The National - Dealer Wives

[Gr8Beldini]

My morning rant is about these dealers that leave their wives behind the table to check out customers looking to spend money. This past National was particularly frustrating.

Dealer #1 had a book of decent 1971's priced right at book with a sign that read, not every card in the book is a common. Fine. I pulled 2 out to upgrade my set. 111 Yankees Rookies and 577 Lonborg. The Battleaxe behind the table held up the Yankee Rookie card (with 2 nobodies on it) and scolded me with, "This one is not a common, I'll tell you that right now!" She then took them to her husband, who informed her that Lonborg is not a common and would cost more. Lonborg is tough and I would have purchased had she not been so insulting. Passed on both.

Dealer #2 - don't know where he is but I've got his wife's attention. I've got money in my pocket and see a lot of Philly Football at the table. If I'm ready to spend $$ on commons, I see no reason not to expect some kind of price break (15-20%?)... I ask her what she can do if I buy a lot of cards. She responded with a hale and hearty, "Don't worry; I'll take care of you"... without committing to anything specific. As the stack starts growing I ask for a subtotal. Came to $78... she told me, "$75 will be fine." Took them because I spent time selecting them, but I had money to spend and could have kept going all afternoon... but not for a 5% discount.

Dealer #3 - More Philly FB but I'm leery of these idiot wives. I'm not buying anything until I get some kind of price commitment (but I am very respectful in asking). The book of Philly FB - the same Philly FB contained on many other tables throughout the show - is priced at full book and she is somehow offended that I ask for some kind of quantity price break (I plan to spend quite a bit)... Apparently she just couldn't do better than full book and I felt like I was being reprimanded as she informed me of that. I went through that book and cherry picked the heck out of it. She had cards that weren't commons in the book but weren't priced. Got them all for common price. Got the team cards for common price. Got the Cowboys; got the rookies; got the minor stars... for common price. Would never have done that with a polite dealer; didn't lose a bit of sleep over it.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Somewhere theres a seller out there that may be saying why do they bother to price cards fairly if someone always wants a discount, maybe they should list the cards even higher so they can then give '20% off'

Sort of like the buy 3 cards for the price of 4 and get one free. Also there may be dealers that say that some buyers are sure to remind them when cards are priced too high versus market, but when the cards are priced far too low they are not given that courtesy. Who knows...

[markf31]

I think stepping up to any dealers table and automatically expecting a price break in the neighborhood of 20% is a little flippant for starters.

You complain about one of the wives insulting you, but the fact you refer to someone’s wife as a “battleaxe” and another dealer’s wife as an “idiot” is extremely condescending, disrespectful and insulting in its own right especially when those individuals will most likely not have the chance to defend themselves here against your misogyny.

But good job getting back at the third wife and dealer by cherry picking the heck out of that book, it evidently made you feel so much better about yourself for it.

[Neal]

I prefer buying cards in person, at a show, and have zero problem paying more than I could get it elsewhere - Buying is pretty much the main reason we have National, regional, and local card shows.

At times, card dealers have an undeserved bad rep .... sometimes it is the buyer that is to blame.

[ALR-bishop]

The National should sponsor a Calendar featuring dealer Wives. There could be try outs. Or one for Dealers. Or even random people off the floor

[jfkheat]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

The National should sponsor a Calendar featuring dealer Wives. There could be try outs. Or one for Dealers. Or even random people off the floor

Would it be like the People of Walmart site?
James

[bravos4evr]

Originally Posted by markf31

I think stepping up to any dealers table and automatically expecting a price break in the neighborhood of 20% is a little flippant for starters.

You complain about one of the wives insulting you, but the fact you refer to someone’s wife as a “battleaxe” and another dealer’s wife as an “idiot” is extremely condescending, disrespectful and insulting in its own right especially when those individuals will most likely not have the chance to defend themselves here against your misogyny.

But good job getting back at the third wife and dealer by cherry picking the heck out of that book, it evidently made you feel so much better about yourself for it.

awww, does someone need a safe space to go cry?

[packs]

No offense to dealers but I generally assume a dealer has already marked their cards up 20% so expecting a 20% break off the bat so that you're paying real world prices is pretty okay with me. I don't buy into any of that crap about paying more just because you're at a show. That is insane. No one gives you a deal because you're buying on eBay. Why should I pay more just because you're in front of me? We both save money on the in person deal by me not having to pay shipping and you not paying eBay.

[mikemb]

This thread was started by someone who put down wives of dealers. The next 2 posts stuck up for the wives and then it has turned into putting down all women in general and then a bunch of collectors complaining they "deserve" a discount sine they are going to "spend a lot of money".

Anyone looking at this would laugh at us for being so immature.

Lets talk about baseball cards!

Are there moderators checking these threads out? If so, please nudge them to wake up!

I'm sure some will not like me saying this but we are really acting childish.

[thenextlevel]

First world problems....

[Snapolit1]

Uh, I think first world problems would describe every single comment in the history of a board about collecting baseball cards. Not adding much with that, but I hadn't heard that phrase in the last 8 minutes so your post was mildly amusing.

[ibuysportsephemera]

Originally Posted by markf31

I think stepping up to any dealers table and automatically expecting a price break in the neighborhood of 20% is a little flippant for starters.

Anytime I am anticipating making a large purchase from a dealer, I ask what their discount is. I would say that 95% of the dealers expect this and give discounts.

Jeff

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by ibuysportsephemera

Anytime I am anticipating making a large purchase from a dealer, I ask what their discount is. I would say that 95% of the dealers expect this and give discounts.

Jeff

I agree with volume there is a much better chance of discount..but some dealers may already be giving their lowest price point...and other dealers are so rich or love the card so much they dont mind holding onto cards even if its a loss it doesnt matter to them. Its their cards they can do what they want.

[mybestbretts]

I find this so funny!!! Being a woman collector, maybe you would like to follow me around at a show. My husband has a lot of fun. Nobody will ask me what I am looking for or what I collect, they ask my husband. I have absolutely no problem being bothered while I look! Wish I had some of those women at a booth at the shows I have been to, at least they talk to you !