Antique dealer "dealings"...what to do

[malraisen]

So, I've only just started out in this hobby..(the past 3-4 months)...and today i'm in a local antique dealers store/showroom, not really looking for cards specifically, but keeping my eye out. I get to the back of the building (the further you go back it seems the older stuff gets) where there are no salespeople, nothing but an old counter piled high w "junk". i look closer and see boxes and boxes of cards just piled/thrown on top of each other. cards thrown everywhere, 9 pocket sleeves full of cards laying in piles on the floor. I havent asked about them yet because i have no idea how to approach owner or what to say. Anyone been or had a similar situation, or dealt w antique dealers before.....let me know.....thx!!

[SelfDestruct808]

All I have to say is that in one of the piles, there could be a hidden gem.

[packers04]

All I have to say is that in one of the piles, there could be a hidden gem.

Or a bunch of 90's junk. But if its cheap, I say u should buy it!

[malraisen]

yeah, i hear ya......just don't know enough about the hobby at this point to go in there and start making offers. i'll go in and see if he'll let me look through them and bring my phone so i can look them up, or at least write some names down to bring back to this thread and ask some seasoned collectors i guess

[BUCSFAN99]

If it's a ton of cards, like a couple thousand, off him $75 for all of them. Then start browsing the net and see if you might have a gem in there. Sometimes in the antique business folks don't know what they have and might sell it to you for WAY too cheap.

[bigdaddyblue73]

Offer the dealer a low price but include that you will box it all up by yourself and haul it out by yourself and even sweep up the floor when you are done. He might jump at the chance to make a couple bucks and get the area ready for other merchandise. It sounds like he doesn't car about the cards much and I doubt is selling anything like they are.

[rudyjustinfarrell]

If it's a pile of junk all over the place, offer to help in the clean-up w/ dibs on anything that you see that you want?

[boxbust421]

It the cards are as old as the mid 80's or older make a cheap offer. If they all look like base and they're from the 90's and are like pro set I would pass. It will save you time and money. Rummage thru a little bit if they let you and just use your best knowledge. You know Emmitt Smith and Marino and Elway were good players. It would if they were nothing more than 90's base cards. lol