Observations on the current state of the hobby from a show this weekend - Page 262

ScooterD · 06-15-2025, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinnacle06

Went to a card show in MA this morning that happens every 3 months or so at this particular location. Completely dead… the lowest attended show I’ve seen since Covid. Interestingly, it was almost entire sports with little TCG (this was advertised). Hard to figure out this market. Card show in San Diego was packed to the gills about a month ago and then this complete dude today at what is a usually a well attended show. Father’s Day? Lack of Pokémon? Just the market?? Not sure

Maybe too early?

pinnacle06 · 06-15-2025, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScooterD

Maybe too early?

Same as I’ve always done for this particular show

ThoseBackPages · 06-15-2025, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinnacle06

Went to a card show in MA this morning that happens every 3 months or so at this particular location. Completely dead… the lowest attended show I’ve seen since Covid. Interestingly, it was almost entire sports with little TCG (this was advertised). Hard to figure out this market. Card show in San Diego was packed to the gills about a month ago and then this complete dude today at what is a usually a well attended show. Father’s Day? Lack of Pokémon? Just the market?? Not sure

lets see the pickups.

QuinEarlyDoucet · 06-15-2025, 09:16 AM

Out of all the shows I either setup at or attend busiest time is always 11 AM - 1PM so prob give it more time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinnacle06

Same as I’ve always done for this particular show

solt0131 · 06-15-2025, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinnacle06

Went to a card show in MA this morning that happens every 3 months or so at this particular location. Completely dead… the lowest attended show I’ve seen since Covid. Interestingly, it was almost entire sports with little TCG (this was advertised). Hard to figure out this market. Card show in San Diego was packed to the gills about a month ago and then this complete dude today at what is a usually a well attended show. Father’s Day? Lack of Pokémon? Just the market?? Not sure

The market. Puddlemonkey said the market is dead, don't you remember?

Big35Hurt · 06-15-2025, 11:53 AM

Went to a show in Janesville, Wisconsin (about 70-75 minutes southwest of Milwaukee and about 45-50 southeast of Madison). Show was pretty busy and there were a lot of transactions/buying happening for sports cards. Show was maybe 50/50 with TCG. The hobby is still going strong.

solt0131 · 06-15-2025, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big35Hurt

Went to a show in Janesville, Wisconsin (about 70-75 minutes southwest of Milwaukee and about 45-50 southeast of Madison). Show was pretty busy and there were a lot of transactions/buying happening for sports cards. Show was maybe 50/50 with TCG. The hobby is still going strong.

Feels like there are a lot more buyers out there these days. Lots of competition for similar type stuff.

dodgerfanjohn · 06-15-2025, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfw13

To totally switch the topic, one thing that I've noticed recently is the huge increase in prices for on card autos of top retired players & HOFers.

Griffey auto prices are the most insane considering how much he's signed and how many sets he has autos in, but Bonds & Koufax prices are pretty crazy as well.

I have numerous autos of all three of those players that I bought between 2015 and 2020 for less than $500....

Koufax only does this limited private signing. At 90 years old I think people figure he doesn’t have long to go. I’m contrarian on this. Dude seems to have a huge zest for life and looks great for his age. It would not surprise me to seem him exceed 100 and be in relatively good shape the entire time. This one is upcoming and already sold out the 20 spots:

Bonds doesn’t have many auto cards(relatively) and younger collectors see the numbers and don’t have the juiced memories we do. Griffey is just hugely popular I think and some of that gets imparted to guys who were kids when Jr was big and just starting to hit their prime earning years, providing disposable income. On Sportscards Nonsense Facebook group, there’s an absolute obsession with the 1989 UD Griffey.

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Bosoxfan5990 · 06-16-2025, 08:04 AM

Went to a show in MA yesterday. Tons of TCG & Vintage.

I spent $10 ($3 admission & $7 on a 4-row).

Boo · 06-16-2025, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

Went to a show in MA yesterday. Tons of TCG & Vintage.

I spent $10 ($3 admission & $7 on a 4-row).

ThoseBackPages · 06-16-2025, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

Went to a show in MA yesterday. Tons of TCG & Vintage.

I spent $10 ($3 admission & $7 on a 4-row).

NICE!

netmasters · 06-16-2025, 04:55 PM

The biggest surprise to me at small local shows now is how many people are actively promoting they're buying. Repackers/live sellers are definitely providing liquidity right now.

ThoseBackPages · 06-16-2025, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netmasters

The biggest surprise to me at small local shows now is how many people are actively promoting they're buying. Repackers/live sellers are definitely providing liquidity right now.

man, that is great to hear!

