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

[theshowandme]

As long as you can walk into a card show with $50-100 in your pocket and find a few things you like, things will be fine.

That is not going away anytime soon.

[f2tornado]

Originally Posted by notfast

I’ve stopped going to small single day shows because it’s become kabooms and pokemon.

I have the opposite perspective, at least in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa area. The giant shows I've been to lately are populated with showcases full of slabs and don't have a ton of stuff to dig through where I tend to have the most fun. I have better luck at the 40-50 table type shows than the 200+ table type shows. I think the smaller shows attract more local hobby types who don't regularly sell and therefore are not as picked over like the travelling types.

I'll hit the big one in Fargo on Saturday since it's not too far of a drive and hope for some fresh faces but it wasn't all that great from a bargain bin hunter perspective last year.

No matter what type of show I've been to lately, they have all been packed.

[dani0100]

Sup neighbor. Totally hear you on the smaller shows being more interesting. I was in MPLS last weekend and went to two shows. One was a small church show and the other was one of the big mega shows done by the Minnesota Card Show guys. Found wayyyyy more deals and interesting stuff at the small show and wish I would have spent all my money there. The big show was a lot of walking around, looking at semi-interesting, but either unmarked or overpriced stuff and not wanting to do someone's labor for them.

Ironically, I'll be selling at the Fargo show this weekend. I will probably price everything 5% under comps and then get low balled by people who haven't even looked at the comps because they assume I'm 10% over like every other dealer. Sigh.

Originally Posted by f2tornado

I have the opposite perspective, at least in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa area. The giant shows I've been to lately are populated with showcases full of slabs and don't have a ton of stuff to dig through where I tend to have the most fun. I have better luck at the 40-50 table type shows than the 200+ table type shows. I think the smaller shows attract more local hobby types who don't regularly sell and therefore are not as picked over like the travelling types.

I'll hit the big one in Fargo on Saturday since it's not too far of a drive and hope for some fresh faces but it wasn't all that great from a bargain bin hunter perspective last year.

No matter what type of show I've been to lately, they have all been packed.

[Big35Hurt]

Originally Posted by dani0100

Sup neighbor. Totally hear you on the smaller shows being more interesting. I was in MPLS last weekend and went to two shows. One was a small church show and the other was one of the big mega shows done by the Minnesota Card Show guys. Found wayyyyy more deals and interesting stuff at the small show and wish I would have spent all my money there. The big show was a lot of walking around, looking at semi-interesting, but either unmarked or overpriced stuff and not wanting to do someone's labor for them.

Ironically, I'll be selling at the Fargo show this weekend. I will probably price everything 5% under comps and then get low balled by people who haven't even looked at the comps because they assume I'm 10% over like every other dealer. Sigh.

Make a sign saying you priced things under comps. Maybe that will reduce the number of chiselers busting you up for deals at your table. Good luck!

[dani0100]

Originally Posted by Big35Hurt

Make a sign saying you priced things under comps. Maybe that will reduce the number of chiselers busting you up for deals at your table. Good luck!

LOL, you have no idea how many times I've thought about doing just that. NO HAGGLE PRICING!! in big bold letters on prominent signage all over the both.

Hardest part about selling cards at a show is not losing your S*&) on the dudes trying to frick you down another 20% on the handful of dollar cards they're already getting for 75% off market.

[Big35Hurt]

Originally Posted by dani0100

LOL, you have no idea how many times I've thought about doing just that. NO HAGGLE PRICING!! in big bold letters on prominent signage all over the both.

Hardest part about selling cards at a show is not losing your S*&) on the dudes trying to frick you down another 20% on the handful of dollar cards they're already getting for 75% off market.

I can imagine. I overhear it constantly at shows and am amazed at how patient these dealers have been. But, but, but leave some meat on the bone for me! I am waiting for the day when a dealer has had enough and throat punches one of these clowns.

[LVDan]

It’s all about respect while negotiating IMO
As someone who has frequently been on both sides of the table I never get offended or act like a jagoff if a deal can’t be made. Thank them for their time and move on.

[notfast]

Originally Posted by f2tornado

I have the opposite perspective, at least in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa area. The giant shows I've been to lately are populated with showcases full of slabs and don't have a ton of stuff to dig through where I tend to have the most fun. I have better luck at the 40-50 table type shows than the 200+ table type shows. I think the smaller shows attract more local hobby types who don't regularly sell and therefore are not as picked over like the travelling types.

I'll hit the big one in Fargo on Saturday since it's not too far of a drive and hope for some fresh faces but it wasn't all that great from a bargain bin hunter perspective last year.

No matter what type of show I've been to lately, they have all been packed.

Probably just a region think. East coast has so many shows every weekend and majority of them suck.

Better off waiting to Philly or Chantilly and saving your time the other weekends.

[Above the Rim]

What is the definition of comps? Isn't it what actually already has been paid for said item? Pay what the market says its worth, or simply pass and move on.

Not all cards are the same even in the same grade. A low end for the grade, then sure, its worth less than comps. But a high end for the grade is most certainly getting above comps these days, and rightfully so.

It isn't free all the expenses a dealer has to be set up and selling at a show, and the time, Organizing and pricing even before the show begins. Transporting all their stuff to the show and set up. The time itself being at the show. Then afterwards, all the time to tear down, load up, transport back home - Whew ! its a lot.

