Dealing at shows...

[David W]

I went to a local show in a motel conference room in Fort Wayne Indiana last month (first show I'd been to that wasn't the National in several years). There were probably 12-15 people set up.

My observations:

1 - 2-3 guys still had boxes and boxes of 87 to 95 crap. It was priced at 10 cents or 25 cents, but I had no desier to sift through thousands of 89 Donruss or 91 Topps hoping to find something I might want.

2 - One guy had several thousand 50's to 60's cards but nothing priced. It was annoying to pull a card out, and wait while he dug through a Beckett guide to tell me it was $1 or $3. If he had priced it before hand, I've have probably bought $50 worth of cards. As it was I spent $5 on 2 cards.

3 - I did spend close to $100 at a tabel sorting through well organized boxes of 50's to 70's cards that were all priced, and bought about 20 cards for $60 or so. He also had decent pre war and graded cards in his display case, all priced.

4 - I like to buy some modern cards of Cardinals or Bears, but no one had it at this show.

5 - One guys display case was full of beat up 70's baseball and football at NM prices. I never saw him sell one thing the 2 hours I was there.

In summary, I'd say organize it, price it low, and don't bring thousands of worthless cards and you can be successful.

[sycks22]

Going to shows is fun when you find the right dealer than will give you fair market value for your cards and will work in some trades. When you show someone a Ty Cobb that sells for around $2k and the dealer knows he doesn't have $40 in his pocket it's always funny when they respond with "I'm looking for higher graded cards" and when you look at they're selling a '66 Topps Snider with 2 corners missing for $25, but list the high book price on the plastic. For every good dealer out there you find 10 that think their cards are amazing and tell you how much they make every show, but still have 99% of the same cards every time you see them. Those are the best dealers.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by sycks22

For every good dealer out there you find 10 that think their cards are amazing and tell you how much they make every show, but still have 99% of the same cards every time you see them.

Really? How do they stay in Business? Bit of an exaggeration, I'd say.

[sycks22]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Really? How do they stay in Business? Bit of an exaggeration, I'd say.

My question to you is: Name 1 show that isn't in the decline outside of the national? I would say that many of them aren't staying in business.

I know a lot of old timers that set up at shows to make a couple bucks, but more to just talk about cards.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by sycks22

My question to you is: Name 1 show that isn't in the decline outside of the national? I would say that many of them aren't staying in business. I know a lot of old timers that set up at shows to make a couple bucks, but more to just talk about cards.

The Chantilly show, in its 15th year, is bigger and better than its ever been, just booming, really. Marco's Edison show last June attracted a big crowd and I had a great show, I think it will be even bigger and better this time since the Hunt VF cancelled. And VF, although badly mishandled in the transition, is still quite viable for a lot of dealers and collectors, IMO, and might even come to its glory days eventually. I've been doing shows for 15 years, going to them for 20, and for me just about every year has been better than the last, and I'm doing so much better now than in the so-called heyday. Shows are expensive to do, so no dealers stay in business long without selling their stuff, although it does seem that some dealers find it painful to think about parting with any of their precious inventory at a reasonable price. But I guarantee they're selling something to somebody, or they wouldn't be there. Having said all this, I have no argument with your general proposition that the number of shows is diminished and a lot of show action has moved to the net and auctions. I just don't see them going away any time soon, for all the reasons Leon pointed out, and if future generations want to pass on them entirely, I guess maybe they'll be gone about the time I will, too. That's fine with me, I could care less what younger folk, or those of any age who find shows a waste of time today, choose to do. I just think the reports and claims of the demise of shows are quite premature, I don't like to see them disparaged unnecessarily, and I will do them and go to them as long as I can walk.
Hank Thomas

[Leon]

A few of my own thoughts. As Hankphenom said, the shows, to me, aren't about just selling and buying, it's the whole experience. I absolutely have as much or more fun after the show, just hanging out with hobby friends, having a few cocktails and dinner. If I buy or sell something at the show then that is the icing on the cake. But for me, the cake is the total experience of the show and all that surrounds it.

Also, there used to be more single, private sales of larger ticket cards. Nowadays barely anyone wants to buy something as a straight private sale. They want it to go to auction where they can either -

1. Hope to steal it (so to speak) for a very low price
2. Feel comfortable they aren't the only idiot willing to pay almost that much (as the underbidder is right there too) for an item.

I love shows and will definitely keep doing them, if nothing else, for the camaraderie alone. I always go to them with the expectation that my money spent doing the show is entertainment. I don't expect to buy or sell anything so I am never disappointed. I guess I am fortunate, every single show I have ever done has been great (from my point of view). best regards

[mintacular]

If you selling/dealing at a small show or flea market here are my observations mostly as a buyer, but occasionally as a seller:

1) Mid-grade or better star cards are difficult to sell for a fair $ unless they are local i.e. pittsburgh/clemente

2) Dollar boxes singles $5 under do fine of mainstream sets if $'d right, same with high #'s like '72s

3) Lower your expectations, have "fun" and think of it as weeding out some extra cards so if you only make a few bucks it doesn't feel so bad

4) The most successful dealers at these venues have been doing it many years and have repeat/loyal customers

5) Pre-war cards in low grade really only way to go, not going to get someone to pay $100 for an ex common

As for flea markets, expect a bunch of fleabags trying to "flip" your cards, these people root around looking for great deals, don't take it personally it's just the type of buyer you see there