Observations on the current state of the hobby from a show this weekend

[Mattsurewood]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Here are my thoughts on Strongsville. Excellent vintage show with just about anything you are looking for.

It was packed. They waited too long to expand locations, and they may need to expand again. Lots of cards moving, and set builders out in full force. Good variety of high end, mid end, and low end stuff.

This take may not be popular, but I have a feeling some might complain about a bit more modern sneaking in this year. Heck, there was even a Pokemon table. But I thought it was the perfect amount of modern. Here's why. I've been coming to Strongsville for years. I have never seen so many kids. And not just kids drug there by their parents, but kids engaged in the vintage hobby. A lot of vintage dealers brought a modern value box or two to rifle through. And kids would look through those boxes, then begin looking at the vintage. I heard them asking questions. I saw fathers educating sons on players and cards of the past. The hobby was being passed down to the next generation in a way I haven't seen at other shows. I loved it. My wife noticed it and pointed it out. She saw a little boy digging in a vintage box who found a card he liked. He asked the dealer if it was a dollar. He was told it was $10. He didn't have the money. My wife overheard and bought it for him. This hobby is so great.



My main pickup wasn't super expensive, but a rare one I've been looking for. It is especially hard to find in decent shape.

1967 Venezuela Dave Concepcion

He was just a teenager in the Venezuelan Winter League, 4 years before his major league rookie card. Davey was my mom's favorite player, so this is a special card for my collection. This copy is really clean, and unlike many Venezuelans, it has no paper loss on the back at all.

Great to hear about this, Ohio--and great gesture by the wife, very cool!

[ksemmel]

Went to the Philly show and man was it strange

3 rooms, 1 main room and 2 side rooms.
- side rooms had limited lighting have the shoe
Pokémon tables and sports tables were all intermingled

I’d say about 1/2 the tables didn’t have pricing

Most tables were “buying” but paying 70% on liquid only stuff

One specific dealer had no prices and had to give you a long story about any card you asked for a price on. All of his stories were explaining how and why his card is worth more than the recent comp. He also wore gloves with is a little odd

Saw 4 different Drake Maye retail red Prizm SSPs priced between $400-600

Went to the same table 4 times and only the dealer’s son was there but wasn’t “authorized” to complete any deals

Overall ended up spending more than I’ve ever spent at a show before, but it was only with 3 dealers where were priced well.

[here2havefun]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Here are my thoughts on Strongsville. Excellent vintage show with just about anything you are looking for.

It was packed. They waited too long to expand locations, and they may need to expand again. Lots of cards moving, and set builders out in full force. Good variety of high end, mid end, and low end stuff.

This take may not be popular, but I have a feeling some might complain about a bit more modern sneaking in this year. Heck, there was even a Pokemon table. But I thought it was the perfect amount of modern. Here's why. I've been coming to Strongsville for years. I have never seen so many kids. And not just kids drug there by their parents, but kids engaged in the vintage hobby. A lot of vintage dealers brought a modern value box or two to rifle through. And kids would look through those boxes, then begin looking at the vintage. I heard them asking questions. I saw fathers educating sons on players and cards of the past. The hobby was being passed down to the next generation in a way I haven't seen at other shows. I loved it. My wife noticed it and pointed it out. She saw a little boy digging in a vintage box who found a card he liked. He asked the dealer if it was a dollar. He was told it was $10. He didn't have the money. My wife overheard and bought it for him. This hobby is so great.



My main pickup wasn't super expensive, but a rare one I've been looking for. It is especially hard to find in decent shape.

1967 Venezuela Dave Concepcion

He was just a teenager in the Venezuelan Winter League, 4 years before his major league rookie card. Davey was my mom's favorite player, so this is a special card for my collection. This copy is really clean, and unlike many Venezuelans, it has no paper loss on the back at all.

Absoultely love the pick up, 67 Concepcion is one of my favorite cards. And great to hear about the atmosphere at the show!

[mwash1983]

Syracuse and Albany shows were packed. Commented a few heists in Syracuse yesterday.

[notfast]

Originally Posted by ksemmel

Went to the Philly show and man was it strange

3 rooms, 1 main room and 2 side rooms.
- side rooms had limited lighting have the shoe
Pokémon tables and sports tables were all intermingled

I’d say about 1/2 the tables didn’t have pricing

Most tables were “buying” but paying 70% on liquid only stuff

One specific dealer had no prices and had to give you a long story about any card you asked for a price on. All of his stories were explaining how and why his card is worth more than the recent comp. He also wore gloves with is a little odd

Saw 4 different Drake Maye retail red Prizm SSPs priced between $400-600

Went to the same table 4 times and only the dealer’s son was there but wasn’t “authorized” to complete any deals

Overall ended up spending more than I’ve ever spent at a show before, but it was only with 3 dealers where were priced well.

That guy wears those black gloves always.

[here2havefun]

Originally Posted by ksemmel

Went to the Philly show and man was it strange

3 rooms, 1 main room and 2 side rooms.
- side rooms had limited lighting have the shoe
Pokémon tables and sports tables were all intermingled

I’d say about 1/2 the tables didn’t have pricing

Most tables were “buying” but paying 70% on liquid only stuff

One specific dealer had no prices and had to give you a long story about any card you asked for a price on. All of his stories were explaining how and why his card is worth more than the recent comp. He also wore gloves with is a little odd

Saw 4 different Drake Maye retail red Prizm SSPs priced between $400-600

Went to the same table 4 times and only the dealer’s son was there but wasn’t “authorized” to complete any deals

Overall ended up spending more than I’ve ever spent at a show before, but it was only with 3 dealers where were priced well.

