Buying collections - can this work?

[Mike D.]

If you can funnel all the folks walking around with briefcases of graded cards at shows trying to sell them to dealers your way, maybe the other dealers will pay your table fee for you.

[BobC]

Bring a briefcase full of cash to the show, and have it sitting out in the open where people can see it, sitting next to a big sign saying you're looking to buy collections (but not right out on the front table where some people also may be thinking about grabbing it and running). That cash will attract potential people looking to sell.

Unfortunately, you'll probably be lucky to even get 1 out of every 20 people coming to talk to you about it that actually have anything worthwhile. You'll also probably want to be sure you only go to shows in states that allow concealed carry so you can protect yourself, and be sure you have a proper license to do so, as well as friends to accompany and back you up, and protect you. That should hopefully work, until the police find out you have such cash, and then figure out a way to pull you over after you leave the show for supposedly changing lanes without signaling, or not using a turn signal at an intersection, and they stop you and end up doing an illegal search and taking your cash as an asset forfeiture claim. if you're lucky, they won't take your car and impound it as well, but don't hold your breath.

[Belfast1933]

Ummm - thanks?

(I had a feeling this question might generate some interesting replies - Net54 never disappoints)

[G1911]

Usually it takes longer to get weird.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Belfast1933

Ummm - thanks?

(I had a feeling this question might generate some interesting replies - Net54 never disappoints)

You don't think putting out a bunch of cash will bring people to your table looking to sell stuff? If not, you likely don't understand the greed and desire of many people. It will also likely create a slight (actually more likely a big) bit of buzz at the show as people walking around start telling and questioning others if they saw the one dealer/seller with the briefcase full of cash. It WILL attract people to come see you, but it is also probably not a great idea for everyone for several of the negative reasons I also mentioned, for those that can't handle the negative stuff.

You might think I'm being some kind of a jerk, especially after your 'Umm - thanks?" comment/question. But I'm being fully serious if you want to get attention for buying stuff at a card show. Honestly tell me what other suggestion(s) by anyone else in this thread will likely get you more actual attention for what you want, faster and quicker than what I've suggested. Everything I stated is 100% logical, makes perfect sense, and/or is true. If you don't want some completely honest advice, don't go asking for it.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by BobC

You don't think putting out a bunch of cash will bring people to your table looking to sell stuff? If not, you likely don't understand the greed and desire of many people. It will also likely create a slight (actually more likely a big) bit of buzz at the show as people walking around start telling and questioning others if they saw the one dealer/seller with the briefcase full of cash. It WILL attract people to come see you, but it is also probably not a great idea for everyone for several of the negative reasons I also mentioned, that can't handle it.

You might think I'm being some kind of a jerk, especially after your 'Umm - thanks?" comment/question. But I'm being fully serious if you want to get attention for buying stuff at a card show. Honestly tell me what other suggestion(s) by anyone else in this thread will likely get you more actual attention for what you want, faster and quicker than what I've suggested. Everything I stated is 100% logical, makes perfect sense, and/or is true. If you don't want some completely honest advice, don't go asking for it.

Personally Bob, I love your plan and it would be an instant separation from the other guys. I'd use passable fake cash and a hired "security guard " for presentation.

How would you present to make an heir or widow with a pre war collection comfortable enough to approach your table?

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Personally Bob, I love your plan and it would be an instant separation from the other guys. I'd use passable fake cash and a hired "security guard " for presentation.

How would you present to make an heir or widow with a pre war collection comfortable enough to approach your table?

The fake cash might be a good idea, just don't get anyone claiming it could be counterfeit, as then you could have a whole other set of issues. And actually, isn't what I described basically taking a page right out of the Mr. Mint bible of how to do business? I remember when he used to specifically get the very first table inside the entrance doors at a card show so he had the first crack at anyone walking in with stuff to sell. He would actually offer to pay in cash, and if memory serves, made actual handwritten offers he gave to people of what he would pay them for their stuff when they did stop to show him what they may have. And I'm guessing he likely got some additional leads he would follow up on from people that maybe didn't bring all their stuff with them. There is the old saying, "Money talks....and bull$hit walks!", which is so very true.

