Card Shows: Tech as a servant or master?

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I've actually decided to put that to the test. Next show I can make in Pasadena, I will not set up, I will take my stuff to the trade night and sell there. For free.

Good call. I'm amazed every show promoter hasn't wised up and put the k-k-k-kibosh on this type of event.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Good call. I'm amazed every show promoter hasn't wised up and put the k-k-k-kibosh on this type of event.

Promoters believe that trade nights and similar sideshow events drive traffic. I am not sure that is true, but as long as tables sell out, the promoter can focus on increasing traffic (admissions) without worrying about the dealers. Every dealer setting up at trade night or in the hallways or even in the food court at the National (as was the case in Cleveland) represents a paid admission. I don't know how many of them would have stayed home but for the trade night (maybe none), but if the dealers buy all the tables despite the parasitic card show/trade night, there is no downside for the promoters to allow it. Dealers, believe it or not, have no leverage to negotiate with a promoter if the shows sell out or if there is a waitlist. I am curious to see whether that changes when there is an actual recession and the hobby as a whole contracts and dealers drop out of shows. I recall in prior periods being offered discounted tables and even free autograph tickets for the guests to get me to take a table.

[Leon]

If the hobby spending slows (unlikely), less dealers set up and there are fewer paid attendance, my guess, is some prices would go down for a while. I never blame a promoter for maximizing their profits. The market takes care of greediness, most times.

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Promoters believe that trade nights and similar sideshow events drive traffic. I am not sure that is true, but as long as tables sell out, the promoter can focus on increasing traffic (admissions) without worrying about the dealers. Every dealer setting up at trade night or in the hallways or even in the food court at the National (as was the case in Cleveland) represents a paid admission. I don't know how many of them would have stayed home but for the trade night (maybe none), but if the dealers buy all the tables despite the parasitic card show/trade night, there is no downside for the promoters to allow it. Dealers, believe it or not, have no leverage to negotiate with a promoter if the shows sell out or if there is a waitlist. I am curious to see whether that changes when there is an actual recession and the hobby as a whole contracts and dealers drop out of shows. I recall in prior periods being offered discounted tables and even free autograph tickets for the guests to get me to take a table.

[BioCRN]

I rarely go to shows these days, but it takes so little effort to take notes (mental or physical) or even pictures then step away to do your research if that's what you're into.

If you want to negotiate it's generally a better starting point to come seemingly prepared rather than on-the-fly searching sold prices on the internet then starting an argument about it.

I've done this a good amount for my Mark Grace singles collection, specifically. I want to know why one of the gazillion 90s weird insert sets has a card priced at more than just the "50c-$1 value pick box" price and if I should be interested at all.