Round 2: A Dealer and His Thoughts about the National for (Cleveland National 2018)

[meelypops]

Cleveland National 2018

Another great National Sports Collectors Convention! Cleveland is in the books. I’ll say it a thousand times, you have got to experience it. I think this year I met probably 30-40 people from Blowout and another 20 or so from Instagram & Facebook. I always love the “Hey your meelypops, I’m (username) on Blowout” with my response being “Great to meet you, what’s your real name?”

I know last year I posted a thread from a Dealer’s perspective that was helpful to both sides of the table. So why not do version 2.0 one year later? I always welcome feedback and if there is an area I didn’t address I can add onto this thread. If you get a moment, a like/follow/add/review on one of these mediums would be awesome...
ebay: https://www.ebay.com/str/themeelypopsshop
Instagram: @shopmeelypops
FB: http://facebook.com/themeelypopsshop
Google Review: https://g.co/kgs/PLigmF

*Disclaimer* - I am in no way the authority or doctrine on this subject, rather a voice and this is my opinion. This is my 4th National (consecutive) as a dealer, I did Chicago in 2015 & 2017 & Atlantic City in 2016. I live in FL, the buying/selling market is very different there than other regions. Additionally, I just opened a card store (tomorrow will be 2 months in) so I hope my perspective also can help from being newbie shop owner, so here goes…

SET-UP
-Things, like always, panned out very different for us this year. I had TWO 10 x 15 spaces, so my area was 30 x 10. Went with the traditional box set up (large rectangle) as compared to the “S” I have done in years past where people walk into the booth. Did this as it helped our team have better eyes on everything and I was able to keep one section for our ‘deal boxes’ contained to a certain area. By the way, those boxes were hit hard! And I reloaded them each day! (maybe that was the reason). Had another area that was set aside for buying only, as e had a huge BUYING sign.
-Content: I had like 12 Display cases with the mid to high end and each labelled by sport. Try to theme each case to make that easier on customer. Had a bunch of deal boxes varying from .25 to $30 cards. We had back tables set up where we had our large BUYING sign as well as some sweet memorabilia on display. Cards were the major focus for the show though. I feel a single 10x10 or 10x15 space is small for someone who sells something other than cards.
-I THOROUGHLY recommend setting up on Tuesday for the early set up day. $75 to do it, pay the money. This has become the ‘Dealer Show’ day as I like to call it. I made some sweet deals and sales on Tuesday.
-If you are setting up, be prepared for someone to ask you what your BUY OUT price is. I tell you this b/c I did sort of a “buy out” twice this week. Yes you read right, twice. That’s the beauty of the National, you can flip inventory multiple times over if you know how to buy. Some big guns out there with lots of money to spend. I get it, many people don’t like the idea of selling their entire stock or even selling part of it, but I can tell you this, I am glad I did this year. Like I mentioned last year, 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)
-(Note from last year) 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.
-One thing I was thrown a loop for this year was the Union rules. So the Union owns the I-X center. They have some ridiculous rules like limitations on pushing a 4 wheeled work truck through various parts of the building? They also seemed to want to escort me in/out of the building when I arrived on Tuesday for my early set up registration. Very tight secure job on their part, but was not consistent throughout the week. Didn’t allow coolers in the building for vendors, seemed odd, so I hear & see everyone sneaking in stuff. I’m from Florida, don’t understand the whole Union thing. No hard feelings for union folks, its cool. Just to future dealers - be cool, don’t go off on someone, it will be ok.

COST
-Coming from FL, my cost is outrageous lol. I also hired my brother in law to help, flew him back, had to fly my wife in for the weekend, paid brother in law well for the week. Rented a van from Enterprise (with friend discount), food, hotels, gas, the whole 9 yards. I had 2 10x15 booths, costs were $2600 for rental space. In saying all that, my costs before selling anything was close to $6,350 after tallying everything up. I am not counting potential store loss (we had to close our local card shop so we lost potential sells/buys from there…the more honest number is probably closer to $8500)
>>I honestly don’t think people think about this. Really. Consider you having to clear these above numbers, lets use a conservative number of $5k. That is a heck of lot of profit on cards. Sure you can split the booth costs and split hotels, but really consider these numbers. It’s not as easy as it looks.
-Got free parking being a dealer, that was huge. Chicago and AC both gave free parking to dealers as well. Parking is never really an issue.

SECURITY
-I think with the setup we had this year, we managed to get little to nothing stolen. Compared to last year - this was a win. I had typically 4 sets of eyes at booth. Lots going on though. Lots of money being spent. Lots of cases being opened. For example had a 25k Jordan and 18k Charizard in cases. You have to watch that stuff. Know your area. Set it up appropriately. I didn’t hear of any theft this year, but I am sure it happened.
-Body bags are a must and you have to lock things well. Make sure you have them and if you don’t want to leave anything valuable, take the highest end cards home with you each day. Know where your keys are, make sure people you trust have them and DON’T lose any.

