Great National, great meeting everyone and just chatting the hobby, life, sports and everything in between. Met probably 50 people from Blowout, Instagram & Facebook. Cool to see how the hobby has expanded so uniquely. I will try and add some more pics when able to this thread…
Thought it might be helpful for a dealer post with all these buyer/attendee posts, so here goes, would love some feedback and if there is an area I didn’t address I can add. If you got a moment, a like/follow/add/review on one of these mediums would be awesome...
ebay: stores.ebay.com/The-Meelypops-Shop/
Instagram: @shopmeelypops
FB: facebook.com/themeelypopsshop/
website:
www.shopmeelypops.com/
*Disclaimer* - I am in no way the authority or doctrine on this subject, rather a voice and this is my opinion. This is my 3rd National (consecutive) as a dealer, I did Chicago in 2015, AC last year, and of course this year back in Chicago. I live in FL, the buying/selling market is so different there than say the west cost, Midwest, north east. So please, take everything with a grain of salt as every dealer does things so differently…
SET-UP
-Thought this year TWO 10x10 spaces were perfect for what I was doing. Low end / Mid End / High end. I had like 10 Display cases (maybe more) and then a bunch of boxes varying from .50 to $100 cards. We had some racks set up for memorabilia but we didn’t make the best use of that space. Cards were my focus. I feel a single 10x10 space is small for someone who sells something other than cards.
-You never know who you will set up next to. Some real awesome people, then there are some real downers. You always want to work with the people around you, it goes a long way.
-I THOROUGHLY recommend setting up on Tuesday for the early set up day, I believe it is $75 to do, but well worth it. This has become the ‘Dealer Show’ day as I like to call it, but it makes Wednesday much easier and frees you up to either sell some more or walk the show before the chaos begins
-If you are setting up, be prepared for someone to ask you what your BUY OUT price is. Many big sharks looking to feed. They will always want as cheap as they can get, but honestly, I get it. If you’re dropping huge amounts of cash, better get some good value right? Don’t be insulted, a simple No will do. I would just say don’t be the guy who makes a point to “NEVER SELL OUT” b/c you could definitely be losing out on a huge opportunity. I just ask one thing, if you are ready to sell out, let me know ;O)
>>>Had the opportunity this year to sell everything at what the offer was about 68% sale value, I was prepared, had my number, but didn’t take it. For me, if I can’t get 75% for everything, not worth it to me. Like I said before, everyone has a number.
-Always remember, there are dealers there who don’t really want to sell. They want people to appreciate what they have and give them props. That’s cool I guess, I never understand it as a dealer b/c of costs (see below), but whatever, not me, I sell.
-For the first time this year I had cards in my cases for other people. Not sure if I will do that again. The team handled it fine, but things can get tricky when people want to trade, or if people buy bundles from you. Additionally, you better be organized with money, or things could get hairy.
-Bing a cooler with snacks and water, save money and have access to it.
COST
-Coming from FL, my cost is outrageous lol. I also hired my brother and brother in law to help, flew one in, paid them both well. Rented a van from Enterprise (with friend discount), food, hotels, gas, the whole 9 yards. I had 2 10x10 booths, which was perfect for me this year, but so you know just the booth costs was like $2200 for rental I believe (paid for it last year). In saying all that, my costs before selling anything was close to $6,500.
-Got free parking being a dealer, that was huge. Chicago and AC both gave free parking to dealers.
SECURITY
-Body bags are a must and you have to lock things well. Make sure you have them
-I had multiple eyes watching people, but things did get busy and unfortunately, we had some cards stolen this year. I haven’t been able to take into exact account those card values, but I would estimate in the $500-$1000 sale value range, gone.
-My neighbor also had a $1000 JSA baseball stolen
-I heard from other dealers that things were stolen from there booths as well. Sucks, but this is happening.
BUYING
-I think I saw a sign on probably 80% of booths saying “BUYING” or something like this.
-If you are a dealer and are really buying, know that you will have many cards to look at. This will take away from you selling a case card or interacting with customers.
-Know this if you are walking around trying to sell…
1) EVERYONE is trying to move their bulk low end lots of cheap jersey, auto, numbered, refractor, star rookies. Don’t expect much for these. Also, doesn’t it become a pain lugging that stuff around? It would seem to be better if you sold it before the show or on ebay vs being let down on a cash price? Just a thought.
2) If you have cards to sell, have prices. If those prices are ebay, 95% of dealers are not paying ebay or even ebay minus fee prices. It just doesn’t make sense
3) If you do a deal with another customer at the site of a dealer booth or try and buy something from someone who is already in negotiations with a dealer, shame on you. Messed up x 50 in my book.
4) I don’t know many dealers who are buying single cards (outside the ultra rare or ultra new), so pushing a single card can be very difficult.
5) As a seller, be open. Maybe work a card/cash deal with a dealer. Flex your price a bit. I get it, its your baby. But if you’re willing to sell your baby to a dealer, you gotta soften up a bit.
INVENTORY
-I received quite a bit of compliments on being organized. Thanks! Just so you know, that all doesn’t happen overnight lol. I probably started planning my setup and inventory about 6 weeks before National. I work a part time job and have family, so time is definitely not always allocated to cards. I say all that to say don’t procrastinate for the National. You will do much better being organized and having things priced….
