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

[Raleigh504]

At the show this weekend, there seemed to be a lot of local stores set up there to sell. Unfortunately, one was there to liquidate everything since they were going out of business. There were others that had an online/card show presences too vs a brick & mortar. Really that is the way to do it in my opinion if selling cards full-time was your job/thing. Sell singles online on eBay/COMC/another site if makes sense, go to shows at least once a month as a seller to move/get new products, and then at least do breaks/grade to sell.

Granted breaks can be sold via eBay and any unsold you claim and have the cards go into your store/card show box.

[mogwai316]

Originally Posted by Raleigh504

Any good shows this past weekend?

Went to one in NC (Salisbury). Had a ton of foot traffic to get in and the tables were spaced out which is nice and gave lots of room to walk around. A ton of pokemon and ultra-modern cards there. There were some vintage/junk wax, but anything good they wanted 4x recent comps (looking for Nolan Ryan RCs and found 2 tables that had it with one wanting $1k for a SGC 1 and so on).

Sold some Stroud rookies I had there for a good deal on both parties. Will consider setting up at this show in the future since it had a ton of foot traffic. Overall had a great set up of tables and did have a good mix of items for sale (cards, memorabilia, pokemon/sports, modern, slabs, vintage, etc). First time going to Salisbury show in general.

Anyone else in NC go to this show?

Unfortunately had to miss the Salisbury show due to real life stuff, but it's always a good one. So much space in that old department store building so even with so many tables it doesn't feel overcrowded.

I'll be at Hickory next Saturday 1/20 (as a buyer). I do want to set up at some shows this year too, but have been lazy about it so far.

Beckett is showing a Salisbury show on 1/20 also but it's James so I'm assuming that's a screwup with the date and it's referring to the show that just happened on 1/13. They really need to fix that stuff, if I made a 2-hour drive to find out it was the wrong date I would not be happy.

[vintg]

went to a relatively small show in bridgeview, IL on sunday.

ZERO degrees out, and show was packed.

was happy to see, and report.

[Raleigh504]

Originally Posted by mogwai316

Unfortunately had to miss the Salisbury show due to real life stuff, but it's always a good one. So much space in that old department store building so even with so many tables it doesn't feel overcrowded.

I'll be at Hickory next Saturday 1/20 (as a buyer). I do want to set up at some shows this year too, but have been lazy about it so far.

Beckett is showing a Salisbury show on 1/20 also but it's James so I'm assuming that's a screwup with the date and it's referring to the show that just happened on 1/13. They really need to fix that stuff, if I made a 2-hour drive to find out it was the wrong date I would not be happy.

I look on Sportscollectorsdigest (outside of following the promotors on social media), and the only 1/20 shows are Charlotte (it is a promotor I am not familiar with) & Hickory. I am watching my daughter that day so won't be able to make any shows. There is one on 1/21 at Clemmons/Winston-Salem

The one in Charlotte is at the same location that Burke does his Charlotte show at.

[xposipx]

Originally Posted by Raleigh504

I look on Sportscollectorsdigest (outside of following the promotors on social media), and the only 1/20 shows are Charlotte (it is a promotor I am not familiar with) & Hickory. I am watching my daughter that day so won't be able to make any shows. There is one on 1/21 at Clemmons/Winston-Salem

The one in Charlotte is at the same location that Burke does his Charlotte show at.

I go to all of these local shows about once every month or two. I enjoyed getting out and the atmosphere, but most of the singles were overpriced or not priced at all. There were some fun ones to see and some smaller sellers with fair prices that I just didn't bite on. I go for 1-2 particular dealers who have (excellent) 10 cent or quarter boxes. They were even off a bit last weekend, but it was still a good show overall just to get out and walk around.

The Charlotte hotel show is the best for vintage with the one dealer with multiple tables on the back side. He's great to deal with.

[ironfireman]

Originally Posted by Raleigh504

Yes it was James. When I say vintage (never been to Hickory show yet) I say like 2-5 tables of it and I am sure it’s the same guys that are at Hickory (I did hear a few say they are setting up next weekend there). Out of the notes 250 tables advertised, I saw about 3-5 empty in the morning, probably 10 dealers had multiple tables (3+). If there were 200 vendors to keep it all simple, 3-5 vintage, 3-5 memorabilia/other/supplies, 20ish Pokemon style cards, and the rest ultra/post 1980s cards.