BUYING
-First off, don’t advertise this if you aren’t ready to buy. That means having resources on hand and being able to think quick. Mentally its draining. Stay hydrated, seriously, if you are for real about buying you will see everything. I saw lots that walked up for $20-$50 as well as $10k. Mantle 52. Stuff like that. Bought big things. Be prepared, its intense. Even being prepared, I know I lost out on potential buys b/c people just didn’t want to wait in line behind 3-4 other people, but I get that.
-I invested in a good sign this year and got many compliments. I think that helped. Our location was also incredible this year, not sure if we will ever get a spot like that again. I think the sign brought a lot of people to the table.
-BEWARE of the folks who will sell at your table or buy from other people at your table. Makes me a little upset from the standpoint that you could do that 20 feet away from the table, but people will do it. Typically when I asked people to be considerate they were. There are always a couple nuts though, but will leave those stories for another day.

INVENTORY
-This year was very different for us in preparations as we opened a store not too long ago so my focus this summer wasn’t on National prep. With that being said, I think we put out a good organized product for people to buy through for only preparing 10 days prior.
-Could go back and forth on this all day, but price your cards. Trust me, so many more pros then cons when you have prices at the National. It all boils down to missed opportunity. If you don’t price it, how long is it going to take you to get a price? How long will you spend looking it up vs making sales? Or buys?
-Like mentioned before, we flipped inventory quite a few times. It was nuts. But even in that, organizing cards by sports in the cases was super helpful.
-Think about how you case and label things, don’t want to give away all the secrets, but if you aren’t organized, you will lose profit, bottom line. I tend to think most people appreciate that and will spend more time/money at your booth the better organized you are.
-Lastly, don’t send people on wild goose chases. If you don’t have the card, tell them. I have found people who just want people to stay at their booth and search to keep warm bodies there…not good service and not good on you for not knowing your inventory.

GRADING/AUTHENTICATION
-BGS: Oh man. RCR this year for the dealers had to have been the worst ever. WORST. Not going into details, but there was no rhyme or reason as to why RCR was so harsh in the beginning of the week and then so rewarding later in the week. I have my theories. Everyone was great from s submission standpoint though. Seemed to be very buy all week as they were in eye range for me from my booth.
-PSA: Another huge line, lots of waiting. BUT, to PSA credit, they made it much easier this year with the pre filled forms. Props. They seemed to process a lot granted how many people were always over there. I think with PSA, the hard part is that they have SO MANY services that it can make things difficult from a logistics standpoint. But again, props to their team. Devin & Veronica ere nothing but class, great folks.
-SGC: never got over there, but talked with some guys from there. New labels huh? Not sure how I feel about it but I respect them trying new things out. No more green labels??
-JSA: Set up right next to them. Was great as I had about 20 things picked up through show that needed to be done. Great service, great team. I really respect what they do.


