Sticker price at card shows

[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.

[drcy]

Perhaps for some shows are seen as advertising.

[mq711]

Of course it depends on the card and how badly one wants it, that said a PSA7 should fall somewhere between a 6-8 as far as offers or listings.A “lucky” 7 should go substantially below a great for the grade 7, some dealers others want to break a record with every sale.

[JustinD]

Shows have become a true waste of my time with all the new get rich quick kids setting up tables. If I feel like window shopping I’ll go to a museum.

I honestly expect a discount at shows and I don’t feel that unreasonable. You do have a table fee, but you are skipping on eBay or auction fees, PayPal fees and shipping costs. I damn well know that an overwhelming number of sellers are not reporting those cash sales and skipping out on the 1099 that eBay will provide. Also, the buyer not paying sales tax or an auction premium brings the offers up.

I guess it’s still fun to occasionally poke around in boxes, especially if you have a kid with you. I rarely find anything rare enough to consider as it’s more commonly modern leftovers from YouTube box breaking. So other than the passing fun of the initial walk around, I have a hard time justifying the drive.