As for widows and others, chances are they aren't coming to card shows themselves, maybe some younger relatives or friends looking out for them or otherwise trying to help. I'd suggest having a stack of business cards to hand out to people so there may be that follow-up activity after the show and/or away from it. Think about all the pictures you ever saw of Al (Mr. Mint) Rosen, more often than not it showed him with a huge smile, flashing tons of cash, or tons of great cards. The card flashes were for potential buyers. The cash flashes were for potential sellers. That way he always covered both sides of the aisle.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?v...t=0&ajaxserp=0

Rosen was to my understanding very good at using this technique, until I heard about him doing his usual and paying up to get the front table at the doors at the Cleveland National held in the IX Center one year. My understanding was he went ape$hit when he found out that unlike all the other Nationals he'd been at, no one told him there were two separate entrances to the IX Center on opposite sides of the convention floor. He apparently didn't like paying to only get a first crack at maybe half the people walking into the show. I also thought I heard/read somewhere he never bothered to do another National show after that, at least not ever in Cleveland. I've always found that hard to believe those stories/rumors I had heard that he really didn't know there were two separate entrances. But stranger things have happened in the world, right?

[Eric72]

I met Rosen once at show where we were both set up. From this one meeting, I formed on opinion of the man that persists to this day:

The world was a stage to him, he thought himself the principal actor, and the stacks of cash were very effective props. Whether one found his methods distasteful (I did) or brilliant, one thing was readily apparent.

He got results.

I'm not saying you should mirror what Rosen did. Most people couldn't pull it off. However, don't dismiss it out of hand.

[Belfast1933]

Originally Posted by BobC

You don't think putting out a bunch of cash will bring people to your table looking to sell stuff? If not, you likely don't understand the greed and desire of many people. It will also likely create a slight (actually more likely a big) bit of buzz at the show as people walking around start telling and questioning others if they saw the one dealer/seller with the briefcase full of cash. It WILL attract people to come see you, but it is also probably not a great idea for everyone for several of the negative reasons I also mentioned, for those that can't handle the negative stuff.

You might think I'm being some kind of a jerk, especially after your 'Umm - thanks?" comment/question. But I'm being fully serious if you want to get attention for buying stuff at a card show. Honestly tell me what other suggestion(s) by anyone else in this thread will likely get you more actual attention for what you want, faster and quicker than what I've suggested. Everything I stated is 100% logical, makes perfect sense, and/or is true. If you don't want some completely honest advice, don't go asking for it.

Sorry Bob! I thought your suggestions were tongue in cheek… now I get it! Set up a fake briefcase of $$ and a faux security guard.

I read your post too quickly - it actually sounds pretty funny (and could be effective, especially if I did this multiple times AND landed a few bigger deals this way to legitimize the gag set up.

I’ll have to think about whether I am up for that… but it is a clever idea. Again, sorry… I thought you were goofing with me. Apologies!

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Belfast1933

Sorry Bob! I thought your suggestions were tongue in cheek… now I get it! Set up a fake briefcase of $$ and a faux security guard.

I read your post too quickly - it actually sounds pretty funny (and could be effective, especially if I did this multiple times AND landed a few bigger deals this way to legitimize the gag set up.

I’ll have to think about whether I am up for that… but it is a clever idea. Again, sorry… I thought you were goofing with me. Apologies!

Jeff,

No problem, but I was being very serious. and also serious about the things to be careful about if you do use real money. There are always stories of theft in the hobby, and if you are hauling around a lot of actual cash, you do need to be VERY CAREFUL as well.

But people seeing a lot of cash gets them excited. There is no replacement for greed and the desire of many people who think they can get their hands on some. And again, you'll be lucky to get a lot of legit items/collections you may be offered for sale as many people will try to get their hands on your cash, all the while thinking their stuff is worth way more than it actually is. So, in addition to being extremely patient and waiting for those actual good items/collections being offered, you also have to be an extremely good judge of a very diverse amount of stuff you'll likely be shown so as to be able to recognize the actual good items/collections you'll end up looking at, and you'll also have to be very dedicated to follow a strict regimen to properly assess and appraise those items/collections as accurately and conservatively as possible. If you honestly don't know the true value of many items/collections you're being shown, you may want to think twice about even starting to do something like this. Always remember the old adage, you actually make your money when you buy items, not when you sell them!

[raulus]

If you’re going with stacks of cash, then I’d pair it with this suit.

[Belfast1933]

Originally Posted by BobC

Jeff,

No problem, but I was being very serious. and also serious about the things to be careful about if you do use real money. There are always stories of theft in the hobby, and if you are hauling around a lot of actual cash, you do need to be VERY CAREFUL as well.

But people seeing a lot of cash gets them excited. There is no replacement for greed and the desire of many people who think they can get their hands on some. And again, you'll be lucky to get a lot of legit items/collections you may be offered for sale as many people will try to get their hands on your cash, all the while thinking their stuff is worth way more than it actually is. So, in addition to being extremely patient and waiting for those actual good items/collections being offered, you also have to be an extremely good judge of a very diverse amount of stuff you'll likely be shown so as to be able to recognize the actual good items/collections you'll end up looking at, and you'll also have to be very dedicated to follow a strict regimen to properly assess and appraise those items/collections as accurately and conservatively as possible. If you honestly don't know the true value of many items/collections you're being shown, you may want to think twice about even starting to do something like this. Always remember the old adage, you actually make your money when you buy items, not when you sell them!