CUSTOMER SERVICE
-I feel I have the best team with wife and brother in law and dad. We love people and love sports. We smile, we chat, we make deals. Enjoy the National. Hook kids up. Laugh. Be organized. It all goes a long way. I know I can kill this section by talking about all the dealers who won’t give you the time or day, but we have all heard that. I’m actually happy for you to keep sucking so more people will leave your booth and come to ours. Additionally, if you somehow have a BAD SHOW, umm, well, you are at the Mecca of all shows, maybe something wrong on your end?
-People will always haggle with me. I price aggressively though. All collectors are smart so I find it is relatively easy to come to agreement on a value.
-I had a Type 1 Honus Wagner picture when he played basketball with Carnegie 1910-11 that I later sold on Saturday. Tell you what, I had more quick 30 sec conversations with some old timers that I would never typically speak with (all my stuff was mainly modern this show) and it was awesome. I love basketball so to cross sport talk from old baseball to old basketball was a treat. And I didn’t have to be a jerk b/c someone just wanted to look and talk, be human people.
-No sale value fights this year. I didn’t see any or hear any. That’s a good thing.
-Not tooting my horn, but I want to share this as I think it might pass along some wisdom. I had a buyer ask me “Why is your booth always so busy and people always there?” I answered “B/C I make deals and treat people right. It’s not always about the bottom dollar.” I said something like that lol. Here’s the practical side to that…
1) When I sit down and talk with people who want to sell me something. I typically shake their hand and ask them where they are from. Not a tactic, earnestly just trying to be human. Try it. Talk sports. Enjoy the hobby. Talk a little trash if they are Seminole fans. Ha.
2) I had multiple kids come up, not IG kids who have the steel cases with 40K in cards, but the kids with like, you know, not very many good cards. I always tell them “nice stuff” and thank them for letting me see their stuff. I even had some kids I overpaid for a few cards b/c you could tell they weren’t having fun. WHAT??? I OVERPAID??? FOR MAYBE JUNK??? Yes. Who cares if you hook someone up with a few bucks? Seriously. Learn to love people and not be controlled by the dollar sign
3) Be honest. People can read you. Don’t lie.
4) Don’t hate breakers and don’t talk down about them. Sure the hobby has changed, but embrace it. Meet people, network, be creative. Encourage people to break and have fun in the hobby. Embrace it. You will do much better with customers being excited about the hobby then bashing it. Right?
5) I try to surround myself with other dealers who are good folks and do business with them. I would be happy to pass along those names any time. Just off the top of my head - ddearing is a good dude and really loves the hobby. Mike w/ Jacksonville sports cards. Eddie with Showtime Sports Cards in Jax. Adam from BreakersRowe (I mean he might break you on price hahaha but he has a serious business to run). Georgia Rob (cardsrus) and his buddy Bald Klay, good Southern boys. Robert Sanders as well. Just met Brews from Brews Breaks. Cyrus, another guy with his soccer breaks, good dudes. People even like Fish – big name who runs Blowout and is deep in the business, but think about what Blowout has done for the customer & hobby in general. Thankful to keep meeting good people. Surround yourself with them (This was not an exhaustive list by any means).

RE-CAP
-National was dope. Tons of sales. Great people. Very busy. Learned a lot about myself and changes I need to make as a dealer.

-I am really starting to have a hard time defining in this hobby what a “Dealer” is. Aren’t you? So many people use that term loosely. I would imagine a dealer is someone who (root word) deals. That means you move stuff. That means you make deals. That also means you make money. This might come off little harsh (not trying to offend), but honestly, many people set up at the National selling cards are not dealers. It grieves me to see how many people are LOSING a lot of money and are “Dealers.” Risk is with everything and I get that, but the honest truth is hard work will pay off and it seems a lot of people aren’t willing to work.

…I guess the whole reason I mention the above statement is that I encourage you to make sure you understand the business. Profit, true profit, takes work. It’s a lot of fun and the National is a great opportunity to be a part of everything the hobby has to offer. Work hard and you will do great. Just don’t expect it to come 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, you can bill the I-X Union staff for me.

-meelypops (my real name is Jameel)
























(PICTURES AND MORE UPDATES TO BE ADDED LATER)

[dacaptain37]

nice comprehensive write up again... well done brotha. see you in chicago.

[salthill]

Really interesting write-up. Thanks for taking the time to capture it all.

[AlabamaSlamma]

Excellent approach. Thanks for taking the time to summarize.

[atoaz12]

Looking forward to seeing pictures!

[OLDPAPER]

Great, insightful and accurate write up. Wish we had time to chat but every time I went my the booth, you were slammed...props to you! I will get up to Gainesville one of these days and check out the new shop. Congrats on the success!

[ddearing]

Great write up Jameel. Always great to see you. Sorry that we have to drive 900 miles to see each other when you live 70 miles away. Can't wait to come see the new shop.

I hope everyone on here that was at the show got a chance to go by and see Meelypops at the show. There is a reason why his booth is ALWAYS busy. The guy gets it. He's honest, friendly and is there to buy and sell cards. I'm sure his shop will be successful for the same reasons.

Thanks again for the writeup.

[mathbowler]

I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you for adding some cards throughout the show. I found some nice Pirates cards on Friday or Saturday. You were busy, so I did not introduce myself. However you appeared to be doing well.

By the way, I loved how you were being extra nice to kids.

[mike-the-ripper]

Awesome take on the hobby, being a dealer, but more importantly, being a great human being too. Look forward to getting to your store soon. Mike


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[coltsfan23]

Great insight as usual. I'm glad you delved into the financial aspect of setting up, it amazes me how little people consider this (though I get for some it's more of a vacation or for the experience). I think the correct way to look at it is that the all in cost should offset what the eBay fees (i.e. net sale after cost and fee considerations should be equal or greater).

I actually set up last year not too far from you (awful location sadly) and don't think I'll do it again. While I cleared enough in sales to make the cost worthwhile, it wasn't materially better than just attending the show and selling directly to dealers given the time, planning, and cost considerations. Setting up does open up plenty of buying opportunities, however some people on the floor still did better than whatever trickled to my booth in that regard.