Don't assume the privilege of buying for lower than comps. Be nice, be polite, be reasonable, and you may strike a fair deal.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

What is the definition of comps? Isn't it what actually already has been paid for said item? Pay what the market says its worth, or simply pass and move on.

Not all cards are the same even in the same grade. A low end for the grade, then sure, its worth less than comps. But a high end for the grade is most certainly getting above comps these days, and rightfully so.

It isn't free all the expenses a dealer has to be set up and selling at a show, and the time, Organizing and pricing even before the show begins. Transporting all their stuff to the show and set up. The time itself being at the show. Then afterwards, all the time to tear down, load up, transport back home - Whew ! its a lot.

Don't assume the privilege of buying for lower than comps. Be nice, be polite, be reasonable, and you may strike a fair deal.

As a buyer, that has nothing to do with me. I’m just looking for the right card at the right price. I won’t pay above what I’m willing to pay just to help the seller offset show costs.

[al3xmac10]

how are Vee Friends doing in shows?

[Above the Rim]

I won't pay above what I'm willing to pay. This is the true bottom line.

And a dealer won't sell below what their willing to sell for. Fair market value is the point where these two prices intersect. Sometimes a sale will be made, sometimes not, and that's ok.

[boxbuster7]

are there actually deals at card shows?

I went to one and literally walked away with nothing and had some nice cards for trade

but none of the dealers were serious about trading

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

are there actually deals at card shows?

I went to one and literally walked away with nothing and had some nice cards for trade

but none of the dealers were serious about trading

best to trade cash for cards

plenty of deals out there for sure

[boxbuster7]

even the stuff I wanted to buy was massively overpriced

[Big35Hurt]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

are there actually deals at card shows?

I went to one and literally walked away with nothing and had some nice cards for trade

but none of the dealers were serious about trading

Just curious...what "nice cards" did you bring and what were you expecting to get in trade for them? I'm not sure if I have ever witnessed a trade at a show between a customer and a dealer.

[PuddleMonkey]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

What is the definition of comps?

I believe industry standard is Probsteins second highest shill bid on the third re-listing of said card.

[theshowandme]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

are there actually deals at card shows?

I went to one and literally walked away with nothing and had some nice cards for trade

but none of the dealers were serious about trading

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

even the stuff I wanted to buy was massively overpriced

Is this your card on COMC?

https://www.comc.com/Users/boxbuster..._Gore/12850196

[solt0131]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

are there actually deals at card shows?

I went to one and literally walked away with nothing and had some nice cards for trade

but none of the dealers were serious about trading

You weren't looking hard enough then.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by Big35Hurt

Just curious...what "nice cards" did you bring and what were you expecting to get in trade for them? I'm not sure if I have ever witnessed a trade at a show between a customer and a dealer.

It's a lot easier to make trades with the value box type dealers. Where you can bundle together stacks of lower end cards.

High end you're dealing with bigger price gaps, so there's more likely to be cash involved, making it look less like a trade to an outside observer.

[BoSoxFan1999]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

I believe industry standard is Probsteins second highest shill bid on the third re-listing of said card.

I have sorta the opposite story. There was a PSA 10 Bowman card of a top young player that I was interested in as the price seemed very low with less than a day left in the auction (though often times that means nothing as most people wait till the last couple minutes to bid). But for whatever reason, the seller timed the auction to end at 3PM EST on a Tuesday (???).

Then I noticed the seller had a 90% rating, so I dipped into his feedback (only around 20 reviews) and he had all positive ratings except for his most recent one. Turns out it was an auction for the same exact card I had just bid on! The negative feedback said the seller canceled the previous auction because he didn't like the price it ended at. So the seller had relisted it hoping for a better price.

Anyways, I put in a max bid of $300 with a couple hours left in the auction which was still well below the previous cancelled sale ($350). I was betting on the stupidly-timed auction end along with the previous bad feedback would scare away potential bidders and keep the price down. Turns out I was right as I ending up winning for auction for $280. I also assumed that the seller would not cancel the sale AGAIN as he would risk yet another bad feedback and tank any future sale of the card even further.

I paid for the card immediately after the auction ended, and I got a notice the seller created a shipping label, so hopefully that means he's gonna actually ship it out this time.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

even the stuff I wanted to buy was massively overpriced

Can’t take a loss bros!

[notfast]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

Is this your card on COMC?

https://www.comc.com/Users/boxbuster..._Gore/12850196

LOL

Everything posted is INSANELY overpriced. Reminds me why I dont even consider COMC when I try to buy anything.

[Big35Hurt]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

even the stuff I wanted to buy was massively overpriced

Originally Posted by theshowandme

Is this your card on COMC?

https://www.comc.com/Users/boxbuster..._Gore/12850196

[Slvnumber2]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

are there actually deals at card shows?

I went to one and literally walked away with nothing and had some nice cards for trade

but none of the dealers were serious about trading

Like the previous poster stated most dealers want cash and not cards for trade. If the cards that you own, are that strong, then you should have no problem selling them to get cash and then you could buy whatever is in their case. What you think are mice or great cards may not be the same for others.