must-have, of course I will ask, because its a must have and its a matter of how much I must pay to have it. But there are many items that I could want but will simply pass on because I don't feel like waiting to get the guy's attention and then asking (and often getting some snide reply).

Don, your booth is hands down always one of the best at any show. I just wish you would take credit cards!

[parkplace33]

I am on the flip side. I think you do yourself a disservice by just passing a table that doesn’t have prices.

What if they have a card you want at a fair price? You just missed a great opportunity. And it never hurts to engage and ask a price.

[Donscards]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

DJ, I agree with you 100%. If there is an unpriced must-have, of course I will ask, because its a must have and its a matter of how much I must pay to have it. But there are many items that I could want but will simply pass on because I don't feel like waiting to get the guy's attention and then asking (and often getting some snide reply).

Don, your booth is hands down always one of the best at any show. I just wish you would take credit cards!

Ryan. I remember our first meeting years ago. It is so funny now. You must have thought, were is this guy from. But I always say cash is king. Always a pleasure talking with you. Your collection is so advanced, I can’t sell you anything. See you in Atlantic City.

[Vintageclout]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

DJ, I agree with you 100%. If there is an unpriced must-have, of course I will ask, because its a must have and its a matter of how much I must pay to have it. But there are many items that I could want but will simply pass on because I don't feel like waiting to get the guy's attention and then asking (and often getting some snide reply).

Don, your booth is hands down always one of the best at any show. I just wish you would take credit cards!

If someone sees a card they truly want, they will discuss it with the dealer - priced or unpriced. Why not?