Good stuff, thx… though I don’t think that’s quite my style or comfort zone. (Though that money suit above is super sweet, no doubt!)

[Volod]

Originally Posted by BobC

... if you're lucky, they won't take your car and impound it as well, but don't hold your breath.

Good one, Bob.

[Exhibitman]

Bob:

As usual, TLDR.

Have a nice day.

[RCMcKenzie]

Shows are for socializing and networking. If I bought a table to sell at a show, it would be for fun.

If I were going to sell cards for a living, I would need an impressive website listing the card types I pay strong for.

I would scour eBay for card listings of the sets I know. I would look for things like "Lot of 74 1950 Bowman, mixed conditions." and that kind of stuff.

[babraham]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Bob:

As usual, TLDR.

Have a nice day.

I mean, that must have taken at least 25-30 minutes to type that up.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by babraham

I mean, that must have taken at least 25-30 minutes to type that up.

It actually took much longer than that, including various edits and breaks to make sure I properly, factually, and logically addressed all the points I did make. And I did so because I knew in the end, the other party would not be able to respond without making themself look even more in the wrong. I actually expected the non-response I got, typical modus operandi from such that will never admit their errors or faults. And trust me, your eyes would still be burning from the original response version I would have loved to have actually posted about the other party and their comments. In the end, the way someone responds just describes the kind of person one can be. They may have the balls to make sarcastic, rude, demeaning comments about someone/something else, and then when you confront them with facts and show how it seems much/everything they said was false and garbage, they just walk away and refuse to answer. I can (and have) clearly show how people like that are typically wrong, how they twist things to make it just their narrative that they talk about and push, aren't man enough to ever admit their stupid mistakes and misstatements, and at the end of the day are nothing more than bullies and cowards it seems. Just go back and read posts I make to any such people and you'll see I always strive to make sure they are as truthful, factual, and logical as possible. And this includes against some that are regarded as great, long-time, and well-loved experts/members on the forum. Just because someone is considered an expert in say some popular, well collected set, shouldn't automatically give them a pass to say whatever they want about anything else, with generally no accountability or pushback when it is possibly wrong or not completely factually correct or logical. The closed-mindedness and short-sightedness of many on this forum is truly disappointing at times.

And I can give real-time, real-life examples of exactly the kind of things I'm talking about. There are currently some threads/posts started/posted by a Will Jaimet on here that got immediate blowback and ridicule. They seem to finally be petering out, but a seemingly common point from many is how this person when asked many direct questions, consistently ignored and didn't answer them, seems to have made some other what were perceived as sarcastic and/or demeaning comments in response, and then apparently just walked away. That is pretty much exactly the same thing that just occurred in my case, but no one else apparently will speak up and also call out such people and wonder/question why the other party did what they did, but then refuses to actually answer questions or respond intelligently. There are many other occasions here on the forum where I've called out others for refusing to respond and answer my questions after responding to theirs, but again, no one else ever seems to want to publicly step up and also question why they refused to answer. But make it a newcomer that no one knows and probably has no other friends on the forum, and watch people pile on. I have had others privately PM me about their own interactions with some others on the forum, and give me their support, and to those people I again thank you and appreciate all you had to say and tell me. There shouldn't be such a double standard treatment tolerated on the forum though. Hopefully in the future more people will begin to have a like view as myself and start to speak out against such a double standard continuing. Otherwise, why is it if a Willjaimet refuses to answer a question, multiple people on the forum immediately begin to respond and say that must be proof he is guilty of what is being said/asked about him. Why isn't the exact same logic then applied to someone who I point out their errors and misstatements to, but then instead of replying and responding to my comments and questions just refuses to answer and says TLDR. It is the exact same thing folks, think about it!!!!!

And to hopefully shut down the trolls from even opening their mouths about how the Jaimet thing was because he was an alleged hobby fraud, so it is completely different than what I'm talking about, the logic, reasoning, and treatment of any situations should always be the same, just like when a TPG reviews and examines a card for grading, and not subject to different standards or interpretation based on what the original issue was, just like it shouldn't matter and make a difference in what card the TPG was given to grade. From what I've seen over the years, it seems/feels I'm about the only person on this forum who will somewhat consistently still call out the BS of not just newer posters/members, but will apply the same standards and thinking to more long-time members and those in their mutual-appreciation style like cliques here on the forum as well. There are a lot of great members and people here in this forum, and just like as in our general society as a whole, there are also a lot who are not!!!

[G1911]

This could have so easily been a rational, normal thread.