Card show inventory discovery tool

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Leon

Not sure about a card show app., for me.
I like walking around and looking at stuff. And many dealers have stuff they only put out when asked about at a show. I was at the Dallas Card Show talking to a dealer friend. He said he had almost as much with him, that wasn't put out, as what he put out in the first place. There just isn't enough space to lay all of the cards out.
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If a dealer isn't able to display everything he has, isn't that a reason the app would be useful? The dealer could have everything listed in the app so someone would know to ask for it.

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by jayshum

If a dealer isn't able to display everything he has, isn't that a reason the app would be useful? The dealer could have everything listed in the app so someone would know to ask for it.

Exactly.
It would not stop me from walking around a show. I spend about 1/3 of the time looking at stuff I don't even collect just for enjoyment purposes. Plus I know there could always be dealers who didn't join in the app and are more old school. Still, if I 'm looking for some commons from a prewar set that is not so mainstream or I have some other narrow focus, I can't always expect them to be shown with limited table space. The app would be very helpful--for both sides- to identify where such stuff can be found. It could be something simple if the dealer was short on time or not interested in providing much detail, like "dozen or so C46 Imperial tobacco commons, mostly vg".

[Section103]

I think its a GREAT idea even with some obvious potential limitations. First, it requires dealers to actually use the app. Not all will and thats fine, but there is some tipping point in which a % of dealers need to use it or its just not useful. Second, the app probably has its limits near the end of a show. I seriously doubt dealers can update sales in real time so you buyers might be chasing down dead ends on Sunday afternoon.

But at the end of the day, count me in. I'll still walk the floors but only after Ive targeted specific things Im looking for. Best part is, those buyers who dont like it can simply not use it.

[rhettyeakley]

I don’t hate it but doubt I would use it. It would need to be essentially updating itself in real time or it could get pretty annoying for a dealer that has a bargain card and sells it to the first customer then having people asking about an already sold item for the next 2-3 days.

I enjoy the hunt at card shows. It is like our version of treasure hunting.

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

I don’t hate it but doubt I would use it. It would need to be essentially updating itself in real time or it could get pretty annoying for a dealer that has a bargain card and sells it to the first customer then having people asking about an already sold item for the next 2-3 days.

I enjoy the hunt at card shows. It is like our version of treasure hunting.

I would imagine that if it is really that annoying the dealer would take the 2-3 minutes on the app to say it is sold. Besides, it could serve as a hook to get people to the table and look for other items of similar interest.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

I don’t hate it but doubt I would use it. It would need to be essentially updating itself in real time or it could get pretty annoying for a dealer that has a bargain card and sells it to the first customer then having people asking about an already sold item for the next 2-3 days.

I enjoy the hunt at card shows. It is like our version of treasure hunting.

The amount of time and effort it would take for a dealer to keep their inventory up-to-date in the app would certainly have an impact on it's usefulness and uptake, but there are dealers now with websites that list their inventory who also do shows so they somehow manage to deal with issues of updating now when cards are sold in person.

I agree that it's fun to walk around shows and see what you can find, but an app like this wouldn't prevent that from still happening. When I go to a show, there may be specific cards I'm looking for that I would first search for in the app, but I would still walk around to see what else I might find that would interest me even if it wasn't something I originally knew I wanted.

[brunswickreeves]

I would have loved this for the recent GBSCC show I attended, although would have taken the fun out of the hunt. I was on a mission for one single card. A life long desire for it and a tragic event in my state prompted me to take action and make the dream come true while I still had time on earth. Instead of using such an app, I researched hundreds of sellers websites and social media platforms to get a flavor for what they specialized in. Then printed the floor map and created a flow diagram and timetables of booths to visit in hot pursuit of the card, from most likely to least likely vendor to carry it. After two hours walking the floor I finally came upon a seller I overlooked who had the card. I negotiated a deal and walked out feeling on top of the world!

[Luke]

Originally Posted by brunswickreeves

I would have loved this for the recent GBSCC show I attended, although would have taken the fun out of the hunt. I was on a mission for one single card. A life long desire for it and a tragic event in my state prompted me to take action and make the dream come true while I still had time on earth. Instead of using such an app, I researched hundreds of sellers websites and social media platforms to get a flavor for what they specialized in. Then printed the floor map and created a flow diagram and timetables of booths to visit in hot pursuit of the card, from most likely to least likely vendor to carry it. After two hours walking the floor I finally came upon a seller I overlooked who had the card. I negotiated a deal and walked out feeling on top of the world!

That's a great story! You can't post all that without showing the card though!

[Leon]

I am the old man yelling at the sky, but not really. I think it's awesome if others want to use it. I am sure it's a fine application. I am just not an application guy. Big Chief and Crayola....
No doubt it's more efficient but, then again, I still use a dry-erase board calendar in my office too...

and a postcard (shown many times) from the BST, around 6 yrs ago...
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