Yes... a Dealer & his thoughts about the National (for future dealers)

[meelypops]

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 )


Van loaded up pre trip


Dad attempting to 'eBay value' from his smartphone

[cking]

Post it up. I enjoy reading your posts.

[meelypops]

cking thx brother, should be up now

[SumoMenkoMan]

Great write up. Never been to a National, but it sounds like you have the right attitude.

[95vr4]

Originally Posted by SumoMenkoMan

Great write up. Never been to a National, but it sounds like you have the right attitude.

Word. Wish all dealers are like this.

[alpine]

Thanks for writing this. This is excellent advice for just about any type of selling. I sometimes sell collectibles at flea markets, etc & you really nailed it that you have to consider all facets & especially your costs.

Your words scream out the importance of being organized & having a good mind set. You have to 100% commit to your bread & butter, which is good inventory / prices & reasonable customer service.

Sorry for the pathetic, sticky fingered thieves who dampened your experience. These low lifes pounce when they are not being fully monitored. Unfortunately this can weigh on your mind many days after the fact, lessen the many good things that happened & definitely hurt your bottom line. Best of Luck in your future endeavors.

[briancecilrn]

Thanks a lot for the informative posts. I couldn't attend the National, a buddy and I almost made it work. Many of the questions I had were answered in your post. Thanks again for taking the time.

Only question- so is it $1100 per 10 x 10 table to set up? Did you get a discount because you paid last year?

No way I could have set up and been remotely close to even breaking even, lol, so thank you also for helping me to realize this fact, I hope to attend next year in Cleveland (?), but will not be attending as a dealer.

Brian

[bigherp]

Great write up, I think just the point of you being there to actually sell Is huge because I ran into so many people there that I thought that their goal was to NOT sell anything. And trust me I came across some things I wanted, even considered paying $700 for a card that last sold for $450 (HOF cards don't fluctuate THAT much in a year or 2). It was a nice reminder that we are lucky to have Meely near Jax where I live after seeing all the B.S. that was there! You've always been fair to me and seeing you deal with everyone there I realize I am not the exception. BTW.....">>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" PLEASE TELL THIS STORY my buddy I were there for it and was ready to kick this Beckett shirt wearing guy square in the balls.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[DajuanWagner]

A dealer friend of mine had hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of cards stolen from his table, too.

[DajuanWagner]

Fantastic write-up. It sounds like there was a lot of thievery going on at this National moreso than any other. I set up at the 2013 Chicago National and I it was my very first National. I sold out to a shark after being set up (actually, I wasn't even totally set up). I don't regret it, but, like you said, I left a lot of money on the table. I never knew what a "shark" was until another guy I was set up with told me (after he walked away). My buddy said, "now what are you going to do for the next 4 days???". I said, "buy". So, I have been on both sides of the table. There are challenges on both sides and I don't mean to hijack your thread and go into that.


I wish, really wish, there were more dealers providing us with their recap/comments.


You should read this thread:


http://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1137676



This was my shared experience with Kukocitb. And, yes, I am the one who a dealer told me to f*ck off. Overall, I prefer to be the buyer at the National. I am sorry that some sleazebag stole your cards.



Randy

[rcgdodge]

Nice write up!

This one stuck a nerve with me.

-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.

I offered $750 on a card that's probably $900-$1000. The dealer turned around and laughed about it to his partner as I stood right there. Basically turned me off for the rest of the show.

You would think he might have a little back and forth about the price....

[Cliffroach]

Fantastic write up. Very interesting to get the dealers perspective on the show. Sounds like you have a great attitude about how to approach the show. Honestly pretty much all of the dealers I talked to show where very nice. The ones that weren't(and no one was a jerk) I just kept it moving. As for people stealing - sucks that people do that but it does seem very easy for someone to do. Has to be almost impossible to stop if it's busy.

[TWard]

It was nice meeting you, meelypops. Very awesome and informative post on your part. You had one of the more organized booths in the whole show - there was one guy who had like 10 cases but had 25 cases worth of cards in there. Didn't have time to deal with any of that.

I met a lot of nice people there, but there were some douche's who clearly didn't want to be there and didn't want to sell their stuff for whatever reason. That's just the way it is I suppose.

I'm sorry about the a-holes who stole your stuff. Unfortunately, that's bound to happen but you know what they say about karma. It'll all come back to them in the long run.

P.S. I meant to circle back and get the Cliff Battles cut you had on consignment but completely forgot.

Again, it was nice meeting you!

[jmarascojr]

Awesome write up sir!

I stopped by your booth on Thursday and thought it was well organized.

I'm surprised that we don't hear more about the thievery at the National as a lot of stuff is just out in the open, no matter how many people you have helping you.

I do have a question if you don't mind...

When we were leaving on Thursday, a buddy of my dad's who sets up said that some dealers actually start closing up shop after Friday and by Sunday it's a ghost town, is that true?

Thought process is, the true spenders come early and the weekend is for the people just trying to pass the time so it's not worth staying...

[byronscott4ever]

I love reading any National write-ups but it is clearly rare to hear from the dealer's side. I think your thoughts pretty much apply to every show I've ever been to no matter how big or small. I think some dealers are also set up for leads, whether it's buying collections there or having someone see what they have/sell and say they have that or know someone and take it from there so their booth is essentially advertising.

I'm not a haggler much but have done some on ebay as a buyer and seller so I know that it can be done in good ways and bad ways. No matter what, during the process, I always seem to here Mike's voice from American Pickers saying "I can't buy AND sell!" I wonder how many people who are tough hagglers are really just putting on an act so that they can make the customer feel like they "won" when they really did not.