Big35Hurt · 06-16-2025, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netmasters

The biggest surprise to me at small local shows now is how many people are actively promoting they're buying. Repackers/live sellers are definitely providing liquidity right now.

I see a table or two at every show where these people are set up strictly to buy and some go as far as putting a bunch of $100 bills in their case. A lot of times they are not even at their table and going around trying to make deals at other tables. Surprisingly, they aren't anywhere near as obnoxious as the peli bois and their black Zion cases.

ThoseBackPages · 06-16-2025, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big35Hurt

I see a table or two at every show where these people are set up strictly to buy and some go as far as putting a bunch of $100 bills in their case. A lot of times they are not even at their table and going around trying to make deals at other tables. Surprisingly, they aren't anywhere near as obnoxious as the peli bois and their black Zion cases.

how great is that?

solt0131 · 06-17-2025, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netmasters

The biggest surprise to me at small local shows now is how many people are actively promoting they're buying. Repackers/live sellers are definitely providing liquidity right now.

Hold on, hold on here. If the market is crashing and dying then why are so many people out there buying? That doesn't make sense.....

Mahomie · 06-17-2025, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahomie

I was at a card show earlier today, and I ran into this guy (he had a booth setup).

I'm not into the "hobby influencer" scene at all, but I recognized his face and noticed that he had someone there filming his trades.

We made a quick deal (bought a Dirk Nowitzki auto from him), and I went on my way. Seemed pretty chill.

I'm feeling a bit self-conscious right now.

This guy published a video about the show, and I'm nowhere to be found. It's like being an actor when they don't tell you that your role was cut until you see the premiere.

Was I too ugly? Did it happen too quickly?

PuddleMonkey · 06-17-2025, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solt0131

Hold on, hold on here. If the market is crashing and dying then why are so many people out there buying? That doesn't make sense.....

Repackers are always the last ones to figure it out.

ThoseBackPages · 06-17-2025, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahomie

I'm feeling a bit self-conscious right now.

This guy published a video about the show, and I'm nowhere to be found. It's like being an actor when they don't tell you that your role was cut until you see the premiere.

Was I too ugly? Did it happen too quickly?

thats what you get for watching that slop haha

Mahomie · 06-18-2025, 01:22 AM

You're right, and I feel dirty for even posting the vid.

I'm only keeping it up so that other BO members can get creeped out by his AI-generated eyeballs.

solt0131 · 06-18-2025, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

Repackers are always the last ones to figure it out.

Has nothing to do with repackers, it has to do with Whatnot. I’m not sure the majority of guys here realize how big Whatnot is now.

hammerva · 06-18-2025, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solt0131

Has nothing to do with repackers, it has to do with Whatnot. I’m not sure the majority of guys here realize how big Whatnot is now.

Yeah I think we all realized how big Whatnot was when their biggest seller is having incest fantasy with imaginary children and not only didn't punish them but helped them out and still promote them

mfw13 · 06-18-2025, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solt0131

Has nothing to do with repackers, it has to do with Whatnot. I’m not sure the majority of guys here realize how big Whatnot is now.

What is Whatnot?

ScooterD · 06-18-2025, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfw13

What is Whatnot?

It’s that thing where a short person walks around your apartment and asks non-sensical questions

PuddleMonkey · 06-18-2025, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammerva

incest fantasy with imaginary children

I think I'm good not knowing what Whatnot is.

06-16-2025, 08:04 AM	#6534
Bosoxfan5990 Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: MA Posts: 13,750 rossisportscards	Went to a show in MA yesterday. Tons of TCG & Vintage. I spent $10 ($3 admission & $7 on a 4-row). __________________ X & IG: rossisportcards. Bethel Johnson & A. Vinatieri. "A Goldin Shower of sorrow and regret." -ninjacookies (11/25/24) "I'm back." -Bosoxfan5990 (2/8/25)

06-18-2025, 01:22 AM	#6545
Mahomie Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 4,467	You're right, and I feel dirty for even posting the vid. I'm only keeping it up so that other BO members can get creeped out by his AI-generated eyeballs. __________________ PC: Taylor Heise, Kia Nurse, Trinity Rodman, Grogu, Electric Bill

06-15-2025, 11:53 AM	#6531
Big35Hurt Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 9,523	Went to a show in Janesville, Wisconsin (about 70-75 minutes southwest of Milwaukee and about 45-50 southeast of Madison). Show was pretty busy and there were a lot of transactions/buying happening for sports cards. Show was maybe 50/50 with TCG. The hobby is still going strong.

06-16-2025, 04:55 PM	#6537
netmasters Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 690	The biggest surprise to me at small local shows now is how many people are actively promoting they're buying. Repackers/live sellers are definitely providing liquidity right now.