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

[jkampis]

Originally Posted by PumpnDumpling

I have a passport, wth would i need that nonsense?

You know he means Real ID compliant, whether license, passport or other ID. 🧌

[premium1981]

I wasn't aware, but just heard on the morning news that even if you don't have the Real ID you will still be allowed to travel. So right now its a rule that doesn't matter evidently.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by premium1981

I wasn't aware, but just heard on the morning news that even if you don't have the Real ID you will still be allowed to travel. So right now its a rule that doesn't matter evidently.

You'll still be able to travel, but you'll be subject to additional (inconvenient) screening.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by mfw13

You'll still be able to travel, but you'll be subject to additional (inconvenient) screening.

"Inconvenient screening" :

[Big35Hurt]

[thenightman]

Originally Posted by NYBBFAN

That doesn’t sound fun. I’m picturing anything under $1k gets assigned a grade based on a weighted random number generator. Ultra-modern? Random between 6 and 10. Vintage? Random between 3 and 6.

Things would be so much different if PSA got out of Los Angeles and moved to a city where making $20 an hour gets you more than $2000 a month for a roach infested studio and top ramen morning, noon, and night.

[MyckKabongo]

Went to a hotel show this AM. It was 70% Pokémon, which sucked. Pokemon people should organize their own shows not take over sports card shows.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by MyckKabongo

Went to a hotel show this AM. It was 70% Pokémon, which sucked. Pokemon people should organize their own shows not take over sports card shows.

This wouldn’t happen if aports cards buyers should spent more money on sports cards.

[Above the Rim]

Oh, my how times have changed. Back in 2014-2016 my kid was so into Pokemon, but drove him nuts I would buy the Full Arts & Maga's, then send to PSA. He claimed nobody in their right mind would do that - they are to be played with.

Even the shops with weekend Pokemon tournaments thought I was crazy getting them graded - they had no graded Pokemon and would never think to send some into PSA.

[MyckKabongo]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

This wouldn’t happen if aports cards buyers should spent more money on sports cards.

Small shows should pick a lane and not try to both. This show had maybe 8 sports cards dealers in total. Wasn't worth my time.

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by MyckKabongo

Small shows should pick a lane and not try to both. This show had maybe 8 sports cards dealers in total. Wasn't worth my time.

did you let the promoter know?

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by MyckKabongo

Small shows should pick a lane and not try to both. This show had maybe 8 sports cards dealers in total. Wasn't worth my time.

If they chose a lane, they would go TCG only. There's a reason they try both. Because 8 sports tables isn't going to cover the the organizer's expenses.

So roughly 25 TCG tables? Was the show sold out in terms of tables? If not, there's more reason why they don't pick a lane.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by MyckKabongo

Small shows should pick a lane and not try to both. This show had maybe 8 sports cards dealers in total. Wasn't worth my time.

Dealers and promoters are going to go where the money is. If sports isn’t cutting it, something else has to. Or you get no show.

[PuddleMonkey]

Excited for all the apologies coming my way.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

Excited for all the apologies coming my way.

Why would anyone apologize to you?

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by MyckKabongo

Small shows should pick a lane and not try to both. This show had maybe 8 sports cards dealers in total. Wasn't worth my time.

Agree.

Given that there isn't likely to be much crossover between TCG and sports card collectors, you're likely going to alienate a significant portion of your customers if you try to do both and end up with not enough tables of either.

[CicadaMound]

The Xenia show was up to FOUR buildings today, but it was slightly overextended and dealers said they were doing a little worse than last month. People chalked it up to the gorgeous weather, Mother's Day weekend, graduations, weddings, etc.

[PuddleMonkey]

Originally Posted by whitmm

Why would anyone apologize to you?

Sports card market in shambles, whitty.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

Sports card market in shambles, whitty.

Oh, when did that happen?

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by whitmm

Oh, when did that happen?

2024, according to Vegas Dave!

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

Sports card market in shambles, whitty.

Sports card shows are hotter than ever. Don't listen to the ridiculous claim that some small show happened to have a bunch of pokemon is an indication that sports card shows are in a decline. That is false, and frankly that whole discussion a few posts up is stupid. The sports card show scene has never been hotter in the history of the hobby.

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

Sports card market in shambles, whitty.

Why do you keep pushing this narrative?

[MyckKabongo]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Sports card shows are hotter than ever. Don't listen to the ridiculous claim that some small show happened to have a bunch of pokemon is an indication that sports card shows are in a decline. That is false, and frankly that whole discussion a few posts up is stupid. The sports card show scene has never been hotter in the history of the hobby.

Agreed. TCG is scorching hot but it's completely false to argue that sports card shows are in decline. Chantilly in April was still 95% sports and hot as ever. There are several sports card shows that have popped up locally in the past 2 years, also indicating big demand for shows.

This promoter has hosted a sports show for many years in a cramped hotel basement. Has never had a problem filling tables. What I think happened is he set up a new location and was open to pokemon dealers and he got a ton of demand for TCG tables. I'll chat with him next time I see him.

[NYBBFAN]

Originally Posted by ScooterD

Why do you keep pushing this narrative?

I will say that of all that have made this claim, Mr. Monkey actually put his money where his mouth is and sold cards that he felt were fully valued.

Not saying I agree with his opinion or even care what the card market does, but he has integrity.

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by NYBBFAN

I will say that of all that have made this claim, Mr. Monkey actually put his money where his mouth is and sold cards that he felt were fully valued.

Not saying I agree with his opinion or even care what the card market does, but he has integrity.

I wish him well and don’t care if he is wrong or right - just wondering why he keeps saying it and wanting others to agree with his opinion. What’s the intent?