I will admit, for anyone that had ultra modern cards, they did have some “older” ones scattered in too. I saw a few dealers I have seen at multiple different shows that do the rounds in NC.

Setting up at Hickory or at some shows in general? I do about 4-6 shows a year and a lot of them have increased their table price this year. It only makes sense if you get the foot traffic to pay more. I am definitely more strategic for where I set up just cause I have been burned in the past.

Aww so it still sounds like 95%+ new stuff. I'm in Shelby so driving back through Charlotte on a Saturday afternoon is a bit much.
Hickory will be my first show selling. I bought a collection from an older gal and got a bunch of early 80s Donruss, Fleer Topps, 5k boxes & sets from most years - I've got a bunch of junk wax too I might bring for $20 per 5k - I've had luck selling 5-6k in plain cardboard boxes at my local antique shop - so I kinda hate to give away decent 5k boxes lol - I might do that again. Of course I'll have some .25 & $1 boxes + some priced low grade vintage - only one 6' ft table so we'll see!
One table is ony $50 and I always go to the show for $5 so.. $45. Hopefully I should be able to sell $500 or more but I am a bit worried as the Hickory spot is so big it's easy to get lost.
What shows have burned ya? I would maybe suggest Spartanburg. That one is always packed and probably only 150ish tables - the one issue is it's a bit cramped and can get hot in the summer.

[Raleigh504]

Originally Posted by xposipx

I go to all of these local shows about once every month or two. I enjoyed getting out and the atmosphere, but most of the singles were overpriced or not priced at all. There were some fun ones to see and some smaller sellers with fair prices that I just didn't bite on. I go for 1-2 particular dealers who have (excellent) 10 cent or quarter boxes. They were even off a bit last weekend, but it was still a good show overall just to get out and walk around.

The Charlotte hotel show is the best for vintage with the one dealer with multiple tables on the back side. He's great to deal with.

That’s the one I typically sell at and agree he has some good stuff. Either before or if my table is near his, I will try to look at his stuff for my PC. Unfortunately most vintage isn’t priced to move or even close to comps. The one card I was looking for this weekend was priced 3x what they go for so that was disappointing. I think some vintage or high end dealers price them crazy to show off or they are priced to not move/hoping for a sucker.

[Raleigh504]

Originally Posted by ironfireman

Aww so it still sounds like 95%+ new stuff. I'm in Shelby so driving back through Charlotte on a Saturday afternoon is a bit much.
Hickory will be my first show selling. I bought a collection from an older gal and got a bunch of early 80s Donruss, Fleer Topps, 5k boxes & sets from most years - I've got a bunch of junk wax too I might bring for $20 per 5k - I've had luck selling 5-6k in plain cardboard boxes at my local antique shop - so I kinda hate to give away decent 5k boxes lol - I might do that again. Of course I'll have some .25 & $1 boxes + some priced low grade vintage - only one 6' ft table so we'll see!
One table is ony $50 and I always go to the show for $5 so.. $45. Hopefully I should be able to sell $500 or more but I am a bit worried as the Hickory spot is so big it's easy to get lost.
What shows have burned ya? I would maybe suggest Spartanburg. That one is always packed and probably only 150ish tables - the one issue is it's a bit cramped and can get hot in the summer.

I don’t want to name the show because I didn’t up there a lot more until the price jumped per table and really got burned on a fluke. I decided to get 2 tables (no discount) and then no foot traffic. I basically lost just under the cost of my second table and realistically could have gotten away with only one.

[sak0309]

Originally Posted by Raleigh504

Any good shows this past weekend?

Went to one in NC (Salisbury). Had a ton of foot traffic to get in and the tables were spaced out which is nice and gave lots of room to walk around. A ton of pokemon and ultra-modern cards there. There were some vintage/junk wax, but anything good they wanted 4x recent comps (looking for Nolan Ryan RCs and found 2 tables that had it with one wanting $1k for a SGC 1 and so on).