-Talk to buddy on here Bigherp…he told me he stood at one dealer’s booth for about 15 min waiting to get a price on ONE card, when the dealer finally acknowledged him, bigherp said he pulled out his phone and took another 5 min to get a price. What???? Seriously, have a price. I would strongly recommend labeling your cards. Price them however you want, above ebay, below ebay, at ebay, or WAYYYYY above ebay (like some folks), but have a price. (I ain’t hating on you triple ebayers, do what you gotta do)
-As a dealer, know what you have. Also, don’t send someone on a wild goose chase for the random player they are looking for if you don’t think you have it. Remember, people sitting in front of a box means that people wanting to get to that box cant get to it, just sayin.
-Different color stickers and different types of cases that bulk cards are in can be very helpful.
GRADING
-Something nice about setting up early is access to early grading. I worked with both PSA & BGS.
-BGS: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RCR (raw card review) as early as possible. I know for me in the Southeast and in FL I very rarely get the chance to find a show where Beckett does RCR. As a dealer submitting early, you have access to their bulk rates for qty, I submitted I think 100-110 cards. Something you can also do as a RCR is see what a PSA or SGC card would cross over at, very affordable. I worked with both Charles and Derek, and man those 2 guys are awesome. They grind all day and get so many things graded. Gotta love em, and they never complain. Not as many people working BGS booths as PSA, but the in/out is quicker.
-PSA: have your forms filled out ahead of time the best you can. I would take advantage of the collectors club specials for onsite grading. Well worth it in my eyes if you have some quality higher end cards you need graded. I worked with both Valerie & Devin, these two are class acts. Seemed like more people were working the PSA booth but they have a bit more complicated paperwork process.
-SGC: never got over there, but met some cool dudes from SGC. Anyone with experience with them shoot me a PM would love to hear
-JSA: Didn't need to authenticate anything with them this show but spoke with Jimmy Spence and man they were swamped. They brought extra people as well this year. Jimmy did say they seemed to work through things faster than previous years, but TPA is a tough gig, especially at such a massive show like the National. My advice would be take advantage of their mail in system if the item isn't too valuable.
-Act early, b/c as the show moves along grading typically increases in price and they get swamped so very hard to guarantee when you will get cards back.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
-Be happy you are there. Too many frowns and dealers who literally act like their dog just died and they have made ZERO dollars. Even if the show sucks for you, customers don’t want to hear that
-I have personally seen dealers pick “sale value fights” with customers. I don’t get it, but it never ends up well. Don’t be that guy.
-Learn how to network in chaos, I HAVE NOT mastered this, but going beyond a sale I believe helps a lot and makes the customer feel better about the deal you made them.
-If you’re busy for hours on end, you will get mentally drained. That will happen. Be ready. I get headaches sometimes. Advil is good.
-I think I would like to write a book one day on customer service and cards lol. I love people and I love cards, so treating people with respect and having fun is my thing. BUT, as a dealer, know these things…
1) You will be challenged and tried regularly. Be ready for someone to throw their iPhone in your face, with their pre set lowest value sold auction, from 3 months ago, and quote that as sale vale lol. Handle it with class, but call ‘em out.
2) NO offense to my generation (the magic millennials), but people really do expect you to know yesterday’s sale value for every single one of your cards. Personally, I priced all my case cards about 6-7 days before national. I feel that is really good, but the buyer will never think that.
3) I had a guy, nice guy, negotiate with me for a high end JSA baseball, we agreed on price, he asked me to hold it for him. I did, out of site, but he didn’t return for about 3-4 hours on the Saturday. I of course after about 90 minutes, put it back out for sale. When he returned he was a little perturbed I had it in the case, we still agreed on price, sale complete. Lesson- as a dealer have some sort of time limit you will give your buyer to hold an item. I think that also applies for other dealers who ask you to save cards.
>>I could tell you a far worse story about a stack of soccer cards that never got bought over 4 days, but we’ll leave that for another day
RE-CAP
-The National is an incredible experience, but setting up isn’t for everyone. Would love to answer questions if you have ‘em. I think if you’re thinking about doing it, you should honestly answer these 2 questions…
1) Do I have enough inventory to cover my costs and make it work?
2) If you answered yes to #1, then ask yourself…
If I do set up, what is my goal?
a) to make money (like real profit, not sales)
or
b) to have a good time
-->I believe you can do both, but its tough. I feel if you are disciplined, you can do both. I have met too many dealers who sell tons of stuff and then say, “I’m happy b/c I broke even” or “bought a nice card to take home.” So obviously they really answered B. Making profit in cards is not as easy as it looks and if you truly count the cost, true profit is not that easy.
Hope this is helpful to prospective dealers out there as well as collectors and people who just have fun attending. If it was a waste of time, I guess I’ll mail you a stack of 90 Donruss baseball. Ha!
-meelypops
*UPDATE 8/11/2017*
-So b/c everyone is so awesome here on Blowout, this thread was one of the most stickiest for the week, and GoGTS Live picked up on it and used it on their show live last night! How cool?? I think everyone can access here. Starts at 3:45 to like 11:00, then again on 16:15 for a bit...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTL-WcLDQXI
(Some pics)
The team
Side booth setup
Other side booth setup
Panini redemption line

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Van loaded up pre trip
Dad attempting to 'eBay value' from his smartphone