Sticker price at card shows

[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.

[Exhibitman]

Don't offer anything. Ask the dealer to make the offer. Make him bid against himself. You will be surprised how many dealers will knock off a substantial sum from the sticker price, especially if prices on the card are stagnant and the card is relatively easy to find. I like to go with "what is the absolute lowest price you will accept for this card?" See what happens. Better than dickering.

That said, don't expect much movement on a card that is iconic, soaring in price or a rare one. No need to discount those. Last show I did some guy wanted me to discount a rare boxing card. No thanks. I can't just find another one on eBay. I think many dealers will hold a genuinely rare card until they get their price. I know I will.

[Jewish-collector]

I just love when the dealer says, "Let me look to see what I have into it". If I wasn't such a nice guy, I would respond back, "I don't care WTF you have into it.

[chalupacollects]

Even if cards are marked, I'll always ask the price. Sometimes those stickers have been there for years and if the dealer says as marked then we can start a conversation. Most times I'll get a better number than the sticker price...

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Don't offer anything. Ask the dealer to make the offer. Make him bid against himself. You will be surprised how many dealers will knock off a substantial sum from the sticker price, especially if prices on the card are stagnant and the card is relatively easy to find. I like to go with "what is the absolute lowest price you will accept for this card?" See what happens. Better than dickering.

That said, don't expect much movement on a card that is iconic, soaring in price or a rare one. No need to discount those. Last show I did some guy wanted me to discount a rare boxing card. No thanks. I can't just find another one on eBay. I think many dealers will hold a genuinely rare card until they get their price. I know I will.

Agreed. At the CSA show this weekend, I asked dealers with reasonable starting prices, "What is your best price on this card?" I was looking for 1969 Topps Mantle (yellow letter) graded PSA 7. Before the show, I did some research on Ebay and found the price to be around $1,300. I found a few examples on the floor. Two dealers had the card at $2K. Like others on the thread, I didn't even open my mouth. I believe dealers hate to hear "I can get a better price on Ebay or the consensus Ebay price is XXX." One dealer had the card for $1,465. I thought there was some room left on that card, and planned to return to the table after getting autographs. I have been kicking around the idea of collecting the 1961 Topps AS subset and the same dealer had a 1961 Maris AS card for $225, so his prices were not outrageous. If the country is headed for a recession in 2023, it will be interesting to see if card prices fall.

CSA seems to be trying to cram more dealers into a smaller space. Mail order is clearly king. It might have just been me but the floor seemed pretty cramped. I overheard two dealers chatting and although business seemed good (Sunday, much better than Saturday from my polling) the dealer said to the other - "I have two tables and with costs, I am $2K in the hole before making a sale. I could simply avoid the hassle and sell on Ebay. Of course, I will have to pay the fees, but I can just ship it out and be done with it." I have always thought that CSA is more of an autograph show than a card show.

Oh, in the event you are wondering, I did not get the 1969 Mantle or !961 AS Maris. On Saturday, I had purchased a 1958 AS Mantle and was happy with the purchase.