Sold some Stroud rookies I had there for a good deal on both parties. Will consider setting up at this show in the future since it had a ton of foot traffic. Overall had a great set up of tables and did have a good mix of items for sale (cards, memorabilia, pokemon/sports, modern, slabs, vintage, etc). First time going to Salisbury show in general.

Anyone else in NC go to this show?

I was at this show. Salisbury is in my rotation with Hickory and Mooresville. This show had a ton of Pokemon ... I'd say nearly half of the tables. It was very crowded, but good to see more kids at the show. At some spots I had to wait to elbow in to the $1-$5 baseball boxes. I didn't see as many value pickups this time. Seems like cards that used to be in quarter boxes are now in $1 boxes.

[hammerva]

Maybe this is just my area and not being where the food is but it is weird how there are such fewer shows in January and really parts of February. Especially during football season and playoffs. The next big show (and that is debatable) is a shown on the day before the Super Bowl

[Bunny Hop]

Originally Posted by vintg

went to a relatively small show in bridgeview, IL on sunday.

ZERO degrees out, and show was packed.

was happy to see, and report.

My garage was snowed in. Glad to know it was a good turnout. I'd hoped to make it out.

[Sluggerrr]

Originally Posted by vintg

went to a relatively small show in bridgeview, IL on sunday.

ZERO degrees out, and show was packed.

was happy to see, and report.

I was there! I stopped by before hitting the Museum of Science and Industry to catch the Pompei exhibit before it leaves town.

[vintg]

Originally Posted by Bunny Hop

My garage was snowed in. Glad to know it was a good turnout. I'd hoped to make it out.

if you guys haven't already, sunday is the regular long-running orland park, il

show. something for erverybody, strong vintage

[vintg]

Originally Posted by Sluggerrr

I was there! I stopped by before hitting the Museum of Science and Industry to catch the Pompei exhibit before it leaves town.

^^^ see above post

[Bunny Hop]

Originally Posted by vintg

if you guys haven't already, sunday is the regular long-running orland park, il

show. something for erverybody, strong vintage

Would love to make it out. Picked up some fun stuff last time.

[solt0131]

Isn’t the big Dallas show this weekend?

[The_Reverend]

Originally Posted by solt0131

Isn’t the big Dallas show this weekend?

Yes it is, but there is some other show put on my the Dallas Card show called Investibilia, Feb 9-11 I think. There is very little talk about the Dallas show. We have our quarterly show in town next weekend and plan to stop by.

[Sluggerrr]

Originally Posted by vintg

^^^ see above post

I've made a note of it but it's hard to get me out on Sundays. I went this last Sunday because it was a holiday weekend.

[metsandweezer]

Originally Posted by solt0131

Isn’t the big Dallas show this weekend?

Yes I found some good deals, but for the most part 90% of dealers are overpriced. They should not put cards out if they have no intent on selling them.

[KhalDrogo]

I have a hard time believing there is a big show worse than Dallas. Same dealers selling the same overpriced ultra modern slabs and wax every single show.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by solt0131

Isn’t the big Dallas show this weekend?

It’s more like a museum of the relics and prices of the past.

When graded base slabs roamed the earth.

My favorite is always the 50% sale signs for those too lazy to change their pandemic sticker tags, which is still 100% too high.

[ThoseBackPages]

how great is that?

[Sonnys88]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

I have a hard time believing there is a big show worse than Dallas. Same dealers selling the same overpriced ultra modern slabs and wax every single show.

I agree.

Dallas is 100% hype and only gained a following because it was the first "big" show to start up again during Covid and all the "influencers" made videos about it.

If you like looking at hundreds of the same over-priced 2023 football rookie card, then Dallas is for you.

[Slvnumber2]

Had thought about flying out to Dallas show with the family but decided against it. Will try one in the future, but we have a strong local one each month we set up here in town and plenty nearby in Ohio and Nashville if needed. Plus we always hit the National each year for our vintage items.

[NYBBFAN]

Hickory was fun today. Picked up a bunch of low-end 90s inserts.