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

[itsbaytime]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

Strongsville is next weekend

I do not think repackers will be there

They might be. It is moved to a different venue that is close by. I am not sure if that means expanded dealers or not. I know they have kind of wanted some new blood in there for a while.

[notfast]

Sometimes people need cash. I sold some stuff this weekend for less than I wanted but I wanted cash in hand.

I think repackers are propping up the modern market but it’s keeping people involved and cash flowing which is good for the hobby IMO.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by notfast

Sometimes people need cash. I sold some stuff this weekend for less than I wanted but I wanted cash in hand.

I think repackers are propping up the modern market but it’s keeping people involved and cash flowing which is good for the hobby IMO.

I would have no problem selling to a repacker, or anyone really, if I was offered a price I was okay with. Now, I don't chase the types cards they are looking for, but if I pulled one, I would. Once I have cash in hand and the deal is done, I really don't care what they do with it. If they've done the research and have someone that will pay them more for it, more power to them.

[ddearing]

Originally Posted by Mattsurewood

Went to Chantilly Sunday. Decent crowd, still able to move around, good spacing…my pickups (4 cards):




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You got that Black and White from me. I had just picked it up earlier that day and had planned on crossing it over to PSA, but you got to it first.
Solid pick ups for you at the show.

[ddearing]

Regarding the buying at the Chantilly show - I am typically a very active buyer at these shows and have a certain amount that I can expect to spend on walkups. We will typically pay 75% on most things, but will pay up to 85% on certain things that are very liquid. At this show, I spent about half of what I would usually spend and a good chunk of that happened on Sunday. Friday, I was just too busy selling to look at much. I do think that the guy with the 80-85% banner had a lot more walk up to him than I did. He was very picky about what he would pay those numbers on. I just ordered a new banner.....

Overall, this show was very busy. Similar to Philly a few weeks ago. Sales were great and we are raising the bar on what it takes to be a "good" show compared to previous years. Overall, the market was in a bit of freefall from August - December last year, but has rebounded nicely and I expect momentum to keep building from now through the NFL Pre-Season. There are lots of factors at play, but having an NFL (Stroud) and NBA (Wemby) premier rookie to chase certainly help compared to last year.

[tobytyler]

big show in NJ this weekend

signing: James Worthy, AI, Chris Mullin, Dominique

[Mattsurewood]

Originally Posted by ddearing

You got that Black and White from me. I had just picked it up earlier that day and had planned on crossing it over to PSA, but you got to it first.
Solid pick ups for you at the show.

Great--nice meeting you! I'll have the Sayers/Grange/Payton at home if you ever get a wild hair.

[ddearing]

Originally Posted by Mattsurewood

Great--nice meeting you! I'll have the Sayers/Grange/Payton at home if you ever get a wild hair.

One of the prettiest football cards I've ever seen, from an iconic set. But since it's worth more than a car, I'll let you explain it to my wife....

[Mattsurewood]

Originally Posted by ddearing

One of the prettiest football cards I've ever seen, from an iconic set. But since it's worth more than a car, I'll let you explain it to my wife....

For anyone wondering, I took this out of the house for the first time since 2012…I had the “authentic” slab put on it at the National in Baltimore in 2012, just to get a slab on it since it was a 1/1. Pulled it on release day of ‘06 NT, it was one of the cards on the sell sheet for the product:





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[ThoseBackPages]

sweet baby jesus!

[nabzy28]

Originally Posted by Mattsurewood

For anyone wondering, I took this out of the house for the first time since 2012…I had the “authentic” slab put on it at the National in Baltimore in 2012, just to get a slab on it since it was a 1/1. Pulled it on release day of ‘06 NT, it was one of the cards on the sell sheet for the product:





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That's what I'm talking about. Awesome card. Just hang on to it. The football card market doesn't appreciate cards like that anywhere near enough... yet.

[Raleigh504]

Originally Posted by xposipx

See you there! Pretty sure I’ve bought from you before. I enjoy those shows.

Yes, his shows definitely has good turn out, good selection of items (especially for the space). See you there!

[anusinha]

Originally Posted by ddearing

Regarding the buying at the Chantilly show - I am typically a very active buyer at these shows and have a certain amount that I can expect to spend on walkups. We will typically pay 75% on most things, but will pay up to 85% on certain things that are very liquid. At this show, I spent about half of what I would usually spend and a good chunk of that happened on Sunday. Friday, I was just too busy selling to look at much. I do think that the guy with the 80-85% banner had a lot more walk up to him than I did. He was very picky about what he would pay those numbers on. I just ordered a new banner.....

Overall, this show was very busy. Similar to Philly a few weeks ago. Sales were great and we are raising the bar on what it takes to be a "good" show compared to previous years. Overall, the market was in a bit of freefall from August - December last year, but has rebounded nicely and I expect momentum to keep building from now through the NFL Pre-Season. There are lots of factors at play, but having an NFL (Stroud) and NBA (Wemby) premier rookie to chase certainly help compared to last year.

