Observations from the Card Show Front Lines - UPDATED!!!

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by EldoEsq

Honest question, I don't know what you collect, but without a backpack, what do you do with your purchases?

Keep them in hand? Put them in your pocket?

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Don't get me wrong, I certainly have nothing against people using them, it wasn't some sort of criticism, but it was just surprising how many people had full-on backpacks this time around. A drastic change from yesteryear. It looked like a Tenzing Norgay convention was in town.

In general, I use a smaller, easily maneuverable canvas bag (with things inside of it to protect any purchases) to hold my stuff.

Every time I tried to walk down an aisle between the tables, this is what I was confronted with...

backpacksblockingtheway.jpg

[GasHouseGang]

Do you have a term for that Darren? Maybe "backpack blockage" or something like that?

[jimtigers65]

Every time I come home from a show I say to nobody in particular “I’m going to invent a small backpack specifically for shows.” I usually get bumped numerous times while roving the isles.

A couple years ago I attended the Chicago National. One of my first stops, I set my backpack down and pulled out my checklist. The dealers daughter, around 10-years old told me that my backpack smells.

The Pelican cases crack me up. I’m stereo typing, but usually it is a younger collection with these cases. I’m sure I would have used one back it the day if it was available.

I was going to go to the Concord show but the rain helped me make the decision to wait for the 1 April show in Sacramento.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Don't get me wrong, I certainly have nothing against people using them, it wasn't some sort of criticism, but it was just surprising how many people had full-on backpacks this time around. A drastic change from yesteryear. It looked like a Tenzing Norgay convention was in town.

In general, I use a smaller, easily maneuverable canvas bag (with things inside of it to protect any purchases) to hold my stuff.

Every time I tried to walk down an aisle between the tables, this is what I was confronted with...

Attachment 560950

I am guilty of another card sin . I bring a full on backpack with a camouflage pattern because that's what I have laying around and it works well.

Now if I was smart, I would dangle it off one shoulder to force a gap between me and the person next to me trying to edge in to look at the cards I am looking at and invading my personal space like its an olympic sport.

[cgjackson222]

Threads like this are why JollyElm is my favorite member of Net54.
Great stuff!!

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by cgjackson222

Threads like this are why JollyElm is my favorite member of Net54.
Great stuff!!

Ha!!! You think a nice little comment like that is going to make me forget that you didn't send me a beautiful box of chocolates this Valentine's Day???? It's going to take a lot more than that, sir!!!!

[1952boyntoncollector]

i would think the best things to buy and sell for sealers and buyers are ungraded cards..on the internet it tough to really know how the card really is but in person would solve that.

even past sales on ebay dont mean as much on raw cards so it allows more flexibility for both parties...also i would think there is more likelihood of returns on ebay on raw cards so the dealers dont have to deal with that on in person sales where the card is inspected in hand

to a lesser degree i would think lower graded cards would also be easier to sell in person...one mans 1 is another mans A etc...

how bad is that wrinkle etc...perhaps thats why you see those 3's and 4's sell more easily in person...

[mrmopar]

The whole scene seems to have changed dramatically since Covid awakened all the long sleeping "collectors". That, the increased pricing spikes on just about everything and the cost and increasing issues with mail (theft, poor packaging, rising costs, sellers refusing to combine shipping, etc) are leaving very little to be desired about collecting anywhere but in person at shops or shows, if you even have that in your general vicinity. many do not anymore.

I thought facebook might offer some additional spots to discuss cards in addition to the couple card-related sites like these I frequent, but I don't think I can take any more comp, bro, y'all, raw, slab, rainbow, my guy, tuxedo and a variety of other catch phrases that everyone seems to use and love now, none of which I will ever accept or use.

Someone posted on one of the facebook sites today asking what a Score Bo Jackson was worth, as he had just "pulled" one from what looked like a set, the one with the B&W shoulder pad image. How is anyone paying $10 for that Score base card. On a positive note, it's nice to see people coveting a card that isn't extremely valuable, but it also appears that popularity is driving the price of this card into a range that is unreasonable, given the quantity that must be out there in the market.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

The whole scene seems to have changed dramatically since Covid awakened all the long sleeping "collectors". That, the increased pricing spikes on just about everything and the cost and increasing issues with mail (theft, poor packaging, rising costs, sellers refusing to combine shipping, etc) are leaving very little to be desired about collecting anywhere but in person at shops or shows, if you even have that in your general vicinity. many do not anymore.

I thought facebook might offer some additional spots to discuss cards in addition to the couple card-related sites like these I frequent, but I don't think I can take any more comp, bro, y'all, raw, slab, rainbow, my guy, tuxedo and a variety of other catch phrases that everyone seems to use and love now, none of which I will ever accept or use.

Someone posted on one of the facebook sites today asking what a Score Bo Jackson was worth, as he had just "pulled" one from what looked like a set, the one with the B&W shoulder pad image. How is anyone paying $10 for that Score base card. On a positive note, it's nice to see people coveting a card that isn't extremely valuable, but it also appears that popularity is driving the price of this card into a range that is unreasonable, given the quantity that must be out there in the market.

It's almost like these people have been locked away for three years with no contact with other people and nothing to do but play with their cards and themselves...