[Screamer]

This was a great read; t/y

I never understood the people that will hold hold hold to get top dollar. Almost always, they'd lose in the end

[Bottom9th]

Great write up Jameel. I need to take a road trip to check out your shop one of these days!

[meelypops]

Appreciate those who have read it will try and shoot a reply to everyone who posts, thank you...

dacaptain- you are the man. Love your stuff and you get it. Did you move those Carrs to y dad? what happened with all dem Mannings??? Chicago will be good, did you get a space?

salthill- thanks man, were you there? did we meet?

alabamaslamma- I love chatting with you man. Love looking at questionable patch autos as well!!! Keep it up man, you always have the filthiest basketball

atoaz- pics coming, the Tapatalk app used to let you edit posts adding photos straight from phone, but now it is not letting me from phone? Anyone else having this problem?

[dacaptain37]

Originally Posted by meelypops

Appreciate those who have read it will try and shoot a reply to everyone who posts, thank you...

dacaptain- you are the man. Love your stuff and you get it. Did you move those Carrs to y dad? what happened with all dem Mannings??? Chicago will be good, did you get a space?

salthill- thanks man, were you there? did we meet?

alabamaslamma- I love chatting with you man. Love looking at questionable patch autos as well!!! Keep it up man, you always have the filthiest basketball

atoaz- pics coming, the Tapatalk app used to let you edit posts adding photos straight from phone, but now it is not letting me from phone? Anyone else having this problem?

actually after we talked i pretty much sold all the non brady stuff i had to the same guy, so i was pretty pumped with that. the show went really well for me, and I would definitely like to set up again. already hearing it's going to be impossible to find space in chicago, and I always have to play things by ear since there's a 17 month old running around at home now, haha. either way, i'll be in chicago, just don't know if it's as a dealer or as a walker. always a pleasure seeing you my man.

[jataman2612]

Wow talk about some detailed analysis. Just the fact that you put so much into that shows that you get the industry. It was great meeting you even if you didn't have anything I was looking for.

Good luck with the new store and in Chicago next year.

[salthill]

[QUOTE=meelypops;13802275]
salthill- thanks man, were you there? did we meet?/QUOTE]


Not this year. But write-ups like yours are really tempting me to go to Chicago next year.

[2011Postman]

Enjoyed reading this write up Jameel as much as last years write up (and meeting you at the show last year)

Will be coming over from the Land Down Under next year and will definitely be saying hello and more likely than not leaving some of my cash with you,

In the meantime you can find me a Select FOTL & Select Zebra Prizm of Dante Exum

[slpayne5]

Meelypops your booth was awesome! I bought a card from you and then, even though we didn’t reach a deal on the cards I was selling, sitting with you and meeting you briefly was very cool. Hoping for more time next year in Chicago!


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[briancecilrn]

Awesome National recap, buddy and I went for two days and had a blast. I know everyone says "two days is not enough, etc", it was enough for us, we both love to buy boxes and there were too many good deals with silver packs to stay any long lol. We're already planning to go to Chicago next year, I'll definitely stop by your booth(s), you seem like an awesome and honest dealer.

[meelypops]

OLDPAPER would love to see you bud. Make the trip if possible, give me a heads up if so! thanks for the feedback!

ddearing - learned all I know from you brother! You crush it every year and do things the right way for sure. I still dont know how you manage the silver packs and wax, crazy.

mathbowler - you gotta love the kids man! Always enjoying hooking them up. Yea I think next year I will add more cards to my boxes as the show goes on. It give people something to look forward to and brings people back for more deals. I think my .25 boxes will be back next year, they seemed to be fun for everyone.

mike the ripper - please do stop by, let me know when you will be in town next!

[spursfan5021920]

You may have met Jimmy Fallon

[ThoseBackPages]

ahh crap! i never introduced myself, but we spoke on a few occasions, about Charizard lol

[meelypops]

coltsfan- as you know, the numbers don't lie!I hear ya. Did we meet last year? Will you try and make chicago next year?

screamer- same with wax and same with singles, 95% of the time when you pinch a penny, I feel you lose. I guess that goes back the whole dealer label. When people dont move off price I guess they dont need the money or just doing it for fun, not how I roll.

bottom9th- would love to see ya! how far are you from Gainesville?

jata- thanks man. I am not expert, just my take. Would love to hear from others on here from my side of the table. Thanks will you be in chicago?

[shaner1]

That's a tremendous write-up Jameel! I'm going to have to make it to the National one of these years, when the kids are old enough to enjoy it too! Congrats on a successful adventure. Can't wait to see the MeelyPops Shop in G-ville too

[meelypops]

Shane appreciate! That Jordan moved!!!