Don't forget the biggest rookie of the year, Connor Bedard

[ddearing]

Originally Posted by anusinha

Don't forget the biggest rookie of the year, Connor Bedard

Good point. And FWIW, Caitlin Clark generates a bit of buzz around the show also.

[ThoseBackPages]

LOVE IT Dan!

[dcbaseballcards]

Originally Posted by Brazenways

Is is out curiosity, boredom, jealousy? Have never bought a repack but holy smokes some of you guys (gals?) are just so butt hurt about other peoples activity.

repacks from the right seller have better odds than buying boxes from Topps/Panini. Both are negative, sure, but with the right repacker, I think the average is 95-100% comps.

I don't view the growth of repacks as a sign of anything other than the price of wax is very high. Obviously there are reasons for that, but I don't think it says much about the health of the average collector/user.

Paying 80-85% means more liquidity, and is a stimulus for those buying wax, repacks, or flipping.

[UMich92]

Originally Posted by dcbaseballcards

repacks from the right seller have better odds than buying boxes from Topps/Panini. Both are negative, sure, but with the right repacker, I think the average is 95-100% comps.

I don't view the growth of repacks as a sign of anything other than the price of wax is very high. Obviously there are reasons for that, but I don't think it says much about the health of the average collector/user.

Paying 80-85% means more liquidity, and is a stimulus for those buying wax, repacks, or flipping.

The liquidity definitely helps the market and I think would help increase overall sales at shows. I've definitely taken advantage of having a little extra in the budget at a show by being able to sell to repackers and other dealers.

[daveyc1]

is anyone planning on attending the Bangor Maine show this Saturday? Promotor said there are 98 tables sold. hoping for lots of foot traffic.

I will be setting up again.

[bryanscs]

I'll be at the Machinist Hall Show in St Louis this weekend. Anyone else going?

[hammerva]

I didn't go to the Chantilly show last weekend. They almost always booked on the same weekend as Wrestlemania. From listening and looking at recaps of the show, basically the repackers destroyed the show and made it not fun anymore. Which is funny to me because most of the people complaining thought the concept was so great.

Because of my budget and my PC, these people don't really bother me. Although I here that a number of tables were just completely cleaned out budget cards and all. There needs to be rules concerning that but I know that is unrealistic. And luckily most of these repackers actually think most cards older than 3 years ago are useless.

Absolutely loved that apparently Mike Tyson did his entire autograph session shirt less

[Raleigh504]

I still don't understand how people getting bought up/out by these repackers is a back thing. It moves inventory for a dealer to be able to get new stuff to bring to the next show. I guess a bad thing would be only buying things that the repackers would want at the next show and it becoming the same items at each table vs. a variety of items.

[hammerva]

I think if it was just repackers it wouldn't be an issue. But let's say a dealer has been cleaned out by all of these people. Great I have a bunch of money to spend on new inventory. Well you are not going to get this from regular customers unless you are willing to go more than 75% to 90% which is what the 4 or 5 "buying" dealers a show are offering now. So now you have to go to the other dealers at show. Those dealers have been picked by those same repackers. So aren't you getting the leftovers? And if they weren't picked off by the same repackers but great stuff, you probably have to spend a decent amount more than you wanted to

[dcbaseballcards]

Originally Posted by Raleigh504

I still don't understand how people getting bought up/out by these repackers is a back thing. It moves inventory for a dealer to be able to get new stuff to bring to the next show. I guess a bad thing would be only buying things that the repackers would want at the next show and it becoming the same items at each table vs. a variety of items.

it's good in the short term, but repackers are taking inventory out of showcases and also getting show attendees' inventory before dealers can buy it at 70%-75% at put it in their showcases for 95%. So a random person going to the show won't see many interesting cards in the showcases. But a person looking to sell some cards will get 80-85% instead of 70-75%.

But all of these cards are being taken and sold off site. Good for those buyers, but hurts the in person show experience in this way.

[daveyc1]

The Bangor Maine Elks club show was good yesterday. foot traffic very brisk throughout the morning, at least where I was set up. I couldn't even leave the table until noon to go to the Bathroom. lots of sales to new people I had not seen at past shows. I sold some things that had been in the case for months yesterday.

A few notes: I did not see nearly as many kids running from table to table to "trade up" as I have seen in past shows. I only had a couple. Most of the kids actually had a parent and were there to purchase. I sold cards to more women yesterday than in any other previous show. I had more people simply pay sticker than ever before. no negotiation, just "I will take that one" that felt strange to me. Possibly a less experienced crowd? I did notice quite a few new faces.

overall, I had a fun day and did pretty well.

[theshowandme]

Strongsville is in 5 days