This sounds like all of my experiences at card shows. 80% of the tables don't have what I'm looking for, see a bunch of nonsense on the floor (cards not priced, dealers acting stupid, attendees acting stupid, etc etc), and I end up spending a bunch of money at maybe 2 booths total.

I always have fun at shows

[PuddleMonkey]

Collapse of the card market is a little behind schedule, please be patient while things get sorted out. In the meantime you might consider dumping stuff you don't need or want. I've been consigning batches of cards the past month or so. Things I don't necessarily need, stuff I was picking up in 2017 or 2018 when I hadn't quite narrowed down what I like, some stuff from my childhood, etc.. My first test batch of consignments brought in over 8k. I wanted to test the process and see how it all worked. Second batch was over 13k. This most recent batch which still has a few things left to end is currently over 32k. You guys need to get your butts in gear before you lose this opportunity.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

Collapse of the card market is a little behind schedule, please be patient while things get sorted out. In the meantime you might consider dumping stuff you don't need or want. I've been consigning batches of cards the past month or so. Things I don't necessarily need, stuff I was picking up in 2017 or 2018 when I hadn't quite narrowed down what I like, some stuff from my childhood, etc.. My first test batch of consignments brought in over 8k. I wanted to test the process and see how it all worked. Second batch was over 13k. This most recent batch which still has a few things left to end is currently over 32k. You guys need to get your butts in gear before you lose this opportunity.

A few decades behind schedule. LOL We've got time. I'm sorry you sold out too soon. But it's ok to be wrong.

[solt0131]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

A few decades behind schedule. LOL We've got time. I'm sorry you sold out too soon. But it's ok to be wrong.

He’s always wrong anyway, it’s what he does best. Love the back tracking though.

[PuddleMonkey]

Still collecting harder!

[PuddleMonkey]

I consigned a Topps Finest Bruce Buffer /99 auto I picked up for probably ten bucks in 2018, just to clear some garbage out I don't need. Was thinking I might have to take a loss on it to make it go away which is fine. It ended two days ago for over $250.00. You people have lost your minds.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

I consigned a Topps Finest Bruce Buffer /99 auto I picked up for probably ten bucks in 2018, just to clear some garbage out I don't need. Was thinking I might have to take a loss on it to make it go away which is fine. It ended two days ago for over $250.00. You people have lost your minds.

It's almost like the hobby is strong.

[PuddleMonkey]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

It's almost like the hobby is strong.

There's a lot of people out there that think cards are an investment. Guess some people are going to have to learn the hard way.

[PuddleMonkey]

If any of you have any of these you need to cough them up. Pronto.

[Onepocketj]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

It's almost like the hobby is strong.

Further demonstrates he has absolutely no clue what he's talking about.
Twelve Buffer autos /99 sold on ebay in the last few months between $142 and $1650. But he thinks his will end less than $10 for some idiotic reason.

[PuddleMonkey]

I don't research every card I sell, I'd much rather spend my time on the forums antagonizing you guys.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

There's a lot of people out there that think cards are an investment. Guess some people are going to have to learn the hard way.

Same as it's always been. Still hasn't crashed the hobby, and never will.

[Above the Rim]

C'mon, give it a break already with the "cards aren't investments" take. Yeah, if you try to consider ultra modern breaks and current rookie card speculation, you might have a point. But if done right with the right stuff, absolutely can be an investment.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

C'mon, give it a break already with the "cards aren't investments" take. Yeah, if you try to consider ultra modern breaks and current rookie card speculation, you might have a point. But if done right with the right stuff, absolutely can be an investment.

What should I invest in today?

[Above the Rim]

Something along these lines ...

[TheVolta]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

Something along these lines ...

Wow those^ are beautiful

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

Something along these lines ...

I agree that centered vintage is a good choice.

[discodanman45]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

Something along these lines ...

Absolutely insanely beautiful cards, but even vintage cards like that are a risky investment. The spike in price from the last 10 years gives people the false confidence that these things will continue to increase in value. T206 cards are iconic, but way more plentiful than people think. Lots of collections out there that are not graded that will surface and grade higher than people expect. If people are expecting this things to beat out traditional investments like they have the last 10 years, you really need to rethink that investment strategy.

Now the positive is you have a hobby with cards that will most likely retain their value. How awesome is that! I play golf and drink expensive bourbon/scotch for my other two hobbies. I definitely could have made money on my bourbon/scotch purchases if I didn't drink it, but the rules to sell are strict and it is a hobby for me to enjoy with my friends. I pay a lot of money for golf to hit $2/$3 golf balls into the woods and end up $100 lighter in the pockets after my round. My card hobby definitely keeps the most value.

[Big35Hurt]

I went to one of my favorite card shops today and spent about half an hour there. During that time, roughly 15 people came in. This is in a smaller town (10k population) for reference. I didn't pay attention beyond that but guessing they were all there to unload their collections to avoid getting crushed when the crash happens.

[Qubits]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

Something along these lines ...

Wow, those are spectacular.