How much work is done by the host to combat theft there? As a dealer, are you given a survey or other feedback opportunities to voice what you have seen? If so, I would imagine that many people complain about theft and make the issue visible. Of course, as long as people are buying out tables, the issue probably doesn't get the pull it should.

[byronscott4ever]

Originally Posted by jmarascojr

Awesome write up sir!

I stopped by your booth on Thursday and thought it was well organized.

I'm surprised that we don't hear more about the thievery at the National as a lot of stuff is just out in the open, no matter how many people you have helping you.

I do have a question if you don't mind...

When we were leaving on Thursday, a buddy of my dad's who sets up said that some dealers actually start closing up shop after Friday and by Sunday it's a ghost town, is that true?

Thought process is, the true spenders come early and the weekend is for the people just trying to pass the time so it's not worth staying...

I think Sunday is the quiet day but Saturday is the biggest day of all right? Imagine if dealers were penalized/incentivized to stay fully set up on Sunday too.

[tdbaseballcards]

Nice write-up.

I would have to agree with the organization and customer service aspect. I cannot believe how many booths I stood in front of a showcase wanting a price on a card and was completely ignored. Some dealers were more interested in having conversations amongst themselves instead of acknowledging me and helping me.

I was surprised by the rudeness of some dealers. Put together a stack of cards, give them an offer for said stack, and they are 'offended' that you didn't just pay their asking price and then make rude comments about that fact right to you. It's very simple to be polite when declining people's offer.

I for one am all about pricing your cards out. It at least gives the buyer an idea right away if you are in the same ballpark. I bought far more from those dealers that had cards priced vs those who did not.

I understand that dealers cannot man their booth at all times, but when you leave someone to watch your booth that doesn't have prices you miss out on sales. A number of times I would ask someone for a price and they would tell me that the person isn't there right now. That was it. With how large the show is, unless I really want the card I'm not going back later to ask for the price again.

I set up at local shows and have thought about setting up with some guys from my area that have a couple of booths at the National. Next year may be the year, but we will see. The expenses definitely play a huge role, but I figure if I am going to be there anyways why not?

I've done the whole organization thing, by sport/team and it's a lot of work. Plus you get those who put the cards back in the wrong place and someone comes along and complains to you about the wrong team being in there. But I always get compliments from buyers about how much they like it being organized. Obviously not everyone has the time to do this especially if you have 100k+ low end cards. To each their own.

[robert67]

Great!

[Hollywood42]

Great read. I don't have any plans to ever go to the National as a dealer, but fun read nonetheless

[TWard]

Originally Posted by byronscott4ever

I think Sunday is the quiet day but Saturday is the biggest day of all right? Imagine if dealers were penalized/incentivized to stay fully set up on Sunday too.

Saturday usually is the busiest day because it's the weekend but for whatever reason, this trip, Thursday was the busiest day. It was crazy, I couldn't believe the crowd was that big on a Thursday. Glad to see it though.

[TWard]

Originally Posted by tdbaseballcards

Nice write-up.

I would have to agree with the organization and customer service aspect. I cannot believe how many booths I stood in front of a showcase wanting a price on a card and was completely ignored. Some dealers were more interested in having conversations amongst themselves instead of acknowledging me and helping me.

I was surprised by the rudeness of some dealers. Put together a stack of cards, give them an offer for said stack, and they are 'offended' that you didn't just pay their asking price and then make rude comments about that fact right to you. It's very simple to be polite when declining people's offer.

This, this and this. There were several booths were I just stood there waiting to talk to a dealer about a card and was basically ignored. After a certain amount of time had passed, I just said screw it and walked away. While some were eager to make a sale, a lot of seemed to not want to.

[Cliffroach]

Originally Posted by jmarascojr

Awesome write up sir!

I stopped by your booth on Thursday and thought it was well organized.

I'm surprised that we don't hear more about the thievery at the National as a lot of stuff is just out in the open, no matter how many people you have helping you.

I do have a question if you don't mind...

When we were leaving on Thursday, a buddy of my dad's who sets up said that some dealers actually start closing up shop after Friday and by Sunday it's a ghost town, is that true?

Thought process is, the true spenders come early and the weekend is for the people just trying to pass the time so it's not worth staying...

I saw a few vendors packing their stuff, I'm assuming just for the day, around 4:00 on Saturday. Guess the crowds had thinned and maybe a beer was calling their name.

[DajuanWagner]

I did get the feeling that, for some, it was a "card show". In other words, they were just sitting there to "show" their stuff. With a ton of overpriced stuff, the seller wouldn't even get out of the chair, talk to you, or even look in your direction. Not saying that for all dealers, of course, but for some, you could tell, it was too much effort to move or speak.


Maybe some small percentage of people who went to the show were just there to look and not buy. But, if a person is standing in front of you and looking at your stuff, is it really that difficult to say something???? #rantover

[bigherp]

Originally Posted by DajuanWagner

I did get the feeling that, for some, it was a "card show". In other words, they were just sitting there to "show" their stuff. With a ton of overpriced stuff, the seller wouldn't even get out of the chair, talk to you, or even look in your direction. Not saying that for all dealers, of course, but for some, you could tell, it was too much effort to move or speak.


Maybe some small percentage of people who went to the show were just there to look and not buy. But, if a person is standing in front of you and looking at your stuff, is it really that difficult to say something???? #rantover

^^^^this

[6celtics33]

Name some names guys. I don't want to be buying from these same people on the interwebz if they treat others that way.